Request: DIY camera mounting
 

I'd like input on how to mount a new canon 5d mark ii and shoot video at my next track event on March 6. as you may know, it shoots video in full frame / 1080 using stock canon lenses. here are my questions:

- recommendations on how to mount... is there a way to attach to rear suspension tower cross-member ?

- if there are any canon photographers out there, lens recommendations appreciated... thinking wide angle so i can get the steering wheel position and gauges

thanks,
travis

ot much of a camera guy but for a solution on the mounting part you can try the tripod called the gorilla. It is a three leg tripod with bendable legs so it will attach to anything. I took one to Iraq with me and used it to take pictures all over the country.

thanks for the recommendation... too flimsy for track use from what i can tell, but appreciate the input... would be great for general use... btw, guessing you were serving over there - THANK YOU
"Gorilla Pod" tripod for cameras

Perhaps one of these will work ?
Brey-Krause Camera Mounts for Porsche
IO Port Racing Supplies: I/O Port Remote Head Video Camera Mount for 1-1/4 to 2 inch tubing

Will they provide enough support under braking?

Travis, I may be able to help you here. I did all the research already since I had this same question not too long ago. I ended up going with this...

Gripper 3025 6" Suction / Vacuum Cup Camera Mount CAT 614

I've been using it with an SDR-SR11 HD camera. The camera itself weighs a few pounds and trust me this thing is overkill. I have driven on the highway at 80MPH + with NO problems whatsoever and minimal shaking/vibration. It is fantastic.

As a little background, the suction cup is pump operated by hand. The suction cup is actually off of a industrial glass moving tool, for doing windows and mirrors and such. They attached a multi-joint manfrotto mount to the suction cup via a THICK metallic joint. It has a little warning line on the pump in case it is losing pressure so you know if you are in trouble before something happens. You can stick these inside and outside the car no problem and it doesn't leave a mark or scratches...

I have no doubt this will do perfect on the track. I was supposed to use it at the trackday today, but I went out too late last night and slept through the morning.

RCZ, thanks for your input !... I might be willing to give it a shot, but 2 things give me pause

1) mounting location ? I'd like to have it forward looking with steering wheel and gauges in view... so can't mount on front glass or passenger side glass... would have to mount on rear glass... would that be positioned too far back in the car ? would it turn into a missile during braking ?

2) i'm familiar with the industrial style suction cups that glass install guys use - i realize how strong they are.... but i'm still concerned that during a 30 minute run, car slamming back and forth, rumble strips, etc, it could shake lose... would much prefer to mount on the cross-member

Be aware - regulations vary by club, enforcement of rules also - but I've not met a club yet that allows suction mounting of cameras during HPDE events among BMW, Porsche, SCDA, PDA, NASA, Audi here in the northeast. Perhaps it's different out west. Our clubs always requires a fixed mount along with a secondary tiedown strap in case it should come loose.

I stuck it on my rear window yesterday for testing purposes and I wasnt even trying to get my speedo/rpm into view but they still were in view. Im sure if you were trying to, you could place it a little towards the passenger side and zoom into your dash NO problem. I highly doubt you can dislodge it by braking, it is meant to hold very heavy panes of glass at an industrial level.
They Sell a mount for roll bars! Check out their site, they have mount that is MADE to grip around tubes.

Yup, at least down here in FL they are a little more lax on the regulations. The club that I race with the most doesn't care about me mounting anything. You should always have a secondary safety device hooked up so that even if it detaches, then it wont go flying. I have bungee hooks to set mine up when they are outside the car.

I'm not sure I'd trust a camera on a suction cup. LOL. I have a friend that made all his mounts with some welding and wood work. Also, not sure how the suction cups are on the paint. Anyone use these?

I'm pretty sure that the clubs I run with in AZ will not allow suction cups...
RCZ, here's the one you were talking about that has a clamp instead...Cardellini484... I think it will definitely work once I get a roll-bar installed, but that may not be for another 6 months or so... wondering if I can use it on the stock support brace in the meantime... my car is at the shop, so I can't measure it, but i seem to recall that the brace is thicker than the 1.5" this thing will accomodate

THANKS

Sigh, did you read my first post lol, I have it and I've used it no my car both on my tinted windows and on the exterior of the car. It has absolutely no effect on the paint and is easily repositioned. I have used these, hence me saying "I have this one" Also, it is a 6" industrial suction cup, I don't think you know how strong these are...Im pretty sure the mount will break before the suction cup comes off..

Yeah that clamp will definitely not fit around the stock brace. I will try out the suction cup mount on the track on the 28th

^^^ LOL! Sometimes when I'm in a rush, I skip around in the posts. :D Sorry!

Great info RCZ!!!!

I can't help from the Canon side but I have worked with Nikon. I use a 14-24 mm and a 24-70 mm both of which might be fun for your setup. Note, I've not done this in a car. The idea of one of those ending up on the floor is a bit much for me. Mounted to a windshield the 14-24 mm would provide a huge panorama. For general work though I think the 24-70 mm might be better.

That, my friend, is exactly why I'm looking for a rock solid mounting solution ! :ugh:

Appreciate your thoughts on the lenses!

I'm not sure if you found a mount and lens yet, but I figured I would reply to attempt to respond to the Canon lens part of your post.

I have the 24-70mm f/2.8L and I think it is a great lens. It works well with my 20D, but I am not sure how wide it would go with a full-frame sensor. The clarity and crispness of the images I have taken with this lens have really impressed me, and made it worth its price.