Got the basic camera mount ready to go. It'll hold the video and still cameras. This bit of test video is all shot facing forward, but I can mount facing the rear as well. I've lowered the resolution/quality for the web of course. I've still got to finish the electric solenoid release mount to trip the digital still camera. And the 35mm with 17mm wide angle is ready to roll.

I SHOULD get some decent pics this year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsqgqXEF_nY Oh, turn the volume down. I forgot to cover the mic with tape and there's a ton of wind noise. Coulda removed the audio when I edited it too. Duh!

I also shot some in 16:9 mode. But while the pic is wider it looses too much of the dash and cockpit I think. I'll do a bit more testing but will probably stick with the 4:3.

This mounts in place of the rear headrests (they're mounted with one screw each) and it uses those holes to bolt to the roll bar head rest assembly.

 

Looks great, Mark!

The only suggestion I'd make, if the option is available, is to relocate the microphone to a place with less wind noise... perhaps right behind the windshield... or even under the bonnet! (supercharger whine to the max!)

 

Thanks!

Unfortunately the camera doesn't have a mic input. I can only use another mic if I use the video in and use another camera head and mic both.

I bought three cheap CMOS cameras and a switcher last year. I will try them too. Then I can try some different mic locations. But they aren't nearly the quality of the cameras built in CCD. I guess for next year I might have to spring for a good quality camera head so I can do both.

I could record audio seperate on a tape deck, but that's getting to be just to much crap to cooridinate. I plan to dub in Deadato's Jazzy 'cover' of Also sprach Zarathustra anyway! But would be nice to mix that with the exhaust note.

 

Very Cool!! I really like the height and coverage of the shot. What model camera are you using?

 

Thanks. The height needed to get a 'over the top of the windshield unobstructed forward view' was the reason I did this. I wanted that plus a view of the interior too. Was trying for a feeling like you're really along for the ride. I'd like to try it with a semi fisheye too some day. Maybe I'll look for one before the trip. It's not as high a mount as it looks. Just about 12" above the folded top I think. But I played around to find the angle I wanted.

A Sony HCR-32, digital. And I have a good quality screw in supplementary wide angle lens on it too. Bought it initially because it has inputs to record from a external camera. And a LAN-C remote. I had planned to use it mostly to record from 'MINI' CMOS cameras mounted around the car via suction cups. Which I have. While I'll play with them too the quality isn't as good as the camcorder shooting direct

To clarify the earlier comment, I can use a external mic ONLY if I also use a external video source too though they need not be 'together' in one spot.

 

I thinki that looks great. Nice to be able to see so much of the car without also obstructing the view of the road.

I'll be looking forward to your dragon videos.

 

Thanks. I'll bring a tiny video projector and probably set up to share some eve if it doesn't look too bad!

 

If you do end up going with an external mic via the AV jacks I would recommend the ones sold by ChaseCam. I have a couple of them. They operate off of a 12V DC power source, so it's really easy to get a cheap power cable and use them.

I did another camera test using the MiniDV cam I'm borrowing with the external mics and external camera (mounted on the roof like a rally car). Only problem with the sound was that I didn't take all the crap out of the back of my car so I got a lot of noise of things rolling around and hitting one another. I also had a glove box squeak that I finally took car of so I got that at the front of the car.

 

Awesome! I've been thinking about doing a similar mount for my cabrio ) though maybe lower to shoot through the windshield...

You need to take off your antenna or get a stubby.

No radio reception on the Dragon anyway...

 

Don't think of it as an antenna. Think aiming sight / crosshair.

I dunno. Don't know if it'd look like a MINI without it. Perhaps I'll shoot some without and see. I kind of like how it adds to the MINI 'foreground' element vs the road 'background' element. Helps give a feeling of depth. But I'll try it off and see which I like better.

 

Really - at least put a stubby like the Alta on... it's just distracting IMHO. Of course, getting rid of the stock antenna was one of my very early mods... so that tells you about my personal preferences...

 

Really - I don't like the look of the stubbies. To each his own.

 

You could just remove the antennae during recording

 

Now you're just trying to get a rise outta me. I like it, it stays!

 

At least I'm not alone...

But it's your car and your camera and your mount - you da boss.

 

So Mark, when you going to get the Red and mount it?

 

Hmm. Nice. I'll get one of those to mount on my McLaren. We had a similar concept modular (film) studio camera back in my photo studio management days. It was, for it's time pretty remarkable.