Car Camera Mounts

I'm looking for a camera mount to mount my Nikon D7000 to the car (dash, roof, door) in order to take some driving video while I'm on my upcoming ED. I'm looking for a versitile system that is suction-cup based, and can hold the weight of a full sized DSLR tight to the car (I don't want to see any car movement in the video, just the scenery moving).
So far I'm aware of the Sticky Pod and Filmtools' Gripper mounts. Does anyone have a preference for one or the other, or have another mount that's their favourite?

I'm an improvise type of guy. How about making your own bracket that attaches to the front eye hook? Much more secured than any suction cup type mount can provide. Personally, I would find some way of protecting that D7000 from debris.

Front eye-hook? What are you referring to? I'm a little leery trusting my new camera to something homemade. Maybe for a dashboard mount, but certainly not for outside the car.

Originally Posted by Peel

Front eye-hook? What are you referring to? I'm a little leery trusting my new camera to something homemade. Maybe for a dashboard mount, but certainly not for outside the car.

The tow hook insert. If you don't feel comfortable of creating a solid bracket by all means buy one of those suction cup attachment. They are external mounted right? You didn't mention you wanted one inside.

I am looking for something versatile enough that I can mount it on the roof, dash, etc. A tow hook mount would give some awesome video, just inches above the road surface, but might also be more susceptable to rocks and other road debris. Maybe if it had a sacrificial plexi screen to shoot through? Hmm... could be quite fun.

Go-Pro HD cameras are cheap.

Originally Posted by Peel

I am looking for something versatile enough that I can mount it on the roof, dash, etc. A tow hook mount would give some awesome video, just inches above the road surface, but might also be more susceptable to rocks and other road debris. Maybe if it had a sacrificial plexi screen to shoot through? Hmm... could be quite fun.

that's exactly what i was saying all along. I think you should probably use some cheapo HD camcorder instead of your $1200 D7000. You will find attaching a solid bracket to the tow hook would give you the shooting angle you want. Here, I found something. You got the idea now.

I have a D7000 and use the Filmtools Gripper. I love it and even have had it mounted with some heavier lenses. I just used it on my ED. Once you get over the fact that your beloved camera and lens are on the OUTSIDE of your car, it'll be a little easier to enjoy it. I opted for this solution as opposed to the GoPro route because I already have a great camera that can shoot amazing quality video and a fair share of excellent lenses. The GoPro cannot compete with the quality in my opinion. For quick, down and dirty, small size solution, the GoPro HD is a great choice. I may still get one for track days due to the size and less BS - video quality to me is less important in this situation for me. Good luck!

Id stay away from mounting a DSLR outside period. What happens if you spin and tap the front bumper to the tires? Not only will you potentially need grilles, headlights and a bumper, but you can give up any chance of that camera/lens surviving. And with it being a D7000...

Cheap, small and effective is a good strategy. The go-pro seems like a good option, or get some kind of suction mount for the roof and stick a cheap camera that plays video on there. An old Nikon Coolpix (slim one, S200 I think) can be had cheaply on criagslist or ebay, and takes track-day quality video. That would be the route I'd go in your situation. Good luck!

So I've decided to go with a multiple device solution - surely overkill I know, but hey, I get to buy more camera equipment this way

So for shooting outside the car I purchased a GoPro HD Motorsport setup (currently on sale at Amazon for $235 including all mounts). For high quality, through the window shooting and in-car video I purchased a Stickypod Pro pak that I will mount my D7000 on. I'll have to do a little tweeking in post as the D7000 shoots 1080p/24 and the GoPro shoots 1080p/30. Or maybe I'll just choose to shoot them both at 720p/30 (both cameras support this mode), but I much prefer the feel of 24fps.

I'll have to do a little experimenting this weekend.

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

that's exactly what i was saying all along. I think you should probably use some cheapo HD camcorder instead of your $1200 D7000. You will find attaching a solid bracket to the tow hook would give you the shooting angle you want. Here, I found something. You got the idea now.

Does anybody know what the two hook thread size/pitch is? I'd like to see if I can make a mount for that.

hope this will help

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Seri...-/300574114683

You could make a mount to the tow hook and take advantage of the thread size that is already there.

I know this is a dated thread but I think 24fps is chopy looking. I have a D7000 also. How did your video turn out? I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

Sent from a HTC EVO