Solutions to video camera shake

[allen-uk]

Funnily enough, my 'good' MD80 clapped out. Wouldn't take a charge, so first thing I did was to buy a new micro card - no help, so I've ordered a new one (MD80, that is). We'll see if it's as unreliable as both of yours seem to have been.

I do have a decent Panasonic Lumix (similar to lemmy's but with a heavier lens), and an old Sony camcorder, and I'm thinking of experimenting with one or both of them, but the weather down here in the soft south tempts me outside for periods of sitting and drinking tea at present...


A

 

[morphix]

Funnily enough, my 'good' MD80 clapped out. Wouldn't take a charge, so first thing I did was to buy a new micro card - no help, so I've ordered a new one (MD80, that is). We'll see if it's as unreliable as both of yours seem to have been.

I do have a decent Panasonic Lumix (similar to lemmy's but with a heavier lens), and an old Sony camcorder, and I'm thinking of experimenting with one or both of them, but the weather down here in the soft south tempts me outside for periods of sitting and drinking tea at present...


A

Aw that's a shame Allen..sounds like the MD80 is same as the 808 keyring cams, good batches and bad batches.. be interesting to see your reports on the new MD80 replacement. Maybe you could possibly switch the batteries over if turns out bad, I know some people have done that with the 808 cams.

I'd also be interested to see your experiments with the other cams, particularly that Sony..I've been wanting to try an older CCD style sensor camera myself and also Sony has it's own anti-shake technology I think as do some of the other big manufacturers..there's some good info explaining the different technologies and how they work on Wikipedia under anti-shake.

Looks like we're in for a wet week in some parts, I've been lucky to miss getting caught in any rain so far, but it makes me very nervous the prospect of getting caught in a heavy shower as my kit is still not waterproofed at all.

 

[allen-uk]

Had a look at the Sony, and it's no go - far too heavy for anything other than some sort of fixed mount to the bars or to your body.

But I did find this link:

The DV Show: DIY Canon MKII Bungee Body Mount

which is interesting, as it shows a dead simple way of making an SLR mount for about 35p, using the camera, the strap, plus a bungee cord. (Basically, you just stick the bungee cord round your back, then put the hooks into your strap. Et voila).

I've tried it just walking round the flat, and it seems to work well, even on the Lumix with the heavy fixed zoom lens. As soon as I can get an hour or two, I'll have a go on the bike, and report back.


A.

 

[morphix]

Had a look at the Sony, and it's no go - far too heavy for anything other than some sort of fixed mount to the bars or to your body.

But I did find this link:

The DV Show: DIY Canon MKII Bungee Body Mount

which is interesting, as it shows a dead simple way of making an SLR mount for about 35p, using the camera, the strap, plus a bungee cord. (Basically, you just stick the bungee cord round your back, then put the hooks into your strap. Et voila).

I've tried it just walking round the flat, and it seems to work well, even on the Lumix with the heavy fixed zoom lens. As soon as I can get an hour or two, I'll have a go on the bike, and report back.


A.

Very clever! Look forward to seeing how you get on..I did try various body mounts including a self-made harness using velcro but it had a tendency to slump forwards and move around a bit. This looks much more steady with the tension of the bungee.

 

[lemmy]

The DV Show: DIY Canon MKII Bungee Body Mount

which is interesting, as it shows a dead simple way of making an SLR mount for about 35p, using the camera, the strap, plus a bungee cord. (Basically, you just stick the bungee cord round your back, then put the hooks into your strap. Et voila).

Apart from the fact that it uses a bungee cord instead of a Gorillpod, that method is the one I am using and which seems to work well enough.

It is especially good from the point of view of making a commentary as you go along as most cameras have the mic situated somewhere on the top plate.

There are two distinct ways to approach bike movies, it seems to me. One is the utilitarian one, this is my bike ride and this is where I went, made for other cyclists and for information purposes.

The other is to attempt to give the feeling of being on the bike with the rider, sharing something with people who are not necessarily cyclists themselves.

The approaches are very different and require different techniques. A helmet camera is very 'cold' in nature, it give info without involving the watcher at all. It needs a clear and uncluttered viewpoint and to avoid vibration or movement and is ideal for information.

The other way, some periods of vibration, focus change, including the handlebars in frame, informative commentary, even technical imperfections, can add to, if not make the experience. In this case, the very thing that spoils the info film can enhance the 'experience' one.

 

[kitchenman]

There are two distinct ways to approach bike movies, it seems to me

I'm exploring using multiple cameras. At the moment its two. One rear saddle post mount. One front handlebar mount. These cameras are mounted to stay on the bike. i.e. They have memory cards that I remove, copy to pc, clear and then re-insert. I will be trying more body mounts including the chest mount! For me, it would be great to find a single multi camera device! ...

 

[lemmy]

I'm exploring using multiple cameras. For me, it would be great to find a single multi camera device! ...

That's all very ambitious - move over Scorcese!

 

[lemmy]

I've taken a ride on a pretty bumpy path and I'm happy with the results now. As far as I can see, I have the vibration problem licked for my needs.

What I'm going to work on now is repeatability of results. That is, at the moment framing the shot is a bit hit and miss, certainly imprecise, because once the camera is in position I cannot see the screen easily.

I have a few ideas to solve this but It'll take me a little while to implement them.

