Dash Cam

[Shadrach]

Have any of your who travel a lot every mounted, or seen mounted, a 35mm ( or digital now ) camera on the dash ? I have a DSLR camera and want to mount it on the dash so we ( my wife ) can safely take pictures while I am travelling. Some of you will think I'm crazy and some will say it's not safe. Sometimes when you are travelling you come around a corner or over a hill and the view is fantastic but there is nowhere to stop to take a picture. This way the camera could be all set up and all one would have to do it turn it on and press the button, or preset it on video. Something like the one in the link maybe. Shad



#ad

 

[HBarlow]

http://www.rammount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#/

Motorcycle riders use these products to attach GPS, satellite radio converters, cameras, and other devices. You'll have to spend some time digging through the website's products offered but Ram probably makes an adapter that can be attached to the back of your camera with a 1" ball on the opposite end. From the 1" ball it's easy to find various extensions and brackets to connect to a base. You should be able to find a base with a strong adhesive pad. You may even find brackets for your specific camera.

Ram products work great on motorcycles which often expose the devices to wind, weather, and road shock from potholes or expansion strips. They are excellent products. My Goldwing has an OEM built in GPS but I have added a Ram mount set up to add a Garmin because the Garmin is easier to use and provides more useful info.

 

[Jim W]

I think it might be a good idea but you will need to take into account the induced vibration that the camera will see from being solidly mounted to the dash. You might be able to change your ISO film speed on the camera to maybe ISO 400 or something higher. Than the vibration might not be as noticeable from being mounted on the the trucks dash. You may also need a remote release for the camera to help eliminate induce vibration from your finger movement when the picture is taken.

Just my opinion.

Jim W.

 

[HBarlow]

Jim,

In theory you are probably correct but I've viewed a lot of youtube videos filmed by motorcylists blasting through the curves on "the dragon" or other TN/NC Smoky Mountain twisties. I observed no vibration. I have little knowledge of video cameras and even less interest so have no idea what type of cameras were in use but the Ram mounts work.

 

[AEdelheit]

I'd be more concerned bout taking a picture through the windshield, any dirt will show up as the angle of the glass may have some weird effects. But won't know till you try, cool idea keep us posted!

 

[mwilson]

Have any of your who travel a lot every mounted, or seen mounted, a 35mm ( or digital now ) camera on the dash ? I have a DSLR camera and want to mount it on the dash so we ( my wife ) can safely take pictures while I am travelling. Some of you will think I'm crazy and some will say it's not safe. Sometimes when you are travelling you come around a corner or over a hill and the view is fantastic but there is nowhere to stop to take a picture. This way the camera could be all set up and all one would have to do it turn it on and press the button, or preset it on video. Something like the one in the link maybe. Shad



#ad

Shad,

I think your answer lies with a GoPro. They will take still shots or video and are designed for moving shots. I just bought one and have not mastered it yet.



You can mount it to the dash and shoot pictures with the remote control.



I believe that is how the bike guys are doing their video rides.



Mike.

 

[Road Dog]

In theory you are probably correct but I've viewed a lot of youtube videos filmed by motorcylists blasting through the curves on "the dragon" or other TN/NC Smoky Mountain twisties. I observed no vibration. I have little knowledge of video cameras and even less interest so have no idea what type of cameras were in use but the Ram mounts work.

All the POV (point of view) cameras like the GoPro use a wide angle field of view which masks vibration and camera shake. It also means the action has to be close or it looks tiny.

 

[Shadrach]

I have wanted a GoPro for years but since I already have a whole collection of cameras, mostly antiques, including a brand new DSLR I have to draw the line somewhere. The GoPro can be mounted outside of the truck of course and I could mount my pocket digital, which is lighter and ssmaller, on the dash, but would like to use the new DSLR. I know of people who have driven with a camera on their lap and take a pic thru the windshield ( not me of course - no never - no way ) and had no probelms with dirt on the glass. The fast shutter speed helps. If the window was muddy that would be a different story. With a mount you can aim better and drive safer. Shad

 

[RVTRKN]

Your wife should just hold the camera, we took these while riding through Zion national Park. :-laf

 

[Bob4x4]

Bike touring... ... ... ..... I miss that. A go pro would be great there if you did not have a willing wife.

 

[Crazy Horse]

This does it all. Tons of memory high def, video or stills. The video is the best part because there is no shke in your captured footage due to the incredable image stabalizer they use. I have a mount for mine on a head atachment, 4 wheeler attachment, and a mount on the dash of the truck. I will record hours of hd video on one 32 gb chip. This will give you an idea of the shake that is cleaned up with the Drift Camera. Don't try this with your hand cam you won't be able to watch it.



<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JGeqE7OiAZw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Shadrach]

" Your wife should just hold the camera, we took these while riding through Zion national Park. "

My wife is usually sleeping when I'm driving ( not sure how to take that sometimes ) and sometimes I travel by my self Shad

 

[mgonske]

Getting a little off-topic, because an iPad (or iPhone) isn't of the same quality that you're asking about, but...

I put a mount for my iPad on my Jeep's dash so I could use some mapping apps on the trail. I noticed that the camera was up where it had a view out the windshield, so I tried recording some video on the trail, even though half the field of view was blocked by the rollcage. I was quite surprised, when reviewing the video, to see the rollcage rocking and rolling (in real life, the iPad and cage were fixed together), while the trail image stayed relatively steady! The built-in image stabilization software on the iPad had worked to stabilize the trail image, making it look like the camera (iPad) had been held steady while the Jeep rocked! Very impressive!

 

[mwilson]

The GoPro that I just got will Bluetooth (provided that you download the app for this) with either the i-pad or i-pod so that you may see what you are filming, plus control the GoPro itself.



Again, I'm a long ways from proficient with it yet but it appears that you can use either the included remote or the apple products for remote control.

 

[mwilson]

The GoPro that I just got will Bluetooth (provided that you download the app for this) with either the i-pad or i-pod so that you may see what you are filming, plus control the GoPro itself.



Again, I'm a long ways from proficient with it yet but it appears that you can use either the included remote or the apple products for remote control.

Also want to point out that the newest Apple products are pretty impressive as Mark says above. Wife has a new i-pod 5 and that thing takes incredible photo and video. The panoramic photo feature is very slick as well.



Mike.

 

[RVTRKN]

" Your wife should just hold the camera, we took these while riding through Zion national Park. "



My wife is usually sleeping when I'm driving ( not sure how to take that sometimes ) and sometimes I travel by my self Shad

I don't think she will be sleeping if going through I 70 east bound, starting out from I 15 which is the north side of the great national parks of Utah. WOW just one great site after another for a 100 miles, so make sure you go through in AM if ever on that route.

 

[Shadrach]

Picked up my new DSLR camera tonight. Got to get used to it before the trip to Columbus. Shad

 

[Wayne M.]

Picked up my new DSLR camera tonight. Got to get used to it before the trip to Columbus. Shad

Which DSLR did you choose?

 

[EricBu12]

Shad. . I have a DSLR also and I have my camera set on a wider angle and with my right hand, I take quick shots when slower and stuff. . Does pretty good. . Just use auto and zoom out.

 

[Shadrach]

Sony A57. I have Minoltas 35mm so I can use some of my lenses. Shad