Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

How to Mount a DLSR on my SUV's Hood?

Tom Lowe

Tom Lowe

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2007
Messages
8,520
Reaction score
1
Points
0
I'm really interested in trying out some drive-lapse, cruising around town at night. I'm trying to figure out a safe, cheap, solid way to mount my Canon 350D DLSR to my car's hood, outside the vehicle. I was planning to use a simple UV filter to protect my lens, and a cloth wrapper to protect the camera. What is the best mount to put out on my hood, though?

I was looking at this "sticky pod"....

http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29

It's cheap, but I'm a little paranoid that the thing will fall off. There doesn't appear to be any way to secure it with crank straps. I guess I could drill holes in it and secure it with crank straps to my front fender wells. It also doesn't mention anything about vibration dampening.

Any suggestions?
 
Hi Tom,

I have the sticky pod pro pack, never used it on a shoot. But I did some tests to see how well the suction cups worked, and they seemed Really solid.

You can borrow it if you like.
 
Hey Tom,

even so they are solid, they are not okay to use as sticky pods by them self, you can used them but you must also use a tie down system in order to insure the safety of your gear.

I also have used several suction cups from 5lb to 75lb saction, and they are also great one used individually for small or large fixtures on windows or any type of flat surface were they can stick to it.

But when I use them on moving vehicles I always use tie downs, always!

The one that are the best are the Visual Departures ones, I have used this even with a 1200 Par attached to it out of a building window, (rope attached to the fixture, just in case) no problems, it holds well.

But no matter what on moving vehicles do use tie downs! Try the link below.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61598-REG/Visual_Departures_SM6_Suction_Cup_Mount_.html

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com
 
hi Tom, look at this system from http://www.vfgadgets.com/Pro_Gripper.htm
I just found it on net not long ago

PGripper_Hood2.gif
 
I finally shot my first drivelapse today. Actually it was really fun doing it, and seeing the results. I just put my camera on the dash, braced with a hand towel - ghetto style, baby.

http://digitallions.org/drivelapse.mov

100 MBs 720p
 
Tom that was excellent. That's a whole other world... the last shot was the perfect ending.
 
If you are using suction cups on your car be prepared to leave a permanent circle-shaped crack in your paint job. I have seen it many times.

As mentioned, in addition to the suction cup you really need tie-downs or ratchet straps. There are just too many things that can go wrong and people could get hurt.

Perhaps you could find a grip that would be willing to work with you on a non-damaging, safe rig.
 
Cool stuff,

I must admit, I was getting motion sick.
 
Yeah, I understood.

I think a higher fps would help make this less sea-sick inducing, but my intervalometer is 1fps max. :(

I'm thinking I might try to find a cheap point-and-click camera with a built-in intervalomter and a fairly wide lens.
 
I use one of those suction mounts from filmtools.com
My van has a sunroof so I mount it just in front,
then I can pop my head through the roof to frame and
focus. I also tie it off.
There are some shots in my Time Lapse reel using the suction mount.
Most of the stuff I shoot is for clients so I could not
sell it as stock......

http://www.izonemedia.net/TL_QT.php
 
Red Guy said:
I use one of those suction mounts from filmtools.com
My van has a sunroof so I mount it just in front,
then I can pop my head through the roof to frame and
focus. I also tie it off.
There are some shots in my Time Lapse reel using the suction mount.
Most of the stuff I shoot is for clients so I could not
sell it as stock......

http://www.izonemedia.net/TL_QT.php
Click to expand...

Wow you have some nice clips in there! Very clean and well exposed. I love that carnival ride near the end. What did you shoot these on?
 
Thanks,
Nikon D200,
Usually with my 12-24 Zoom,
some of those were with my 10.5
I just wish I had more time to get out
and shoot. I am usually stuck here
editing. I do have some Pano shoots
coming up - that stuff is fun to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top