Camera Rig for shooting from a Jet Ski

[rambooc1]

Purpose built for shooting ocean canoes in Hi Def from a Jet Ski, with 7” external framing monitor, remote control zoom/record with TOSLINK fibre optic extender,1080i Hi Def Cam , 4 hrs external battery pack. Comes with waterproof covers for the cam, monitor and remote.

A 12v battery in the bum bag runs the big monitor and the Cam. It has an 8.4v regulator in line to the HF100 and full 12v to the monitor.

The base of wheel has a 3/8 adapter to take a KS6 Gyro Stabilizer, but at $2500 …… well have to sell some DVD’s first. But i hired one and it’s awesome. It spins at 20,000rpm and trying to turn the wheel is like fighting a Formula 1 car around a corner, but dead steady footage even when the jet-ski bounces.

The monitor is already splash proof, the cam has a clear WP bag with glass port and the remote has just a clear bag (Not shown). It’s not for IN water only ON water. The cam bag had to have a breather as it generates heat, but that’s no problem. It’s definitely more versatile than a shoulder mount and more stable.

That is about prototype 10, i keep changing it all the time. I have clip on mounts for duel lights, external shotgun mike and a laser pointer and the best thing is, all the cam controls are available with both hands on the wheel and that is important for steady footage.

I suppose i should explain the Laser pointer. It helps train your coordination to keep a steady position even when bouncing around on the back of a Jet Ski. You aim it at say a white area on the hull of a canoe and try and maintain the spot in the monitor, especially when zoomed in. It also allows you to take your eyes off the monitor for a while, knowing that if you hold the spot, you have the framing you set up.

Something very interesting, well maybe for us camera freaks anyway. If you point a remote control (not the laser pointer) directly at the camera lens you can see the infra red light in the LCD monitor but not with the human eye directly. And they lied , it’s not INFRA RED …… it’s INFRA FIGGIN’ GREEN. Try it …. ain’t that just too cool?

Cheers Rambo
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com

 

[rambooc1]

Some Questions and Answers I've had about this rig.

1. What are you using to waterproof your camera with? I'm still searching for a good solution that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

On mild days when there's little chance of getting the Cam wet, i just put a ziploc bag over the Cam with a hole for the lens and a small breather hole cut in the top of the bag. There is a UV filter for protection and a rubber band keeps the bag in place around the filter. Other times i put the Cam into a housing i adapted from an Everready Dolphin 6v waterproof torch and mount that to the tripod head. The cam is secured inside the housing by the tripod head screw passing thru a small sealed hole in the torch housing, which also has enough room for a wide angle lens.The Canon HF 100 fit's perfectly into the area where the battery was and i have replaced the original torch lens with a low iron glass. Cables are routed thru a small rubber port in the torch housing to connect the extn monitor, extn power and fibre optic remote cable.

2. How did you attach the tripod head to the wheel, and what kind of clamp are you using for the monitor?

The wheel is made from flexible 25mm poly pressure pipe and joined at the bottom with a copper "T" piece and riveted together. The Tripod head fits over the single end of the "T" and is also riveted in place.( The Slik tripod head still works as normal and the whole wheel will attach to a tripod just by screwing it on to the normal tripod screw mount via an adapter thread on the bottom of the wheel)

A car steering wheel cover is then stretched over the pipe for looks and to hide all the cables. The monitor clamp is adapted from a bike handle bar mount that comes with a GoPro Camera kit i had. Car DVD Monitor mounts will also work.

3. What kind of Sony monitor is that and how do you have it connected? (composite, vga, etc.)

As i only use the Monitor for framing not focusing (i only use auto focus), the Sony DVD Car Accessory monitor is sufficient for my needs. Actually, its very good resolution and has good brightness controls. It's connected via av (composite) and works in playback or record mode.

Looks like a lot of fun! Do you have any footage of it in use to share? How do you use it in action - do you have someone else pilot the craft while you film, or do you do it all?

I use the remote control to steer the Jet Ski while facing rearwards. .... Only kidding. I engage a driver and i sit facing the rear and shoot both sides and rear. Also turn around and stand and shoot over the drivers head. The wheel gives great stability control and you can access the remote with both hands on the wheel. You can see some footage here.
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2008/12/vaka-eiva-teaser-video1.html That was my first time using the wheel, I have got better since and when i use the Gyro, it's steady as a rock. Requires good team work and communication between the Jet Ski driver and the Cam operator ..(me)

Cheers Rambo

 

[rambooc1]

I have now mounted the cam and modified torch housing on the wheel tripod head and incorporated a mechanical switch for the Camera on/off power and the remote optic fiber, extn power mike cable and AV lead past thru a case port. I like to call it "Dunk Proof" rather than waterproof.(pics soon)

Cheers Rambo

 

[rambooc1]

Ok, here are the pictures of version 12 ..whew. Will i ever leave this thing alone.

The HF100 is fully "dunk" proof now and the case looks less like a torch housing with the handle removed and painted. For on land shots, i just remove the glass screw on front and replace it with one with no glass.

The Button on top is a waterproof cable gland adapted to work as a power button to turn the Camera on and off. so now most all the controls are available from out side the case.

There is a tripod quick release mount fixed to the base of the housing for easy removal.

Cheers Rambo

 

[Attic6]

wow!

 

[rambooc1]

More modifications.

I have put a hood on lens to protect it from water splashes and sunlight. The water spray usually comes from side on so the long hood should keep it clean.

I've also put a removable foam surround around the LCD screen to protect it from splashes and to enable putting my face up to the hood and blocking any reflections on the LCD screen coming from behind.

Also installed a splash proof shotgun mike.

Unit in action

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Cheers Ian

 

[rambooc1]

Stabilized video demo http://blip.tv/file/1800782


Cheers Rambo

 

[DM_rider]

that's such a cool rig! nice work.

 

[dory_breaux]

Dude that is pretty frickin legit, not going to lie. Cant wait to see some test footy.

 

[LizaWitz]

Flashlight as waterproof housing is brilliant! Much thanks!