hmatousek 0 #1 April 27, 2005 Before I get any further into this I would just like everyone to know that I have close to 400 jumps, a C license, and am just getting started into the world of flying camera. I would like to start filming video only but have no knowledge of cameras. I have checked out the sony site but don't know much about the things I am reading. I would like to start by filming the fun jumps I make for personal/DZ use. I would eventually like to start making money with it but not until I gain more experience. I have flown lurking a few tandems and plan on doing more before strapping a camera to my head and going out to watch them. Any advice, or connections to a link that may provide more information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #2 April 27, 2005 Sony makes good cameras for skydive videos. (HC 20, 30 or 40) are affordable and good. Their old TRV 19, 22 & 33 are popular too as well as older models like , PC 101s Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #3 April 27, 2005 Thanks! Can you tell me what the 20, 30, and 40 mean. HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #4 April 27, 2005 HC20 is a model #; the HC30 is a little better (has ability to capture pictures, HC40 more stuff, etc) I'm sure www.sony.com has the info on the differences. I have the HC20 and I'm very happy with it. I don't need the still capabilty as I have a digital rebel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bseriesboosted 0 #5 April 27, 2005 What kind of box or cage are you using for this cam.Pruitt Skydive The Farm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #7 April 27, 2005 If you want to mount the camera on top of your helmet, the sony HC cameras are good. If you want to mount it on the side of your helmet, the PC series are the ones to go for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #8 April 27, 2005 Quote If you want to mount the camera on top of your helmet, the sony HC cameras are good. If you want to mount it on the side of your helmet, the PC series are the ones to go for. Not necesarily. That used to be more the case with the TRV's.... There's no reason why someone can't top mount their PC camera, and many of the HC cameras can be sidemounted perfectly well. I top mount my PC120. Heather, the HC series and the PC series are both perfectly good for skydiving. Many of the more expensive ones offer features that simply aren't applicable to skydiving, such as higher resolution on still pictures. My advice is to go with the HC20, the cheapest Sony model. Make sure to buy a Sony, since many of the other manufacturers simply arent' good enough. Canon, Panasonic, JVC... they all usually suck, and rarely last more than a few monthes of skydiving. Buy a cheap Sony, because even Sony cameras do break down, and repairs can be expensive. Plan ahead, and if in two years down the road you find yourself needing a $300 repair, well - if your camera only costs $300 in the first place then you've got a great excuse to buy a new camera! I jump a PC120, a long since discontinued model. When I bought it, it was one of the more expensive cameras. In hindsight, spending all that money was silly when less expensive models would have worked fine. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #9 April 27, 2005 Quote Before I get any further into this I would just like everyone to know that I have close to 400 jumps, a C license, and am just getting started into the world of flying camera. I also wanted to step and say that I was really impresed with your confidnce last time you showed up at Hinckley. If your flying has improved at a comparable rate, I know you'll have no problems flying a camera. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #10 April 28, 2005 Thanks for all the good info Andy!!! I am thinking of going with a RAWA helmet, I heard some good things from a buddy of mine. I will most certainly be researching into this further before I actually buying anything.Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tr027 0 #11 April 28, 2005 What about specs? Is it worth it to go for a camera with slightly higher effective pixels and total megapixels (such as those over 1MP, with better video quality overall) Is it economical to get an HC 90 for example, or is the added performance not worth the hassle if/when it breaks down (compared to the cheaper models)? Thanks"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #12 April 28, 2005 CCD-TRV338 Hi8™ Handycam® Camcorder CCD-TRV338 Does anyone know anything about this one? I searched the Sony site for HC 20, 30, and 40 and it gave me nothing. Will this one fit into a helmet? Does anyone own one now who skydives with it? Thanks, HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #13 April 28, 2005 Check out the FF2 from 2kcomposites. I just bought one and am loving it. I bought the Sony HC 20 and I am very satisfied with its quality. It isn't the best but it is good enough for me. I am using a Sony .6 wide angle lense. All in all it only cost me about $1,000. Not bad for my first helmet and camera. