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MarBrock 0
http://www.knology.net/~marbrock/Camera.html
PhreeZone 15
I would never talk to my DZO or my STA about cameras since they could give a shit less about them for the most part. I had to help set up my STA's helmet since he just bought an assembled kits and started jumping it. The people you need to talk to are those that make their living on nothing but camera work. Joe is a really cool guy that might even answer your questions if you email him. Tony Hathaway is another good one th that pops in here time to time. Brent Finley is the maker of some of the best optics and seems very willing to answer helmet and optic questions. Seek out opinions from the top of the sport and not just your local DZ. Bonehead can explain to you why they require experience to sell belly mount gear to.
One question, what happens if a line wraps the camera and stays stuck to it after you release it from the helmet?
And tomorrow is a mystery
Parachutemanuals.com
MarBrock 0
QuoteExperience and time in the sport does count for a lot more then most people think it does.
I have great respect for Jennings and Martijn and would never try to use the gear they use. That's my point.
QuoteI would never talk to my DZO or my STA about cameras since they could give a shit less about them for the most part.
On the other hand, my DZO is one of the best camera flyers I know. His tandem videos are the consistently among the best I see. I have good reason to respect his advice.
QuoteThe people you need to talk to are those that make their living on nothing but camera work.
Dude, you don't even know who my DZO is. You've probably never met him. You've never seen his video work. You don't know him from Adam. Your advice couldn't possibly be well-informed.
QuoteJoe is a really cool guy that might even answer your questions if you email him.
I'd love to talk to Joe Jennings. Good Stuff is one of my favorite DVDs. I'll get a lot more attention from my DZO and other local camera flyers. My DZO and another professional camera flyer are two of the guys tossing the ball in the video I linked. I have already consulted the professionals in my area. Why you think I haven't is a question only you can answer.
QuoteSeek out opinions from the top of the sport and not just your local DZ.
That's why I'm here. So far, I'm not getting much specificity, only a lot of knee-jerk negativity.
QuoteBonehead can explain to you why they require experience to sell belly mount gear to.
Which belly mount gear? Why don't you explain it? My camcorder pack is six inches long and three inches deep. I know plenty of skydivers with bigger pot bellies.
http://www.knology.net/~marbrock/Pack.jpg
QuoteOne question, what happens if a line wraps the camera and stays stuck to it after you release it from the helmet?
Considering the tension in my lines, the camera probably breaks loose from the wire and falls to the ground, but I don't really see what on the camera a line could snag in this way.
http://www.knology.net/~marbrock/Camera.jpg
If the wire wraps around a line, I don't expect anything very terrible to happen either, but if a tangle were bad enough, I might have a problem. Obviously, I'd try to clear it. I'm not ignoring the risks of camera work, but my risk seems much smaller than the risk a conventional helmet mounted camcorder, not to mention the gear a professional like Jennings flies.
My reserve might fail after a cut away too, and I might wrap lines with another canopy, and I might turn too low and hook in. I'm careful to avoid all of these risks, but I might die in a skydiving accident tomorrow. I might die in an automobile accident too.
quade 3
How acurrately and repeatable do you think the placement of your camera is if you detach it and reattach it?
How much camera shake do you think you're getting due to the Gath helmet?
What are you using for a sight?
BTW, none of this should be taken as accusatory in nature. I really do want to know what kind of performance you're able to get.
The World's Most Boring Skydiver
Zlew 0
Old timmers who like to show off for newbies huh? Well, I"m 23, I guess that makes me old, and if you ask just about everyone in this forum, they would probaly say that they would perfer that a newbie not even jump with a camera until they are not newbies anymore.
Some of us old farts have lost friends and family over stupid things like this. This isn't about Ego man. I"m not telling you that your gear isn't safe, I just want you to understand what makes things safe or not safe so you can make your own decision. Again, it's an issue of scope.
I really don't think you understand the scope of what's going on, and thats not a good thing in skydiving.,...and really not a good thing when you strap crap to your head and go take peoples pictures.
