Rear Pocket Camera Mount

This is a camera mount that uses the rear pocket of your cycling jersey.

The grey section (a piece of PVC pipe) slides tightly in the rear pocket of your jersey. The metal strip acts like a clip and secures the camera.
If your cycling technique is good and you're not sprinting, your pelvis is fairly stable and this simple device will produce surprisingly clear pictures. Provided that your cycling jersey fits well (= tight).

It costs almost nothing and weighs slightly more than a Mars bar.


*** UPDATE ****: now ready available at www.cameraclip.eu !!!
 
 
 

Step 1: What Do You Need?

* A PVC pipe, diameter 125 mm (4,9 inch)
* The casing of an old CD player (or Tuner or computer, just as long as the metal is thick enough).
* 2 bolts and nuts, 4 mm thread (0,16 inch).

* A cycling jersey that fits well (tight).
* A camera with interval setting.

Step 2: The PVC Pipe

Picture 1
Measure the size of the pocket of your jersey. Cut the PVC pipe to the appropriate length and width so that it will fit firmly in the rear pocket. In general a length of 15 cm (5,9 inch) and width of 11 cm (4,3 inch) will be quite right. Note that due to the curvature, the largest part of the pocket is still available for stashing your goodies.

Picture 2
Smooth the edges of the pipe. Trim the pipe to a slender shape (optional).

Step 3: The Metal Strip

Picture 1 & 2
Take the casing of the CD player and set out the dimensions of the camera. Account for a fairly long strip (it can be cut to the appropriate length later). The length of the strip is at least 13 cm (5,1 inch), width is 25 mm (1 inch).

Picture 3
Cut the camera support and strip. Drill the hole for the camera screw (6mm thread, 1/4 inch) and drill two holes (4mm). 

Step 4: Folding and Bending

Picture 1
Using a work bench, fold a 90 degree angle at the base of the strip (accurately!) Fold a 90 degree angle just above the 4 mm holes. Folding once again, accounting for the thickness of the PVC pipe. Now the strip can be cut to the exact length. 

Picture 2
Fit the edge of the strip around the PVC pipe and drill the upper hole through the PVC pipe while pressing the strip down with your thumb or a tie rib. Mount the first nut and bolt. Repeat for the second one. The strip will be naturally bent.

Step 5: Camera Setting & Pictures

Install the camera, tighten the screw and secure with a tie rib. The first time on your bike: have someone check the position and angles and adjust slightly if necessary by bending the strip.

Camera settings to conserve power:
1. Screen brightness: lowest possible (1).
2. Picture review: off
3. Sound: off.
4. Auto off: 30 seconds.

Set interval @ 60 seconds. With these settings, I can take over 250 photographs with one battery pack. That's more than 3 hrs riding time.

Guidelines for good pictures:
5. Wide angle (35 mm).
6. Interval 60 seconds. Synchronise the clock of your camera with the clock of your cycling computer. Then you know when a picture is taken (so you don't have to lead the pack all day!).
7. When the weather is cloudy: fix sensitivity ASA @ 200. This  tends to increase the shutter speed, giving more clear pictures. " ASA automatic"  tends to lead to low ASA values and thus to low shutter speeds.
8. Autofocus: center of the field, especially if you take pictures of persons that ride at the same speed. Focussing based on "an average field" can confuse the camera when speeds go up.
9. Vibration reduction and motion detection: this can help if it means that slightly higher shutter speeds are chosen. However, most of these options are designed to compensate vibrations while shooting out of your hand. If the vibrations on your bike are very different, turning these options on, can become counterproductive (read your manual).
10. As with photography in general: try riding towards the sun for nicer pictures. So when riding with the sun in your back: stay in the pack and conserve your energy. Once the group has turned towards the sun, take your chance.

My experience is that 95% off all pictures have the right composition, approximately 75% will be sharp (an Aluminium race bike with high rims and a tyre pressure of 8 bar can be unforgiving)
If you set the interval @ 60 sec, you will come home with a lot of great pictures.