New Canon still camera: What do I do now??

[steve1 5]

I got my new still camera in the mail last night. I'm still trying to figure out my direction manual. I'm basically a point and shoot kind of guy, so I hope I don't offend anyone by asking some really dumb-ass basic questions.

Anyhow, I'd like to use the manual setting and tape the focus ring in place. My bite switch seems to work fine. These are the questions that I'm trying to figure out.

1. Do I need to cover the eye piece to keep out unwanted light?

2. What shutter speed should I use for freefall photos?

3. What would be a good setting for the aperature?

4. Does a person really need a sight for this. I talked to one guy who said it works well just to put a dot on your goggles, and it is safer....But it seems like most free-fall photographers do use a sight.

5. What type of tape do you use to tape your focus ring....I've heard gaffer tape mentioned.

6. Lastly what is a good film for this?

Thanks a lot....I really appreciate any advice or opinion....Steve1

[Brains 2]

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1. Do I need to cover the eye piece to keep out unwanted light?

I don't. I do however remove the little rubber eyepiece so i don't lose it on a jump. I use my cam for ground stuff too.

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2. What shutter speed should I use for freefall photos?

I use 1/350 or 1/500 for bright clear days.

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3. What would be a good setting for the aperature?

I believe if you set your cam up for shutter priority, (Tv on control knob) it will set this for you.

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4. Does a person really need a sight for this. I talked to one guy who said it works well just to put a dot on your goggles, and it is safer....But it seems like most free-fall photographers do use a sight.

I don't use a sight of any kind at all. Many people do, and it seems that even the very top performing pros do. I just learned without and didn't want anything in my sight line for landings.

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5. What type of tape do you use to tape your focus ring....I've heard gaffer tape mentioned.

I use gaffers tape to tape down my ring on my lens. I also keep pieces of gaffers tape on my helmet in case i ever need them, much easier than carrying a roll with you

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6. Lastly what is a good film for this?

wow, what is a good canopy? I use fuji film 200 I have used kodak max in the past also.


I am not a professional photographer/vidiot. I do this for my skysurfing teammate and for fun. I have attached a couple photos that i have taken using these settings, etc.
Have fun,
Jeff

edit to add second pic.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Pendejo 0]

Steve,

You will find that this is one of those subjects that depends on who you talk to.

1.) no

2.) I use 250 for tandems on bright conditions and 180 for lower light conditions.

3.) I use the "TV" setting and set the shutter speed (this setting causes the camera to set the aperture for you).

4.) The right sight debate will probly go on forever. I personally use a sight. One of the other video guys at our DZ does not (and will tell you they are evil and you will go to hell for using one). I think that if you are just starting to shoot video its best to fly with the helmet with the camera on and a dot for a while, then go with a ring sight as you begin to shoot paid videos. In the beginning it will be better to have fewer new things on the helmet and progress later to a sight.

5.) I use gaffers tape.

6.) This is another one of those personal preference things.... I use Kodak gold 200 for normal light and Kodak gold 400 for low light.


I also included a pic with the settings I use.

Pendejo

He who swoops the ditch and does not get out buys the BEER!!

[AndyMan 7]

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1. Do I need to cover the eye piece to keep out unwanted light?

No. You only need to do this if you're taking unusually long exposures.

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2. What shutter speed should I use for freefall photos?

I use 500 when it's bright and sunny, 300 when it's a bit overcast or getting closer to sunset.

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3. What would be a good setting for the aperature?

There should be a "Tv" mode you can put the camera in, usually by twisting the knob on top. That will make the camera automatically pick the correct aperature given the specific film speed, shutter speed, and lighting conditions.

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Does a person really need a sight for this?

For photography? Yes. Especially if you're getting paid. A paper circle on the goggles can work OK for free video.

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What type of tape do you use to tape your focus ring....

Personally, I don't use tape at all. If you do use tape, Gaffer's tape is best, but can be hard to find. Do not use Duct Tape.

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Lastly what is a good film for this?

This question has started many flame-fests. Personally, I like Fuji but don't like Kodak. ISO 100 for bright and sunny, ISO 200 for overcast or closer to sun-set.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[steve1 5]

Thankyou, thankyou all! I appreciate all the trade secrets you are sharing with a greenhorn, wannabe, camera flyer like myself. I can't wait to get in the air and try some of this out! This is truly a valuable sight!...Steve1

[jimmytavino 16]

good tips for what to do...
only be sure to ALSO...

Establish and follow a set procedure for gearing up,
for preparing and having ready,, your helmet,, goggles altimeter etc.... avoid rushing
Use the climb to altitude to double check your gear and your settings and RELAX... as you begin to explore a new facet of your sport...
A camera certainly adds to the work load of a skydive..So Fly safely,,, Let your subject know where you intend to be and then Be there.....
Discuss and follow breakoff procedures,,, etc. Maintain altitude awareness,,, If you have an audible,,, use it... set it a bit high... If you don't have one ,,, It might be sensible to get one....
Sight on your subject,,, but don't get "tunnel vision".
You can stay on subject with your camera and still use your eyeballs,,, to scan and check your periphery.. Always anticipate........ Resist the occasional urge to fire a picture or two while under canopy,, especially if you are nearing your landing,
if it might distract you from traffic or worse yet,,, the ground...
And what else you do Now... is speak with seasoned camera persons from your drop zone and enjoy the results.. o[:-) jmy

[bmcd308 0]

1. No.
2. You need 1/125 or faster to freeze motion. Faster is better, all else equal. But all else is not equal. You want the fastest shutter speed that will make your camera pick apertures in the f/5.6 to f/22 range.
3. Let the camera pick it unless you really want to brag that you are an "all manual" kind of guy. On bright sunny days, use the "sunny 16" rule and convert to an equivalent exposure from there.
4. I don't think so, but I don't ever wear my camera in freefall. Some vidiots at my dz do not use a sight. They use a paper reinforcing sticker on their goggles. Others just feel the love all the way down with no aid whatsoever. And some others look like they are aiming photon torpedoes in the cockpit of an X-Wing without using the Force.
5. Gaffer's tape. You did not ask at what focus setting to tape it, but I would advise against infinity. For some reason the myth that the focus ring should be taped at infinity has become absolute fact with camera flyers, who always wonder why their pictures look so soft. Google "depth of field calculator" and "hyperfocal distance" to see why.
6. I would use Fuji. It generally has better greens than Kodak, and for a given speed it has better resolving power. Kodak does tend to have more realistic skin tones, though. Buy a few rolls of each and see which YOU prefer. Freefall is one of the few places where the slowest film that will get a clear shot is not necessarily better, because you don't really want to be shooting your lens wide open. Shooting wide open (at max aperture) will give shallow depth of field, and most lenses perform much better stopped down at least a couple of stops from max aperture. Faster film will require a smaller aperture (and higher aperture number - - bigger aperture number = smaller hole, since the number is really the denominator in the fraction that determines the size of the hole), and that smaller hole will give more depth of field and get the lens into its sweet spot.

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www.jumpelvis.com

[stratostar 5]

6. Lastly what is a good film for this?

You mean people still use that stuff? oh never mind your in bfe.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo