everymansaved 0 #1 November 3, 2006 Hey all, I'm buying a camera for my wife for Christmas, and I have a slight problem... I know very little about camcorders. I know my way around still photography, but I'm a little in the dark when it comes to video. It's her first camera, and she's just learning to fly camera, so we're not looking for the latest, greatest, highest resolution camera out there. I've been looking on Ebay, and of the cameras that will fit in her her helmet, (2k Composites FF2), the Sony PC series seem to be the most reasonably priced. I've been specifically looking at the PC103 and PC 105, but all of them are still options. What should I know, are these cameras good for what I'm looking for? I did a search, but most of the stuff I found was about more technical details, and not that I'm not into that at all, but I think I should start out a little bit more gradually. Thanks in advance everyone!God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #2 November 3, 2006 What model Sony camera was her FF2 built for? That will play a part in which camera will fit in her helmet. Assuming it was built for a pc style camera you should be just fine with pretty much any of the pc versions you can find...the biggest problem you might run into is the cutout in the back not lining up exactly right with the rear controls on the camera, not a big deal. Sony no longer makes any pc style camera so you're going to have to look on eBay. My favorites are the pc110/120 (same camera w/ and w/o blue tooth), pc330, and pc1000...but any should work. If her helmet was built for an hc style camera you will most likely have trouble fitting any pc style camera into it (although I would imagine a pc109 would still fit), so find that out first. Hope that helps...and feel free to ask more questions!Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cacophony 0 #3 November 3, 2006 QuoteHey all, I'm buying a camera for my wife for Christmas, and I have a slight problem... I know very little about camcorders. I know my way around still photography, but I'm a little in the dark when it comes to video. It's her first camera, and she's just learning to fly camera, so we're not looking for the latest, greatest, highest resolution camera out there. I've been looking on Ebay, and of the cameras that will fit in her her helmet, (2k Composites FF2), the Sony PC series seem to be the most reasonably priced. I've been specifically looking at the PC103 and PC 105, but all of them are still options. What should I know, are these cameras good for what I'm looking for? I did a search, but most of the stuff I found was about more technical details, and not that I'm not into that at all, but I think I should start out a little bit more gradually. Thanks in advance everyone! My GF just bought a Sony HC36. Good price (around $350) and does all that she will need for a while. Unless you have to have a LANC port to have a light in your eye letting you know what the camera is doing, its a great choice for the price. One of the only downsides (besides not having a LANC port) is that every 12 hours you have to reset the focus to infinity if thats what you choose. I don't know how many of the new sony cameras are like this, but its definately a new thing they are doing. Plus the mounting socket is in the corner on the bottom instead of closer to the center. Again, this is something easily overcome for the price and weight of the camera. I have made several jumps with this camera and like it a lot. You can find DBoxes for it at http://www.cookiecomposites.com/products.php?id=5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #4 November 3, 2006 Check eBay. I have just bought a Sony DCR-HC32 for a nice price. Make a set of a desired models and go for them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #5 November 3, 2006 From the 2k composites website: FitsPC6,8,9,101,103,105,107,109,120,330,350,1000 HC18,1920,21,22,30,39,40,42 So it looks like I have my options open. I just basically wanted to know if there are any that I should stay away from. Like certian models that don't take opening shock well, or that just don't work well for skydiving for one reason or another.God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #6 November 4, 2006 What they mean is they will make a box to fit those models, not one box fits all!! Best of luck!!BSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #7 November 4, 2006 The helmet isn't the kind that has seperate boxes you bolt onto it, it's molded into the helmet. I'll try to make this link clicky, but no promises: http://www.2kcomposites.com/html/products.html Hers is the FF2.God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 November 4, 2006 We know what helmet you mean, you still need to know which model it was made for! The molded part will hold one or two models perfectly and may fit a few others if they're smaller, not if they're bigger. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #9 November 4, 2006 I'd check review and drop those without LANC port. