Jethers203 0 #1 November 3, 2003 I have a Bonehead Optik and a PC-105. As of now, the D-Box is mounted on the side of the helmet. However, I am starting to film Tandems and was wondering if it would be better to have the Camera/Box mounted on the top of the helmet. Let me know what you all think. Also, is it common to use a site when it is either side or top mounted? There is no site on the helmet right now and I am broke as a joke. Thanks. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #2 November 3, 2003 You can use another type of indicator as a site. The best is the Newton Ringsite, but you can use an Eye-bolt so long as it is in the same position as your point of aim. The nice thing about sidemount is that you don't have to shim the camera for the upward angle that good tandem video takes. I have a shim under my still camera mount so that it can be angled up enough to get the chest strap on the student. As you get better at it you need the cameras angled less as you learn the body position. It's hard to be angled back that far and not backslide, and it takes tons of practice. JP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihateskydivers 0 #3 November 4, 2003 You will probably use a site at first but you'll loose it eventually (i.e. you won't need it anymore, you'll know where the shot is) Just don't become 'that guy' with the paper asshole on your goggles!!! Top or side are just as good, depends on what your comfey with, especially when deploying. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prost 0 #4 November 4, 2003 They both have advantages and disadvantages. Since you have a PC type camera, I would go with the side mount. As far as the angle goes with topmount, I would never shim a camera up. If you do this it is no longer going to be aimed in your field of view. How can you aim the camera where you are not looking. Learn to fly correctly before you start shooting paid videos instead of trying to cheat the system. As far as the sight goes, I do not recommend them for tandem videos. They are a snag hazard and you do not have to have perfect aim when flying 2-3 feet away with a wide angle lense. As far as the "paper asshole"(paper hole reinforcer) goes, they can be a good tool when you are learning. Here is how it works. You put everything on your head like you are ready to jump. Have someone look through your goggles and tell you where the center of the camera is pointing(easier when slightly zoomed in), and the you place a paper rig so that its center matches the center of the camera. People will say that your goggles can move. This is true but only a little and remember that your aim does not have to be exact when filming tandems. You might say why wear one at all. The reason is to train you to move your entire head to your subject instead of just moving your eyes. Your eyes should always stay at the same angle and this way your camera will always point where you look. After you get used to this you can remove the paper ring. As far as the side vs. top thing: The main advantages for both in shooting tandems are: Top: less likely to have your risers hit the camera. Easier to get still and video on same angle. Side: less likely to hit it climbing out the door. Easier to get extreme close up with tandem because camera is closer to line of sight. William Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #5 November 4, 2003 Awesome information. I really appreciate it. Any tips for deployment time as to what to do with your head. Do you look to the right with a sidemount or what? I would hate to get a riser snagged on my camera and break something. Thanks again. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ihateskydivers 0 #6 November 4, 2003 NEVER NEVER NEVER TURN YOUR HEAD!!! The quickest way to breaking your neck is to turn 90 degrees and have a 'shotgun' opening! Just lean your head forward (you can still support your head with your palms if you like that). Lean your head forward enough to where your risers will not slap the camera. You can practice this on the ground to see. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #7 November 4, 2003 I thought that seemed kind of bad. Anyway, keep the info coming. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prost 0 #8 November 4, 2003 AS said before I would not recommend turning your head. The best defense is to insure that the riser will slid off cleanly when it strikes the camera. Then it is only irritating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jedeisurf 0 #9 November 5, 2003 If you jump cessnas you will want a side mount always look at the horizion on deployment. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #10 November 5, 2003 Very good point. I do jump Cessnas the majority of the time. Thanks for the input. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
