expensive day at the DZ...

[ChrisL 2]

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Sorry if I missed this in the thread but what shape was the camera in when you found it?

Camera dropped over a couple square miles of wooded area. Left my head on exit at 13,400 ft.

Looking for it would likely have been pointless. Even if I found it, which was highly unlikely, it would probably have been damaged beyond use. Only value would have been recovering the memory card and it only had 3 jumps on it. I didn't bother.

Had I known it came off I might have tried to spot the area directly below and downwind a bit but as it was, I didn't even realize it was gone until I deployed and reached up to turn it off.

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My mighty steed

[tetra316 0]

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Had I known it came off I might have tried to spot the area directly below and downwind a bit but as it was, I didn't even realize it was gone until I deployed and reached up to turn it off.

And this should be used as an example of someone who is not ready to be flying camera. The fact that you did not even know you lost the camera speaks to your awareness level. Hitting the door and breaking a camera off the top of your head should be a noticable event. It is not an insignificant bump or ding. As you get more jumps and experience you become more aware of exactly what you are doing and what happens. Sounds like you do not have the awareness level yet to be jumping with a camera. If you did not even notice this what else will you not notice...At this point a camera is too much for someone not aware enough.


At least this is my opinion.

[ChrisL 2]

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Had I known it came off I might have tried to spot the area directly below and downwind a bit but as it was, I didn't even realize it was gone until I deployed and reached up to turn it off.

And this should be used as an example of someone who is not ready to be flying camera. The fact that you did not even know you lost the camera speaks to your awareness level. Hitting the door and breaking a camera off the top of your head should be a noticable event. It is not an insignificant bump or ding. As you get more jumps and experience you become more aware of exactly what you are doing and what happens. Sounds like you do not have the awareness level yet to be jumping with a camera. If you did not even notice this what else will you not notice...At this point a camera is too much for someone not aware enough.


At least this is my opinion.

I appreciate your input, as I appreciate the input from anyone with significantly more experience than I have, however I think that you are basing your opinion on an incorrect assumption.

You assume that there had to be a fairly significant impact to break the camera off of my head and that if I didnt notice such an impact then my level of awareness must be quite low.

Had this been the case, you would be quite correct.

This was not the case at all. The impact was extremely minor. My head/helmet did not make any contact with the door at all. Just the edge of the camera itself, and the dovetails that are part of the camera body, (apparently a very weak part of the camera body cracked and the camera fell right off.

The mount, and the dovetail rail from the camera were still there
and looking at it afterward you can see how thin and weak they really are.

I have actually been complimented on several occasions for the level of detail in my recollection of what happens on jumps I've been a part of.

Generally speaking, indicating that someone should be held up as an example of what people shouldn't do will usually close their mind to your message, right or wrong.

I've attempted to avoid that reaction while responding to your message because I understand your intent.

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My mighty steed

[tetra316 0]

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I've attempted to avoid that reaction while responding to your message because I understand your intent.

Thanks I didn't mean this as a flame on you but to bring up a valid point. Perhaps then this will at least make you think twice about how your next camera is mounted and whether or not it is as flimsy as it appears this was.

[ChrisL 2]

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Perhaps then this will at least make you think twice about how your next camera is mounted and whether or not it is as flimsy as it appears this was.

Thats an affirmative. I've already designed an enclosure of plexiglass with curved corners to further reduce any possible snag points and protect the camera from impacts.

I had actually planned to make this box for the first camera, but had not gotten around to it since it was still new.

Another lesson learned. Dont put off shit like that. If you think you might need it, then do it right away or risk consequences to yourself, your property, or others

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My mighty steed

[realpet 0]

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point me to a fatality list that's specific to these cameras..

If people are reporting close calls with small form factor cameras it does not count until someone dies? Sounds a bit like "I do not know anyone who died in car accident due not using a seatbelt so why should I use one."-mentality...

Please do not play chicken with the reality - you will lose.

- Petri

[ChrisL 2]

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If people are reporting close calls with small form factor cameras it does not count until someone dies?
- Petri

Its entirely possible that their small size and weight, 4 oz. in the case of the ContourHD, could give people a false sense of harmlessness.

Certainly a lot more attention needs to be paid to securing them or designing a mount/enclosure that specifically focuses on potential skydiving issues.

I dont think any of the current mounts out there (for the contour) were ever designed to deal with the rigors of skydiving.

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My mighty steed

[Phil1111 1,149]

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Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa that's not an expensive day at the DZ! An expensive day at the DZ involves a helicopter air lift to the nearest hospital.... The bills just keep on coming...

And the memories come back every morning for the next 30 years.

[brettski74 0]

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I dont think any of the current mounts out there (for the contour) were ever designed to deal with the rigors of skydiving.

There are a few. The universal mount adapter is a reasonable start providing a standard 1/4"-20 thread and provides about as good a mounting platform as any Sony product without an enclosure. There are also a couple of enclosures available, including VHoldR's waterproof case and another skydiving specific box made by 2K composites, but regardless of the availability of more appropriate mounts, we do need to make it clear to people that despite the existence of better mounting options, the normal considerations for flying camera still apply, regardless of it's smaller size.

[Trae 1]

on the issue of snag points on modern camera helmets. Some look like accidents waiting to happen .
The helmet pictured looks about as snag free as poss.
Not sure what brand but nice effort at reducing snag points.

[theonlyski 8]

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on the issue of snag points on modern camera helmets. Some look like accidents waiting to happen .
The helmet pictured looks about as snag free as poss.
Not sure what brand but nice effort at reducing snag points.

http://www.2kcomposites.com

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[Cinders 0]

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Try losing your main...

lol! Knew it was coming

[ChrisL 2]

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Try losing your main...

Try losing your house

I do not subscribe to the theory that if someone else lost something of greater monetary value than your loss, that you are not allowed to be bummed about it.

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My mighty steed

[Bolas 5]

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Try losing your main...

Try losing your house

I do not subscribe to the theory that if someone else lost something of greater monetary value than your loss, that you are not allowed to be bummed about it.

No one is saying you can't be bummed. It's all about perspective. There's always something more or less that could have happened.


Yes you lost a camera, and that sucks, but at least you didn't lose a main.

I lost a main, and that sucks, but at least I didn't hurt myself and have to take a helicopter ride.
And so on...

Additionally on the way home from that trip after giving up the search, I had something hit my windshield in BFE South Carolina and absolutely destroy it. Spent 2 days there getting a replacement. But at least the safety glass did its job, I was unhurt, no other damage, and found a DZ.commer there to hang out with.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.