In-Car Shooting (Supercars/Racecars)

[Samuel Ko]

Originally Posted by Allen Plowman

I drag race motorcycles for a hobby. I am still trying to figure out how to drive and film it at the same time... I plan on hooking up a camera on the bike, but I am not sure if it can handle the 3-4 g's of force I get on the starting line. I was trying to figure out a way to mount it in foam or something, but your rigid mounting style sounds like it works better. I will try it after I see some of your footage

a coworker of mine has a ducatti and he uses a CNC machined piece of aluminum that screws over his gas tank(in replacement of his existing gas tank screws) with a screw for his camera.
I remember vaguely that he had purchased this somewhere online.

[Tripp Woelfel]

Originally Posted by Hubert Duijzer

But my guess is some camcorders can't handle vibrations well.

This is true. I have a Panny GS400 (I think) that refuses to let me mount it in a car. Mount is dead solid but will wobble. OIS was off. I think it's something internal because same car, same mount with a cheap Canon ZR9X0 and the images are rock solid.

Originally Posted by Hubert Duijzer

Don't know if it is rolling shutter or a image stabilisator that makes it even worse. I did turn it off on the Canon HV, but it is still horrible.

You must have the OIS off. Small, rapid vibrations will make it nuts. Rolling shutter would just make it worse.

I only know one thing. If I get the camera mounted so it will not move... ever I get great footage.

Since you have had problems with your HV10, which has optical stabilization and my Panny does too. And optical stabilization in mechanical stabilization. The three cameras good for in-car work are electronically stabilized. I'm wondering if there's something in the OIS that continues to stay active in the optical path even if it's switched off.

[Tripp Woelfel]

Originally Posted by Allen Plowman

I drag race motorcycles for a hobby. I am still trying to figure out how to drive and film it at the same time... I plan on hooking up a camera on the bike, but I am not sure if it can handle the 3-4 g's of force I get on the starting line.

SuperClamp will stay attached. I've had cameras mounted in cars that had shunts I'd expect to be at least 4g of instant deceleration. Hitting a wall will do that. The g force on a drag bike would be a bit more gradual.

Key to the camera is keep it light so the clamp can do it's work, and run tape at SP speed. For longer races, I'll run it in LP mode and on my old Sony it doesn't like it as much as SP mode. Canons seem to take it in stride.

[Rob O'Day]

Hmm im really not sure what do to :(

[Tripp Woelfel]

Originally Posted by Rob O'Day

Hmm im really not sure what do to :(

Not sure what you mean. Do about what? What's missing?

[Allen Plowman]

I think I will try it with a cheap camera first. The bikes go 160-230 mph at the finish line, and there is no windscreen or anything. maybe I should give up the idea before I start?

[Rob O'Day]

Originally Posted by Tripp Woelfel

Not sure what you mean. Do about what? What's missing?

Well, the gear I have doesn't work with my particular camera, so obviously I want that solved ASAP.
I'm going to get someone to get me into Dunsfold when they are shooting Top Gear, as it's only 15 mins from my house as well. I'll observe from a distance and chat to them on a lunch break or something, well thats the plan :D

[Tripp Woelfel]

Originally Posted by Rob O'Day

I'm going to get someone to get me into Dunsfold when they are shooting Top Gear, as it's only 15 mins from my house as well. I'll observe from a distance and chat to them on a lunch break or something, well thats the plan :D

Lucky bugger. (grin)

[Allen Plowman]

Originally Posted by Tripp Woelfel

Lucky bugger. (grin)

I find that I must agree with Tripp on this.

[Rob O'Day]

hehe, no problem :)
Hopefully I'll be able to get some access but depends if anyone I know, knows anyone there.

[Rob O'Day]

My latest thoughts over the past few days is to continue with the idea of isolating the camera from vibrations. I'm thinking about using the gel from a mouse pad that usually supports the bottom of your palm, to somehow cushion the camera.

I'm still ok with using my bullet cam for 'heel and toe' action, as well as other interesting shots (flames from exhausts ect).

[Allen Plowman]

here is a thread where he mounted the camera in a foam filled box. I like the idea, but its far too bulky for a dragbike, so it wouldn't work for me.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-...otorcycle.html

[Rob O'Day]

Originally Posted by Allen Plowman

here is a thread where he mounted the camera in a foam filled box. I like the idea, but its far too bulky for a dragbike, so it wouldn't work for me.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-...otorcycle.html

Wow, thats a great idea!
I could make a mini box :)

REALLY appreciate that, gonna go fetch tools and bits now :D

[Rob O'Day]

I've still got to go and get some foam for this today, but I shall still be giving this a go !
I have actually found another solution and shall report my findings pronto.

Also the video footage I shot, edited (roughly), just trying to find some suitable music to put here and there.
:)

[Tripp Woelfel]

I, for one, would love to see the resulting footage, if you are in a position to share.