Jumping camera

[Yossarian 0]

i was just thinking about camera jumping the other day and why there is a 200jump minimum before you can use one (in the UK) but the main issue here seems to be dealing with malfunctions, snagging etc. the other week i was watching the gadget show and saw these extreme sports cameras (for skiiers, canoeists etc) and they're more like pens than cameras, one could even conceivably slot between your head and helmet. would this be ok (after consultation with cci obviously) to jump before 200 do you think? or would issues with the camera and filming still be too much to think about for someone with under 200 jumps?

edit; spelling and syntax

[shropshire 0]

Hi - I have a bullet cam (which I use on my Paraglider and bike) I took it to my drop zone and asked the CCI if I could jump it... he still said no, not untill I break the 200 jump minimum...
His main reason is the distraction that using a camera can place on a jumper .... and that makes sense to me.


P.S I got mine from RFConcepts.... a very helpfull crew.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

His main reason is the distraction that using a camera can place on a jumper .... and that makes sense to me.

Good discussion of that point here:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2032981#2032981

[MB38 0]

The short answer is no, it won't be ok. The Photography and Video might be a good section to do a little research.

In the end, it should come down to a talk with your instructors [particularly camera-flying ones] and your S&TA.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[damion75 0]

Quote

The short answer is no, it won't be ok. The Photography and Video might be a good section to do a little research.

In the end, it should come down to a talk with your instructors [particularly camera-flying ones] and your S&TA.

Hmmm. Perhaps we can give a more helpful reply? I like to work on the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' principle and maybe a considered answer might help Yossarian understand why it is not a good idea - and it is not a good idea unfortunately!

The mal/snag/entangelment issues are a possibility on a camera jump, which more experience will teach the camera flier to try and deal with. The risk of getting focused on filming rather than flying is a certainty on every camera jump - even one which goes entirely according to plan. This means risking losing alti-awareness, losing awareness of other freefallers (and canopies since the temptation to film a friend under canopy will also rear it's head!) and generally forgetting some key safety/ life saving principles. This is not an insignificant risk and applies just as much to someone with a bullet cam or the latest gucci enclosed 'snag free' design as someone with a big flat top.

The difference is that the experienced cameraflier can maintain concentration on the angle, shot etc without losing touch with everything else that is going on. Someone still learning to fly their body - and sorry, but yes I do mean you (and me, and most of us to some degree) cannot deal with all these things at the same time. 200 jumps is not that far away, but I would recommend really honing your skills before you look for that camera - there is so much other fun to be had.

Besides, if you are wearing the camera helmet, you won't be in the shot! And I do like being on the video...

***************

Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus.

[vdschoor 0]

Here's a reason why there are jump minimums for flying camera:

1. malfunctions (your safety)
2. air awareness (other people's safety AND you safety)

An example.. (or dozens of them.. really)

I can't count the number of "bigger" ways I have filmed with lower experienced people where I see total chaos as the formation builds..
What I mean with this is people taking each other out, cutting each other off.

The real interesting thing is to listen in on the conversation back on the ground "Dude.. I didn't even see you coming"

What I am getting at here is that your awareness in the sky is VERY VERY low at low jump numbers, you get target fixated and forget about stuff around you.. and trust me.. having a ringsight in front of your eye doesn't help here either, cause now you can really focus on getting the shot right? while doing this you WILL lose track of what's going on.

Take it easy, get proficient in flying your body and have fun with your friends.. then start thinking about putting cameras on..