Oh yea, Quade had some really good points in his last post to you. things to think about.
Z
MarBrock 0
QuoteHow acurrately and repeatable do you think the placement of your camera is if you detach it and reattach it?
So far, the velcro attachment is holding up well, but I expect to replace it at some point. I can remove the velcro from the camera mount and helmet and replace it.
QuoteHow much camera shake do you think you're getting due to the Gath helmet?
The Gath fits very snugly, so I haven't noticed much camera shake. I've only done one video close enough to another skydiver to notice, a two-way to practice swooping. The close-up was as steady as the camera flyer, which isn't saying much.
http://www.knology.net/~marbrock/Swoop180.wmv
QuoteWhat are you using for a sight?
I'm not using a sight at this point. I spent several dives finding a good position for the camera on the helmet. Since I'm not focusing on close-ups currently, I'm not so concerned with perfect framing, but I'll need a sight eventually. My flying still needs a lot of work, so a sight is the least of my problems. Until I can reliably frame an exit, I'm not ready for tandem videos.
QuoteI really do want to know what kind of performance you're able to get.
Thus far, I'm happy with the performance. My ultimate goal is to offer streaming video as an alternative to, or in addition to, the conventional tandem video. I'll shoot a video and hand the tandem student a web address rather than a video tape. They'll find their video on the web, so they can mail links to their friends, and their web page could also feature freefall stills, other media of the dropzone, their instructor, links to other skydiving sites and so on.
In the not-too-distant future, I expect this approach largely to replace conventional videos, although many students will also want tapes for quite a while. I know the web technology, but I won't do anything professionally for at least a year, because my flying skills aren't good enough. By the time I'm ready, solid state, digital camcorders could also be ready for this application, but I need to train now.
In the near future, I expect tandem students also to wear cameras. Solid state cameras will be small enough for this application, so a typical tandem video will combine shots from two cameras. I flew with a tandem hangglider and wore my camera a few weeks ago, so I have the experience on tape from my own perspective. More skydivers generally will wear cameras in the future, and professional videos will become more sophisticated as videographers use multiple cameras and focus more on multimedia and the web.
MarBrock 0
Quoteit comes off TOO easy like that if u ask me, you thought a floating pud was bad, how would u like that thing slamming arouond in your burble...could make things interesting at pull time
That's why I used the bungies. The attachment has been tested in 200 mph winds, but the test was on a motorcycle, so the wind was parallel to the length of the camera. The seller was very up-front about it. I'll try jumping with only the velcro at some point, but I share your concern. The wire from the camera to the camcorder is not large, so I'm also worried about losing the camera. The camera wouldn't dangle far above me, because the wire is threaded through my chest strap without a lot of slack. The other guy at my dropzone with one of these cameras secures it to his helmet further with duct tape, and I'll probably follow his lead.
QuoteIt doesn't take much of a snag , or a strong snag for something to be enough to get you killed.
Snags are a concern with any setup, but I don't think snagging is a particularly large problem with my setup. I think my setup is less likely to snag than most helmet mounted camcorders I see. Experienced skydivers who have actually seen the device agree.
Quote... you are STILL attached to it by the cable, thus, the snag is still attached to you
You're right, but the camera housing doesn't expose much on which to snag. The camera lense is inside the housing. The housing has a transparent window with no ridges. It does have small screws, but I can't see a line snagging one of them.
Quote... flying right where you are about to dump your reserve into before you kill yourself.
Writing "kill yourself" over and over again doesn't impress me; otherwise, I wouldn't be skydiving at all. I'm not oblivious to the risks, and I'm not a reckless skydiver.
Quote... now all the mess will be somewhere likely above and behind you.....lets trhow more gasoline on the fire!
Again, the risks of this discipline are relative. I'm not avoiding all risk of snags, but I'm not taking the risk of a camcorder on my head either. Clearly, I need to attach the camera to my helmet securely, and I better appreciate the need to remove it quickly now.
QuoteOld timmers who like to show off for newbies huh?
