Paris a few weeks ago

 

Taken off the cuff from a parking garage in Nashua:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blalor/377432910/

 

waving from Germany - I think that is my cousin Chili

 

 

I'm way behind in getting some photos added to this thead. I'm really happy with this one and is my best so far...



Photo is clickable to a very large version (535KB)

Used the filmtools suction grip on interior windshield just like Jimz68 has described previously. Paced this car while doing ~30-40mph.
1/10 s @ f/11, 32mm on FF sensor.

 

That's a trick shot Dave, but couldn't you get closer?
If you ever get to the Canyonlands region, think about how a cliff face in back would look.

 

[Cartman voice-over] Kick A$$!!! [/Cartman] Yeah, I'm overdue for a AZ visit.

Lunch time drive photo; attempting to show what it's like behind the wheel of a Mini.
Tsukiji or Dave B., if you're still looking at this tread, can you tell me if going to a 3 grip rig is a lot more stable? I had the grip mounted to the sunroof and it was shaking as bad as my hands do after 15 cups of coffee. This back road isn't the smoothest, but I'm thinking I'd have a lot less throw away shots if the tripod mount was triangulated. Any suggestions to stuff at filmtools is also most welcome.


0.3sec @ f/8.0 on 28mm focal length

 

So you've learned how rough you roads really are The roads are so bad up here I have many shots smooth car and up down zig zags all over from night photos.:impatient

 

I think a simpler solution would be the CruiseCam headrest mount. Those look to be pretty rock solid and are only $45. I don't have one yet, myself, but I do plan to get one. I think hanging the suction cup from the sunroof is asking quite a lot of it; that kind of load isn't really what it's designed for, in my opinion. That looks pretty good, though! For some reason, my camera looks like its PoV is closer to the roof, so I get more mirror...

 

The three grip system is quite stable if you stay close (within a couple feet). You can get out farther than that too, but it just takes some care in your rigging.

EDIT: keep in mind, all of my shots with rigs are done at near walking pace. Your mileage may vary.

 

I believe the CruiseCam headrest mount will work out great for a camcorder or a camera on a nice smooth road. Perfect for a track day or a club drive. However, if you're on a rural back country road like I was, it would have a lot of issues shaking around as there is some play in the seat and the headrest. This is what I discovered when I made my own DIY headrest mount that is very similar to the CruiseCam mount.

The grip mount from FilmTools is good for supporting 70 lbs, so support is not an issue. Side to side flexing on a bumpy road seems to be my current issue.

Thank you for the advice, I really do appreciate it.

 

You mean like these sinusoidal waves ( - smooth car)?


Other shots from the same day using the same interior windshield rigging as Jimz68 described (but not with the image quality of Jim's photos)






I think I'm ready to start trusting the grip mounted (and tethered) on the outside of the windshield so I can avoid the annoying dashboard reflections.

 

Thanks Dave, that's exactly what I needed to know. I'll PM you if I have any specific questions about stuff at FilmTools.

 

Well this is the first one I pulled up of my local roads


And here is how smooth things were in FL


(But the wipers really bug me on this one. Yes they are wide angle just held steady on the dash.)

 

Can someone touch this up to make it look better? The colours are dull because of the November weather. And the camera isn't an SLR.

 

Can someone touch this up to make it look better? The colours are dull because of the November weather. And the camera isn't an SLR.

 

Five minutes with a dull knife...

 

Sweet! Thanks Tsukiji! Now it looks more like I remember it

 

Compliments of another tread on Digital Photography School, here's a cool rigging idea. Very pricey IMHO at $800, but the site has plenty of photos if you know how to weld AND want to experiment rather than pay someone for the lessons they already learned the hard way. It appears to use super magnets to hold it onto the undercarriage? I'll assume aluminum tubing is used to keep the weight down?

Take a look in the site's gallery for ideas.

 

Looks familiar. Don't need no stinkin' camera mount.

 

Not quite the same, Kurt.

Has everyone seen automotivephoto.net?

 

Thanks Blalor, that's a cool site with lots of info. Any threads you've found there with good rigging ideas?

Via a cross link there, I found crazy ideas from a excellent auto photographer Stéphane Foulon. Apologies if Motor already posted this link previously. My personal favorite that I'll NEVER attempt is his method of photographing a convertible from the rear while standing inside the trunk while the car is in motion.

Also a very kind and helpful person from here strongly suggested I take a look at this page for some further rigging ideas. Scroll down to the bottom to see how the photos were done.

 

Does this count......



I guess not.....

 

Nope, but it's a great usage of the graphic pen filter and does give it a motion "feel".

 

I subscribe to the equipment forum, and that seems to be where the rigging discussions take place. One guy had some pretty impressive shots taken with a modified stickypod. Lots of ideas on shooting car-to-car, too.