Kite Cameras???

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

Hey guys! I am looking into buying a camera that attaches to my kite... i have seen multiple videos and pictures from one, but I have no details. Are there cameras made specifically for this purpose? And if so, does anyone have a link or price to throw at me?

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

http://www.camrig.com

never used it, seems right up your alley though

Bigbeezer · Since 31 Aug 2008 33 Posts Portland, OR

you can try gopro camera, it's gotten lots of good reviews. It was used a lot in the video 'a Year in the Life' by killedthewind

http://www.goprocamera.com/

http://www.vimeo.com/9236491

good luck.

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

1 minute ago I watched the my kite video that I shot this afternoon with my brand new 10m waterproof Lumix TS2 photo camera and I'm really happy with the results.

I bought a 10$ camera case, cut 1 hole for the lens and 4 little holes for 2 zip straps to attach it to the center strut.
The camera itself is water and shockproof and with a 16Gb card you can record about 2 hours of constand footage.

It shoots HD video and 14 mega pixel photo's, has a decent stabelizer, wind noise reduction and 4x zoom, etc, etc.
In the reviews it is rated a lott better than all of its competitors.
The only downside : It's also the most expensive one with a price between 350 (online) and 400$

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 203 Posts Stoked

I made my cam rig in Baja out of Gorilla duct tape and velcro. The camera is a Pentax Optio W60. Works OK.

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 432 Posts Obsessed

Martin;

I also am thinking of buying the Lumix TS1 or TS2. Let me know how you like it.

Not sure to spend the extra $$ on the TS2 or save some and go with the TS1. Any thoughts?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4910 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Sick shot Cosmo!

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Talk to either GMan or Stringy they have some serious mileage using these. It depends which viewpoint your looking for. Camrig is meant to go on strut 20m above your head obviosly.
Kitehero mounts a GoPRo to your lines about 6 ft. above your head. GoPro does shoot HD , dont know if any others do. GoPro also has a wider lens but thats just my 2 cents. I dont have one but have edited some video from them.

Mount for GoPro here:

http://www.kitehero.com/photos/

Hope this helps.

EA

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

Oh man, i love those kind of shots.

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 799 Posts Opinionated

Has anyone tried the Go Pro line mount with the 2010 Naish bar?

Since the center lines split further up, I assume you would get a different perspective, sorta halfway between the normal line mount and the kite mount views.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Sorry to hear Drock,
bummer man.
Do any cameras on pocket mounts enable it to float ?

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I've probably had the most use on a kiteline mount, so I'll give you my perspective.
I've used a variety cameras on my kites but prefer the GoPro.
I've used most of the Pentax cams and still prefer what the GoPro HD can offer for the price. GP is a wide angle, so maybe you want something with less of a fish eye.
Anyhow the kiteline mount was designed to fit on just about any bar. I've tried it on just about every system and it can work, but works differently on some of the lines.
The new Naish center lines, 5th element and shift system all work okay, but the issues you will face are how much the camera will "bounce".
The kitehero seems to be most stable when mounted close to the rider where line movement is minimal.
When you mount the camera to a Y bridle up the lines, the tension in the front lines can vary making the added weight of the camera and mount start bouncing.
It's not enough to mess with your images but video can be a little harder to watch. Here's an example of a video with the kitehero mounted on a shift system Y bridle.
http://vimeo.com/7934246

What's nice about the GoPro HD camera is that it is very versatile with an array of mounts and the camera seems to work well underwater for snorkeling.

In a pinch, I've made a kite strut mount by using the headstrap mount that comes with the GoPro Helmet kit. check out the video

Link

Depending on what you want to do with your camera and what kind of perspective you want to achieve, You'll have to figure out what works best for what you want capture.

Here's some shots of what you can do with various cams...

The placement of the camera on the lines here is very similar to the new 2010 Naish bar

Pentax/Camrig placed on kitestrut

Kitehero placed at base of the front lines

Kitehero place on your 5th element Y bridle

GoPro mounted to your board.

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 262 Posts Obsessed

Does the camera fog up if it is mounted on the strings, or up by the kite?

Its been my experience that the Go-Pro regularly fogs up when worn on a helmet. I believe it fogs up if you mount it on the board. I believe that you remedy this situation by turning it off periodically.

mick · Since 21 Aug 2008 34 Posts

I really like this cam

http://www.tachyoninc.com/

I just tied it in the 5th line about 6ft down ,put two lines out from the cam to the front lines to keep it from spinning, not too difficult.

here is one of my vids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cY6s2vZsLA

Good luck with it ,, fun to sit home and watch on those windless days.