Mounting camera to bicycle

G

George Loch

Well-known member
Any creative, safe ideas to mount a camera to a bicycle? I know, this is GoPro territory. I am looking to mount a larger camera. I can't follow with a car as this will be on a biking pathway/trail.

-gl
 
Google up "Mark Forman camera bike" to get some ideas from someone who (at least used to) mount film cameras to bikes.

IME, good good grip rigs do work with DSLR and palm camera rigs. But you know, GoPros looks pretty good when set up right (both in terms of mounting and software); go for 1080p so you get more FOV options. Use Protune (I can't recall if that's an option with the new HERO6), maybe add a little ND to the camera... Look at the mods from Back-bone (and others) that let you mount M12, C-Mount, and I think some other small lenses on the cameras:
https://www.back-bone.ca

Or consider mounting the camera to the rider's helmet or chest. Helmet gives built-in directional control and IS! Body give a touch of control and IS. That works well (don't it a fair amount).

Years ago, we ran a gag we learned about from an article on Seabiscuit (probably in AC...can't recall): Two small Toshiba pen cameras mounted on a helmet, each recording it's own 4:3 image, with a bit of overlap....each recording to its own small DV recorder....In post, align the two shots and combine them into something kinda like 8:3. TOTAL PAIN and only kinda successful. Things are SO MUCH better now.

George, what sort of camera and lens are you thinking of using? And what sort of footage. People racing bikes down a crazy steep trail? People jogging sensibly on a flat path? Something else? Maybe that info will spark some ideas....
 
I think you need to give exact nature of the shot(s)

Could be..

bike hard mount
second rider with Ronin
quadbike and steadicam
etc
 
I am looking to mount a GH5 with a 12-35 and 16-35 canon. Also considering a gimbal for control.

This isn't a downhill race, but road and pathway cycling. Too narrow for a car. Multiple angles to feature a general view of riding, close up on rider and tires (featured product), and from front and side. I know the GoPro is far more convienent, but I don't get the lensing options.

Since this comes up a fair amount for me I thought I should look into a rig that is more solid.

-gl
 
morgan_moore said:
I think you need to give exact nature of the shot(s)

Could be..

bike hard mount
second rider with Ronin
quadbike and steadicam
etc
Click to expand...

I have thought about each of those options, well, maybe not the quadbike :) What I see there is the same rigging with options to mount the camera in different configurations. With the right rig, could I not hard mount or add a gimbal for example?

-gl
 
I have looked at Filmtools, specifically the Cloud Mount for vibration. I hear your point on 'pick any two' choices. I am just looking for what others have done.

-gl
 
George Loch said:
I am looking to mount a GH5 with a 12-35 and 16-35 canon. Also considering a gimbal for control.

This isn't a downhill race, but road and pathway cycling. Too narrow for a car. Multiple angles to feature a general view of riding, close up on rider and tires (featured product), and from front and side. I know the GoPro is far more convienent, but I don't get the lensing options.
Click to expand...


In that kind of situation, I'd be tempted to go with (and have gone with) either a motorcycle or scooter piloted by someone who has lots of experience riding near cyclists. Like say someone who's hauled mechanics, photographers, etc in bike races, such as the Tour of Utah (you're in Utah, right George?) or at some local races. Then you or the camera person rides on the seat behind the pilot. Seriously: This works really well and makes it easy to get lots of shots without constant rerigging (though you might still want a couple rigs).

If motorcycles aren't allowed on the paths you plan to travel, then perhaps rent a tandem bicycle (Tandem eBikes don't seem very common, and cargo eBikes and regular bikes I'm not sure will support an adult rider...but you could find out). The person piloting the tandem will have to do the heavy work, but again, I think you'd be able to get your shots quickly and have more control over framing and stuff.

On a motor, though, you really need someone driving who's spent time around cyclists, knows how fast (i.e. "slow" in motorcycle terms) they move, what they're likely to do, how to hold a good safe line and steady position at cycling speeds, etc. Don't know your budget, but I could recommend a GREAT guy who lives in Denver, rides bikes and motors, and has hauled along many many mechanics and photographers at big-deal races. I also know a couple photographers who cover the Tour de France and all the other big Euro races and I think they may be able to recommend someone in Utah. Lemme know if you want me to reach out to those folks!

But being able to freely position your camera (even if on a gimble) would be really helpful, I think.
 
I own a gimbal and cloud mount

Mounting that won't work

I would suggest hand holding a gimbal is excellent so a second rider filming with a gimbal from a scooter or ebike or bike or tandem
Ideally the gimbal is in remote op mode and other operators point the camera and focus it

Hard mounting is good too probably for CUs

Handheld at 100+FPS is cool too.

Being a good grip is essential.

Personally I use gh4 bmc micro for this stuff
 
Unless you need a 1st person shooter POV, I'd suggest putting a camera operator with a gimbal in a bike trailer pulled by an E-bike (I'm not sure if bike trailers are rated for an adults weight).
 
I saw your cloud mount in your grip section of your website. Does that not work well? The "Rickshaw" was interesting. How do you tow it?

-gl
 
I am in Utah.

I am leaning towards the motorized, two person operation. I just don't have a lot of confidence that I won't fall off :)

-gl
 
George Loch said:
I saw your cloud mount in your grip section of your website. Does that not work well? The "Rickshaw" was interesting. How do you tow it?



-gl
Click to expand...

The rickshaw can be towed by two grips running - or towed by a bike.

It is not stable enough for rough terrain and speed unless the operator is sitting low.

It's perfect for city cycle tracks but inappropriate for forest trails.

That is why "knowing" what works where is important

My gear is great for city paths but mountain bike trails including riding with a gimbal in one hand

Mountain trails are a challenge I've not sorted - no one hand riding and bad news to crash with a big rig.

That is cable cam GoPro terrain

Any skill I have (or not) involves matching gear to the shot/terrain and budget - not just owning the gear :)
 
Personally, I would recommend NOT using a Go Pro of any kind. I am shooting a documentary that requires a lot of Go Pro mounts on racing boats, it's really our only option and while some of the footage looks passable, in general, Go Pros don't look good. The fisheye, motion signature and high compression means that no matter what you do, it will all always look like "Go Pro". I agree with putting an operator on a motorized set up of some kind with a gimbal, that seems like the right tool and approach to get high quality. Hard mounts are tough on any moving vehicle, the vibrations just make it a pain.
 
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I think the gopro can be used for specific, planned inserts. defishing is no problem..

GoPro.. specific shot under the bottom bracket through puddle.. and NEX5n hard mounts (would use GH4 now)

In this vid the 'mount' shots are very planned, gear change on levers, gear change on derailleur.

https://vimeo.com/145774885


All gopro (on 2 axis brushless head).. old tech.. a zyguen crane or suchlike would be better. Here Im operating and cycling..

https://vimeo.com/126483027

 
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