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #14 April 28, 2005 Thanks!!! The info on the helmet is a great help. Where did you buy your HC20? Are they easy to find? HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #15 April 28, 2005 Also, did you get the cut away system with that? How does it work? I can't figure it out from the website. Thanks, HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #16 April 28, 2005 Arrgh. Of course you're right. I got the TRV and HC cameras mixed up. That's what I get for posting while trying to do other stuff. I'll go sit in the corner now . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #17 April 28, 2005 Like anything in technology, yesterday's model is outdated. In the Summer of 2004 TRV 19, 22 & 33 were new. By the Fall it was HC20, 30, & 40s. Now its ... you get the picture. Ebay had 37 Sony HC20s on there for some great prices. I may have to get one as a backup, the prices are so good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #18 April 28, 2005 I bought my HC 20 at Fry's but I don't think there are any in Illinois. You should be able to find one at any retail store, but it will probably be the HC 21. The HC 20 is now the old model. Sony discontinues models pretty quickly. I didn't get the cut away. I don't have a still camera or a ring sight so I didn't feel that it was necessary to have the cutaway. I did get the cameye and had them install it. I recommend getting the cameye and having them install it for you. It can be a lot of work to install it your self. I live in Dallas, TX but born and raised in Northern Illinois. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colossus 0 #19 April 28, 2005 Like all technology, there are always updates of the models each year. This is the same with the HC series of sony camcorders. The 2005 versions of the HC20, 30 and 40 are the HC21, 32 and 42. I believe sony.com has lots of info there... http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=oCaV9o678MKV0czL0C6f_cG2QW49H6g1Vq0=?CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycamCamcorders&Dept=cameras Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #20 April 28, 2005 QuoteI am thinking of going with a RAWA helmet. In the United States, you simply can not beat Bonehead. Take a look at what the video staff at SDC is wearing. Remember 2kComposites is based out of the UK. Customer Service and replacement parts may be an issue in the US - much like Americans sometimes have trouble with Parasport Italia. (makers of the Z1) Craichead and I got a chance to tour the Bonehead factory last weekend. What was really amazing was when I mentioned "what I'd really like is...." Chris (the owner) wandered into the back, 10 minutes later came back with some custom made carbon fiber. There are ways to get steep discounts at Bonehead, especially if you're not in a rush. If you're willing to wait six monthes you can even get %50 off. Call and ask about "BoneBonds". Avoid the notion of taking a Freefly helmet and adding camera parts. I did that my first time around and in hindsight it was a pretty ugly hack. Last time I talked to Peter P, he's replacing his Mindwarp with a real camera helmet. If you're buying a camera helmet, having a good cuttaway system is critical - a "must have". Ask to see the system on my FlatTopPro next time you see me. Don't worry about ring-sights for now. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #21 April 28, 2005 Quote What about specs? Is it worth it to go for a camera with slightly higher effective pixels and total megapixels (such as those over 1MP, with better video quality overall) Is it economical to get an HC 90 for example, or is the added performance not worth the hassle if/when it breaks down (compared to the cheaper models)? Thanks Generally no. "Total Megapixels" and "Effective megapixels" only refer to the resolution of the digital stills. They're meaningless to the quality of your video. If you're looking to use your camcorder as a digital camera on the ground, then maybe these numbers are important - but you'd be far wiser to buy a innexpensive digital camera for that purpose. It's key to remember that you can't take digital stills with a camcorder in freefall. Features that you might be wise to pay for are better performance in low light and no light, and long battery life. Make sure any camera you buy has both LANC and Firewire ports. USB is useless for video. Generally cameras with larger lenses perform better in low light. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #22 April 28, 2005 Thanks! I am now beginning to learn more about models and so forth. Thanks to everyone for holding my hand I was told I would want a wide angle lens is this what I should be looking at? VCL-0625S wide angle lens brings everyone into the picture with 0.6x magnification for Handycam® camcorders. I am assuming that it will fit an older model if I decided on that, am i right about that?Life doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #23 April 28, 2005 All the Sony HC models are 25 mm threads. That wide angle lense would work on those. In fact that is what I am currently using. The only down side to that lense is that it is not low profile. It sticks out more then say a Royal lense. But not so much that it is totally unusable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites