Panasonic PV-DC252D?

[freeflir29 0]

Ok...I already bought it. It had all the good features such as Firewire, USB, Memory card, Stills, and 9,000,000 special effects. I got out the door with 3 tapes, all the accessories, and a 5 hour battery for $1086. Has anyone out there used this Camera or one close to it for skydiving? Anyone know what size D Box it will fit in? Here's a link with all the specs.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-iaQRMmiwb6q/ProdView.asp?s=12&c=8&g=53700&I=133PVDC252&o=m&a=0
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[diverds 0]

Looks kinda big for a d-box. Maybe the picture is deciving. If it will not work with a d-box I have a friend who built his own box out of aluminum that works very well. I can put you in touch if you need. By the way, does the camera have a lanc port?
-Dave
"Gas...Undercarriage...Mixture...Prop...Beer"

[quade 4]

Well, maybe this will work out for you, but I think you're going to find that there isn't a lot of stuff that's going to work with it.
For instance, I don't see a LANC port on it, so you can pretty much forget using a CamEye. Also, I don't think it's going to fit in any of the Bonehead dBoxes. As a matter of fact, it doesn't even look like it will accept a wide angle lens.
Did somebody give you advice on this camera before you purchased it?
quade
http://futurecam.com

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

does the camera have a lanc port

It says it has an "I.LINK" port but I'm not sure if that is the same thing. I won't be putting a Cameye on it anyway. We solved that problem at SD Atlanta with a small .98C mirror from Wal-Mart attatched to your altimeter wrist band. Allows you to look for the LED on the front of the camera while it's on your head. Plus....it looks cool when you can geek your own camera in the mirror...
If I end up going with an aluminum mount I'll build it myself. I jump with several A&P mechanics that have shops plus I was a sheetmetal god for about 7 years in and out of the Air Force.
As far as dimensions and weight go, Here's how it compares with the ultra tiny DCR-IP5
Panasonic- 2 5/8"W X 3 7/16H X 4 1/2" D weight 14.7 Oz without battery.
Sony-1 7/8" W X 4" H X 3 1/8 D weight 12 Oz. (Presumably with battery.
Not that much difference really.
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[Zlew 0]

If you want a camers that: lasts, will fit your wide angle lenses, will fit in your roll cage/D-box, can use a remote like the Cam eye......
Well, if you want a real skydiving camera.....
S
O
N
Y

[diverds 0]

I-Link is the 1394 firewire port which you will use to transfer video to the computer or to another dv camera. Lanc is what you would use for a cameye2 which is handy for more reasons then just identifing if the camera is recording. With cameye2 you can also turn your power on and off, start and stop recording and see if you are getting low on battery or tape all with one button which can easily be flush mounted on any helmet. It is a super handy thing and after having one it would just totally suck to jump a camera without it. Also, did you check to see if you can add a wide angle lense like the above poster asked? If not you may really want to consider returning the camera and going with a Sony. Not being able to use a cameye2 sucks, but not being able to use a wideangle lense would in my opinion make that camera totally useless for skydiving. Don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but theres real reasons why just about everyone you see at the dz uses Sony's. As for cost, you can get into a Sony PC-110 for not much more then you spent on yours. MrHixxx could give you information on where to get a good deal on that camera if the place you bought yours at will take it back. I use a topmounted TRV-30 myself, but you get into a little more $$$ going that route. Hope all works out for you.
-Dave
"Gas...Undercarriage...Mixture...Prop...Beer"

[PhreeZone 20]

Clay, you might want to SERIOUSLY want to top mount this one. The PC110 is the largest thing I'd side mount. The 110 's dimensions (hxwxd) 4.87 x 2.37 x 4.87 in. The Panasonic is even wider then the 110 and I've had my risers scrape the side of my D-box a few times. The time they hit the box... that one snap turned my neck a little bit. Also what is the size of the lens on it? It does'nt look like a WA or even a filter will fit on it. If its got a shutter cap, like most the Panasonic's do... its pretty much worthless in terms of add on lens.
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[AndyMan 7]

I've seen panasonics do some pretty wild things to the footage on opening... I think there's a real good reason everyone buys Sony. I'd worry about damage to the internals on a hard opening...
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
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[freeflir29 0]

Got the materials to build a side mount last night. The camera will accept Kenko lenses. We'll see how it flies on my first jump at the Marvin Boogie Saturday.
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[diverds 0]

Specs on that camera say that it is 3 and 7/16 inches wide. Why are you going to side mount it? By the time you build your box that thing is going to be at least 4 to 5 inches off your helmet. Sounds super scary. You might want to top mount that camera.
-Dave
"Gas...Undercarriage...Mixture...Prop...Beer"

[MrHixxx 0]

If I end up going with an aluminum mount I'll build it myself. I jump with several A&P mechanics that have shops plus I was a sheetmetal god for about 7 years in and out of the Air Force.
As far as dimensions and weight go, Here's how it compares with the ultra tiny DCR-IP5
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This is sounding a little more like NASCAR than skydiving. I think more experienced dead camera fliers agree that putting a big camera on the side of you helmet with a home grown mount for a first camera is a recipe for disaster. Remember the sport produced 3 terrifically killed experienced camera fliers last year. In short, your scarin' me Clay.
Return you camera. say your brother already bought you one for your birthday or that you got Gonnorhea real bad and need the $ for the medicine ( I would, but that's just me). Go to d.buys.com and give them your 1180.00 bucks for a PC-110 or 900 something of a PC-9. Buy a dbox from Bonehead and mount it. The right equipment, from the right company (sony has excellent service, so does Bonehead), in a safe configuration. Sony is definately the brand that the skydiving industry has embraced (I really wanted to buy a Canon, but when I was finished beating my head against a wall I bought Sony), so it really has the products to support it in the field. Camera flying is too dangerous to not have the right stuff, so you just go, spend the money, say thanks and have fun with it.
You can send me a PM and I'll return it with a call anytime you have questions about my setup (Optik, PC110 sidemount with a d-box and cameye). Hope this helps
Blue Skies, Jon
"Sous ma tub, Dr Suess ma tub"

[Zlew 0]

just so you know. search www.mysimon.com for Sony DCR PC9 and, then list by price. Even with shipping you can get one for under a grand. It's a bad ass little camera, has the size and weight of a PC5 (1 lb), and the same bat (Mseries) as the PC 100 series (think the 110 has the same bat too). If I was looking...that's what I'd get, and that is probably what will replace my PC5 when it gets old (or i feel the need for a new toy).
Z