docbill 0 #11 November 5, 2003 Another cool thing about side mount is that it is easy to get a "thumps up", "high five" with the student or instructor, barber pole with the tandem and get a shot of the altimeter. All of these are not necessary but can add a little cool extra to a tandem video. It can be done with a top mount as well, but is much easier with a side mount. One drawback with my side mount is that when I stow my slider & turn my head sometimes the loose side material of the slider flaps over the lense. Doc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #12 November 9, 2003 ...............maybe if you were getting paid,, for all those FREE demos that you do...... you'd have a few bucks..... ......Ah yes tandems from cessnas........tough for the cameraman,,, especially if the DZO insists on sticking a 4th jumper in the plane,,,, ( then it's harder to get,,in flight and pre exit footage,, and generally awfully crowded..),, the wing and the door can be a pain at climbout especially if it's a 180 which often has a smaller step..... try rear float.... it requires strong arms,,,, but might give you a better shot at exit....if you do not already have a dytter,,, or pro track,,,,you might consider getting one...... try to make your videos, as you shoot them,,, and don't let the dzo stick you on back to back to back loads,,,, using all kinds of different rigs,,,and main canopies,,, and then ask the students to wait,, while you then have to create 3 or 4 finish product videos under a time constraint,, while the impatient students keep wondering,,,, "Is my video ready" ??? how many other camerapeople do you have at your dz????.. I've seen more than one, well meaning cameraman ,,,, become overworked and underpaid when he or she is the only one on staff..(OR the only one at the drop zone that day.) .. then safety becomes an issue,, and the quality of the editied video can slip,,,due to inadequate time between loads , for the cameraman....to create the video .....As for side or top,,, both work ok...be sure that the helmet has a quick release so that you can shed it... if you have to... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jethers203 0 #13 November 10, 2003 Yo Jimmy T. long time no hear. Anyway, I am broke as a joke because I just bought a $1000.00 camera and a $500.00 helmet. I am not complaining a bit though and I still don't give a shit for not getting paid for the DEMOs. I have shot a little video before and I liked the challenge of it so I decided to buy my own gear. It is hard to get into the rear float of the cessna, but you can't be a puss about it. My feet slipped off one time and all I had was the edge of the door; it was exciting. I got the shot and everyone was happy. I do have a Pro-Track and as far as the number of camera men at the DZ, we will have 2 shortly. Myself once my helmet comes this week and another guy who is just starting video as well. The other big reason I am starting video is because the head videographer just left, so I jumped at the chance. Another thing is that we will be having a Beech 99 at the DZ for the winter. You have any tips for that plane? I'd assume just exit like a camera man from an Otter or King Air. Well, thanks for all your wisdom once again. By the way, what happened to the Yankees? Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #14 November 10, 2003 QuoteI'd assume just exit like a camera man from an Otter or King Air. Nope, no camera step. Basically its like you're hanging as rear-float past the edge of the door. I'll show you next time you're at the DZ. Todd has his high-end camera setup complete and the results are abolutely amazing. Clint has his setup together, he just got back from Airspeed camp at the tunnel and is duing well. Perky also got a setup together, he shot a tandem video last weekend (on one that the student didn't pay for one) and did a VERY good job. So basically we have 2 camera guys and 2 camera guys in training (counting yourself).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Jethers203 0 #13 November 10, 2003 Yo Jimmy T. long time no hear. Anyway, I am broke as a joke because I just bought a $1000.00 camera and a $500.00 helmet. I am not complaining a bit though and I still don't give a shit for not getting paid for the DEMOs. I have shot a little video before and I liked the challenge of it so I decided to buy my own gear. It is hard to get into the rear float of the cessna, but you can't be a puss about it. My feet slipped off one time and all I had was the edge of the door; it was exciting. I got the shot and everyone was happy. I do have a Pro-Track and as far as the number of camera men at the DZ, we will have 2 shortly. Myself once my helmet comes this week and another guy who is just starting video as well. The other big reason I am starting video is because the head videographer just left, so I jumped at the chance. Another thing is that we will be having a Beech 99 at the DZ for the winter. You have any tips for that plane? I'd assume just exit like a camera man from an Otter or King Air. Well, thanks for all your wisdom once again. By the way, what happened to the Yankees? Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 November 10, 2003 QuoteI'd assume just exit like a camera man from an Otter or King Air. Nope, no camera step. Basically its like you're hanging as rear-float past the edge of the door. I'll show you next time you're at the DZ. Todd has his high-end camera setup complete and the results are abolutely amazing. Clint has his setup together, he just got back from Airspeed camp at the tunnel and is duing well. Perky also got a setup together, he shot a tandem video last weekend (on one that the student didn't pay for one) and did a VERY good job. So basically we have 2 camera guys and 2 camera guys in training (counting yourself).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
