Airgate, Spa, and others who asked about the camera mount that gregstevens and I were using during DB-run:

Brad (meat) originally found these at PJ's Camera in Glen Ellyn, IL (Chicago). The mount is made by Manfrotto. There are 2 required pieces:

Manfrotto Super Clamp w/o stud [Manfrotto part # 2915]
Manfrotto Tile Swivel Head [Manfrotto part # 2916/2916QR]

Bogen Photo is the US distributor of Manfrotto, and they have a few pictures of the two pieces (use the product search), as well as a search engine for a camera shop near you that carries Bogen/Manfrotto stuff. You might have luck with a different combination of a Super Clamp (with or without stud) and a camcorder swivel head. The super clamp is probably going to be around $25, and the head around $35, based on some online places. Try Cambridge Camera, look under the Super Clamp and Magic Arm Clamp categories for 2915 and 2916QR.

Also, if you are considering a new camcorder, make sure it has a low/bottom mic, NOT ON TOP!, or even better a remote mic input. The hat worked out ok, but it was a pain to figure out and 'install'.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM myself, or possibly meat as he knows more about it than I do.

WestSide(!)

Edit: Based on Airgate's difficulties, don't try Cambridge. Do a search on Bogen's site and find a local place that you can deal with, I guess.

 

I got the ones for Greg and friends (just before Ashville S2KDAYS) for them from Showcase in Atlanta GA.
They will ship anywhere and ask for Drew McCallum
Phone 404 625-7676 or 1-800-886-1976

El'

 

Thanks for the information.

That is a really nice mount. I can't wait to get it

 

WOO HOO!

I just ordered mine. . .$68.61 with shipping and everything!

I ordered the 2916QR and 2915. . .

Out of curiosity, the 2916QR states it uses the 3266 plate. Did I need that as well or is that an option for some type of other photographic equipment?

Hope to get it in time for the NorthEast meet. . .after that, I can rent it out and make a killing!

 

WOW, you wasted no time ordering this thing

I'm not sure yet, but I think that the 3266 plate is what attaches to the base of the camera. Then the plate locks into the 2916 QR.
The plate is what makes it QR. But, I could be wrong... I have not found it as a seperate item yet, so I hope it is included.

Later...

 

Hey Airgate....
Where did you order it from??

El'

 

Yes - the mount works very well. I have, however, run into a problem with it.

Originally, my camera (older Hi8 sony) fit perfectly so that the secret compartment lid rested directly on the camera when it was opened fully.

Well, this year, I bought the car adaptor for the camera and now the fit isn't so snug with the lid (the adaptor is smaller thant he battery I was using). So now the lid rattles against the camera.

What happens is that in places with alot of vibration (rumble strips) the camera gets rattled by the lid and it shuts itself off.

Then I don't realize it and I get home and I am missing most of my track time.

FYI

 

Brad, I had the exact problem - every time I accelerated or braked the lid would bounce off the battery and the whole camera would jiggle (very noticable in my g-man tape). If you saw the picture of my camcorder during the DB Run, try something along those lines (minus the hat). I took a shoulder strap for the camcorder and tied the secret cover lid TO the camcorder - this minimized the bouncing that was present on my earlier efforts.

 

Can someone post a picture of this setup? I'd really like to have something like this for my next track day!

Thanks,
-Matt

 

I ordered it from that sire WestSideBilly mentioned above. . .