That's right. Showing off doesn't bother me as much as the condescension. If you think I haven't already considered most of the issues you've raised, you're mistaken. I read extensively about the risks of camera work before my first attempt.
QuoteWell, I"m 23, I guess that makes me old ...
I'm 40, old man, so I guess that makes me a newbie. Being an "old man" has more to do with one's willingness to consider new possibilities than with time on the planet. Anyone who thinks Sony must always produce the best camcorder, because it produced the best camcorder in the past, is an old man.
Quote... they would perfer that a newbie not even jump with a camera until they are not newbies anymore.
Everyone in this forum may say whatever they like, but in a few years, new skydivers will take cameras on their first jumps, because the cameras will be small enough and light enough to mount inside a helmet and will add no hazard. These cameras already exist. It's only a matter of economies of scale. Outside of its housing, my camera is already small enough.
QuoteI just want you to understand what makes things safe or not safe so you can make your own decision.
I appreciate sound advice, and I'm already persuaded to change my setup, but if you want my respect, you must show me some respect.
QuoteI really don't think you understand the scope of what's going on ...
I think you don't know me from Adam and can't possibly have an informed opinion of the scope of my understanding.
MarBrock 0
http://www.surveillance-spy-cameras.com/st-137-sun-glasses.htm
I've never seen this camera in operation, but I have seen video from the pinhole CCD cameras which this product uses. The video quality is not comparable to a camcorder with quality optics, but it's better than you might think. For amateur freefall video, it could be a good choice, and you could easily wear this camera under a full face helmet, so you'd add no snag risk whatever. You don't need a sight, because the camera is literally between your eyes.
In the near future, you'll probably be able to capture video from a device like this one directly to a solid state device, like a Palm or a Pocket-PC, but you shouldn't buy this camera expecting to do it.
Zlew 0
WHat he meant was, that it is very important that you are able to put the lense in the exact same place every time when you put the unit back on top. D-boxes and roll cages do a great job of that. It doesn't take a smart man to figure out that just a few degrees off in any direction can make your video un-viewable.
ALso, camera helmets in current production CLAMP down on your head ("I'm putting my head in a vice" doc Bill) to make sure that there is no vibration, and that you put the helmet on the same place on your head every time.
QuoteThe camera wouldn't dangle far above me, because the wire is threaded through my chest strap without a lot of slack
again we are dealing with scope...and u sitll don't get it. When I wrap a line around the top unit, and dupm your bag, PC, canopy out into 120mph+ wind, it will pull the unit off (unless your snag is on your bungie...hehe) and it will pull it up, and will most likely be flailing around violently. The point is that now instead of just having the snag on your helmet, now it is a violent mess in an UNVFIXED location, that you have to manage go clear....and aslo have to deal with that wire that STILL connects you to the mess.
Quotebut I don't think snagging is a particularly large problem with my setup.
If you don't look at is as a question of If, but When you will snag...
Bad things man, real bad things. I can promise you that set up is FAR from sag free,...
And that you seem to admit that if you snag you are still connected to a cable, and that doesnt bother you...again man, it seems to me that you are clueless as to the seriouseness of jumping with a camera.
Quotebut I'm not taking the risk of a camcorder on my head either.
I think a small TRV (about 1lb) on top of a mindwarp, or any other good helmet would be much more safe than a box that is about the same size as the trv, and has a cable that is attached to you.
Quoteand I better appreciate the need to remove it quickly now.
The wire man...tell me about how you plan on dealing with the wire in a matter of seconds in a violent and nasty situation. Remeber, Murphy does't let you snag at 12grand...you are going to snag down in the soup when time is your enemy.
Quoteyou must show me some respect
you have to at least show me a rudimentary understanding about what you are doing before you will get any respect from me.
It sounds to me like you dont' necessary want to become a video guy (tandems, aff, 4-way etc), but you want to do something cool and have video footage to show your friends. Maybe you were intemidated about a real video set up, the risks, and the costs, and decided to try to make th ings better without reallly understanding what you were doing....and you, in my opinion, sitlll have major risks you need to figure out how to deal with before you reach your goal of being more (even as safe) as standard video set ups.