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #10 November 4, 2006 Ahhhhh, so even though it says it fits all those, it's only meant for two? She bought the helmet used, how do I find out which ones it works with?God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitiwake 0 #11 November 4, 2006 QuoteFitsPC6,8,9,101,103,105,107,109,120,330,350,1000 HC18,1920,21,22,30,39,40,42 Check the dimensions of the box against the camera specs you find. If the box permits, I recommend HC 20, 21, 22, 30, 40. They all have all you need (LANC & DV in + other stuff). HC 22 with docking station, other models without.~~kitiwake~~ Man small, why fall? Skies call, that's all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #12 November 5, 2006 Who did she buy it from, I may be able to find out which camera it was made for. Or if you can still contact the previous owner they may be able to tell you.Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #13 November 5, 2006 It was just bought from someone on DZ.com, she can't remember who. Maybe I can give the serial # to 2k composites and they can tell me?God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #14 November 5, 2006 Hmm, that may work. If you have any trouble contacting them send me a PM and I'll give them a ring.Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #15 November 5, 2006 I definetly will, thanks so muchGod made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigdad510 1 #16 November 21, 2006 I have an HC 36 that I have been jumping for 6 months now. It doesn't have a LANC, but I don't care. I have a routine, and its on and recording when I need it. I get compliments on teh video quality. Its much better then the PC cameres sony makes. I have Sony's .45 wide angle on it and it works great. Currently mine is in a Bonehead box. They weren't sure what fit it, So I bought it with a discount, fit it,called them back and gave them a thumbs up. So if you ask they can tell you. Shoot manual focus, sports mode, thats all you need to change.Brad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #17 November 21, 2006 Well, just to give y'all an update, I was in contact with a guy named Ram at 2k, and he told me they couldn't tell me what kind of camera it was made for, but that most helmets would fit either a PC style or an HC style. I looked at the shape of each camera style, and the shape of the helmet box. I measured the helmet, and looked at some dimensions on eBay, and bought a PC109! I'll let you guys know when it gets here is it fits! Sean LRGod made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #18 November 21, 2006 Well the PC109 is one of the smallest camera's, so you have a fairly good chance there ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #19 November 21, 2006 The pc109 should fit fine in any FF2 because of it's size. I was recently able to put an hc20 in my FF2 built for a pc110. If you have any problems fitting it (need to raise the plate, move the mounting bolt, etc.) drop me a line and I'll do what I can to help.Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #20 November 22, 2006 Yeah, it looks like I can just move the plate up and down to make it fit. I'm excited! Just ordered our FF suits from Matter, all pumped for Eloy in March! EFS Baby!!! Sean LR PS: I know this is a bit of a different topic, but since I have knowledgable people reading this thread, how long of movies can I make in Windows Movie Maker? Can I burn DVDs with it? I'm just learning editing, so I want to stay simple for a while.God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonRose 0 #21 November 22, 2006 PC 1000 rock!!! Find one and buy it!! FF2 will be made to fit the camera. Some day I will have the best staff in the world!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #22 November 22, 2006 How long your movies can be depends on other things: besides the usual processing power and harddrive room (room for the clips room for the finished movie, roo for processing) you also need a NTFS formatted drive if any one file is bigger than 4 gb. FAT32 can only go to 4gb. Check your drive and your operating system (win xp can handle ntfs). ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #23 November 22, 2006 So how long is the average 4gb file in a format that would be suitable to burn to DVD? And will WMM burn DVD's?God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #24 November 22, 2006 Usually you create either avi or mpeg4 files, then re-code those to dvd (vob files). DV footage ("uncompressed" avi) is 2.8mb/sec, HDV is bigger. A dvd will take about 1 hour of normal-quality footage. So the 4:3 avi file you export to a FAT32 drive could be up to 23 minutes or so if i do the math right. I have no clue if WMM will burn dvd's actually I'pretty sure it doesn't have the required codecs, but I use Premiere Pro. if you have the avi/mpeg4 as output from your editing program you can then use something like Nero Vision to create the dvd. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #25 November 22, 2006 No, movie maker won't burn DVDs. What I've been doing is editing in WMM and then importing the edited video into a DVD creation program to get all the DVD menus and everything. Movie Maker isn't very powerful as an editor, but I do find it quick and easy and all I need. I've been using Roxio for the DVD making, but I find I hate to edit in it (Roxio REALLY sucks). It's an extra step to render the video in WMM before dumping it into Roxio, but I save time in the long run because I can edit so much quicker in WMM. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
