Camera options??

[half-a-greek 0]

I'm looking for a good middle of the road. (in quality and price if possible), camera for skydiving. I want to get into video eventually in this season or the next and I want to start collecting all the pieces now.

[Superfletch 1]

Oh Christ... here we go again...

Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher
D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I
Videographer/Photographer

[PhreeZone 20]

In 6 months what ever is hot now will be old tech and we'll be onto something new and better. Save your money until you are ready to jump it and then look for what we recommend. I'm yet to meet someone that can buy it now, assemble it and jump it months if not years later. Everyone that's tried that ends up jumping it with in a few weeks.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Cueb 0]

the stuff will be cheaper later. I see no reason to "gather pieces" in advance, there may be new stuff coming up making old stuff cheaper.

[davelepka 4]

Quote

I see no reason to "gather pieces" in advance

That's because it's not as 'in advance' as he makes it seem.

Have a look at the other thread he started earlier this winter -

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3753579;page=unread#unread


This guy has already made up his mind that he's ready for this, that, and the other thing. I can GUARANTEE you he has no intention of waiting until he has 200 jumps to jump a camera. In fact, I'd be surprised if he makes it to 100 jumps before strapping something to his head.

He's the quintessential 100 jump wonder. He's had the winter to sit around and ponder his 'awesomeness' and plot out his next skydiving season, and all the 'rad' things he's going to do.

The ironic part is that for how special he thinks he is, he's as average and commonplace as they come. The actual 'special' 100-jump jumpers are the one with their ego's in check, and a realistic outlook on skydiving, and their future in it. Sad as it may be, they are in the minority.

[Rstanley0312 1]

Dude.... you don't even have 100 jumps??? I only have 260 and I am thinking about towards the end of the season getting in to camera which means I will have close to 400 jumps by then! Not only that but you are loading your canopies @ 1.4? Listen to Dave... although he is abrasive sometimes he just doesn't want you to get hurt.

Life is all about ass....either you're kicking it, kissing it, working it off, or trying to get a piece of it.
Muff Brother #4382 Dudeist Skydiver #000
www.fundraiseadventure.com

[half-a-greek 0]

Quote

Quote

I see no reason to "gather pieces" in advance

That's because it's not as 'in advance' as he makes it seem.

Have a look at the other thread he started earlier this winter -

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3753579;page=unread#unread


This guy has already made up his mind that he's ready for this, that, and the other thing. I can GUARANTEE you he has no intention of waiting until he has 200 jumps to jump a camera. In fact, I'd be surprised if he makes it to 100 jumps before strapping something to his head.

He's the quintessential 100 jump wonder. He's had the winter to sit around and ponder his 'awesomeness' and plot out his next skydiving season, and all the 'rad' things he's going to do.

The ironic part is that for how special he thinks he is, he's as average and commonplace as they come. The actual 'special' 100-jump jumpers are the one with their ego's in check, and a realistic outlook on skydiving, and their future in it. Sad as it may be, they are in the minority.

I knew the answer to the thread before I started it earlier this winter. I asked it for my own shits and giggles... but it served as a good reminder to me to be happy with what I have, and to not put my ass in a wheelchair.

I want to jump video after 200 jumps, that's why I said later this season or the next. 200 jumps could happen this season or the NEXT. I don't get to jump as much as I'd like and money is tight with school and all, (which is why I'd like to look into getting a camera or helmet now). plus, my DZ would refuse to teach me how to fly video before 200 jumps, and if I tried I would get a stern talking to by every much loved and appreciated hard ass on the DZ. That stern talking to failing, they would refuse to manifest me.

To stop this shit storm coming my way from every jumper on here, I GET IT.

For the record, I'm still flying my Triathalon quite happily.

[DSE 5]

one thing to consider....since you have time, talk to as many people as you can. A *lot* of folks start "acquiring" gear early on in hopes of jumping and they end up buying the wrong stuff for what they're wanting to do (camera or not). Jumpsuit, wings, flat top, side mount/top mount, camEye/HypEye, ringsight, lollipop, paper asshole, cutaway, chin strap, chincup, one audible, two audible, light indicator, yadayayayada...it's a lot to figure out. Making a plan and then ripping it apart bit by bit will help you know what you want.
You can learn to start flying video without video. Ed Dickenson, Norman Kent, Jack Guthrie, and a few others helped me start flying camera long before I put one on my head. Getting some coaching on camera techniques helped a lot. Learning to do RW helped a LOT, coaching jumps helped a lot, and having people jump as a fast/slow base helped a lot. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to learn without the lens on your head. Chat with the folks "in the know" around your DZ and make it known that you'd like to fly with them with the goal of flying a camera at a future date. When you do put the camera on, it'll feel "old hat" and you won't feel the learning curve is as steep.

[Cueb 0]

Quote

money is tight with school and all, (which is why I'd like to look into getting a camera or helmet now).

Just take an envelope, put the money there and write "camera helmet" on it. :P

If you buy it in advance you'll find yourself flying it in advance. Better use your jumps developing your flying without distraction of a camera.

[half-a-greek 0]

hmmmm sounds good. I'll resist the urge to buy, and I'll try to stay on my belly for as long as possible, (I've already refused to sit fly or anything until at least 100 jumps). I was thinking about all the things that I still need to learn in order to properly fly video... it's a long list, lol, something to work towards i guess though.

[DSE 5]

"Learn to love your belly before you begin exploring your butt." I once said it in jest, but I was also serious. Flying your belly is so much more than most think.
Practice side slides, backsliding, transitions from belly to back, Practice staying stable in front of another skydiver, close with no movement. It's harder than you think. Get wings, practice flying with wings. If you're heavy at all, you'll need em. Even if you're reasonably light, you'll want them for range more than for float. They'll change your flight dynamic, you'll need to learn to drive while keeping a steep angle. Get indirectly below some 2-4 way groups. Learn to orbit. Learn to float and sink fast. Learn to float, sink, orbit, and drive all at the same time.
LOTS to learn before putting the lens on, and lots of fun to be had in the process. Use the Kodak in your brain, it'll help you more than you think.

[skyjumpenfool 2]

+ 1 on the wings. A good camera suite is a lot of fun to fly. Find an experienced videitt to help you out.

Also, how about putting a temporary ring sight on your current helmet. I used a piece of wire shaped as a ringsight and practiced with that. learning to keep your head still is a skill you'll eventually need.

Birdshit & Fools Productions

"Son, only two things fall from the sky."