WayCool

I have used that model extensively and battery drainage seems to depend on which way your switch is wired. If you have the common and the meter leads joined and the shutter on the make when the tongue switch is closed then this is a real major power draining situation if the plug is left in and the mode switch is left on. From the best info I can gather it seems that it is possible to wire the switch with the common on one pole of the tongue switch and shutter and meter on the other because the meter is fast enough to do its job at the instant the switch makes. This still leaves the possibility for a potential difference (voltage) between the meter and shutter release wires which can still cause a battery draining situation when the switch is plugged in or the camera is on. I have opted for the former which allows permanent metering and I switch my camera on just before climb out and off again after opening. This has allowed for maximum battery life from this unit and guaranteed metering perfection but does require a little discipline. It also requires a mounting system that makes this easily possible. For those who are interested, you can see the newly released range of mounting/protective cover systems on the Way Cool web site for really protective and useable set ups for the latest canon digi SLRs.(300D, 20D and 350D) Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Bob.dino has a good point mate, I haven't seen and know nothing about Robs gloves. If you want to take some digi shots of it, I'll have a look. Good luck with it. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

For people interested there is a CamEye called the HCR version available which is especially manufactured for Hand-Cam use. We have decided to mount these on the side of the palm between the thumb and forefinger, this requires the toggle to be held a little differently. The advantage is that the camera can be operated with one hand. You can see it here>>http://waycool.com.au/html/products/cameye.htm#cehc Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

The Red x0.3 lens is suitable for most fun jumping also. These can be zoomed up to a Blue Eye equivalent (x0.5) and also have protective filters available so your lens won't ever get scratched. Far cheaper to replace a protective filter than a $200+- lens! Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Just a quick note on Way Cool gloves: The focus is not price but quality, functionality and customer service. These gloves will generally outlast the camera (2000+ jumps) and now come standard with a mount for a specially made CamEye which allows one handed operation and a Neptune mount. They can usually be at your door within a week. This is also worth some consideration along with the price. Where ever you get it enjoy and be safe! Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I've got the 20D/10-20mm canon and I wouldn't change this change this lens for the world. It has virtually zero distorsion even at its widest setting and along the edge of the frame. You wouldn't be dissapointed with this lens I'm sure! Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

See this post>>http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1577903;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

Way Cool now have optical glass protective filters available for the entire range of single element lenses. The lenses are still the same size and the protective filters will fit on lenses already in the field. This enables you to never have to replace the expensive lens just the filter if necessary. http://waycool.com.au/html/products/uv-filters.htm Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Just a quick first impression of the canon 10-22. I got hold of mine last week and now have it on the 20D, my first impression of this lens is just awesome. The field of view is unbelievable, there is almost zero distortion even right to the edges of the frame. I think we are onto a great thing with this EFS mount because this would have cost closer to $3000 if it was an EF mount. It was AU$950 from Singapore which is still expensive but for anyone who can afford it or who just has to have an awesome new toy I strongly recommend this Item. My bloody mouth switch broke on the 1st weekend with this lens so no exit shots for you guys yet. heres a couple of others though. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I've got a 28 - 300 sigma which I use for general purpose. I really like it because its pretty versatile, although I did like it better on this EOS film body. Expensive but solid. No where near as good as the Canon USM for focusing speed though. I just got my new 10-22 and I can only describe it as awesome. virtually zero distortion and mega wide! Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

The 0.3 and 0.25 lenses do have a huge depth of field. 15 feet and 15 inches will definately be in focus. Although at a distance of 15 feet your tandem pair subject will be starting to get pretty small if your using a 0.3 or 0.25. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Yes, you definately need the Cam-Eye II with software version 2.2 for any of the new sliding function switch models. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I have been doing a little study on the subject of protective filters because I am changing the spec of the protective filters for the Way Cool lens line up. From the information I have obtained it seems that while colour film is somewhat sensitive to the UV part of the spectrum, it seems that CCD image sensors are not. What this means is that you should select your filters for the quality of the optical glass and for the anti reflective quality of the coatings, put simply the multi coated lens filters are the best option. The new glass for he Way Cool protective filters is coated with 3 layers on each side. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

