Camera Car Mount Test

G

groveChuck

U-matic Member
I put my DVX100B on a Filmtools suction cup mount, the Gripper 3025.
Had to mount the camera upside down to get it low enough for this shot :huh:, then flip the shot in post.
Got some quick driving shots the other night at dusk, threw this together in a half hour.
Interesting how the light on the wheel changes (my fave shot's at the end).
Will be heading out again mounting the camera in other positions.


http://vimeo.com/6541168


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc0dEMLcSmA&fmt=22

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Very nice. I was looking on these last week and was looking on the gripper 486 version (they have alot on the site) Which do u have? The 486 can hold up to 13 pounds and is for $98.00. I myself can't justify spending more on a car mount simply cuz i wont be using it that much...but it would be nice sometimes and i'd get the 13 pounder just to overcompensate lol. And i know i'd be fretting all the way through using it ...lol. Were u alone or did u have someone monitoring the camera?
 
Thanks!
It's the 3025. $89
The head is rated to 6.6 pounds, the cup to 70.
http://www.filmtools.com/gripper-3025-suction-cup-camera-mount.html
The 486 is a 4.5" cup, the 3025 is a 6" cup, so I felt safer with the 3025.
Plus the 486 doesn't have the arm on the head to get further out from the car.

I was going too use an off camera Anton Bauer battery to lighten it, but I tested it inside with the Pana battery, putting it on a glass closet door, opening, closing and wiggling the door.
I put a pillow under it, came back in 2 hours, it was still on tight.

Driving, I wrapped a equipment strap several times around the camera, then ran it into the window and closed the window on the strap.
Then I hooked up my Marshall monitor on the center console to help frame the shots (like hugging the yellow line) and drove. Alone. Nervously and smoothly. ;^)
I was extra nervous because the camera was upside down, with just that little screw holding it!
(Should've taken a photo!)

Checked the suction (vacuum actually) after a few minutes, it never lost any.

You could also use it to attach the camera on a wall high in the corner of a room for an overhead shot, or to get a shot like a security camera.

If I had a wide angle, that would be next, though I'd worry about the weight more.
 
Thanks Shaun!
Sorry for the delay in responding, I got blocked from the server.

I'll be getting more driving shots from more angles soon.
 
this mite be 2 late but chuck if u could put that mount on the hood, slap on a polorizer and shoot urself through the windshield that would be good to see.
 
Thanks, Cracker, appreciate it.

Darren, do you want to see a through the windshield shot, or me???
Coz I'm strictly behind the camera! Ha ha!

But I do need to get some new shots/new angles.

Been busy shooting corporate events with the DVX.
Turning 2 5-8 minute pieces a day for three days, shooting all day, editing all night, 2 hrs sleep Monday night, 4 hrs Tuesday... another shoot today... zzzz........

Definitely try some through the window/windshield , roof, rear wheel shots soon...
 
dang...alot of work. better alot than none right :)

Yeh i wanted to see how you (or anyone) looked behind the windshield with the polarizer on (assuming u have a polarizer). I wanted to see how much the effect of the glare would be reduced /eliminated with the driving shots. ie. if i can see in the car :). Because u shot the last one solo i assumed it'd be solo again.
 
Anyone who says there's no thing as too much work has never nearly fallen asleep while shooting! And while conducting interviews! lol!

'scuse me, a quick nap... zzz...

NOW I see why you want me to appear in a video.. you did!!! LOL!

No seriously, I need a polarizer but don't have one... yet.
I'd thought of getting the through the windshield shot with a polarizer.

On the other hand, I might try driving under a canopy of trees with them reflecting of the windshield...
 
yehh...nice that would be kool.

lol... i only did that vid cuz i didnt have anyone else. I wish i had a slew of actors to shoot...ah well...for now i'll settle for my frenz. we willl be shooting it tomorrow if all goes well.
 
The Filmtools Grippers are awesome. I bought the Gripper 486 with the 4 inch riser (gives a little more room in tight corners) to use with my HMC150 and it holds and balances quite well. I shot a teaser with it inside of a moving van, and I can say the Gripper is well worth the money.
 
mackfilm said:
I'm not sure if I have the balls to hang my camera off my car like that.
Click to expand...

Ha ha, it was a little nerve wracking at first, but I tested it fairly thoroughly before mounting it on the car.

And it has the red line on the pump, you can see if it's losing air.
It never did.

And with the strap, the worst that would happen would it would fall an inch or so and maybe lightly bang a little against the side of the car, but nothing serious... hopefully.

More to come soon.
 
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