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