LittlePixel

I'm looking to find a way to attach a small Digital camera / DV camera to either my handlebars or forks for some speed shots for a photography project. The idea - at least for stills is to be able to use a cable release to take shots facing forward as I zoom along; Thing is - after much googling I can't find anything suitable. There are rubber-sucker based systems for cars and more sturdy looking things for motorbikes but all I really need is an adjustable clamp like you'd get on a Cateye light (ok - maybe a bit sturdier!) that has a standard threaded screw-clamp for the base of the camera - maybe with some sort of ball and socket joint for fine adjustment of the camera. Anyone ever done this or know of someone (in the UK?) that could supply/custom make one?

Thanks in advance!
Huw

::Currently in the process of refurbing a Raleigh Twenty Folder with lots of light parts and a Nexus Inter-8 hub::

Nightshade

I've taken many photos with cameras mounted on all kinds of
vehicles. I've found that the best way is to build a box or
platform to hold the camera while it's mounted on the vehicle
to be secure and shockmount. My first attempt failed because
I failed to mount the camera properly and I learned a $500
lessson. OUCH!!

ctyler

Get a Manfrotto Super Clamp. It's a bit heavy, but you can clamp it to your handlebars.

Barren

Yeah.. Bogen/Manfrotto super clamp is what the pro's use to mount cams. We have some at work for mounting cams to airplanes.

way124

If you have the time in your hands, you can try to do something like this:

LittlePixel

Thanks for the tips people! Some of them look a little too "overengineered" for my purposes but thanks for the manfrotto link - it looks perfect; Am bidding on one on eBay as I type!

BDK

Yes littlepixel, the super clamp would be the way to go but keep in mind that you will need a pretty fast shutter speed on a digital still camera since it is such a bumpy ride

Jay H

Ultraclamp

I have one of the above with a universal tripod mount that will mount to handlebars or anything round and not too thick in diameter. It'll also mount to car windows and flat boards.

Jay

allgoo19

Here's a $5.-+ shipping cost solution.

https://www.cateye.com/cat/parts_list.php?products_id=64

Get a bracket(H-27), second from top, and spacer, bottom. It's as compact as it can be and quick release. Original screw that connect the spacer to the body is not standard tripod mount size which is 20x1/4, but you can easily drill a hole larger and the screw is readily available at local hardware store. You also need a piece of ruber sheet goes between the camera body and the spacer, so the camera won't sway side to side.

If you are planning to take shots while you are riding the bike, it's a very good idea to have vibration free camera. It's quite common in video camreas but you have to pay quite a bit for still photo cameras equipped with it.
Remote control will help you a good deal too, either wired or wireless. Keep in mind that some cheap remote controls have a few second delay and not instant triggering, which, I think, is pretty dumb.

bac

I use a RAM Mount on my bars. I also just snapped a RAM Mount on my seatpost pointing backwards. I take short videos, and stills. You also need to buy a RAM ARM, and a RAM BALL (to screw into camera)

I like this system as the rubber coating on the RAM balls absorb a lot of the shock. If I remember, I'll take a picture, and post it.

bac

Well, I couldn't show it with the camera mounted, as I was using the camera to take the picture. however, here are a few pix of the mount:

MadMan2k

How about a custom designed handlebar stem, with a camera screw built in?

I'd like a way to mount my digital still onto my bike to take riding pictures, and it'd be nice to have it permanent, and stable enough to not worry about the camera falling off (maybe straps in addition, around the camera, would help)

poululla

Check out www.jessops.co.uk they are pretty ok for camera gear in the UK

rgarza28

How about some pictures taken while out riding. It sounds like a fun idea.

bac

Here's one:

mntbikedude

I don't know exactly how he did this, but my son mounted a digital movie camera on his handlebars for our ride down the pacific coast. He just used the mount off of a tripod. It was pretty slick and he has 9 hours of cool video that he is making into a documentary. He was not only able to capture some great action footage but also some great spontaneous interview with people along the way.

allgoo19

It would be nice if we had one place on the net where people can store photos of their favorite course, and other members can find those on the data base or something. It'll help deciding a destination for the next vacation.
I found this posting below by a member very nice and scenic.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/69860-jersey-what-exit.html

bac

Here are a few videos (mpeg) that I've taken with my handlebar mounted camera. You may want to do a "right-click", and "save target as", if you have a slow connection. If the video is jerky, let it run once, then play it again. This will get the file into your buffer:

Road Video 1 (17mb)

Road Video 2 (13mb)

Road Video 3 (6mb)

Road Video 4 (8.6mb)

Road Video 5 (6.5mb)

Road Video 6 (17mb)

allgoo19

That's very nice, but I was thinking of more like this one.

https://chainreaction.com/santacruzmtns.htm

It's hosted by Chainreaction bike store and they have quite a good cllection of the local favorite bike rides, so it's only limted to San Francisco area. It would be nice if every members of the bikeforum post photos and maps of their favorite rides all over the US and beyond, and other members can search where they want to go state by state or city by city.

LittlePixel

I got my manfrotto clamp last week. Here's (the start) of my downhill ride this morning.
Just taken with an Ixus stills camera in movie mode. Pretty good picture I thought...

https://www.theworldkrakcartel.org/li...2/MVI_0323.AVI

C_Heath

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...110880575&rd=1

bac

Nice Mount!

PWRDbyTRD

I agree. Glad to see this thread considering I ordered a camcorder that should be here the day my bike is too

cryogenic

we could make some interesting/amusing vids with our bikes... we're pretty random and I'm sure we can find something fun and interesting to do with our time :-P

PWRDbyTRD

dude like go to campus
and ride up behind hot chics. yeah dude. totally dude.