Car suction mounts for cameras

[Ari]

I seem to recall a thread on this before so apologies if we've been over this.

I'm trying to find a decent suction mount to put a camera fairly high up on the bootlid of a convertible looking forward for a motion blur photo.

This one seems the closest but I fear it'll place the camera too low:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delkin-Fat-Gecko-Triple-Mo...

There's an extention section here, but according to one review it only actually extends the mount by one inch...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delkin-Extension-Suction-C...

This looks perfect, but it's over £400!

http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/hague_sm3_pro...

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

[Ari]

This is exactly the sort of shot I want to get, but my car has twin roll bars that I need to clear so I need to get the camera up higher. Plus I want the shot to look into the interior more.

[Magic919]

I got mine from Hague. They do decent gear http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera_suction_pads_vacuu...

[5hero]

Magic919 said:

I got mine from Hague. They do decent gear http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera_suction_pads_vacuu...

Same here, quality mounts.

[Ari]

Those are the ones I posted up. Very nice, but over £400 for occasional use is sadly a little too strong...

[Magic919]

So buy one that isn't strong.

[Ari]

Magic919 said:

So buy one that isn't strong.

Yes, thank you, good idea.

Any suggestions?

[crmcatee]

How much do you value your camera ?

[Longers]

Put one of these http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-035-s... on your roll bar and attach a normal tripod head to it. Very solid, easy to change position / angle of view etc, not expensive... what's not to like?!

[Ari]

That's a thought. Might put the camera too far forward but short of spending £400 it looks like being the only answer so far.

Many thanks.

[Magic919]

Would it be too silly to suggest using a tripod? I mounted one in the back of an Escort van and it worked a treat.

[Super Slo Mo]

I have a few of these:

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-241-p...

Very powerful suction. You need a threaded adaptor to fit the mount, but they're not expensive: Something like this would suffice http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-037-c...

I've got quite a bit of 'grip' kit in the office, you're welcome to come and try some of it before you go off to buy anything if you're ever in the North Staffordshire area.

[Digitalize]

I do car rigging, which involves suction cups and a boom, but I only use it at about 5mph, which would work for this with a long shutter.

A Manfrotto F1000 and a 143bkt would do the job, sucker it on to the boot or similar and away you go.

Personally I'd use the 035 and roll bars though, suction is a solution when there isn't roll bars!

Also, don't forget, no need to go fast at all, slow is probably better, smoother light trails etc.

Alternatively, as said I've done this shot before in hard top cars with just a tripod.

It's an image you do once, then never do again tbh.

[Ari]

Super Slo Mo said:

I have a few of these:

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-241-p...

Very powerful suction. You need a threaded adaptor to fit the mount, but they're not expensive: Something like this would suffice http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-037-c...

I've got quite a bit of 'grip' kit in the office, you're welcome to come and try some of it before you go off to buy anything if you're ever in the North Staffordshire area.

That's really helpful, and a very kind offer. Sadly I'm at the other end of the country so too far away otherwise I definitely would.

[Ari]

Digitalize said:

I do car rigging, which involves suction cups and a boom, but I only use it at about 5mph, which would work for this with a long shutter.

A Manfrotto F1000 and a 143bkt would do the job, sucker it on to the boot or similar and away you go.

Personally I'd use the 035 and roll bars though, suction is a solution when there isn't roll bars!

Also, don't forget, no need to go fast at all, slow is probably better, smoother light trails etc.

Alternatively, as said I've done this shot before in hard top cars with just a tripod.

It's an image you do once, then never do again tbh.

More great advice, thanks you.

And your last sentence is precisely why I'm balking at spending £400!

[Super Slo Mo]

Ari said:

That's really helpful, and a very kind offer. Sadly I'm at the other end of the country so too far away otherwise I definitely would.

Actually, we rent the stuff out. Might be an option, if you know roughly what you want.

[Ari]

Hiring is a tempting thought. I think I'd rather buy though, so I've got it to experiment with. I do a lot of boat photography and I figure there has to be an application for a sucker mount tripod in that, some sort of slightly longer exposure where the boat stays sharp but there's plenty of motion blur to the water. I figure if I own one I can experiment with it as and when the opportunity arises.

I think maybe I'll save up for a bit and get one of these at some stage.

http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/hague_sm3_pro...

[TheBlondeFella]

Rigging cars is something I never get tired of ...
After monthsa of research I built my own 4.5 meter carbon fibre & ali rig that I can put almost anywhere on any car, that is both very light and stable
I'm based in Surrey. PM me if you want to come over and take a look.

[Super Slo Mo]

Ari, where in the South West are you?

Reason I ask is that I'm at Cheltenham next week, and Cardiff the week after. I don't mind slinging a case of stuff in the back of the car if it suits you to pop over and have a look at some of the options. I'm not a re-seller, so there's no pressure.

I've also got a chap who'll be at Exeter on the 23rd, if it helps?

Don't feel obliged though, I'm just offering a chance to look at stuff, some of it may be more suitable than others, although to be fair, that £400 mount you linked to looks perfect. A simple clamp and thread (as per someone else's link above) might suffice for now, relatively cheap too.

[Ari]

Chaps, that's really really kind of both of you, thank you.

I'm down in deepest darkest Devon I'm afraid, so a bit off the beaten track.

Just spend a chunk of money on filter bits and pieces so current thinking is to sit tight on the suction mount for now, but then maybe go for the one mentioned when funds allow.

It is dear, but you only buy once (hopefully) and I'm sure it'll have other applications.