TallGuy

I'm looking to pick up an HC5 and a Cookie Composite BlackBox and I'm wondering which batteries it will fit. I know it fits an NP-FH60 which the HC5 comes with but I don't know what the battery's depth is. I can't find specs for it anywhere. These are the ones I'd be looking to purchase. NP-FH50 0.8" NP-FH70 1.3" Does anyone have any experience with this model and box that can tell me what I can get away with?

brianfry713 flygirl1 gjhdiver Mad John McBeth monkycndo Naked & Dressed NWFlyer TallGuy vdschoor

Here's a count from Tod If you haven't already buy the damn video.

LMFAO

Possibly. Adding weight is not unheard of for the purpose of better quality video and photos, gear protection, trading one safety aspect for another, or convenience. I would say in this case it would be the later. Do you not make such trade-offs?

No argument there. That's why I'm doing my best to find a solid "mount" that will work well with it. The RRS does seem like a really nice option. I'd be happier it wasn't so high off the helmet. But that's not a total deal breaker.

Yeah, that's what I've seen done with a Stroboframe. But certain releases take up so much real estate that that may require cutting off almost all of the lip. In the end that is what I may end up doing

Get a longer screw. I can assume if you are recommending that combination it's something you have experience with? Do you find it to be stable and secure?

I'm currently assembling a camera helmet. I have a Rebel Xti in Camera Armor that I would like to mount on the top of an FTP. The complication is that the Camera Armor has a large rectangular section at the bottom that is left open. I've seen someone use a Stroboframe quick release with the armor by cutting out a bit more rubber off the bottom of the armor. While it works it seemed to have more play than I was comfortable with. Some of the other more solid mounts like the Schumacher and the Gold Member look like they could work but it seems like the rubber might obstruct the mounting plate from sliding in an out of the bracket. The last option I considered, and I think possibly the best might be the Liquid Flatlock. Seems like the armor might lie flush against the bracket and help dampen any movement and/or vibration. My major concern is that the screw on the bracket might not be long enough to secure the camera with the distance the rubber adds between the bracket and the screw hole. Anyone with Camera Armor have any experience with these that could help me to make a decision?

Looks like we have a little support. ---An open letter from SkyTools--- Thank you for your e-mail and your efforts by starting the petition. We will try to support the petition the best way we can, beyond the skydiving community and to our industry contacts. Its true that Sony is equipping fewer of its camcorders with LANC than it used to. However all is not as bad as it looks. A fact that is not yet widely known in the public domain is that most of the newer Sony DVD and hard disk models are equipped with a LANC interface but its called REMOTE jack and has a black surface instead of the well known blue ring which we normally associate with the LANC interface. Even more confusing is that some Sony digital still cameras are also equipped with a remote jack called AE (not sure of the abbreviation). This jack responds to... yes LANC commands. Again, thank you for your e-mail and lets hope for a long life of LANC :-) Claes Hallberg SkyTools AB, Sweden ---End Letter--- 25 or so signatures so far. Some anonymous and duplicates which I think may be of little value. I've done some searching and there are a number of specialty niche market products that are still making use of LANC and forums that are discussing them. I think it might be nice to create a nice little banner that they can put on their websites to link to the petition? Any talented individuals want to volunteer?

Absolutely. Most companies assume that if someone has an issue with their product they will not say or do anything about it aside from possibly not making future purchases. As such actual feedback is very valuable to them. When you do say or do something about an issue they assume that you are representing several people who have not said anything at all. I'm sure this thread wouldn't get nearly enough attention on the problem. I'll forward this along to SkyTools. Maybe they will be willing to sponsor the effort and help get the right people involved.

First, never underestimate the power of a VOCAL minority. If they don't know there are people who want it why should they continue to include it. Second, the voice would simply be of individuals wishing to keep the LANC on Sony cameras. Not just our niche market. I'm sure there are other small markets that could join forces. SkyTools would probably like to continue to sell their existing product line and they likely know of other groups that would be interested in joining the effort. Third, it can be easy. Now I'm not saying this is what we would have to use but here is an option. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/LANC It's just a tool. Not an essential tool but a nice one to have none-the-less. I for one would like to keep it.

Discouraging. Maybe we could put together a petition just so Sony knows that there are people using their consumer/prosumer products out there that still want the interface. A work around for the indicator is good to have but I also love the remote operation offered by the CamEye. Sounds kludgey but maybe someone can make a device that works like the skylight2 by powering itself off of the camera's battery and relaying the cameras tally light to it's LED but would have a new function of passing remote commands to the camera's IR interface. I'm sure it'd be ugly, but it would get the job done.

So I'm very excited about the prospect of using solid state HD cameras in freefall. With their light weight, fewer moving parts (zoom?), and ease of media removal it really does seem like the best of most worlds. Well almost... Sony's only current offering in this arena that I am aware of is the HDR-CX7. It seems like a great camera but what happened to the LANC interface? I want my CamEye!!! I thought all Sony video cameras had them? Another thing I'm curious about is that it is only advertised as supporting up to 4GB memory stick. Does Sony's new 8GB stick works in the unit? I suppose half an hour of high quality vid is OK but I'd be MUCH happier with the standard hour. Does anyone have an inside track on Sony's future plans for LANC? Is this one camera an isolated case? Should I just wait for a newer model? Is this a sign of things to come? I know AVCHD is not the most easilly edittable format but it sounds like this may soon change if it hasn't already.

