Arm cam...

[Jim Cancil]

I needed a way to video this particular kite in heavy air, so I figured the cam mounted on my arm could look up the lines. I only had about 20min to make the holder because the forecast said the winds were to drop.. so it is not really ready-for-prime-time.



...turns out the winds did drop and it was difficult to stay upwind by the time I got out - then the cam said the memory was full ..like right away?! ...but there's about 1.5min on this link. I'm going to look for a wide-angle lens for the camera ..and make a new band that fits the upper arm.

j i m

http://wetstuff.com/movie/wrist-cam.mp4

[Meryem Ersoz]

Hi Jim: I'm going to leave your post here, because it's just the kind of gadget-y experiments that the nature and outdoors forum enjoys, but DVinfo doesn't allow double-posts, so, for future reference, you'll need to pick one forum to post your ideas and questions.

Most regular users hit the "new posts" button when they return to visit, so they'll likely see your new content, regardless of the forum in which you post.

It's remarkable how portable these imaging technologies are becoming.

[Sam Mendolia]

Since you were trying to film the kite, mounting the camera on your arm was not the best solution.

If the camera was mounted to one of the cables, it would always be pointing up, at the kite.
Once you line it up visually, your hands are free to steady yourself, and the camera will always show you what you want, in this case, kite behaviour, in different winds.

My two cents.

P.s. I love ideas like this, and trying to make them better, as there may be more than one application for it down the road.

A question- is the camera water proof/resistant?
What brand of camera was it?

Can an arm band from an MP3 player be used, less work than having to design your own, if you find one that fits a particular camera.

hope to see more of your future results

Sam

[Jim Cancil]

Sorry ME - I knew I was doing it, but figger'd the the other, 'dry' Xacti guys might be interested in making something like it ..BMX, 4-runners .. I could imagine using one mtn. climbing... (I looked, there's no delete option .. I'm not special, delete it for me. No need to start bad precidents.)
______________________________________________

Sam: The camera is 9oz ..and not cylindrical like that little Oregon Scientific cam. I could mount it on the bar.. but with this rig you can see where I reached down for my board, so by arm-mounting, I can basically point it anywhere. I need to show the mfgr. how this kite suffers from 'tip collapse'.. but that's quite incidental to having fun.

...and looking into a MP3 holder would be too easy. Besides, I couldn't see one, if it was on my back table.. I'm one of these myopic/compulsive makers of useless chochkie.

The cam is WP. It's the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1W Pretty cool little tool for us water rats.




Cheers guys.. Winds coming up later today. Film at 7!

j i m

[Sam Mendolia]

Thanks Jim,

I going to have to talk to my Sanyo supplier, and get me, or have him get me one of these for Christmas.

I mountain bike everyday, on the way to work and back.
Would love to play with it on my bike, and when i'm out with the kids on theirs.

I'm the same with making lots of chochkie.

lol

It's fun being the tester or Guineapig, of products.

[Jim Cancil]

Sam: See if you can't come up with some sort of shock mount. My MTB would beat the hell out of the cam if I simply mounted it on the bar - too much for the IS system.

I can see it slung between upper and lower bungie cords for the X axis that you could adjust the tension on .. keeping the Y stable would be another chore.

Love T.O. I lived/worked there for a few years. Cheers.

Jim

[Sam Mendolia]

I've made my own shcok mounts, for mics, so this would be another to add to the list.

I have been out over the last few days looking at small Flash based camcorders for my daughter, She's heading to the UK for a month, and these little cams would suit my needs, to mount on the MTB.

The 2 axis will be a fun challenge, will let you know how it turns out.

[Mick Haensler]

Hey Jim

Good to see another Smaulisburian here!! Was that footage shot down at Assateague?? Looked like bayside. Cool idea. How about an opposite perspective with the camera mounted on the kite. Love watching you guys fly when I'm down there. I surf kayak quite a bit on the island, but I bought a sailboat this year and that has kinda taken over summer activities. Let me know if you ever want some HD stuff shot.

Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media

[Jim Cancil]

Mick: Fun-neee!? I couldn't figger out what a Smaulisburian was .. my ADD wouldn't stop long enough to process it. Yes, Ass-of-Teak is perhaps the greatest resource in the area. ..certainly fun for us folks. I tried surf kayaking about 10yrs ago but the steep pitch of the local surf is nothing like the Central Coast of Cali.

One of our guys shoots a lot of vids oceanside .. I got a Canon HD to do some this year. I'm going to make my own housing to mount it on a tripod in the shallows ..just let it run the battery/memory out and clip the bits for the specific people in it. Problem is: the first 2+min one I shot ended up 600megs! (http://wetstuff.com/movie/scott.mov) ..but you gotta love the BIG PICTURE.

This little Sanyo does well on the tripod - without a housing! ..and happily takes a beating from us clowns.

http://wetstuff.com/movie/Splah%20the%20cam.htm


Cheers and good luck with ragboat. I was on the startup crew of SAIL ...waaaay back when.

Jim