Bicycle camera mount - what do you think?

[Snake Plissken]

I cycle a lot and I live 2 minutes from Loch Lomond. There's a cycle path here that runs along an old railway to Glasgow. Many a time I've tried (very unsuccessfully) to attach my DV camera to the bike - Don't really know why, just want to! Even with front suspension and the tires on low pressure, the road vibrations shake the camera practically off the bike. Footage is unusable, and I hate to think what's happening to the internals of the camera. So, I'm looking at this -
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Mounting%20Brackets.htm
The clamp with ball tilt head. What do you think? I think it's still going to rattle the camera to pieces. Has anyone tried this or something like it. Or come up with a successful ( and cheap ) way of absorbing the shock?

[Peter Wedlake]

your best bet is to use a remote bullet camera fed into the camera which you can put in a rucksack or something similar.

you can get them here

http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/cam-bullet-bw.htm

You might like to have a look at my attempt with a bullet camera mounted on the front forks of a mountain bike during a 24hr race, its one lap of a 10 mile course edited down to about 5mins. I've also tried it with a camera mounted to a cycle helmet, the effect isn't quite as good as the fork mounted one. Considering the camera is mounted on the fork without the benefit of the suspension the outcome was very good.

http://www.wedlake.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/SSMM_video.htm

[JMCP]

Peter,
just watched your 5 mnute clip, really really enjoyed it. I am going to have a serious think about purchasing one of these kits. Can you tell me what the exact kit/components are that you bought ie lense size etc.. and how much it all cost ?


Cheers John

[Peter Wedlake]

I used my DV camera but it was a bullet camera from a friend of mine, not sure of the price having had another look at the rfconcepts site they appear to have a lot more choice. But you will need a camcorder with an analogue input.

This page might help..

http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm

I didn't see it the first time around

[JMCP]

Peter, thanks for the info, I will do some more digging around. Cheers.

[Snake Plissken]

Peter,

Thought the footage looked excellent. Unfortunately I don't have AV in on my camcorder.
Here's what I'm going to try next - monopod secured in backpack with camera poking out the top. Sadly it will be shooting backwards but it might be worth a try. I can get 250 pounds from You've Been Framed when it all goes wrong!

[Peter Wedlake]

There's some excellent MTB videos here

http://www.petefagerlin.com/The_Hub.htm

Along with a video 'how to guide'

You'll need broadband to download the videos though..

[danmountainbike]

I use the "pack4" bullet camera from rfconcepts. Fantastic little piece of kit. Bought it for mountain biking but there is so much more you can do with these things. Had it attached to end of a pole when out filming on a rally. Sitting in ditch on the inside of the corner. Got some incredible footage. Also had it inside a pint glass (the curved bottom gives a crude fisheye distortion) for a arty film i'm making.
peter-did you use any kind of shock absortion for the camera when attaching to your forks? I want to try this next but don't want to shake the things to bits!

[Peter Wedlake]

Hi REO3

There wasn't any shock absorption for the camera, it was strapped to the leg of the forks with Velcro straps. Adjusting the angle of the camera to make sure the wheel was just in shot. We were very surprised at the quality of the final video. There was a mic strapped to the handlebars but unfortunately it wasn't checked before and we later found it hadn't worked.