Homemade Camera Mount
There are many reasons to want a camera mount, whether it's for a vehicle, to survey a room or to get a steady shot on a sports field. To build a functioning, and inexpensive, mount, the strategy should be to break down the necessary components and brainstorm possible, cheap substitutions to serve the function of each component.
The Base
The type of base that you desire for the camera mount will vary depending on where you hope to mount the camera. If you desire to mount a surveillance camera in the corner of a room, for instance, the base could be as simple as a piece of plywood bolted to the wall at the desired angle, creating a platform.
Or, if you want a dash mount on the car, you might want something thinner, such as a sheet of plastic or Plexiglas, or even metal, though DIY camera site Camera Hacker suggests painting any metal a dark color like black to avoid unwanted reflection, which can be distracting to the cameraman and can cause lens flare.
You also have the option of building an adjustable mount, in which case the base would be attached flush with the surface with screws or even glue in some cases, and the camera would be attached to a mechanical arm extending outwards.
Attaching the Base
This is possibly the most difficult step. You want a mount that is secure, but removable, and that will not severely damage the surface to which it is attached. This is why for walls, you should use screw bolts. For a flat surface like a dash, consider using straps of some sort, either Velcro or even bungee or ratchet straps attached to solid components within the car.
If you are mounting on something like a bicycle, you probably want to camera to stick out in front of the handle bars. In this case, the base will wrap around the steering column. You can borrow a component from another bicycle part, such as a bell or a light, which already wraps the column, and repurpose it for the mount.
Some people even like to use a suction cup as a base, as it is obviously easy to attach and remove, and some stores even sell such mounts for close to $1,000 and claim that it's a best-seller. If you do decide that this is the most convenient and appealing method, be sure to use high-quality suction cups and be wary of the surfaces you attach to.
The Arm
It is popular to have an arm protruding from the mechanism attaching the mount to the steady surface because this generally allows for more adjustment of angles. Follow the same philosophy in attaching an arm to a base by using sound attachment mechanisms. Use of metal screws or even welding is ideal.
The arm could be any kind of long object constructed of hard material, a metal pipe for instance. PVC pipe is also a good choice because it is durable, cheap and easy to drill for attachment.
Attaching the Camera
The most important component is what attaches the camera to the mount itself. Thankfully, it is also the simplest. You just need to buy the appropriately sized mounting screw, which you can pick up at any camera store or online vendor. Attach the mounting screw to the base using either an adhesive or a screw, depending on the base. Then, you will be able to screw the camera securely to the mount. Be sure to verify that you buy the correct size mounting screw, as threads can vary by manufacturer, though it is usually pretty consistent within a single nation.
A secure base attached firmly to a mount screw is all you really need to complete a mount. From there, there is a nearly endless number of combinations to make it more complex and specially suited to the individual's needs.
Tags: mounting screw, base using, camera mount, case base, Homemade Camera, Homemade Camera Mount, screws even
