Learn from my mistake (Page 3): First Off: Drive Safely Second: Avoid The Idiots Third and Most Important: Putting a Camera on the dash really means you don't love your "baby." I once...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First Off: Drive Safely
Second: Avoid The Idiots
Third and Most Important: Putting a Camera on the dash really means you don't love your "baby."
I once left the camera in the passenger seat. I left the car to buy a cup of coffee. When I came back, the window was broken and the camera gone. One expensive cup of Joe!
Now, I put my camera facing forward on the floor by the passenger seat. I cover the camera with a black towel. The camera is hidden and if anything spills, you have a towel to clean up.
Happy Shooting, Friends!

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Sir Issac Newton had it figured out long ago that stuff does not fall upward as long as we stay on Earth. Was it Ralph Nadar (?)that reacquainted us with the physics that tells us that when we are traveling down the highway at 60 MPH and stop short or hit something, the stuff and folks in the car are still moving at 60 MPH- OUCH- SPLAT- THUD- CRUNCH!

Newton's first law of motion 'at work'.

Dik

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

ngrea wrote:

I set my camera on the console of the car. Then as I shifted into gear it tipped into the drink holder, lens down. It was a wide angle lens with a lip. Exactly the same diameter as the holder. The holder has 3 spring loaded knobs to keep drinks steady. They sprang out above the lip of the lens. It took me 20 minutes to get the lens out. Luckily no damage. Will set my camera on the passenger seat in the future!!

I let my wife hold it.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

StevenG wrote:

I let my wife hold it.

Even if it's a really good camera?

Dik

DonB Loc: Port Royal , Tn

Laid a film camera on the dash of a light plane in Alaska back in the mid seventies. While cruising along a mountain we hit some CRAZY clear air turbulence. The camera went clear across the cabin and tried to batter it's way out of the plane. We learned Never Put Anything on the dash! Didn't seem to hurt it tho, used it for another 4-5 years with no problems.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

ngrea wrote:

I set my camera on the console of the car. Then as I shifted into gear it tipped into the drink holder, lens down. It was a wide angle lens with a lip. Exactly the same diameter as the holder. The holder has 3 spring loaded knobs to keep drinks steady. They sprang out above the lip of the lens. It took me 20 minutes to get the lens out. Luckily no damage. Will set my camera on the passenger seat in the future!!

"Will set my camera on the passenger seat in the future!!"

Don't do that either! You hit the brakes too hard, and it will go flying toward the dash and hit the floor boards hard. This could cause great damage to the bayonet mount.

I suggest you get a camera bag that is padded and that you put the camera in that and then place it on the floor of the passenger seat so that it can't fall when the brakes or quick turns are done.

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

dsmeltz wrote:

I am thinking KICKSTARTER !!!! A camera seat belt!!!!

NO! A CAMERA SEAT BELT/ARTICULATING GIMBAL ARM!!!!

Yeah! With a backup power supply!!!

Teathered to a tablet computer!!!

The arm will rise up through the sunroof to a height of 25 feet SO YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CAR!!!

With built in Arsenal and other useless stuff!!!!!!!

And of course anti-theft cables and an alarm!

You stole my idea!

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Scruples wrote:

First Off: Drive Safely br Second: Avoid The Idiot... (show quote)

That is my preferred method as well when I don't have my full camera bag. When I do, it goes in the trunk every time I leave the car so there is no temptation to trash my window, steal my gear and ruin my day...

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

dsmeltz wrote:

Well, if the cage is built for a 10gal hat, wouldn't a DSLR fit as well?

Oh, that's just cruel...

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

tommystrat wrote:

You stole my idea!

IT IS NOT TRUE! I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING LIKE A SECRET BACKDOOR INTO YOUR COMPUTER!!!!

By the way you baby pictures are real cute! I am now selling them on a stock site.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

ngrea wrote:

I set my camera on the console of the car. Then as I shifted into gear it tipped into the drink holder, lens down. It was a wide angle lens with a lip. Exactly the same diameter as the holder. The holder has 3 spring loaded knobs to keep drinks steady. They sprang out above the lip of the lens. It took me 20 minutes to get the lens out. Luckily no damage. Will set my camera on the passenger seat in the future!!

When in a car and I'm driving camera with lens goes in a camera bag on the floor in front or on the floor in back. Or even in the trunk! On a few occasions if I think I might take a quickie from the car or stop and hop out quick for an image I might when a passenger chance the camera in may hands with the strap around my neck.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Put it on the floor? With the puddles and the snow and dirt? I don’t think so. Passenger seat or in fanny pack between the seats.

Indi wrote:

Put it on the floor, lens facing forward (zoom lens). That way the camera can’t fall & the longer lens will help prevent it from rolling if you stop short.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Hang your camera around the passenger headrest supports if you have adjustable headrests. Won't fall off, only thing it can bounce against is the seatback.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Wise

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

SueScott wrote:

I put mine inside the console - keeping it on the driver's seat is just asking for trouble in the event of a quick stop.

I was going to say something similar. I had my camera bag on the back seat. A deer crossed the road just in front of me and I had to jam on the brakes. Down it went. Fortunately, no damage, the bag helped protect it. Now I put the bag on the floor in back.