I hope these topics aren't too off topic for this board. Anyway, . . .

I have an XL-1 and would like to supplement it with a smaller camera. One use will bet fitting one of those"devices" that would allow me to keep the camera in a back pack with the device mounted to my motorcycle helmet. Hence the expression helmet cam. I have heard them called lipstick cameras but I don't know if that is the real name or not.

If I could afford an XL-1s I would buy one, but I also worry about such a large and expensive camera getting damaged bouncing around like it would on my back. A GL-1 would probably be ideal but they are still $2,500 or so.

Has anyone supplemented their XL-1 with an additional camera? What did you go with? Also, if anyone has any information about getting a "helmet cam" setup, please post it. I don't know who makes them or anything.

Thanks.

Greg Matty

It sounds like you're looking for an industrial CCD camera. These a relatively small video cameras that feature the same kind of CCD blocks that standard video cams have. I've seen them used usually mounted in odd or remote locations. These are just cameras, however. They are not recorders.

At B&H photo's site (bhpoto.com) go to Professional Video > CCD & Specialty Cameras & Accessories.

Warning: These are not inexpensive cameras, particularly by the time you power them. If you want to cut the budget (and, alas, the quality) down you might look at Smarthome.com for some of their small camera rigs.

Good luck.

Also Greg, I wouldn't recommend a GL1 but there are in fact much, much less expensive than $2500. Currently they're about $1700 with the Canon $250 rebate.

Chris,

Without risking too much damage to "the son of the watchdog," what don't you like about the GL-1? Are there specific issues, or were you referring to this one specific application.

BTW, those of you interested in a similar helmet cam type of scenario might check out helmetcamera.com. You can get their setup, a single 1/3" CCD with 360 lines resolution, for under $300. For casual use or my planned motorcycle video, it should suffice.

Thanks for the replies.

Greg Matty

You could use a handlebar mount also. That way the camera's always facing the direction of travel as opposed to the direction you're looking with a helmet cam.

John,

I considered that idea, but the camera would bounce around way too much. I may not have mentioned that this would be a dirt bike video. A handlebar mount might work on a street bike however.

Also, the unit at helmetcamera.com is water proof and looks protected from the roost thrown up by another bike's rear tire.

I also checked out B&H but they are pricey! Time for that grant!

Greg Matty

Greg,

correctly mounted a handle bar cam works well. I remember seeing some footage shot by Standard Films of Seth Enslow that showed just how much he moved around on the bike, and being Seth how much he moved off the bike to.

<<<-- Originally posted by Adrian Douglas : Greg,

correctly mounted a handle bar cam works well. I remember seeing some footage shot by Standard Films of Seth Enslow that showed just how much he moved around on the bike, and being Seth how much he moved off the bike to. -->>>

Adrian,

It looks like I spoke to soon. Obviously the handlebar mount must work okay. I would still worry about a trail riding scene where rocks thrown up by the lead bike could damage the camera on the trailing one.

I will take a look for a setup just in case and will look into building one myself.

Greg

Does anyone remember who it was that posted a URL recently in one of the threads showing some footage shot on a mountain bike? If I remember correctly, it looked pretty steady...but I'm not sure if it was a handlebar cam or a helmet cam.

Anyway, Greg...if you can find a reference to that footage, it's a good example (and I think appeared more steady than the samples shown on the helmetcamera.com site).

John,

Any idea what type of camera was used for the shot?

That should not affect how steady the footage is, but I am still interested in knowing.

Greg Matty

Greg, to solve the 'Rock in the Cam' worries, use an old cut down handguard like the ones that come standard on XR's, TT's etc. It can be modified and rivited to a front plate and the lipstick cam tucks inside.

I had no idea a handlebar mount would be so hard to find!

Anyone have ideas who manufactures something that can be rigged to a mountainbike handlebar, and that can hold an XL-1?

And before I get bombarded here, let me say...

- Nope...not going off road with it. Only steady, smooth shots on level paved "city" surfaces.
- Can't afford a smaller camera right now...so trying to make do with what I've got

Basically, I'm just looking for a poor man's alternative for traveling shots.

Thanks.

I'm not sure how expensive you want to get. Bogen (Manfrotto) http://www.bogenphoto.com/ makes gear that will handle what you need. Start with a super clamp, then the magic arm. There are generic versions of the super clamp for $20. After all it is just a pipe clamp. Magic Arms are really cool, it's like a douple jointed arm. It's also very rugid and locks into place and doesn't move. Your camera would be very safe. This combo is also usefull around the studio and on location, so it not single purpose. If this is too heavy let me know there may be some lighter gear I can think of.

Jeff

Jeff,

went to the Bogen site and checked them out. The Super Clamp looks great...just not sure if a camera mount can be added to it directly. As for the Magic Arm...that I have doubts about. Seems to me that if the camera is mounted right where the neck meets the handlebars (one of the most secure, jostle-free areas), with a piece that attaches firmly to this area, then there would be little camera shake. But if I use an arm to extend, then there will naturally be a lot more shakiness.

