D.I.Y. camera mount for vehical.

Shooting from my truck, I use a bean bag on the driver's side but shooting out of the passenger's window has been hard with a long lens.

So I made this for a Manfrotto pistol grip head. It is stable enough for normal driving, although not rock solid as the whole console moves a bit. (I'll rest my arm on the lens/camera to minimize camera shake.)

About $5.00 in material plus the head. (which I had.)

Two more pics.

Clever. What do you normally shoot with this rig?

Very cool. Can you show some shots you've gotten with this? Have people ever approached you to ask questions / looked at you funny when they noticed the setup? (hopefully you have a good tint on the windows while they're up.)

I just finished it yesterday. Normally I shoot wildlife. (Mostly birds.)

Cool idea and great execution! To help secure it somewhat more I think I would run a nylon tie down strap across the top board and anchor it to the set frames. You could put an eyelet in the back and attach a strap there also. With a couple pieces of foam to compress it should be pretty secure.

It is a snug fit in the console "tray"
One second set up time.
I can just rest my arm on the console if it gets a bit bumpy.

I am planning on a trip to the Badlands soon, camera at the "ready" for roadside critters.

Sorry about that, I didn't realize it was mounted inside the console.

The Badlands are awesome, visited there in the late 70's. The topography there is fantastic, lots a prairie dogs there, seen a badger too. Have fun and good luck!

Looks like something the FBI would use...sorry, I forgot they only listen now instead of taking pictures.

thats such a bada$$ rig...but yes, curious at what you shoot with that set up.

I find the disadvantage from shooting that far back in the vehicle is the restricted angle of view but I'm a great fan of using the car as a hide.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #16266739
I find the disadvantage from shooting that far back in the vehicle is the restricted angle of view but I'm a great fan of using the car as a hide.

I also prefer shooting from the window next to my seat. But with a quick release plate I can easily and quickly shoot out of both sides of my truck.

that is a lot of camera to bouncing around the inside of your vehicle if you were to get hit by another car.. loose canon...

post up some pics using the rig...

this is upside down... you need to hang it from the roof of the vehicle

redrocket wrote in post #16271827
that is a lot of camera to bouncing around the inside of your vehicle if you were to get hit by another car.. loose canon...

post up some pics using the rig...

I'm sure he doesn't have it mounted while going down the highway at 70+mph. Just has it mounted while putt putting at his birding location. Even though if he does have it mounted while on a normal road, I'd love to see the cops face if he was to get pulled over.