freefalle

I used to work at a drop zone where we took the tandems out at 10.5 and the fun jumpers went to 13.5, we did it because of the volume of tandems we had and at the time they only had one aircraft. taking the tandems out early allowed us to get back down and prepare the next passenger for their load. We frequently did back to backs all day long and it worked out well. I can not recall ever having a close call with a fun jumper but I can see the potential problem.

I shot video before I got my tandem ratings. One of the last DZs I worked at wanted us to use handicam. I shot a couple of practice videos using one and stopped. I stopped for a few reasons, first, I sucked at shooting handicam video and didnt feel I was going to get good enough with that thing to produce a product I was willing to sell. Secondly, I didn't like flying with that thing on my hand. When I do a tandem, thats what I want to think about, not if Im getting a cool video shot. finally, one day we had two customers, one got outside video, the other "had" to get the handicam video. When it was all said and done, the guy who got the handicam video was upset because his friends video "was so much better than his" I dont want to be the person who disappoints someone with the quality of the product I provide. As far as the quality of the videos produced over the last few years, if the standard is dropping, that is the fault of the dzo, or the operator of the video concession. Are they not looking at peoples work before they hire them, or do they just not care. Has it come to well, lets hire bill because he's cool and we like him and lets not hire Tony because he's not cool and popular around the dz even though Tony has better skills and is more safe than bill? If they are not going to hire safe, confident, competent, people who can provide a product that people will enjoy then its there own damn fault for lowering the bar. When I was working shooting video, the first thing I was asked for at every DZ or event I went to was my demo tape for review. If they didn't like my work, I wasn't invited to work at the event or dz. Do DZO's and concession managers not do that anymore?

I saved my patients life last night while I was at work, Id say it was a pretty productive shift. :)

I see absoutely no reason why it wouldn't work

Money may not be an issue, but jump numbers may be. Given that you probably don't have a license yet, and that you are probably renting gear, before you have your heart set on any particular drop done, call or email them to be sure they A) have rental gear you can use (shouldn't be a problem almost every DZ has student gear) and B) make sure they will allow you to jump without forcing you to jump with their staff coaches or instructors. charging you more. I know of at least one drop zone and possibly two right now in Florida that would not let you skydive there. Enjoy your holiday, just do your research before making plans so that you are not disappointed when you arrive.

nice, I'll be putting one of those on the CCM Im building.

I have a ftp I use the longer plate. Normally I jump with two video cameras on top and invert my still from the overhang plate. that works well for me. I also have it set up so that I can remove one video camera and mount my still vertically from the top plate. I have at times jumped with two still camera on mounted vertically the other inverted horzontally. I love the freedom the ftp give me when it comes to setting up cameras the way I need.

say what you will about the politics, but respect the people.

I think I agree with DSE it may be damage to the sensor. although, was it humid when you were shooting?

tuck in your leg straps!! Nice Suit, enjoy

Id have done the same

buy a used camera, with a used lens. Mircan, lets face it. You are probably not out to make a fortune selling photos and unless you get lucky or you are working alot its going to take some time to get a return back on your investment. thats if you are using the camera for tandems and such. The stock lens and a used camera that has been taken care of will do you just fine. I have had more than a few photos published that were taken with the "stock" kit lens. As time goes on you may want to get a better lens but theres nothing wrong with buying a used camera and used lens. Have fun learn to use it well. Chuck

I land every one of my tandems in a sitting position. I've slide more than a few landings in under my sport canopy in as well

or if you knew WTF you were talking about.

nice Matt, very nice.

I've never been one to talk openly about my life, but given the anonymous nature of the internet and the fact that most of you have no clue who I am I feel relatively safe sharing with you. My name is Chuck, well, that's the name the people from the state gave me. My real name was Gary Brynes I found that out when I was 26 (how is a long story) my mother gave birth to me when she was 14 I bounced in and out of foster homes most of my life starting at birth My mother overdosed on heroin, while she was working as a prostitute in new york, I was 9 she was 24. My whole life has been a battle for acceptance, love and safety. Things, I have never unconditionally found. Even when surrounded by others I have felt out of place and alone. Somehow throughout my life I have managed to destroy friendships, a marriage, and a job or two. I have caused pain and disappointment to those around me. I can not feel or understand the concept of love and as a result have probably sentenced myself to a life of being alone. I have tried to fill the voids in my life with skydiving and photography. Attempting to bring beauty into my life and the lives of others through my work. I have given most of my life to helping others, EMT, Paramedic, police officer, registered nurse, etc. however, I feel as if I am not giving with all my heart because sometimes I lack compassion because I don't understand the concept. Maybe Im an asshole, maybe Im selfish I don't know. September 13, 2007 at 0530 hrs I was involved in a car accident. As a result of my involvement in the accident, a man is dead. He hit the side of my vehicle while riding his motorcycle to work. He was 57, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, a friend, a retired soldier, by all accounts, he was a good man. His life is over and I am blamed by many for his death. Regardless of who was at fault in the crash, I was involved in the death of another human being and it is destroying me. I have sought help but the nightmares will not stop. I sit alone and think of the people throughout my life who I have hurt and I am ashamed of myself. The worst part of all of it is I try to make good decisions, I try to do the right thing, I try to be a good man and the only thing I am successful at is failing. I hurt on so many levels and I can't make it stop.

and I can't make it stop anymore.

Im thinking of calling off work on Friday and flying out monday I would arrive in atl firday about 11pm and fly out monday either 630 am or 10am Can anyone help me out with a ride and a place to sleep?? If I can get the details taken care of I'd really like to come up. Chuck

Lee was my friend. I will miss him. Once again, Once again, I am numb and my fucking heart hurts.

No, nitro needs a re-line. So all my stuff is at the farm. Plus it's jellos Birthday and i have him a present We will miss you Skinny, I'm hoping to make it to the farm in Dec. Gotta put in for the time off now! If I only knew how true this post would become......

What the fuck, what the fuck, what in the mother fucking hell.

I don't know if we are sharing the same pain right now, but if we are all I can say is what the fuck. I'm numb. I'm fucking numb and my heart hurts.

Titusville (space center) posted signs last week, they are no longer allowing fun jumpers during the week. Tandems only. I guess its too much trouble to support your local skydivers during the week.... This makes no sense at all.

I hear there are nice bowlers. Maybe they'll let you video them. I've said this once before. Its their sandbox and they can rake it anyway they want. If you don't like it, tough shit. It's their dropzone, their aircraft, their pilot, their overhead, their libility. When you want to buy into a DZ you can and have the right to do what you want. I agree with you, it was an asshat move not to let you video your friend. You knew what the job was when you took it, you new what it paid, and you knew what your responsiblity entailed, if you are no longer happy with that.... There's always truck driving. I love shooting video, I love doing tandems. Ive worked at a few different DZs along the way some paid better than others. I never bitched about what I was being paid because they never paid me less than what they promised. I wanted more out of life then what I was making skydiving, so I went back to school. I make great money now and I shoot video and do tandems when I can...

It probably going to cost at least a couple hundred bucks, seems like everything that breaks on the camera does. I know you said you dont have the money for an external flash but check this link out http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/531660942.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcidigital-cameras-and-accessories%3Bciflashes Its a quantary brand flash, I have one, Its not a ex580, but for ground shots where your not overly worried about recycle time, it does the job, and its priced at less that 200.00 I've got one and Im satisified with it. I suppose your other option is to call a repair shop, Im sure they can give you and est. on repair. I don't think Im brave enough to try to crack that camera on my own in order to change the flash. Chuck