I'm going to try to find a local Manfrotto dealer and look at the Super Clamp and see if there are any accessory mounts that can be added to it.

Thanks for the suggestions!

The super clamp has a flush mount stud (1/4 20 or 3/8 thread) that you can mount a ball head or quick release platte to. Bogen has several and there are plenty of ball heads available from dozens of mfgs.

Jeff

Jeff,

That sounds like the way to go then. I was searching and found this site

http://www.polarispowersports.com/polaces/elecaces/w2873376p.html

but it just doesn't look that sturdy. One thing you never have to worry about with Bogen/Manfrotto...sturdiness.

I'll see if I can track down a super clamp here and let you know how it works out.

The Magic Arm I see in pictures does not look strong enough to hold an XL1. Am I right?

The Bogen Magic Arm will hold and XL1 with no problem. But being just a single support it transmits every little vibration and movement to the camera. The arm is conservatively rated to handle 9 lbs. I've put considerably more than 9 lbs. on it with no problem. Bogen has some old photos on their site also. All the newer Magic Arms have a large knob to tighten the arm, rather than the lever. The new design is much better.

I see 2 types of super clamps advertised. With and without a "stud". What is the purpose of the "stud"?

Also, how does the magic arm attach to the super clamp?

The Magic Arm has a stud on both ends if memory serves me correct. The stud is inserted into the Super Clamp and locked in place by a thumb screw. There is a safety release so that if the thumb srew loosens the Arm doesn't fall off the clamp. The Arm when locked is extremly rigid and can support about 10 lbs. The stud ties into the rest of the Bogen system of clamps, arms, light stands etc.

Jeff

Hats off to Jeff!

I bought the super clamp...and also needed the stud, and also a plate with a quick release attachment. The stud attaches to the bottom of the plate with quick release, then slides into the super clamp and is securely tightened. Once everything is tightened it's very secure and stable.

The whole thing then clamps down on to the T-juncture of my handlebars. You can point the camera forward, sideways, or even back at yourself. I'm looking at a way to attach it to the rear facing away from me, and then mount my Varizoom monitor on the handlebars in front of me.

The shots are really smooth on smooth surfaces...would be smoother (and quieter) if I didn't have nobby tires, but still it's pretty good. But on surfaces like brick...it's pretty bouncy.

Anyway...it'll work fine for some fast, jittery cam shots...and also for some smooth surface dolly shots. It's funny to see the looks you get when you whiz by with the whole rig.

I'll see if I can get Adrian to bring his camera to take some shots of the whole rig together, and I'll post them along with some examples of footage taken.

Thanks for the suggestion, Jeff.

I just received my helmetcamera.com camera yesterday and I will try it out this weekend. It will be plugged into a ZR-40 so it will be interesting to see what kind of quality I end up with.

If I can get cleaner to work, I will post some video on a site somewhere and post a link to it here. It isn't XL-1 related, but I imagine some people will be curious as to how well it works.

Greg Matty

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Matty : I just received my helmetcamera.com camera yesterday and I will try it out this weekend. It will be plugged into a ZR-40 so it will be interesting to see what kind of quality I end up with.

If I can get cleaner to work, I will post some video on a site somewhere and post a link to it here. It isn't XL-1 related, but I imagine some people will be curious as to how well it works.

Greg Matty -->>>

Greg,

I look forward to seeing a report from you. We are currently working on several projects that could benefit for working with the helmet camera. The price seems reasonable. My team will be shooting a series of mountain bike spots, as well as several multisport events. This device would add a nice flavor.

Also, what cleaner are you working with?

Paul,

I may not have phrased my last post properly. I was referring to Cleaner 5 EZ. That is the free version that shipped with Final Cut Pro. I used Cleaner 4 EZ to compress some QT movies for my website and it worked like a charm. With QT 5, and soon 6, the standard I want to get Cleaner 5 EZ up and running. The only issues is that I can't find my registration information. I don't know if I can still get an unlock code as someone told me that that someome bought Cleaner from someone else. That may or may not make a difference, I will soon know.

With respect to the helmetcamera.com camera, I think I will be impressed. A friend and fellow dirt bike rider has one and I saw some of the footage. It was pretty good. This was viewed through iMovie on a CRT but I still liked what I saw. If I make it back to Costa Rica or Belize to get some new footage for my video, I would not hesitate to use footage from the helmet cam. I know it isn't up to XL-1 or GL-2 standards, but given the dramatic perspective a helmet cam gives, I think it is a fair trade off. BTW, my friend plugged his camera into a ZR-10 and it sill looked good.

I will let you know as soon as I get some footage with it.

Greg Matty

maybe you can have a look at www.boneheadcomposites.com/2002/cameras.htm skydiving camera helmets and accessories. They are using mostly handicams and rarely lipstick cameras
rgrds, Margus