Improved Aiptek mounting hack
08-03-2009, 01:14 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Improved Aiptek mounting hack
The Aiptek delivers good results at 720p 60fps recording, but it really needs a firm camera mount. Any movement in the camera mount translates into waviness, especially for the typical 'over the shoulder' framing that most of us use in our door slammers.
The Aiptek's combination of a fairly weak tripod mount and a less than optimal base shape leads to some sloppiness even with a good mount like the IO Port. This very simple solution fixes that problem nicely.
The first pic below shows the camera mounted on the IO Port mount. The camera base compresses the neoprene rubber padding and the camera is free to wobble around from side to side.
The second pic is the simple solution. Take a 5" by 2.25" piece of Al sheet, bend it at 2.25", and drill a hole for the tripod mount screw.
The third pic shows the finished result. The camera now clamps down square on the base of the mount, and a simple velcro strap secures the body to the bracket. It's rock solid, with no movement in either axis.
The bead-blasted RS finish is optional, of course.
The Aiptek's combination of a fairly weak tripod mount and a less than optimal base shape leads to some sloppiness even with a good mount like the IO Port. This very simple solution fixes that problem nicely.
The first pic below shows the camera mounted on the IO Port mount. The camera base compresses the neoprene rubber padding and the camera is free to wobble around from side to side.
The second pic is the simple solution. Take a 5" by 2.25" piece of Al sheet, bend it at 2.25", and drill a hole for the tripod mount screw.
The third pic shows the finished result. The camera now clamps down square on the base of the mount, and a simple velcro strap secures the body to the bracket. It's rock solid, with no movement in either axis.
The bead-blasted RS finish is optional, of course.
08-03-2009, 02:15 PM
#3
Tony,
Looks like a good idea. Is there still enough thread engagement in the camera from the I/O Port camera mount after the aluminum plate is placed between the camera and the mount pad? Another solution might be to screw the aluminum plate to the I/O Port mount, then velcro the camera to the aluminum plate. It might be best not to use the threaded receiver on the camera at all if possible - it looks pretty flimsy.
Rob
P.S. Is that an Aiptek GVS with a Digital Optics 4.5x wide angle lens? Are you happy with your wide angle results from it?
Looks like a good idea. Is there still enough thread engagement in the camera from the I/O Port camera mount after the aluminum plate is placed between the camera and the mount pad? Another solution might be to screw the aluminum plate to the I/O Port mount, then velcro the camera to the aluminum plate. It might be best not to use the threaded receiver on the camera at all if possible - it looks pretty flimsy.
Rob
P.S. Is that an Aiptek GVS with a Digital Optics 4.5x wide angle lens? Are you happy with your wide angle results from it?
08-03-2009, 02:19 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Gary,
That particular velcro strap is a garden supplies item. Buy a pack for a few bucks. They're used for tying plants to stakes. You can use basically any light velcro, or a strap with a simple buckle. It a low-tech solution all round! These will work too - Velcro cable ties
Rob,
The IO Port mount screw engages fully - no issues there. The screw alone is a fairly dodgy solution, which is why I made the bracket. With the camera strapped to the bracket, the bending loads on the screw mount are eliminated.
Mine is an A-HD with a Rokinon wide adaptor that definitely introduces fuzzy focus at the edges of the frame, probably due to mis-alignment of the adaptor centerline. I've just ordered a Raynox QC-505 27-37mm, 0.5x Wide Angle, which should be better.
That particular velcro strap is a garden supplies item. Buy a pack for a few bucks. They're used for tying plants to stakes. You can use basically any light velcro, or a strap with a simple buckle. It a low-tech solution all round! These will work too - Velcro cable ties
Rob,
The IO Port mount screw engages fully - no issues there. The screw alone is a fairly dodgy solution, which is why I made the bracket. With the camera strapped to the bracket, the bending loads on the screw mount are eliminated.
Mine is an A-HD with a Rokinon wide adaptor that definitely introduces fuzzy focus at the edges of the frame, probably due to mis-alignment of the adaptor centerline. I've just ordered a Raynox QC-505 27-37mm, 0.5x Wide Angle, which should be better.
Last edited by APKhaos; 08-03-2009 at 03:05 PM.
08-03-2009, 03:41 PM
#5
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: On Rennlist, apparently
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 0
Received 37 Likes
on
18 Posts
Nice hack, Tony - I can see its going to be needed, as a broken camera base due to over-tightening of the mount is a question of when, not if.
Trending Topics
08-03-2009, 11:14 PM
#12
The Penguin King
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Use the search function for Frankencharger
08-03-2009, 11:17 PM
#13
The Penguin King
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Oh, and to be perfectly clear, the term Frankencharger was meant to be a take on Frankenstein, as it involves using parts from multiple "bodies". It in no way is intended to in any way have any thing to do with whats-his-name the politican.
