djmarvin 2 #1 October 19, 2004 A couple people have asked is it possible to top mount two cameras. Attached are a few pictures of a side by side top mount. THe video camera is a Sony HC-85 (great camera by the way) and the still is a Canon Rebel 2000. I have mounted a 10D on there as well (haven't jumped it though, just check to see if it would fit) The weight feels evenly distributed on my head. Even if I take the still off and jump just the video. My biggest concern when I was mounting this was line snag. So I took some wire (coathanger) and cut it to length and molded it between the D-Box or Goldmemeber plate, and the helmet. I absolutely love this setup. Thanks to Chuck Blue for letting me fiddle with your OI at Rantoul. As you can see the side by side mount did work out after all, but like you said its a TIGHT squeeze. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #2 October 19, 2004 Aren't you concerned at all about losing the still camera to a riser strike? It seems like it is out there waiting to get plucked if your risers are twisted together and your Stiletto puts you on your back... -Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmarvin 2 #3 October 19, 2004 Not really. I bury my chin into my sternum on opening. If I do lose it, oh well, thats one reason I have a cutaway system too. My life is worth alot more than my camera. I haven't had any issues with the risers striking the camera. If you look you will also notice that the SLR doesn't extend more than half an inch past the side of the helmet. It was definitely a concern of mine. That is why I took quite awhile at Rantoul with Chuck's helmet and my cameras checking to see how far things would stick out. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #4 October 19, 2004 Glad to see you worked it out, I knew it could be done the way you did it back in Rantoul that day but you even managed to do it with a D box too. Another alternative to what you have done is to go THIS route in camera configuration. The space on top of the OI is quite adequate and with a little imagination you can get a good deal up there without making it awkward feeling on your head."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garywainwright 0 #5 October 19, 2004 It looks to me like the stills camera doesn't stick out anywhere near as much as a side mounted PC camera would - nice set up!http://www.garywainwright.co.uk Instagram gary_wainwright_uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #6 October 20, 2004 Well with a good enclosure, the video camera is fine. I've had about 1 riser strike in 300 jumps on the left side and it deflected around the d-box and bent the tongue switch plug (mine is mounted inverted on the crown of the helmet) off of the still camera. cheer, Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrcrackers 0 #7 October 21, 2004 you can use the side plate to join the top plate with a bracket if you want more room. Although it won't be as balanced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmarvin 2 #8 October 21, 2004 Yeah but now it looks alot like the GunRak and I never really liked that helmet. Guess thats why I waited to get this one. But still is a great way to give more space on top. I like the idea, just not for me :) Tell Kelly I say hello DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #9 October 21, 2004 QuoteI bury my chin into my sternum on opening. Careful, that position leave your neck very vulnerable to injury.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #10 October 21, 2004 Diamond plate Jeff? Dang! Loogs good, ain't it a bit heavy though? (Or is it Alum?)---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrcrackers 0 #11 October 21, 2004 it's pretty thin alum, so it's pretty light. I just put everthing up top recently, I like it. The extra drag naturally make you look up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #12 October 22, 2004 I saw an Optik at Nationals where a cameraflyer had put a flat plate on top to extend the mounting area. I never found out who's it was and how he liked it. Wish I had taken a picture now. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrcrackers 0 #13 October 22, 2004 I like mine pretty well. I could have made it bigger, but I don't think I'd gain anything. As it is now I can configure it several different ways to fit different needs. It was pretty simple to make since someone here weld alum very well and free Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #14 October 22, 2004 Quote"I bury my chin into my sternum on opening." Careful, that position leave your neck very vulnerable to injury. This was my first thought on reading this but I'm a new vid jumper so what do I know. My posture on opening is like a squat-press; a good arch with square shoulders so that an unannounced slam will put the force right throught the spine, instead of bending it. Any more thoughts on this?"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #15 October 22, 2004 Yep. That's the generaly accepted way to do it. Your neck has evolved to take shocks like that in the vertical orientation. It does best when you keep you spine in it's natural straight line.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzguy99 0 #16 October 25, 2004 Do many people shoot video-for-hire with vertically mounted still cameras as shown on Rim's website? Seems like it would be a very good setup in order to keep things compact on your helmet but maybe not quite optimal for picture results....thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #17 October 25, 2004 I really like Vertical for tandems, and may infact go back to that format soon. For AFF the horizontal works better I think.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #18 October 26, 2004 Don't know number wise how many actualy shoot that way but the beauty of Digital is that you can rotate the picture in PS."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