If/When you snag, you MUST be able and willing to get rid of EVERYTHING that the snag is connected to. For most of us that meas getting rid of our helmets...the helmet is the least of your concerns because you are connected to your camera (thus your snag) in multiple places....
Before you get all huffy and respond to this message about all the "experianced people" who say you are ok, just think about what we are trying to tell you.
Z
MarBrock 0
QuoteIt doesn't take a smart man to figure out that just a few degrees off in any direction can make your video un-viewable.
Even a not so smart man can learn this lesson from experience, and I've already learned it. Like I said, I'm not concerned with perfect framing at this point, because I'm still working on flying skills. After experimenting, I can place the camera on its mount by hand and frame a subject well enough for now. I've done it several times. I do want a sight at some point.
Quoteagain we are dealing with scope...and u sitll don't get it.
In reality, you're speculating about equipment you haven't even seen. Skydivers with considerable experience, including a DZO/tandem master/AFF instructor/rigger/pilot with more experience, has seen the equipment, has helped me rig the equipment and has flown with me as I used the equipment. Another skydiver with more experience (jumps) now uses this equipment himself. Why I should place greater faith in advice from someone who has never seen the equipment escapes me. I am listening to your speculative scenarios, but even if you had 10,000 camera jumps, your understanding of equipment you've never examined would still be uninformed.
Quote... it will pull the unit off (unless your snag is on your bungie...hehe) ...
I suspect you're right. I have already conceded a problem with the bungies. On the other hand, because the unit has a relatively small cross-section, it's less likely to snag in the first place.
Quote... and it will pull it up, and will most likely be flailing around violently.
If it detached from the mount, it would dangle no more than six inches above my head
QuoteThe point is that now instead of just having the snag on your helmet, now it is a violent mess in an UNVFIXED location, that you have to manage go clear....and aslo have to deal with that wire that STILL connects you to the mess.
I only need to clear it if it's tangled in my risers or lines, and the camera housing has very little exposed which could snag a line. The housing is very smooth, no switches, no buttons, no lense, no strap attachment, no folding lcd. I'm looking at my camcorder, right now, and it seems much more likely to snag a line than the helmet camera. I'm reasonably confident that I could grab the helmet camera and tear it loose from the wire, but I think the camera is much less likely than a camcorder to be entangled in a line in the first place.
QuoteBad things man, real bad things.
Bad things can happen in skydiving. Apparently, you think I've never realized this fact before.
QuoteI can promise you that set up is FAR from sag free,...
No one has ever suggested that the setup is snag free. I have thought about snags often. I have been through the scenario you've described in my head many times, every time I jump with the camera. I also imagine entanglements and line overs and twists and canopy wraps and cutaways and many other mishaps practically every time I jump. Why you think I don't is a question only you can answer.
QuoteAnd that you seem to admit that if you snag you are still connected to a cable, and that doesnt bother you...
I've never said it doesn't bother me. I say it bothers me less than having a camcorder snagged in my lines.
Quoteit seems to me that you are clueless as to the seriouseness of jumping with a camera.
It seems to me that you are less competent to judge my clues than more experienced jumpers who know me and have seen the equipment I'm using and have used the same equipment themselves.
QuoteIt sounds to me like you dont' necessary want to become a video guy (tandems, aff, 4-way etc), but you want to do something cool and have video footage to show your friends.
Since I have already stated my ultimate goals in considerable detail, which might involve tandems in a year or so, you can't possibly be reading my posts carefully. Of course, I want to record my experiences and share them with friends and family. Why wouldn't I? I also use video to spot problems with my flying.
QuoteMaybe you were intemidated about a real video set up, the risks, and the costs, and decided to try to make th ings better without reallly understanding what you were doing....
Maybe, I was intimidated about a real video set up, the risks, and the costs, and decided to try a safer alternative and succeeded. I take you seriously; otherwise, I wouldn't bother responding, but your contrary assertions haven't persuaded me that a helmet camera is risker than a helmet mounted camcorder.
