DSE

Try works from Isao Tomita...very nice to put to freefall.

Mediaright sells them, I don't know the cost. you'd have to call Betsy or Missy.

Interesting. I'm putting together "my first rig" as well, and have picked out a Triathalon 190. (I'm 135 lbs without gear.) However, this is partially influenced by what is easily available to me.. if it were a 170 sitting on the shelf at my DZ, I'd probably go with that instead.

Mactheripper is a good app...mactheripper.org is the website to get it.

"regular basis" no...just finished doing a long-form project that is shot almost entirely with the V1, however, and all in the air. I like the HC series for tandem/student stuff, but the higher-grade needs of this project, plus having to match up with XDCAM HD called for the V1. I'd struggle saying the V1 does a significantly better job @ 60i than the A1, however. I shot the V1 in 30p mode. There is a small discussion of it in the "Aerial Camera: What You NEED to Know" DVD.

I know several guys that are visually aware of their altitude and don't wear alti's, and while I'll probably get flamed for saying it, I think all skydivers should become visually acute when it comes to altitude awareness. Personally, I'm trying to develop this skill; it's not *that* hard. Not suggesting you jump without an alti; just saying that you were given eyes for a reason. IMO, an alti eventually should be like a Cypres; a backup system for common sense and awareness. Bear in mind that what you know at 60 jumps will seem silly and almost wonderfully meaningless when you've added another zero to that number. That said, if you're in a "pull immediately" mode if you don't know your altitude, he's right. You put others in jeopardy. I'm not a swooper, so can't comment about looking at an alti while swooping, but I'd think you'd want to be visually in touch with the ground, not an instrument.

Gawd...nice to read someone else posting this. Been an ongoing argument at our DZ. Tunnel time at both Perris and Eloy with a number of trainers taught me the same thing, but jumpers with more numbers scoff at this concept.

First, this isn't quite accurate; the Sony V1, JVC HD200, Canon A1/G1/H1 are all progressive cams. Sony delivers their progressive in a 60i stream, but there are flags that remove the extra information for various NLE systems, providing a progressive image. As mentioned, there are 24/25/30p cams available right now, today. I'm shooting with the Sony HVR V1U, as is Norm Kent. Great camera. That said....you might be looking for 60p. Panasonic has the HVX 200, but frankly, I wouldn't consider using it if you want 1080p. It sucks at that resolution, and not sucks just a little bit....it *really* sucks. There is a huge diff between interlaced and progressive scan. Don't hang your hat on that, however. Most progressive displays have very competent deinterlacers that work in a variety of methods. Shooting 24p in skydiving requires some unique flying skills. On the ground, I'm exceptionally competent with 24p. In the air, I suck with it. It takes very careful moves. 30p is better/easier, but still juddered. 60p is where you want to be, and no one currently makes a small format 60p camera, due to the payload/bandwidth. Expect to see some in the next 18 months, however.

Thanks for the kind words, but on the subject of lightweight/point n' shoots...I'm clueless. Laszlo probably will be a great help. I have seen some modified Elph cams, with an RCA jack sticking out of the housing, but don't know how they arrived at that mod.

Eric Sieger, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav Good kid, took his first skydive shortly before deploying to Iraq.

"It puts the lotion on it's skin..." Seriously, I dunnow why I keep getting on the plane, I just know I don't like how I feel when I don't.

My point is; you can shoot HDV, and output as DV. The A1 has an HDV-DV downconvert built in. The HDV originated footage is still better at downconvert than any DV camcorder you might fly. As to the costs and wear/tear on gear...hell, that's a whole 'nother story.

Since there are previous posts that echo my personal sentiments, I'll simply add that I'm constantly seeing various evangelicals at my door. In the past, I'd have humor and ask them questions I knew they couldn't answer. Mormons are especially fun because as a general statement, I'm far more educated on their religion than they are. Christians in general that evangelize on my doorstep were fun too, but as of late, I've lost interest in the game and simply dismiss them as quickly as possible. I've gotten tired of being preached at in the media, on the roadside, and now at my door, yeah...there is a little hostility there.

