Using a M4/3 camera inside a car - mount recommendations?

[dannyDC2]

Hey guys, I'm after a bit of advice regarding mounts.

I've been using GoPros inside cars for a while now, but noticed whilst watching Harry's Garage last night that he uses a larger camera, and I think the video really benefited from it.

I have a Panasonic G7 which weighs under 1kg with the lens attached, but it's rather bulky, only slightly smaller than a DSLR.

I've looked at Hague mounts in the past, specifically the SM1 - https://www.cameragrip.com/hague-sm1-camera-suctio... - my only concern is that my camera will be too bulky to use this mount on the windscreen.

Any other recommendations before I take the plunge?

Cheers,
Dan

[FurtiveFreddy]

What are you trying to film?

[GetCarter]

I've used Hague mounts with a DSLR in the past... never fallen off. Just be careful you don't leave pointing towards the sun for hours on end, I've seen a windscreen crack from this.

[dannyDC2]

FurtiveFreddy said:

What are you trying to film?

Myself chatting bks most likely!

[FurtiveFreddy]

They are rebranded Manfrottos and I've used them for years but I'm asking what you want to film because it wouldn't be a good idea to leave one on for more than a day at a time.

As Steve says, be careful when using them on glass. Any weakness or invisible crack will suddenly become very visible. The glass also needs to be almost completely flat for it to be secure.

There are other methods to attach SLRs but if it's a temporary solution you want, these large suction mounts are usually the best and most stable.

[dannyDC2]

Yeah it's definitely a temporary solution, will be used for 1 hour at a time maximum just whilst driving on the road.

As my camera isn't a DSLR it's quite low weight in comparison, I'm just hoping there's enough room to mount the camera and get a decent angle on the SM1.

Reading the reviews now I can see someone with a GH3 has used the mount with success, which is a similar form/weight camera.

[FurtiveFreddy]

That's the best mount for what you want. There are smaller suction mounts around but not really much use for anything other than a bullet camera or GoPro.

You have to think not only about the weight of the camera on the mount but also how that mass behaves when the car is cornering, braking, riding over bumps etc. as that dictates how solid the mount needs to be.

[ashleyman]

If you want to split the wight, but 2 suction cups, a slider and place the camera on the slider.

Joby do a mount with suction cup and arm, I have one of the that is 4 cups that connect to the same mount to split weight.

https://joby.com/phone-tripods-tablet-stands/sucti...

Another brand name is Gripper. Something like a Filmtools Gripper 116XL or 115 might work for you.

[FurtiveFreddy]

The Filmtools suction mounts are re-branded Manfrottos as well (or I suppose they could be copies).

[ashleyman]

FurtiveFreddy said:

The Filmtools suction mounts are re-branded Manfrottos as well (or I suppose they could be copies).

Really? Never knew that!! Thanks
If Manfrotto do something similar I'd go with them.

[FurtiveFreddy]

Google Manfrotto 241. That's the one.

[dannyDC2]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Ended up going with the SM1, it is indeed a Manfrotto suction cup just with a few accessories. For £85 I'm really quite impressed with it.

I used it yesterday to film some mumbles on the A14. Getting some crazy scatter over the occasional bump. Tried to shorten the throw on the mount and made sure everything was double tight, but it seems there's no way round it. See 8 mins onwards here: https://youtu.be/185YRu4t258

Perhaps I'm just at the limitations of my camera now. The image stabilisation on it isn't great on the G7 anyway.

Any suggestions on improving the stability whilst the camera is on the mount? It must only be moving ever so slightly. Any tips or tricks appreciated!

Cheers
Dan

[FurtiveFreddy]

Were you using a zoom lens?

If so, it might be the internal lens mechanism vibrating slightly, so try a prime and see if it behaves the same way.

As long as you've got everything done up really tight, you shouldn't be getting any vibration of that sort really.

[dannyDC2]

FurtiveFreddy said:

Were you using a zoom lens?

If so, it might be the internal lens mechanism vibrating slightly, so try a prime and see if it behaves the same way.

As long as you've got everything done up really tight, you shouldn't be getting any vibration of that sort really.

I was yes, I'll give it a go with my prime lens and report back. Sounds logical!

[Phunk]

Is try it with an IS lens or preferably a camera with in body stabilisation.

[FurtiveFreddy]

The thing about relying on camera or lens VR or IS is you're not getting to the root cause of the problem.

In this case, it's better to determine first whether the issue is with the grip or the camera and go from there.

[dannyDC2]

Tested again this morning with the prime lens, results were much of the same. I looked over at the mount when driving over a bump in the road, and you can see it getting a little wiggle on. Same with the passenger seat, CDs in the door pocket... perhaps my Volvo isn't as wafty as I thought.

The movement seems to be coming from the base of the suction mount, which makes sense as the weight is at the opposite end.

Phunk said:

Is try it with an IS lens or preferably a camera with in body stabilisation.

A camera with some proper stabilisation would be great, just don't really have the budget for it unfortunately. I guess I'll just have to make do with shakin' stevens.

I feel it would be better with a lighter camera, perhaps it's time to swap bodies.

FurtiveFreddy said:

The thing about relying on camera or lens VR or IS is you're not getting to the root cause of the problem.

In this case, it's better to determine first whether the issue is with the grip or the camera and go from there.

Perhaps it's worth noting that the glass the mount is on is slightly curved. Perhaps it would be better on a flat surface, but there aren't many flat surfaces within scope. Hmmm!

[ashleyman]

Any rattle or shake on the glass will be transferred into the mount, any rattle or shake will then be emphasised by the mount through to the camera. Can you find anything with any vibration damping? Wether it be mount arms or rubber grommets etc that you can fit to help reduce the vibrations caused by the cars movements and any window rattle.

If your lenses have IS turn it off. Can you try adding some weight to the camera to weigh it down and prevent vibration?

Have you got any photos of the mount set up in car that you can share?
Sometimes the way the arms are positioned can have a dramatic effect on vibrations and shake.

[SniktySnikty]

Sorry this recommendation is too late for you but it might help someone searching in the future. I've got one of these Delkin Fat Gekko and found it pretty good, especially as it costs bobbins

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delkin-Gecko-Camera-Mount...

They do a triple cup version as well

I made this video below with a Sony Nex 5N.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4xnf8n

I have had my A7 with 16-35 on the outside of the car but lost my bottle when it came to filming in cheddar!

[SniktySnikty]

I think the vibration is caused by the camera rocking on top of the suction cup. Having two plungers vertically may reduce this happening. You could try using a cheaper smaller suction cup as a tether to stop the rocking motion?