Kite mounted camera?

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I have been having good success getting some great still photos using my GoPro with a string mount and shooting every 2 seconds. Now I want to pursue some other angles with a kite mounted camera angle. Does anyone know of a good and secure way to mount a GoPro or other camera to the leading edge of the kite? I would also like to shoot from the kite not using a wide angle and I believe the GoPros will only do wide angle because of the lens.

I guess what I am really asking for is a lightweight, waterproof, nonwide angle camera that will shoot every 2 seconds or so. And a strong and secure way to attach it to the kite. If the camera does video that would be an extra bonus!

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novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

I have seen a strut mount advertised for the cameras. Dont remember where. Google search it and you may find it.

sromano1995 · Since 22 May 2013 240 Posts Portland Stoked

Check out the CamRig strut mount:

http://camrig.com/strut-mount-camrig/strut-mount

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Camrig is where to go for the mounts. The Hero 3 black comes with the Wi-Fi remote. You attach the remote to your bar and take pics or stop/start your video at will. Saves a lot of time in the editing room!

Smile

In dry conditions you can you a phone or tablet as the remote and actually see what you're shooting. The new firmware version has some new settings for narrow vs. wide as different resolutions.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

I made my own strut mount out of duct tape (Gorilla) and velcro. I used an older Pentax water proof camera (10mp) that was set up to shoot every 15sec. Sadly the camera died snorkeling and my replacement Sony does have an interval shooting option. Anyways, here some pics of the mount and some samples:

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

hey windian I assume your gopro is the HD2 version. if so you can add the wifi unit to the camera. it does add some weight but if it's powered conditions it doesn't matter. if it's super light, I don't like to add weight to the lines because it hinders performance and bounces around too much. anyhow the wifi has good range. I've used it to change setting and turn cam on and off. I've used the smartphone app and it works great. you can use the lifeproof case and the phone will stay dry and free of sand. or just get the HD3 and it has built in wifi and is very lightweight. the new HD3 line mount works great. there is a fin mount coming out soon. as for mounting on struts and similiar, I like to change things up and film multiple perspectives. camrig sells the strut mount and works on almost all kites, except splitstrut and no strut designs.
I made a custom mount that allows me to rotate the camera and film whatever I want. it even works on my no strut kite. I call it my strut less strut mount haha
BTW the HD2 and HD3 can be used with either the smartphone app or the wifi wrist strap. I also use the contour cameras but have found the bluetooth app doesn't have the same range as the wifi so you cannot turn record on and off from that distance.
on the gopro you should be able to narrow your setting slightly by using different resolutions. there is an option for wide, medium and narrow when shooting video.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I'll also add if you want to experiment with mounts and straps, that is how I do it.
if you still have the headstrap elastic webbing, you can add a buckle and use that. or go to the electronics store and find a cheap mp3 player armband. those work great. just cut out a little hole for the camera lens to poke thru.
or just get the cadillac from camrig.

www.camrig.com

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Thanks for all the good techno feedback guys, I am still mowing over what to do or buy to foster my interest in POV kiting photography, not video. I currently own a HD2 GoPro and an Olympus 1030W with string mount and helmet mount for the GoPro. I really want to do some shots that are not wide-angle with a kite mount. My old 1030W will not do repetitive shots every "x" seconds so I am looking to do an upgrade. Does anyone have recommendations of some of the new digital cameras (waterproof only) that are lightweight and can do 12M shots every 2 seconds or better.

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