Rig Shot Question?

[Bob_Defly]

I have a car shoot coming up soon with a car that has carbon fibre body panels. Some may be varnished and some painted. Question is, will the suction cup strength (these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/67896-REG/Av... ) damage the bodywork at all?

I normally make sure the car is immaculately clean, I'm just concerned with how well paint/varnish adheres to carbon fibre? Has anyone ever had any issues with this? If anything pulled away from the CF underneath I would be in deep doodoo obviously, even though I am insured. Dean I know you've worked with many supercars, have you ever come across this issue with either CF or fibreglass panels, some advice would be really appreciated.

[trackdemon]

FWIW I've shot a carbon bodied Veyron with a single cup, albeit it was smaller than the one you've shown. In this instance the owner (Mansory) was perfectly cool about us doing it, although I'd be a bit reticent to do one on an owners car - tbh my concern is more about damaging the (often soft) lacquer finish rather than the carbon work itself. My shot worked out OK and AFAIK they had 'their guy' polish the car up and it was perfect afterwards.

[Bob_Defly]

thanks. Yes it's the lacquer that's bothering me. I've no idea if the force of the suction could pull the lacquer away from the carbon fibre underneath.

What about fixing them to the glass instead, has anyone done that?

[rollsound]

not sure if this is helpful, but I mentioned this in another rig thread - are those ferrari bonnets fibreglass, I'm not sure.

Definately sucked the paint off it, though.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
pic near bottom.

[GFWilliams]

I've put my rig on a few very expensive cars. If I'm not 100% sure it'll be fine on the bodywork I put it on the windows. It's just not worth the risk, even with insurance.

FWIW I've put my rig on a Zonda with bare carbon fibre and it was absolutely fine

[gary71]

GFWilliams said:

I've put my rig on a few very expensive cars. If I'm not 100% sure it'll be fine on the bodywork I put it on the windows. It's just not worth the risk, even with insurance.

FWIW I've put my rig on a Zonda with bare carbon fibre and it was absolutely fine

...and I broke the windscreen on my 911 trying to get my Manfrotto suction cup off!

[GFWilliams]

gary71 said:

...and I broke the windscreen on my 911 trying to get my Manfrotto suction cup off!

No offence intended, but you must have been doing something VERY wrong! ;eek:

[Bob_Defly]

GFWilliams said:

I've put my rig on a few very expensive cars. If I'm not 100% sure it'll be fine on the bodywork I put it on the windows. It's just not worth the risk, even with insurance.

FWIW I've put my rig on a Zonda with bare carbon fibre and it was absolutely fine

I think I might use the glass, just to be sure. Any particular angle to make sure the force won't put too much pressure on the screen?

[//dean]

Bob_Defly said:

I think I might use the glass, just to be sure. Any particular angle to make sure the force won't put too much pressure on the screen?

I wouldn't put both cups on the glass. If it has a carbon body I imagine it has a lighter-weight windscreen.

Can't you just borrow someone for 10 mins and do some tracking photos? Much more flexible and less '2006'.

[gary71]

GFWilliams said:

No offence intended, but you must have been doing something VERY wrong! ;eek:

That's what I thought! I guess it must have already been cracked or chipped as it's been on and off loads without issue.

Anyway I have a nice new super clear screen now so it's not all bad

[Bob_Defly]

//dean said:

Bob_Defly said:

I think I might use the glass, just to be sure. Any particular angle to make sure the force won't put too much pressure on the screen?

I wouldn't put both cups on the glass. If it has a carbon body I imagine it has a lighter-weight windscreen.

Can't you just borrow someone for 10 mins and do some tracking photos? Much more flexible and less '2006'.

Ha ha, I knew you'd say that! Yes I was going to try that too. Any particular speeds work well, I was going to try around 30 mph. Also, do you have to harness yourself in somehow?

[GFWilliams]

Bob_Defly said:

Ha ha, I knew you'd say that! Yes I was going to try that too. Any particular speeds work well, I was going to try around 30 mph. Also, do you have to harness yourself in somehow?

I do tracking shots at about 20mph, but it depends how smooth the road is etc.. Quicker you go the quicker the SS you can get away with. I've heard people say a shutter speed of 1/1mph is what you should use for tracking shots, but a little trial and error seems to work better IMO.

As for thinner windscreens, I have put my rig on the perspex rear window and carbon rear wing of a 997.2 GT3RS and as long as you get the positioning right (ie. right next to the edge of the window as opposed to in the middle) there isn't that much wobble and it's pretty safe