Video cam float

[Jonny250]

I've seen follow-cam arrangements for various sports, including motorbike, mountain bike, paragliders, etc, but i havent seen anything for follow-cam freediving/spearfishing. As I 99.9% spear alone i thoughht i'd try and put something together...
The plan is to mould a foam/grp 'float' which will be ballasted in the centre section and buoyant at the 'wingtips'. It will have a tail for fore/aft stability and enough mass so that i dont get jerky footage from tethering it to my floatline.
One of my main concerns is to minimise weed collection, so the 'wings' are fairly streamlined.
The float will be mounted about 6-10ft behind me and attached to my weightbelt via my floatline. This way it will always point towards me...
I might try mounting the camera further forward, like on a bowsprit.
Here's some renderings of the general idea; what do you think?

 

[-Paddy-]

Hi Jonny,
This is a great idea that u came up with!!
I think that the version shown on the last two pictures would work better to keep the camera balanced, if that makes sense to you. Also it may be necessary to add some weight under the float to keep the camera upward when you on the surface.
A safety quick release system is worth considering, just incase something goes wrong.
But those are just some details that you can work out when playing with a prototype. The general idea is in my opinion great.

Have some rep for that!

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks Paddy, I have lead to go in the pod underneath; i think with the dihedral on the 'wings' it should be sufficient. i just need to balance the overall weight including ballast, with the buoyancy. Hopefully i will find out soon...

 

[scallywag]

How about the camera underneath to aid stability?

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks for the suggestion Scallywag, good idea, i think the camera needs to be above so that there is less view obstruction from the line. My gopro is nearly neutrally buoyant btw.

 

[growingupninja]

That is really cool. Please report back when you execute! I have been considering some kind of doggiecam rig that would make over the shoulder shots possible without the need for a seperate camera op. It might be a little bulky for everyday fishing but for sessions where footage is primary focus it could be cool.

 

[foxfish]

Great idea jonny we might get to see that porbeagle that follows you everywhere!

 

[Magpie]

I like the theory Jonny but in the viz we've had the past few years will we not just see the tips of your fins going up and down?

Is it going to be neutrally bouyant? It is going to be a bit of a bugger around the weed beds though.

 

[Jonny250]

I agree with you Tom, vis will be a big issue. I have used the gopro mounted on the underside of the body board a few times - it works fine looking down to about 5 or 6m, but the body board never points in the right direction lol. this should solve that.
The weed is my main concern - hence the slightly streamlined shape to allow weed to be brushed off. Some will no doubt collect on the camera mount and on the line connection.
Hoping to cut the foam today, work permitting...

 

[Jonny250]

So i made a start on the follower today:

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks to Foxfish for telling me that Kingspan foam doesn't dissolve with polyester - saved me a few quid on epoxy!

 

[foxfish]

Is it a bird, is it a plane no it is super cam!
Look great jonny, that foam dont half make a mess AH...

 

[manalive!]

Is it worth having a triangular mounting i.e. a line connected to the tip of each wing which then connect together a meter or so away from the body thus keeping the board more stable in terms of direction and possibly also keeping the line out of the way of the camera? Also, could you mount the camera off the rear of the float which may help to keep the camera more stable and again keep the line out of the way?

 

[WillUnderwater]

with the GoPro, there will be no getting the cable out of the shot. It's field of view is also very wide so if its more then a couple inches from the front, you will see the float in the entire shot.

I look forward to see how this works out for you!

 

[scallywag]

It may be an idea to mock up the mounting arrangment and tow line in the garden before commiting to a camera position for sea trials. Suspend it from a tree or washing line perhaps?

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks guys, yes the gopro field of view even on narrow setting is still pretty wide, so needs to be at the front. I am on the scrounge for a few yards of heavy mono at the moment so hopefully it wont obscure too much...
I looked at the bridle/triangular mounting, i'm not sure if it makes any difference tho, might need to try it if the single point doesnt work right...

 

[foxfish]

Micks fishing sells 1.5mm clear mono for long line construction (it is what I use for all my guns) not expensive. But fluorocarbon is what you really want as it is near invisible underwater!! I am not sure what breaking strains it goes up to though?

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks Mart i was in there earlier; 10 quids for a hundred metres but i only need a few m so will ask on the fishing forum first...

 

[Magpie]

I've got loads of 130lbs, 1mm, clear mono Jonny. PM your address and I'll put some in the post or drop it round if I'm down that way.

 

[Jonny250]

I've got loads of 130lbs, 1mm, clear mono Jonny. PM your address and I'll put some in the post or drop it round if I'm down that way.

Thanks Tom pm sent.