Magnet Tripod Mount?

ThatCanonGuy · September 8, 2011

Does anyone know of a magnet with a tripod mount, something that could stick on a car? It'd have to be able to support a decently sized DSLR. All I can find on ebay is small ones for the GoPro camera.

Art Scott · September 8, 2011

Check Edmunds Scientific .....may be a bit pricey but they are all quality stuff.....or check large name brand tool company....I had tool holding magets as a machinist that could of held my D300+ 50-500......but I have no idea which tool company I bought from and there are bunches of them......

lefturn99 · September 8, 2011

Not magnetic but I use a Fat Gecko.

Art Scott · September 8, 2011

lefturn99 wrote: »

Not magnetic but I use a Fat Gecko.

With large DSLR and Large heavy lens???

I took a peek and they did not look all that good for big stuff......as I too am looking for a releasable magnet for shooting off car hood or top for wildlife and such.....

ziggy53 · September 8, 2011

http://www.filmtools.com/succupmoun.html

Art Scott · September 8, 2011

Found this : http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=824 go approx 1/2 way down the page to the MB175 Switchable magnetic base ... it has a hold power of 175lbs with a !/4" stud so should hold most ballheads....looks interesting enuff.....

JimKarczewski · September 8, 2011

I like the suction cups better. They stick like no tomorrow as long as you wet the edge and make sure the paint is clean. Advantage is also being able to stick it to glass where needed. I have a big Manfrotto I believe, about 7" in diameter that has a big stud mounted on a kind of ball head thing.. which allows great positioning. Just add a lightstand adapter and a stud and you can mount whatever you want.

JimKarczewski · September 8, 2011

A complete list from B&H. I take it back, mine was the Avenger model... And they are a hell of a lot cheaper than the ones from filmtools.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=suction&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

ziggy53 · September 9, 2011

In practice a vacuum cup mount gives much more versatility than a magnetic mount. A magnet relies on a smooth, flat, ferrous material in order to work properly. A suction device will adhere to slight curves and all common smooth surfaces including steel, fiberglass and glass.

A 6" suction cup can have around 280 lbs. of holding power (at sea level, assuming 70 percent vacuum. 5000 ft. altitude would decrease this to around 226 lbs. of holding power.)

In a typical application it's best to use 3-4 suction cups and, if you use the system at any substantial speed or on a side surface, you'll also need straps, booms, clamps, bungies, etc., to build a proper and safe rig.

I provided the above link to show complete systems as much as to show multiple rigs and components. You can save a lot using more common materials, the links that Jim provided, and some DIY.

We have some previous discussions here too:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=76083

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=81425

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=106495

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=126509

Maybe "mercphoto"/Bill Jurasz will hop in here with some tips. (I think some of his rig results images are here

ziggy53 · September 9, 2011

Here is a link to a thread with a suggested car rig purchase list:

http://www.diyphotography.net/take-cool-car-photos-with-a-diy-specialized-car-rig

mercphoto · September 9, 2011

ziggy53 wrote: »

http://www.filmtools.com/succupmoun.html

Film Tools Rocks! Huge selection of really cool stuff. I have this item myself:

http://www.filmtools.com/gripper-3025-suction-cup-camera-mount.html

It would hold a 1D Mark II with a 17-40/4L lens, even vertically on the side of a door.

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ThatCanonGuy · September 9, 2011

Thanks guys... I was wondering too about the magnets messing with the electronics/memory cards... Sounds like suction cups are the way to go. The fat gecko looks good, it says up to 6.6 lbs. Those film tools products are expensive.

I'm looking to drive around with the camera on the hood, and take time lapses/long exposures. Not of the car. Pointing forward. Driving around on city streets. I plan on getting the 17-40L pretty soon, so it'll probably be that and my 1DII. Do you think the fat gecko will be enough? Straps and clamps and stuff will make the setup look even more weird

(not to mention I can't afford them

Nice shot Bill

JimKarczewski · September 11, 2011

I would think the Fat Gecko would hold it no problem. The Avenger is rated for 4.1lbs and had no problem with my 5DII, Vert Grip + 16-35II and I think the 16-35 weighs more than the 17-40... Not sure about the 1D vs 5D with grip.. but I had no issues. Biggest issue is mounting point... If you are driving through the city, you might want to do your hood, not the roof, as roofs aren't all supported very well and can have a lot of movement in them.... depending on your vehicle. If you have a sunroof, it will be stiffer than just a plain roof with no hole. Or so I've found in my experience using them...

mercphoto · September 11, 2011

ThatCanonGuy wrote: »

Thanks guys... I was wondering too about the magnets messing with the electronics/memory cards... Sounds like suction cups are the way to go. The fat gecko looks good, it says up to 6.6 lbs. Those film tools products are expensive.

But they are top-notch stuff.

I'm looking to drive around with the camera on the hood, and take time lapses/long exposures. Not of the car. Pointing forward. Driving around on city streets. I plan on getting the 17-40L pretty soon, so it'll probably be that and my 1DII. Do you think the fat gecko will be enough? Straps and clamps and stuff will make the setup look even more weird (not to mention I can't afford them

Nice shot Bill

You are braver than I to drive around the city with a 1DII suction cupped to a hood.

mercphoto · September 12, 2011

ThatCanonGuy wrote: »

Nice shot Bill

Thanks. Its worth noting, that shot was taken at about 3 mph.

ian408 · September 13, 2011

One thing about magnetic mounts is that they can slip causing scratches to the paint--not the kind you can buff out either.

Which points out an important point. Always clean both the suction cup's inner surfaces and the surface you will attach it to. This prevents the device from losing suction and it prevents damage to the mounting surface that might be caused by debris.

ThatCanonGuy · September 14, 2011

Well, I think I'll go with the fat gecko. The only negative is that some people say it picks up vibrations from the road. Hopefully it'll work out. The Filmtools one is about twice as much, but it does look very sturdy. I don't think that I'll be using this enough to spend that much on it.

Ian, thanks for the tip

Magnet Tripod Mount?

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