trick boat camera

[disland]

does anyone have pictures of those cameras that mount on the front of the boat on a long pole that are used for tricks at the world cup stops

[Chef23]

Masterline makes a mount that goes on the pylon that will work with a trick release. I have a Trakker but that won't mount with the release on.

[disland]

I am asking about the ones used for tournaments they mount on a pole that is attached on the bow of the boat

[klindy]

I just sent you some by email of what we're using in Slalom and Tricks at the World University Champs. Took them today.

 

 

[eleeski]

If you mount the camera too low, you cannot see the ski for surface tricks. If you mount the camera too high, you will not see when the skier gets air. The rules specify a recommended camera placement at the top of the windshield. Clip the fixed camera to the top of the windshield and have the camera person sit on a cushion. You will be legal and give the skier the best judging. Excessive height is not desirable (or fair to the skiers) - regardless of what fancy tournament has used them.

Eric

[klindy]

According to both AWSA rules the camera should be "higher than the top of the windshield" and IWWF says it "should be higher than the top of the windscreen". The problem with clipping the fixed camera to the top of the windshield is that it can be blocked by a tall release person of even a large rooster tail depending on the speed. Putting a camera person on a coushin or even the back of the seat isn't a good solution either because they can be a distraction to the skier. Another problem with the fixed mounted camera is the ability to pan left/right. If you can't pan the camera then you have to zoom out far enough to follow the skier outside the wakes. Especially problematic for flips.

[disland]

@klindy cool trip. Yes I saw the feed from the University Worlds thats what prompted my question. Cant wait to hear more about it. Need to learn about all the new gadgets. Now you can help SH get their VJ going

[skiinxs]

This is from the 2011 CanAm. Same hardward that was used at the worlds in Calgary.

 

[eleeski]

That camera is too high! With some of the judges we have out there, wake tricks will never score. Except for flips. Maybe that is why flips are so popular now - a nice legal 5 done quickly with minimum air is a tournament scoring variable.

Sitting the camera person on the seat back is stilted. A moderate cushion is optimal.

I have a clever tripod clip that attached the backup camera to the top of the windshield. The view has never been blocked and is a reasonable view. Sideslides after the flip might be hard to see so I'm not comfortable with a fixed camera as a primary. And the camera gets bonked out of alignment occasionally. The backup always seems to be needed a couple of times.

I've never been unable to see and judge what the skier is doing because of a rooster tail. Not a perfect view - but good enough. I can release based on that view as well - far more critical.

Please don't over tech tricks. Get a good camera person, run a backup and select reasonable judges to give the skiers consistent fair runs.

Eric

[ntx]

@elee I don't think this was the set up used for trick. This WAS used for slalom and works very well for that. The last few times I was at that site (melnuks) they used hand held for tricks.

[eleeski]

To quote Rosannadanna, "nevermind".

Maybe I should develop a GPS timed tracking mount for a camera for slalom. Even if it never gets used for judging there would be some cool videos generated.

Eric

[klindy]

Another problem with a windshield mounted camera is when there is a bimini top. Frankly what we used this weekend (battle tested many, many times before!) worked flawlessly.

[eleeski]

I've never used my windshield mount without a bimini. No problems there for me.

Eric

[ral]

@eleeski, the one used in Chile is actually 3 cameras, 1 higher and 2 lower pointed to each side.

[skiinxs]

You're right, the elevated servo camera was only used for slalom, I stand corrected, forgot about that.

[auskier]

there are a few setups used with an elevated position. I much prefer the angle at an observer seat level.

 

This was the footage from 07 worlds. For hands its ok, for toes, it could be difficult.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQY_J4Cg8hw&feature=related

[auskier]

@skiinxs could you give any more details regarding this pole setup, or point me in the direction of who the tech controller/club/promo guy is who owns it please? thanks.

[klindy]

@auskier this is what was used at the World University Champs in Chile a week ago. Same rig was used in slalom and jump. Olaf Boettcher is the contact who own's the hardware.