Apparatus and associated methods relate to a camera mount system (CMS) releasably mountable to vehicle surfaces via a plurality of leg members, each leg member extending radially from a hub to support an articulating wrist member with a distal suction attachment. In an illustrative example, the articulating wrist may adjust vertically to permit secure sealing of the suction attachment to a local vehicle roof surface. Each of the articulating wrists may couple to a corresponding distal end of one of the leg members via, for example, a ball joint. The wrist angle relative to the leg member may be releasably locked by hand operation of a locking control that, for example, also locks the angle of the wrist relative to the suction attachment. Some systems may advantageously be quickly, releasably and securely mounted from non-planar and/or irregularly shaped vehicle surfaces, for example, roofs, roll cages, hulls, doors, hoods, and bodies.