Results are Here

Incidentally, I've just been to see TT3D - excellent documentary, well worth seeing if you like motor cycles and the 3D really enhances the subject. And the filming of the bikes...wow!

 

[kitchenman]

I am Just working on different mounting arrangements to use on my bikes. Like Alan (kitchenman) a forward and backward view can be interesting to experiment with.

Chris, this is using the youtubedoubler site to play 2 movies at the same time (may need to pause and reset at the start to get them in sync) ... CAR DVR front/PSP rear ..
CX700/PSP REAR MOUNT vs. CX700/CAR DVR HANDLEBAR FRONT MOUNT by VJ ALANTREVOR | YouTube Doubler | Mashup Helper

 

[kitchenman]

I'm going to order a Panasonic HD-TA1 (they are £50 free delivery on Amazon) to compare it with the Vado HD as it has an external mic and the added benefit of the anti-shake EIS feature..let's see if it has the edge on the Vado!

Did you get the HD-TA1?

 

[allen-uk]

And if you did get it, where did you get it for fifty quid? It's currently £90 on Amazon...


A

 

[kitchenman]

I may have an answer.
Being a bit of a gadget geek,I have always wonted a HUD (head up display) with night vision, have been experimented with using night vision over the last couple of years, never been able to make anything powerful and small enough so have ordered one of these,
150° Rotating LENS 720P HD Vehicle Car DVR Night Vision on eBay (end time 15-May-11 14:40:04 BST)
Attached to a helmet I am hoping to be able to control what is being seen maybe be able to use it as a rear view mirror or possibly NV between the villages were there is no lighting other than my bike lights, if it dosen`t work out it will be my Daughters next birthday present for her car.

Any news? Have you got it?

 

[kitchenman]

I've taken a ride on a pretty bumpy path and I'm happy with the results now. As far as I can see, I have the vibration problem licked for my needs.

What I'm going to work on now is repeatability of results. That is, at the moment framing the shot is a bit hit and miss, certainly imprecise, because once the camera is in position I cannot see the screen easily.

I have a few ideas to solve this but It'll take me a little while to implement them.

Results are Here

Incidentally, I've just been to see TT3D - excellent documentary, well worth seeing if you like motor cycles and the 3D really enhances the subject. And the filming of the bikes...wow!

Its Saturday night and I'm chilling with a cold beer and have just enjoyed a delightful ride beside the Thames with Lemmy. Cheers.

 

[dmcgoldrick]

london and not a spray painter in sight........
thanks for sharing the video lemmy YouTube - Cycling Thames Towpath from Kingston to Hampton Court

 

[aaannndddyyy]

Any news? Have you got it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/150-Rotating-LENS-720P-HD-Vehicle-Car-DVR-Night-Vision-/350439830696?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5197d774a8#ht_5457wt_1296
HI kitchenman
Yep it came a few days ago as soon as I got it out of the box I realized it wasn't going to be man enough to be used as a bike cam very light with thin plastic would crack or break if fitted directly to the bike, drooped or handled ruffly and bit to big for a helmet camera, ideal for a car so my daughter has an early Christmas present for her car she loves it and likes the night vision option, it records in 2 minuets intervals and loops on a mini SD card, totally automatic attached to the lighter socket tune the ignition on it starts recording tune the ignition off it stops recording and shuts down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcUD1ycI3-U

 

[kitchenman]

150° Rotating LENS 720P HD Vehicle Car DVR Night Vision | eBay UK
HI kitchenman
Yep it came a few days ago as soon as I got it out of the box I realized it wasn't going to be man enough to be used as a bike cam very light with thin plastic would crack or break if fitted directly to the bike, drooped or handled ruffly and bit to big for a helmet camera, ideal for a car so my daughter has an early Christmas present for her car she loves it and likes the night vision option, it records in 2 minuets intervals and loops on a mini SD card, totally automatic attached to the lighter socket tune the ignition on it starts recording tune the ignition off it stops recording and shuts down.
YouTube - 150° Rotating LENS 720P HD Vehicle Car DVR Night Vision

Shame cos that looks cooooool...

 

[lemmy]

london and not a spray painter in sight........

Yeah, I is noticed that so I is went to de hamton palis last nite an I is wrote me sig all over it 10 foot hi, innit?

Thanks for the kind words, gentlemen

 

[kitchenman]

I'm ready for action. This is my double barrelled bar end mount! 2 CAR DVR devices mounted on the grips of my CX700 give very little camera shake and hopefully will result in my first wide view footage.

004 BOTH BARRELS | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[kitchenman]

I'm ready for action.

Umm.. Think I need to point them further apart! ...
LEFT_BARREL.mp4 vs. RIGHT_BARREL.mp4 by VJ ALANTREVOR | YouTube Doubler | Mashup Helper

Will keep trying!

 

[kitchenman]

Umm.. Think I need to point them further apart! ...

This is a RAIN TEST of the CARDVR. I've used some old inner tube as a cover hence the tunnel effect. Unfortunately the CARDVR on the left hand side seemed to have attracted some water and may now be broken! .. Trying to dry it out! .. Did manage to get the video footage off using the other CARDVR.
I think the lesson here is use problem waterproof equipment! ...
Excellent ride in the rain today between Winchester and Alton. The video is part of the route as you leave Winchester. Its mainly route 23. Notice the peacock at the end of the film...

YouTube - ‪CX700/CARDVR1_CARDVR2 RAIN TEST/PEACOCK‬‏