Why don't you downconvert to DV in the camera, then you're dealing with the higher quality image, but have the workspeed of DV?

I already have a Bev, it's not quite there for me. Believe me, I've tapped quite a few resources, and only posted here because I'm not hearing back from the manufacturers that I feel would take the time to build a custom suit. Yeah, I know...I'm being nitpicky, but after trying several off-the-shelf suits that have had mods to fit my body...I want what I want. After all, I'm worth it.

C'mon...make it tougher. "Stand By Me" No...not using Google. I just happen to be a big movie buff. Can't figure where my quote came from? Hint; movie has skydiving in it.

Make it more difficult? "Jaws". "Look, all great salesmen are nothing more than just a uh - a collection of personality defects: the uh morality of a sieve, the... charm of a schizophrenic, the sensitivity of a rhino, and the uh - the scruples of a blackmailer."

Done quite a few of them. Probably the biggest challenge in the first jump is the absence of relative wind. If you try to apply what you know for a stable exit, you'll likely end up flailing for the first jump or two. They're great; dead silent until you pick up enough speed to hear the wind. Falling on your back looking up at the balloon is beautiful. You also don't want to push off the basket. It's not really a balloon "jump" but rather a balloon "fall." HTH

Thanks guys. I'd looked at Deepseed, their suits/camera style don't begin to approach what I'm looking for, FireFly was one of the companies I'd contacted but haven't heard back from. Their website is a PITA as well, it's only PDF files of order forms, no images dialogs, or information It might be that what I want is just too weird to get one done the way I'd like. Michigan used to make one that was very close; Gus Wing wore it. Apparently they don't make camera suits any more.

DYI means it will either look like hell, or will blow apart in a couple jumps. I don't know anything about materials, thread types, etc. I've had a few suits, and learned something new with each one. Probably will learn something new with this one too, but it'll be the first suit I've had that's not an "off the shelf" suit from a major manufacturer. Not sure where to find the materials, although I do have a first-class seamstress available to me. She doesn't want to source materials, she knows nothing about skydiving, nor the materials used to make a solid jumpsuit. Otherwise, I'd probably go down that road.

Just ordered the book from Amazon. Seems like a good read. Thanks for the heads up! He's right; Americans know less about the religions they espouse than any other culture. Religion is as much a marketing fad as anything else. Other than one or two people (SteveOrino being one), I've yet to be impressed with the religious knowledge of religious sorts. We regularly get hit up by local Mormons, and it's fun to ask them about their religion. Odd that in general, I know more about their history than they do. That said, this museum attempts to make their re-written version of the earth's history to appear/become mainstream. If people are this easily fooled, the future holds for very frightening times. Religiousity from mass marketing...

I've finally figured out the exact measurements for what I want in my next camera suit. I've contacted several suit manufacturers, and haven't had a response in the last 3 weeks. Anyone got recommendations?

OK, first tandem skydive, May 5, 2006... I would have completed AFF sooner, but the winds at Dillingham Field/Hawaii conspired against me.

Does min count? I completed AFF one year ago today.

As a partner in a mid size business...all businesses have off days, or one or two particular service issues that come up from time to time. No way around it, you just can't be on the ball 100% of the time no matter how hard you try. That said...I've had a custom logo canopy (admittedly difficult to sew) on order since November 06. I've since downsized twice, but the canopy ordered will stay where it's at in size. Ordered a custom container on January 8, 2007. Still don't have it. Both are exceptionally reputable companies, both have dropped the ball on my orders. Shit happens, people are people, and all you can do is your best. If your best isn't good enough, well...that's just all there is. Aerodyne's people are first rate, IMO. In my one experience with them, I was very impressed. But no one can hit the target dead center at each shot.