Power Kite Forum - Mounting non-gopro cameras

Mounting non-gopro cameras

rectifier - 2-12-2013 at 10:18 PM

So I'm starting to get a little jealous of everyone's sweet videos and pics from their kite sessions... and would like to show off some of my wings in flight obviously.

I don't have a GoPro type cam but I do have a Fuji XP150, which shoots pretty good HD video, is light, waterproof, shock proof and "freeze proof" though the battery dies fast in the cold unless fully charged.
Anyways I think this puppy is about 1.5x the size of a modern GoPro in its case.
It has a regular tripod thread, 1/4 NC I think. Has anyone had success with mounting this kind of camera on a helmet, or is it too heavy? Any ideas on how to secure it?

Kamikuza - 2-12-2013 at 11:07 PM

I've got a lesser model of the same camera... I think it'd be a little too heavy for its own good, mounted on a helmet. You could try a custom mount (big ol' screw through the helmet but that's fraught with other issues) but simply putting it on a tripod might be nice.

There are cheap versions of GoPro's etc around... and Contour Roam2 is going for just over $100 of Amazon...

rtz - 3-12-2013 at 01:55 AM

Try an adhesive type camera mount:

https://www.google.com/search?q=adhesive+camera+mount&sa...

lives2fly - 3-12-2013 at 06:22 AM

MUVI pov cameras have a standard tripod thread as their primary mounting system so you could get some of their mounts and screw on any camera with a thread...

rectifier - 3-12-2013 at 01:17 PM

Yeah, I use a tripod to film static flights sometimes but find I never know where it's pointed once I launch, so I thought a head mount might be good.
Never knew about adhesive mounts with regular threads, looks like there are quite a few. I'll have to look into that and the Muvi mounts (which looks tiny and cheap itself, might be worth buying) Obviously a backup leash is a good idea when trusting glue to hold things on in the cold!

soliver - 3-12-2013 at 05:42 PM

I frequently use a camera made by Sony called the "Bloggie" which my wife and I bought as a camera for family use and primarily to film kite stuff. It's no GoPro, but it works. It is very similar to an iPhone, but it has a 1/4" threaded spot for mounting it on a tripod typical to a camera. I've been able to make a small mount to fit on the back axle of my buggy out of a piece of PVC conduit, threaded rod, a short piece of angled aluminum, a bent piece of steel and a U-bolt.

I don't have a pic of the set up, but you can see it in my recent Video I posted in the buggy section of the forum. If you need, let me know and I'll take and post a pic for you.

Michael Gaylan - 3-12-2013 at 06:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rectifier

Yeah, I use a tripod to film static flights sometimes but find I never know where it's pointed once I launch, so I thought a head mount might be good.
Never knew about adhesive mounts with regular threads, looks like there are quite a few. I'll have to look into that and the Muvi mounts (which looks tiny and cheap itself, might be worth buying) Obviously a backup leash is a good idea when trusting glue to hold things on in the cold!

I have a suggestion for this..

I have a gopro and use a tripod (shorty) when I use it in the field. I ran into this problem first time and missed some good shots too. But I quickly realized a simple solution to the problem.

In my truck I keep orange flags for when I haul lumber and such. Take 2 screw drivers (or ground stakes) with the flag tied on, and walk out about 200 feet in the peripheral view of the camera and push the stakes into the ground. One should be on the left and one on the right and bingo ~ now you have a visual area to maintain flight in to keep in front of the recording area.

Hope this helps.

carltb - 4-12-2013 at 12:03 PM

what you need is something like this then youll be able to use any gopro mounts ................. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intova-Tripod-Mount-Adapter-to-att...

rectifier - 8-12-2013 at 05:57 PM

So I ended up making something out of a gopro mount I picked up at a local shop. Just drilled out the arm of the mount to 1/4" and stuffed a 1/4-20 machine screw through.
Stuck it on top of my helmet and it seems to do the job, that gopro mount glue is incredibly sticky!

Now I have a camera mount I can use with any gopro mount. Pretty easy. The camera doesn't seem too heavy for it.

Now all I need is wind :mad:

Michael Gaylan - 8-12-2013 at 06:24 PM

I like that idea. You could you put a 3.70 mm thick washer between the 2 empty spaces.

jack_sp - 3-1-2014 at 05:29 AM

These accessories are always cheaper on ebay

Chook - 4-1-2014 at 05:48 AM

Maybe you could drill a new 1/4" hole through the solid bit of the arm, closer back towards to the pivot point. This would halve the leverage on the pivot arm.

It's a great idea, that I'll pinch for my old Lumix FT4.:D :thumbup:

jack_sp - 4-1-2014 at 11:13 AM

There is a kite accessory q q've seen on ebay is on the lines.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/KITEHERO-Kite-Hero-Kiteboarding-Line-Moun...

rectifier - 4-1-2014 at 11:19 AM

I decided that having the arm support the bottom of the camera would help take some load off the threads, this "rugged" camera has a plastic tripod mount thread

I ended up stuffing 3x 1/4" washers in each slot as suggested. They fit perfectly and really firm up the mount.

Sorry no vids worth posting yet! Wind has been extremely lame this winter... Today we have a foot of fresh dry snow, and it's perfectly quiet and still out. XC ski day!

Regarding EBay, this is Canada... If I had paid $10 to ship it and waited a month, I might as well just go buy this mount for $15.

crazyherb - 4-1-2014 at 12:29 PM

Awesome Rectifier!! I like the reverse engineering on the GoPro mount...

kellynova - 20-4-2014 at 10:53 PM

Tripod is the option for still photography. I am having Carbon fiber tripod. CF tripods are best for travelling purpose because of their lightweight...