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For an upcoming snowboarding trip, and after watching some pretty awesome GoPro footage on YouTube, I decided to try to build my own chest harness / mount for my digital camera.
Here's some of my inspirations for the project:
- DIY Camera Chest Mount by SnapShot83
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fcbTzLFsIs
- GoPro HD HERO camera: The Snowboard Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_wKkXCwDw
UPDATE - The snowboarding trip has now passed and here's the video shot mostly with the harness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvduK7asOPY
Here's some of my inspirations for the project:
- DIY Camera Chest Mount by SnapShot83
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fcbTzLFsIs
- GoPro HD HERO camera: The Snowboard Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_wKkXCwDw
UPDATE - The snowboarding trip has now passed and here's the video shot mostly with the harness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvduK7asOPY
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Signing UpStep 1Materials & Tools
You will need the following things to build the basic harness:
- Two 1" wide, 36" long nylon straps with adjustable buckles (I bought mine at Academy for like $1.99 each)
- 2 yards of 1-1/2" wide elastic strap (Joann's Fabric - ~$4)
- 1-1/2" adjustable plastic buckle (Joann's Fabric - ~$2)
- 5" x 5" piece of hard plastic (I used an Ikea Legitim chopping board - $1.99)
- 1/4" - 20 x 3/4" long screw
- 2 fender washers
- 1 friction washer
- Small Piece of craft foam
You will also need the following tools:
- Drill
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Staplers
- Lighter
- File / Sandpaper
I used the following additional items to complete my setup:
- Pedco Ultramount - Universal Ball Head (Amazon.com - $12)
- Opteka 0.43x HD² Full Fisheye Lens 37mm (Amazon.com - $30)
- Zeikos Universal Adapter for 37mm Lenses (Amazon.com - $19)
- Two 1" wide, 36" long nylon straps with adjustable buckles (I bought mine at Academy for like $1.99 each)
- 2 yards of 1-1/2" wide elastic strap (Joann's Fabric - ~$4)
- 1-1/2" adjustable plastic buckle (Joann's Fabric - ~$2)
- 5" x 5" piece of hard plastic (I used an Ikea Legitim chopping board - $1.99)
- 1/4" - 20 x 3/4" long screw
- 2 fender washers
- 1 friction washer
- Small Piece of craft foam
You will also need the following tools:
- Drill
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Staplers
- Lighter
- File / Sandpaper
I used the following additional items to complete my setup:
- Pedco Ultramount - Universal Ball Head (Amazon.com - $12)
- Opteka 0.43x HD² Full Fisheye Lens 37mm (Amazon.com - $30)
- Zeikos Universal Adapter for 37mm Lenses (Amazon.com - $19)
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Nicely laid-out and very easy to follow - thanks for all the detailed instructions and photos. I have a Contour HD Camera and was looking for something just like this. I hope to use your plans sometime this Spring. Are you still happy with the design? Any mods?
All the best, Paul.
Yes, I like the design very much, although since getting the GoPro I don't use it as often. I like to mix camera mounts (helmet, pole, chest) to keep the videos interesting so this gets less use now. I did get the tripod mount adapter for the GoPro and it works pretty well with the harness.
The straps, staples and the plastic are still holding just fine.
With the Ultramount, I have a lot more options in terms of where I want the camera to point than with the normal GoPro mounts, which may be similarly limited for the Contour with the factory hardware.
I think it's important to use the thick elastic (1-1/2" in my case) because it makes everything more stable around your body and keeps the harness from moving around.
i am going on a trip and wonder if it would be good for video and stills at various tourist places.
regards
colinColin30
First of all, that is not a GoPro in the instructable, but I do happen to own one. I think it's a great camera for action sports, self shots and hooking up to strange places. I don't think it's the best option for everyday shooting: no flash, no LCD screen (unless you buy the add-on) so you can't see what you are shooting, no zoom...