The Sigma Lens are good quality I have the aspherical 28-300 and it is great. I have a 19 - 35 Tokina which I use on my film body but I find I want something a bit wider on the 20D. I am a bit wary of the sigma 14 & 15 because they are heavy and distorted respectively. I am keen on the 10 - 22mm cannon digital offering because I think it will be an awesome lens for lots of applications including freefall. (even if a little slow) Note: My perspective is from someone who only uses my 20D for my own jumping and hobby photography. Our DZ still only offers film so I still use my film body for work horse jumping work. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Here is the link to the article http://waycool.com.au/html/documents.htm and there is a forum on my site where you can contact other hand cam users and discuss any hand cam issues. See http://waycool.com.au/forum/index.php Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Check these out too at Way Cool Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

There are lots of guys in Vegas using them so you might want to ask them for advise. For lenses, it's generally accepted that the wider the lens the better within the realm of acceptable distortion. Most Of the footage that I have seen with the classic or laydown mount is running diagonally through the frame so you can't really rotate the picture 90 degrees, it would also be very difficult because of the aspect ratio problem mentioned above. If you have a large amount of tandem experience and are also current you shouldn't have a problem with a pro (upright) style mount. The newer cameras such as the 109 are getting shorter as well which alleviates the problem as well. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I've got one and it is by far my favourite toy at the moment. can shoot between 80 and 90 in freefall but I've never tried to see how many it will do with the shutter just held down. It gets a bit pointless having so many shots of the same thing anyway. It is a bit slower if your shooting RAW but I still manage 40 odd. I have a 28 - 300 sigma zoom which was incompatable but sigma rechipped it for a token $80. Cant wait to get hold of the 10 - 22 canon lens which I have on order. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Hey Duece, I'm pretty keen on the 14mm regardless of the weight. I've read a few reviews on it most of which mention problems with lens flare caused by the big rounded front element. How have you found this to affect your shots (noticed some in the herc shot) generally and do you know how it compares to the 15mm in regard to flare problems? I realised that this is inevitable on lenses this wide but I would like to make an informed choice. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

UPDATE I've always been a strong proponent of Sigma lenses and the company has rallied behind there product. Today the 28-300mm was sent back to Sigma by the agents who told me that a chip upgrade is already available and I should have the lens back in two weeks in time for the equinox boogie. Yahoo. The price AU$90 So if in doubt about aftermarket lenses I can recommend Sigma. the 28-300 is awesome for general purpose ground shots. Now for a freefall lens the Sigma 14mm Asph. is tempting but it is heavy and AU$2000 is expensive! I heard that Canon is to release some new digital wide angles so it might be worth hanging on a bit. Put up with the slow 19-35 zoom for a while. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I got my new 20D and I love the body. I already had a new 28 - 300mm Sigma aspherical lens which I really like and a 19-35 zoom lens. The fact that I had these was critical in my decision to buy this body. Anyway when I put the 300 on I get ERR99 intermitently. The 19-35 is fine. I have contacted the shop but am waiting for a reply. I have found that with a 45x card in it it can write at around 2-3 frames/sec this allows you to shoot between 25-40 frames in a burst depending on the detail. AWEWSOME! I think my old Stiletto 120 has to go now for the 14mm sigma. I'll keep you all posted on the lens compatibility issue. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Awesome Herc shot mate, that lens is impressive! Thanks for the imput everyone! There's gonna be some $$$$ spent here I think!!! One thing I like about the 15mm fish eye is that I can stick it on my 35mm EOS body and get the real creative shots if I want! I'll look at the price difference the 14 aspherical is amasing by the looks from that herc shot. Bet you wish it was flying away from the sun! Cheers guys Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

I've just ordered a 20D, can I be lazy and ask what fixed wide angles you guys with canon digi SLRs recommend. I like Sigma lenses and I think they do a nice 12mm non fish eye? Can't wait to get this awesome bit of kit! Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Hey Feral, Long time no see! The answer to your question is that my company is producing these lenses for a relatively small market and in small numbers in comparison to your Kenko etc. The tooling cost to actually make a cap like that is huge for small numbers. I have been looking for some existing thing that would do the job but no luck so far. I have developed UV filters that will do the protection job whilst in use and they can be left on. http://waycool.com.au/html/products/uv-filters.htm This is the best solution I have for now and I will consider the tooling cost for the caps as my budget permits. I've been investing in new designs rather than caps for the moment. Haven't heard from your French mate so I guess he's happy with the Pro. I'll PM you and catch up. Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au

Nice Advertisement, Would they be the same as the first Australian single element wide angles from Way Cool????? Stay Cool http://www.waycool.com.au