Quote... you, in my opinion, sitlll have major risks you need to figure out ...
No one has denied the risks; however, your assessment of the risks is uninformed.
Quotehow to deal with before you reach your goal of being more (even as safe) as standard video set ups.
I've never actually seen a "standard video setup". Practically all of the setups I see are very creative, and most seem more snag-prone than mine. The experienced jumpers I have already consulted agree with me.
QuoteIf/When you snag, you MUST be able and willing to get rid of EVERYTHING that the snag is connected to.
I'd hate to lose the camera, but I'd certainly toss it to save my life.
QuoteFor most of us that meas getting rid of our helmets...the helmet is the least of your concerns because you are connected to your camera (thus your snag) in multiple places....
If a helmet mounted camcorder is tangled in my lines, getting rid of it might not be so easy. I assume that's why camera flying can be so dangerous. The helmet camera is the size of my thumb, has very few (if any) snag points, and I can tear it loose from the wire.
QuoteBefore you get all huffy and respond to this message about all the "experianced people" who say you are ok, just think about what we are trying to tell you.
I'm no "huffier" than you, and the skydivers I've mentioned are more experienced than you, if your profile is accurate, and they have seen the equipment, and you haven't, so I have good reason to prefer their advice to yours. Both my DZO and the guy now using the same device are more experienced than both you and Quade, for that matter.
I have already thought carefully about your comments, and some of the comments have persuaded me to change my setup, but I don't need all the mindless, scare tactics.
What do you think of the sunglass camera? I certainly couldn't snag anything on it. I could also get a pinhole camera alone, the size of my thumbnail, for only $130, and build it directly into a helmet myself. Camera flyers should be happy with these innovations, because they're coming whether you're happy or not.
http://www.surveillance-spy-cameras.com/pinhole-cone-lense.htm
I fly still camera top mount, and use a hendheld shutter release connected with a cable. This setup concerned me that if i had to cut away my helmet i would still be attached to it with the remote running inside my jumpsuit. Even though cable is very thin and would probably snap, or that connection to the camera isnt _that_ secure, I installed a small A/V connection (think that what it was, just a stereoheadphones connection, 3 pin) and had the joint at my neck.
If i cut away my helmet, that connection will disconnect and only thing camera related connected to me is 2" of wire with a small pin to it. Sticking out no more than slider stow velcro from the jumpsuit.
Is it possible to install some kind of connection that enables the camera lens to be disconnected with just a slight amount of force from the wire running to the camcorder?
I'm no techno geezer knowing lots of stuff about digital or analogue signals and connections, but surely there must be some solution that can be applied
And Counting that the wire will snap if it snags is NO safe assumption...wires very thin can take very much weight before they snap. There isnt that much drag in a canopy when its streaming, and it will stream if it snags.
safe swoops and clean cam cutaways.
MarBrock 0
Frankly, I don't think the camera will snag anyway, because it doesn't expose much on which to snag. I'm more concerned about the wire wrapping around lines if the camera is dangling. If it wrapped around several lines, the entanglement could be problem; however, if I deploy from a stable, belly-to-earth position, I can't see it happening, because the wire isn't long enough. If I deploy unstable, lines could also snag my shoe or my altimeter or wrap around my neck. I do take these risks seriously.
I might also drop another $130 on a pinhole camera and try mounting it inside my helmet. The quality of the video is probably adequate for self-assessment and training to shoot freefall video. It's probably adequate all around for streaming video at this point, since bandwidth still limits the quality for most of us. There's only one way to find out.
underdog 0
preferably from those that shoot a lot of tandems and aff.
" you can pick your friends and you can pick your nose but you can't pick your friend's nose "
You know what's funny under Photography and Video? : Michael Bess-newbie
Bwahaha! ***
Thanks John!
I have only known of this forum for a short while now and you are rated on how long winded.. a ... er I mean many posts you make.
Michael
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