jimmytavino 16 #51 February 3, 2004 QuoteCamera. You'd be amazed how much you can learn about flying with a camera on your head. This reply is to Sunnydee123,, but is prompted by the above quote from mnischalke I would vote camera!!! But NOT for the reason stated above....since you need to know how to fly,,, way BEFORE,, you add a camera to the mix... granted I only speak from the video persons' perspective,,,,I.E. filming tandems, AFF, the skydives of others... and NOT from a freefliers' perspective.... It could be true ,, that if a freeflier adds a camera,,, but simply,, "lights it up" at exit,,, and then just goes out and "does the skydive".... then it can be useful for self critique.... But if you jump often with other's who DO have sidemounts and who ARE willing to share,,, then you initially use YOUR camera,, to firewire from their cameras to yours...and thereby build a video library of your own jumps.... You will know when it's time to add footage from YOUR perspective...and begin wearing your camera.. As for coaching,,,, can you try something,, like 2 ways or 3 ways with willing friends,,, who have a good level of freefly capability,, along with a willingness to share,,, and thereby increase your learning curve without having to pay alot extra for it???? then you sorta get both.....( if you like,,, pick up their slot once in a while) No offense here to those who "sell" their knowledge and work as personal coaches......but i see the coach concept as a step to use upon completion of the "student" phase of a jumper's career....and Not as a means by which "professional skydivers" pay their rent... or other expenses.. (flame away)..... Once a person IS a skydiver.. and has invested alot in time money effort, energy, and comeraderie,,,in this sport,,,then hell,, shouldn't they be able to have a friend or two dedicate a few dives,, ( for Free!!!) in the spirit of sharing what we know... with each other...( It USED to be that way) And usually those who were the recipient's of such consideration WILL someday return the favor to others,,, who are in need of such guidance Remember, the camera can be a HUGE amount of fun and allow you to preserve some real special memories,,,, without necessarily having to even LEAVE the ground.....shots from the packing area,, footage of all your friends, canopy shots, take off and landing footage,,, boarding area footage... video taken within seconds of landings,,, canopy swoops etc....all fine memories worthy of preserving. But as for "improving your flying ability".... be careful here,,,, because while that may be true,,, it also indicates that a person's abilities ( if they need improving) are not yet AT the point where a camera ought to be added to the mix.....skydive softly, skydive often. skydive with friends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #52 February 3, 2004 Thanks for the comments JT....coaching is a fabulous thing, and I am not above saying I don't need more of it ~ I've still got TONS to learn because this was just my first year. Be my progress slow or fast, I continue to learn on every jump. I'm not sure what the normal progression of a skydiver is but I think I have definitely erred towards the conservative side - making sure I personally was comfortable and confident with each step I was taking. Hence why I hung on to my Sabre2-150 for nearly 400 jumps when I knew I was not able to really FLY it....but it allowed me to learn safely and comfortably all the things you could do and how to respond if "things" happened. It's just my way - taking the safe road so buying a camera has many issues for me to consider.....the extra weight on my head/neck, the potential for riser pops, the snag of everyone wanting video, etc. Granted coaching might boost my learning curve but Ihave been thinking perhaps so could flying a camera, even on those solos when the horizon is all I have to base things. I am not in a mad rush to be a pro .....I just want to keep getting better and ok fine - I would like to think come 2005 I might get invited to be part of the next girls record attempt I appreciate everyone's opinions and suggestions, they are helping make the decision....but it is kinda nice just seeing that bank account ovedr $1K for the first time in over a year Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
