How to mount a GoPro to backpack

Saw this recommendation of a GoPro Swivel Clip a few days ago:

Maybe pry the magnet out to save some grams. No personal experience, might be worth checking out.

— Rex

With the quality of cameras nowadays even consumer level gear can produce some pretty incredible footage. The thing that really separates clean professional video from the amateur stuff is how stable the footage is. I really don’t see how you’re going to get watchable, compelling video with a camera strapped to your backpack while you’re walking. Your head is a natural gimbal. Take advantage of that. When I want to record POV shots for my videos I actually grip the camera in my teeth and then assume an unnaturally smooth gait. I never record longer than five or 10 second clips, so this unorthodox ‘mounting’ method really isn’t that big of a deal. For longer shots I would probably just use a headband to mount the camera. It’s impossible to hold other parts of your body as still as your head while you’re walking. Take pity on your audience and shoot the smoothest footage you possibly can.

I have a Joby Gorillapod mounting plate on the bottom of the GoPro adapter and it’s easy to grip between my front teeth. The camera hangs down over my chin.

Great ideas as both should work, thank you.

I just stumbled across another interesting mounting system using magnets. It is called SNAP Mount. I hopefully could mount it on my HPG chest pack.  If I order it, I’ll have to see if it could somehow be used on the shoulder harness, possibly behind the webbing.

More options than I had expected.

I developed this strap out of 2″ elastic after not finding what I was looking for. Holds very secure and can slide higher or lower depending on the angle I want

That’s very clever.  Kudos.

2 inches of elastic.      Its the brain dead simple for the win every time!

I have a headband mount for some action shots, things like river crossings, rock scrambling etc. But most of the time I hand hold my GoPro. It gets better footage for walking trails, panning views, etc.

I tried the magnetic mounts from Snap Mounts. I couldn’t get the fit the way I wanted it. In the end, the GoPro magnetic swivel clip is what I’m using.

It works very well…so well that I am also using it for my smartphone holder. That way, when bushwhacking, I am hands free yet can still see my path on GAIA or CalTopo. I used the telephone mount from Snap Mounts which is made to fit with GoPro swivel clip.  It works very nicely when I clip it to my HPG chest pack.

Stabilization is definitely key for getting clean, professional-looking footage. I’ve tried different mounts, but backpack setups always seem to pick up too much movement, especially when hiking.

A head mount or even a bite grip, like Philip mentioned, works way better for steady shots. I’ve also handheld my GoPro when I need smooth panning shots, way more control that way.

Once I get my footage, I usually clean it up with a simple video editor. I’ve had good results with https://www.movavi.com/learning-portal/free-video-cutter.html since it’s easy to cut clips and add smooth transitions. Helps a lot when working with shaky action shots.

I’ve ready that to be steadier, the camera has to weigh a lot.  Or has to be attached to a heavy weight.

and then of course…there’s your memory. No camera jiggle with that. weighs almost nothing! No need to carry a battery pack. No fiddle factor. Minimalist backpacker approved.

I recall a video taken by an idio…backpacker that was featured here. The dude was ‘filming’ and  came upon two cute little mountain lion cubs. Great video!! he thought and closed in. Then the mother arrived. It all went downhill from there. He forgot that he had the camera on his head as he backtracked and the mother advanced. His inner Francis Ford Coppola went out the window.

good he had the camera already rolling

most people wouldn’t stop to turn it on when a mountain lion attacked : )

‘most people wouldn’t stop to turn it on when a mountain lion attacked : )”

Most people would consider that where there are two cubs, the mom is not far behind. The dude was looking for a great moment on Utube. That overwhelmed his common sense. And he got it! He’s shiddin’ his pants while the cougar keeps after him.

My larger point is, our experiences are real even if we don’t record them. More, we don’t “capture the moment” on video. We capture an image. The two are not the same thing.

all that said, I really enjoy video trip reports posted here!! Seriously. Am I a hypocrite? Yep. Keep posting, please!

signed,

white man speaks with forked tongue

yeah, that seems unwise to approach mountain lion cubs to get a better video

maybe darwin at work : )