[s_and_m]

As some of you will know, I like to force M to video our little MINI jaunts.

We have graduated to Duck taping the camera to the dash board, but this looks naff and makes moving the camera around a little time consuming.

Whilst we were in Hamm at the New Mini Meet Germany, I spotted a Cooper S with a suction mount stuck to the insode of the windscreen.

My local camera shop denies that such a thing exists, however I saw another on being removed from a GT4 at the Nurburgring.

Is this a continental thing or are they available in the UK?

Whilst we are at it, does anyone know of a mini vid camera that can be powered by an NT laptop? (sometimes you want to shoot discrete footage!)

Cheers
S

[addman]

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
Don't know about the rest but a video camera would suck the laptop battery dead very quickly... But honestly I don't really understand the intent of the question. Why isn't the camera battery good enough? Or can you not buy a bigger battery? You can also get adapters that power the camera from the cigarette lighter.

I think he's talking about a web-cam, basically... by discreet, I think he means a camera that others may not spot? And the key problem in his scenario, is that most webcams are USB, and NT doesn't support USB (nor firewire, I believe...)

Now if money's no object, one option that springs to mind is a webcam that transmits via IP... expensive, but should work. I'm pretty sure serial or parallel wouldn't be fast enough for a webcam. A capture card connected to a pure video input is another option.

In terms of the suction mount a quick search on Google brought ups places like this.

Thanks for the thread though - it's got me thinking about mounting a camera on my bike again

Adam.

[s_and_m]

Guys,
Thanks for your input.

I have lots of camera batteries, so that isn't a problem and I have a voltage trickle feed that I can hook up to the power take off in the MINI boot, so laptop power aint bad.

Come to think of it, I have another laptop running 2000 so USB is ok.

What I really want to do is run a small camera (i have a micro one that transmits to uhf, but I dont like the interface patterns), so I'm really looking for a web cam type set up but hooked directly to the laptop and writing to MPEG on the hard drive.

Basically, when we drove the Nurburgring, filming wasn't allowed so I missed out on some top footage. A discrete mini video capture setup would sort my problem for the future.

I can dedicate a laptop to the task, so I'm after a small camera that can capture 480x380 plus pixels and have autofocus.
Ideally, I'd like to mount it on the front airdam or behind the grill.

Any thoughts?

S

[hurrens]

Video Camera Mounts

I use various types in my MINI. Try DemonTweeks Motor Sport Catalogue. or www.Demon-tweeks.co.uk They do a variety of Video equipment and kit.

I hope this helps.

[s_and_m]

I've gone for the SM1 suction mount as it seems to do what I want for the DV cam.

Now I just need to sort out the "covert" camera

S

[acetonic]

I just got a camera mount that attatches to the passenger headrest and sets the camera between the seats. Great for in-car footage. I use a larger 'prosumer' DV camera so there is nothing discreet about it. With my tinted windows tho, nobody can see it unless they put thier face to the glass.

[bob_dylan]

I just made a commercial for a company that makes some very cool "hands free" camera systems.
See the commercial at the bottom of the page at:

www.MatthewLawton.com

Visit the hands free camera system at:

www.CatchItCam.com

Hope that helps!

[bluesmini]

I did a track event a few months ago and decided I have to have a camera mount for my next one. I looked high and low for a dealer and found nothing but dead links. With a yahoo search I found a few people that made there own that looked pretty bad. I don't think your duct tape mount would pass a tech inspection.

all of the home built ones I saw on the net used square aluminum I didn’t think that would be safe for track recording and wanted to use “solid square aluminum tubing” that was my biggest challenge. I tried art suppliers and everywhere I thought might be able to find some.

I live in the south eastern US where NASCAR is very popular. I ended up getting exactly what I wanted from a car building Supply Company, Stock car Steel and Aluminum. Best of all, the 12’ piece only cost me ten bucks. That ten and another ten on the actual camera mount where the only money I spent.

The mount goes between my back two head rests and is rock solid. I’ll try and explain the design. If anyone wants to see pics, ask and I’ll take some to post. Imagine on long piece of this aluminum that goes from headrest posts to headrest post. Now, two short pieces that are bolted onto the long one to clam down onto the post. That makes for the cross member that can now hold a store bought camera mount.

Once the pieces were cut and the 4 holes drill out I put it to the grinder and buffing wheel to make it look store bought. It’s worked well so far for my everyday tryouts around town. When it comes to track day it will have to be tethered incase it breaks loose from the cross bar. Not something I want flying by may head at 100 MPH.

I am lucky enough to have a shop with a band saw and a drill press. I could not have done it without these tools.

[addman]

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
Well I'm about a clueless tit on that one eh?

Well, I wasn't exactly right either

[smlxl]

I've used one from Bogen (Manfrotto) before... though not in cars. Check out:

http://www.bogenphoto.com/product/te...=92&itemid=333

Should be able to get something like this through any decent photo shop.

[averyocooper]

i have seen a camera mount that attaches to the headrest supports and holds the camera between the two front seats. you can probably find one in google.com. for a cool mini web cam check this out: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/5ee8/
-a

[MINIPOWER]

I just got this camera mount from UF Motorsport. If you don't feel like making one yourself, I'd recommend getting one from here as the quality of materials and workmanship are very good. I wish I had this camera mount at the MINI Dragon Run.

BTW, I do not work for nor do I have any interest in this company. I found this guy on eBay (100% positive feedback.) You can save a couple bucks by sending him an email and buying one directly.

MINI Cooper S Racing Camera Mount on eBay

Eric

[s_and_m]

I spalshed out some cash with Mr B Hughes of the UK and bought a very professional looking suction mount, good for 1.5kg and internal or external use.

Will post a pic of it inus and some of the results later.

Cheers once again!

S

[nulltty]

have you checked out www.vuzonline.com? they have special camera and hookups that allow you to record your driving, it's pricey tho...

[bluesmini]

i'm going to have to say agian. with very little investment you can make one of these. i spent 20 bucks on mine and it works great. aside from the 20 bucks you must have a drill press and some solid aluminum square stock. that can be hard to come across. stock was 10 dollars for 12 feet and mount was another 10 dollars. hey, if you live around Charlotte i might be able to make you one for a price. i have 8 feet left to mess with.

[DUCTTAPE]

I have been looking for the same after holding the camera up over my head!




I use a Voigtlander body. Excellent quality for a cheap body (now down to $75!) The lens are excellent and I can use them on my Leica body as well. This pic was taken with the 15mm, but I have recently added a 12 mm as well. Problem with the 15 was i always got my feet in the pictures. With the 12, I get my fingers as well!

I am looking for this bracket to mount so i don't have to hold the body!
David

[s_and_m]

Suction mount works inside and outside the car!

[Harpo]

I have a suction bracket - it's very impressive (as suction brackets go!) - and has a quick release mechanism.

It's made by Cullmann who also make a range of mounts and brackets for just about every situation.

Have a look at their website, most decent photo shops will be able to supply you in a day or two.

[DUCTTAPE]

Here is the 12mm lens mounted on a Leica, on Don Fu's acrylic bracket. It's a scan of a little drug store print, so the quality sucks, but the perspective is the same.

Notice the effect is that I have the only stretch MINI on the planet... So far...



David

[thepilo]

Check out www.thepilo.com. We make a camera mount for the Mini, which we use for track day events.