Category: Video

Any posts that contain videos that I’ve created

This GoPro mast mount should work for all mast sizes from a Laser on up.  It was modeled after a mount seen on Layline’s website.  On a Laser the mount can be used to film what’s ahead, or by putting it to the side and using some extenders can point backwards towards the cockpit.  Obviously the mast rotation will result in some less than ideal shooting angles some of the time.

I used an Easy on/off bracket mast mount, but instead of using a stick-on or tripod mount, I drilled out the bracket part of a helmet mount and used two stainless steel bolts to attach it.  The other solutions are probably sufficient, but I wanted something that would be bullet proof as I see myself mounting this in some places that I couldn’t exactly get to in a pinch if something went wrong.

GoPro Mast Mount on a LaserMounted on a Laser mast pointed forward GoPro Mast Mount Laser forward viewView pointed forward
Parts Needed:

 Tools Needed:

  • drill with 1/4 drill bit
  • needle nose pliers or wrench
  • screw driver
  • hack saw

Easy on/off bracket and GoPro Helmet Mount with an extra hole drilled in the v-mount for the mount.

GoPro Mast Mount easy on/off bracket and GoPro helmet mount

GoPro Helmet mount mounted to the easy on/off bracket.

GoPro Helmet mount mounted to the easy on/off bracket

From the back showing the screws cut to the proper length with a hack saw so they didn’t protrude toward the mast any further.

GoPro mast mount from above

*I used two 36″ Velcro straps which might be overkill for a Laser mast, but I actually found it to work quite well and be very secure.

GoPro Mast Mount Velcro

Finished bracket mounted on a Laser mast with Velcro straps which were wrapped around the mast 3-4 times.

GoPro Mast Mount on a Laser

By Posted on Posted in Life, Video 2 Comments Tagged with , ,

GoPro Panoramic TimerA recent project of mine was to use a simple kitchen timer to build a GoPro Camera panoramic time-lapse mount.  This basically lets the camera spin 360 degrees to evenly film the surrounding area.  Either periodic stills can be taken or video can be recorded that can later be sped up into a time lapse.

I started with a basic kitchen timer.  It’s best to find one that doesn’t have a dial on it.  There are numerous egg-shaped timers that seem to work best for it.  Stores like Bed Bath & Beyond or Walmart should have them.  The first one I found happened to be shaped as a lady bug and cost something like $3.99.  The GoPro tripod mount is $8 so with the nut and washers the total was less than $13 to make.

Parts Needed:

  • Kitchen Timer
  • GoPro Tripod Mount
  • 1/4-20 half inch bolt
  • washer [optional]
  • finishing washer [optional]
 Tools Needed:

  • drill with 1/4 drill bit
  • needle nose pliers
  • screw driver required
    to take apart (mine didn’t)

GoPro Timer Parts and Tools

I took the red top off the timer by simple pulling it apart with my hands.

GoPro Timer pulled apart

Next I drilled a hole slightly off-center.

GoPro Timer hole drilled

Followed by threading the bolt with the washer on it up from the inside.

GoPro timer bolt threaded through hole

On the outside I put an upside down finishing washer.  This isn’t a must do, but I think it made a better fit for the tripod mount.

GoPro timer added finishing washer

Finally the tripod mount was added.  The needle-nose pliers were used to turn the bolt from the inside while holding the tripod mount straight by hand.

GoPro timer with tripod mount

Complete assembly from the front and side:

GoPro Panoramic TimerGoPro timer complete from side

Gallery of images:

No ladybugs were harmed in the making of this mount.

By Posted on Posted in Video 3 Comments Tagged with , ,

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Closed Case

I’m planning on doing a lot of sailing this summer and when I’m on bigger boats than my Laser I want to be able to have my Nikon D7000 DSLR close at hand.  I can’t use the camera while I’m actually sailing, but there will be plenty of downtime while aboard when there is no splashing and I could easily pull the camera out if it were handy.  I plan to use the camera for both stills and video so I’ll need to have extra batteries and a Sennheiser MKE400 Shotgun Microphone. To make this work, I need:

  • A hard case that would absolutely protect the camera no matter what was thrown on top of it
  • A waterproof case that could take some splashes, rain or even a little water over the bow
  • A case that is as small and light as possible to save weight and space
  • A case with a handle so it could be tied into the boat or tethered in place

I found the Pelican Storm iM2075 for $45 that was just the right size for Nikon D7000 and a 17-55mm lens without the grip or my side-plate mounted microphone holder.  It’ll fit the camera with the lens hood, plus the microphone, 3 EN-EL15 batteries and a couple of AAA batteries for the microphone.

Completed case with camera and accessories in place:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Camera and accessories

Basic case with foam:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Open Case

The case comes with two pieces of foam blocks.  I cut one of them roughly in half to form the bottom of the case that the camera will rest on.

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Cut Foam

Used toothpicks to plot the size of the camera on the foam on the uncut block foam:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Pinned foam

Remove the 1cm x 1cm foam squares for a custom fit around the camera:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - cut foam

Put 1/2 of the foam in the bottom of the case, and then cut 2 of the 1cm blocks at half of their height so that the AAA batteries are sitting on foam and not the bottom of the case where they’ll clank and make noise:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - AAA batteries

Put the customized piece of foam over the flat piece of foam and put the Camera and batteries in place:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Camera in place

I then added the strap to the camera and placed the Sennheiser mic alongside the camera:

Pelican Storm iM2075 - Camera and accessories
By Posted on Posted in Life, Photography, Sailboat Racing, Video No Comments Tagged with , ,