Arcimoto Cameo First Test Review: Is This the Perfect Camera Car?

Have you ever wondered how we produce some of the fantastic photography that accompanies MotorTrend’s written words? In short, automotive photographers will put their bodies on the line and shove themselves into and out of just about any opening in order to get the best possible shot. If we’re lucky, we use a vehicle with a cushy ride and a hatch to hang out of as we shoot car-to-car—those pretty, in-motion action shots you see all over MT stories. Most of the time, our bodies end up sticking halfway out the side window, feet hooked to any willing crevice, core muscles clenched and arms taut. (Yes, we use harnesses.) We can use nearly any vehicle to capture those bread-and-butter car-to-car photos, but there are usually plenty of compromises to be made. That’s why the MT photo team was so eager to give the Arcimoto Cameo prototype—an Arcimoto FUV made more camera- and photographer-friendly with an open-air rear-facing seat—a go in hopes it could be the answer to our car-to-car demands.

Car-to-Car Explained

Car-to-car photography is where two vehicles maintain the same speed, with a photographer shooting from of one vehicle toward the other to create dynamic motion shots. Cars with harsh rides such as sports cars or performance-oriented vehicles make for unpleasant shooting conditions as every bump directly affects camera stability. Tight openings like trunks and slim windows limit visibility and range of motion, but cabins with an open greenhouse with spacious sunroofs and large windows are great support vehicles. As photographers, we use what he have, but minivans, comfortable SUVs, and vehicles with well-tuned air-ride suspensions always make for an easier time when shooting. Our perfect camera car would have no C-pillars and would be missing the rear bodywork entirely—just like the transformation the Arcimoto team made to the roughly $18,500 FUV to create its Cameo prototypes. (There are now two Cameos.)

What’s the Cameo Like to Drive?

The Arcimoto Cameo FUV rides like an ATV with the controls of a motorcycle. A twist of the right wrist controls the throttle; the lower-right pedal controls the rear brake. Your left hand accesses controls for lights, horn, and signals. Being an EV, you get an additional switch (located where a traditional front-brake lever would usually be) that modulates battery regen. If this last control’s use is well judged, you won’t have to touch the brakes at all. Unlike motorcycles, the vehicle doesn’t tilt or lean to turn. Instead, you sit straight while pushing and pulling the handlebars to maneuver. It’s a strange sensation at first, but it’s wildly fun and addictive to ride. We had big smiles on our faces as we drove the twisty roads at Honda’s California Proving Center test facility.

How Does It Work as a Camera Car?

Shooting out the back of the Cameo for the first time was surreal. While in motion, the open-air seating combined with the wide field of view intensifies speed and turns. But having such a broad line of vision let me transition from shooting the fronts of cars to the rears without having to change my position in the vehicle, which kept my workflow fluid. Normally, I stop to change positions in the car to get multiple angles.

While the dual seatbelts kept me snug in my seat, it was extremely difficult to lean forward to drop the camera close to the ground. So was lifting the camera above my head for higher angle photography. The seat is not bad for my application, just not ideal. I would love to see a wall instead of a seat, with multiple clipping points for a harness. And instead of a cage for your legs, a flat platform to allow prone and standing shooting.

Wind noise made it difficult to communicate via radios, but hand signals were easily visible for our drivers to see. Swinging my arms left and right felt seamless, and I was able to extend my arms in any direction with more confidence knowing my body was secured tightly to the seat. There was no issue with having the support vehicle in the frame, even when shooting in the other direction, because there were no pillars, roof, mirrors, or sheetmetal to get in my shot. I could swivel my torso to face the other direction and still have room to micro-adjust my camera angles.

Three-Wheel Motion: The Numbers

We had never performance-tested the Arcimoto FUV on which the Cameo is based, so we were curious to see how quick this version can run. On the track, it ran the quarter mile in 17.8 seconds at 79.0 mph. For reference, a Jeep Compass we tested previously registered the same time but was traveling at a slower speed of 76.1 mph when it crossed the line. Interestingly, the Cameo out-accelerates the Jeep in 0-60 testing, hitting the mark in 9.7 seconds; the Jeep needed 10.5. Powered by dual electric motors making a combined 75 hp, the Arcimoto Cameo has no trouble accelerating to photo pace, and it tops out at 82 mph. At a length of 113 inches and a width of 61 inches, its footprint is tiny compared to conventional car-mounted crane systems. This means the size of its reflection in the cars we shoot will be smaller and easier to edit out in post-production.

Our Verdict

The Arcimoto Cameo FUV is the most photographer-oriented support vehicle we’ve ever used. Although there were a couple of drawbacks that limited photographer movement, the excitement of all the possible applications with few modifications needed makes us eager to see what the future holds for these three-wheeled EVs.

Pros

• Almost a 360-degree field of view
• Small footprint allows access to tighter pathways
• Highly modifiable for attachments and camera rigging

Cons

• Range of motion is greatly limited when strapped in
• Helmet required for legal use on public roads
• High-speed maneuvering isn’t really recommended

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