I spoke with Tod yesterday with regard to the video. Apparently a LOT of people expressed interest in buying a video. But not many have ordered copies online. Check it out people. Tod's says his video slots did not get covered as arranged before the event so he's already in the hole. He wants to make this video. In fact he wants to make it a hit. But if we don't show support why should he bother. Put your money where your mouth is and order a copy. The friend you are waiting to get a copy from or the event where you were hoping to see it at wont have it because they got a refund instead due to too few orders. Advertising is going to have to be word of mouth. Tod says he can't even get LP to respond to his request to have a link to the order form put on the website. Most of the people that were at the event have better things to do with their time than read this thread so be sure to pass out forms and the URL for Tod's website to your friends from the event when you see or hear from em'. Here is the URL again http://www.freefallpics.com/ While you are there check out some of the cool pics he took from the event. I've talked to so many people at the boogie who got turned onto it from watching one of the videos. It's great advertising. One would think LP would recognize this and show more support to the people that are making the video if for no other reason that it's just good business sense. In the past there were pre-order options during registration and the video was promoted on the website. It'd be interesting to know what changed. I love LP and the people there. I love the event. I recognize that complications occur (like the landing area and local invasions) that are out of our friends' control. And I know this year has been especially tough for all of us. But this video is a big deal to many of us. And two years (especially this one) without one is just ridiculous, If LP doesn't want to support it anymore maybe they could let us know.

So I guess having a list drawn up to show support for the video was a forum faux paux. Sorry bout that. Seems like Tod got around to putting together an order form and PayPal ordering mechanism on his photo site. Guess that'd be the best way to express interest.

Phew. I really didn't want the PMs. But if people want to collect a list of folks from their respective group of friends and DZs that want the video and PM me with them I'd be happy to pass it along. Honestly, I think it shouldn't be an issue. As soon as the pre-order form and purchase mechanism is put in place I'm sure he'll have 40 orders before he knows what hit him.

As I understand it Tod Hendricks has collected some quality footage to put together a decent video (I'm sure he'll gladly accept any more you folks want to send). However, I believe there were some complications in funding the the video's production. Tod informed me that he is looking for at least 40 pre-orders before he begins production. Until he creates and order form and payment mechanism I think it would be might be nice to put together a list of people who would be interested in ordering the video: ---- Who wants to buy the Lost Prairie 2007 40th Anniversary Video? TallGuy

Argh me buckos . Bring an FM radio to the prairie. There just might be something worth listening to on the air this year. Carry on.

Well whether or not the video even gets used will be at the discretion of the Boogie Video editor (I'm still assuming Tod) but I'd go with the lowest common denominator and assume 4:3.

Just a reminder for those that can to take video of various stages of their trips to LP this year. It'd make a real nice intro to the boogie video.

Of course. I didn't get to be rich and famous by having bad ideas. Maybe someone can loan you a video camera and you and your boobies can take turns driving and getting video of each other? And the great ideas just keep coming!

So I think I might have purposed this a year or two ago but I have an idea. I think it would be fun to have people who are coming from different areas record video clips of their trips to LP. Get video of loading up their cars, waiting at the airport, driving, pit stops, getting drunk on the plane, whatever else, finally culminating with turning onto the dirt road by McGregor Lake to the airport and lastly their arrival at the DZ. We can then submit the video to be compiled as a collage of sorts for the start of the boogie video. If we could get at least one group from Canada, Washington, Orange, and Northern California to do this it would be great. Any volunteers? I'm not planning on being as involved in organizing water jumps this year. I love doing them but I just couldn't demonstrate the organizational ability to get everyone where we needed em when we needed them last year. Let's face it nobody likes to be on a schedule while at LP so making these things happen is like herding cats. Hopefully someone more capable can make it happen right this year.

I'm very pleased to see that the grand majority of the people who have viewed this post are in favor of eliminating or controling the use of video and still cameras during after hour antics. I had hoped to hear from someone who could make a compelling argument for why the cameras should be present at these times but perhaps there is none to be made? It'd be interesting to know what the demographic is for those who voted. In particular I'm curious as to which way most of the lurkers voted. The practice indicates they are inclined to observe without contributing so I have my suspicions. I guess what I'd like to see is more self-policing on this matter within the community. I honestly believe that many people don't understand how the presence of their camera is having a negative impact on their friends' ability to enjoy themselves. This is likely because their friends might opt to not tell them in order to avoid a confrontation or make themselves seem to uptight. Maybe if they had it calmly and rationally explained to them they'd understand how they would enjoy themselves more with the cameras put away. It has occurred to me to have boogie type T-Shirts made regarding this topic. Perhaps a cartoon depicting someone putting on a show in a camera free crowd and everyone having a blast in one section. In another section show someone covering up and shying from the group as cameras flash away? Sadly I'm not much of an artist. Maybe someone like steveorino or someone similarly talented would be up to the task? The ladies have spoken guys. USPA statistics show that at most they are only 17% of our population. And I don't know about you but I think we need to make sure they feel comfortable around us. Don't mess it up for your buddies. Don't mess it up for yourself.

Low blow calling me PC. But I'll play along. Perhaps I am being too uptight by wanting my friends to have an environment where they can feel comfortable getting buck wild and naked.