pcalandra

What are you using to carry your FTP in? Is there any reasonable alternative to the large Pelican cases? Ideally I'd like to leave my still camera and flash mounted as well as the DBox so I can just pull it out and be ready to go. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions. If you have a photo of your setup & can post it, I'd appreciate it. Pat

I think you need to do a "strapectemy". I couldn't fit my HC42 in the box without doing that. It really isn't as painful as you would think, it will be over before you know it

I've just been using the kit lens and it works fine. You can see some stuff here: http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/gallery.jsp?gid=768a5498ce7c30afb713 It certainly is not as wide as some like, but at 18mm it's as close as most of our tandem pilots like us photographers to fly anyway! Technically it works fine, it's sharp enough and seems pretty good edge to edge. In my humble opinion it's good enough. Pat

If it sounds too good to be true IT IS! Don't waste your time just go to a rebutable dealer like Butterfly Photo, B&H or even try Buy.com for that matter. When I was shopping for my Digi Rebel I was amazed at the number of scam artists out there. The story went like yea thats the price but you need to buy the warranty, the battery, the charger, the lens cap, the box etc. etc.

I think you misunderstood, I'm talking about the circular thing on the back of your helmet, with the yellow label above it.

Whats the connector in the center top of the back for?

It looks like a Canon GL2, thats a 3 CCD camcorder.

Ah, the good old days when you had to make everything yourself because you couldn't just buy it off the shelf

Who makes that D-Box?

I think you are looking for Skydiver by Pete Namlook & Bobby Bird. I've attached it for your listeing pleasure. It's not new though, it's at least a couple of years old.

We are shooting both digital and 35mm at our DZ, it depends on the photographer. The charge to the student is the same, $20.00. I'm using a Digital Rebel also and just burn them a CD instead of handing them a roll of film. I also shoot stills on every skydive whether they buy or not and offer them on my Shutterfly account. I made more than enough to pay for it last year, I'd estimate that about half that didn't buy at the DZ ordered something off of Shutterfly. I really wish we were all digital and could find an effective way to offer prints on the DZ.

Can I ask why you mounted your still camera on top vs. the front of the FTP?

For even more fun have them try to draw themselves then fire a flash. I used to have a lot fun with this on a poloriod camera at parties.

I would also suggest trying Butterfly Photo. I found them to be very reasonable to deal with, currrently $784.00 US for ther kit on their web site.

Nice stuff Steve! I look forward to reading more! Pat

Clint, I don't know if this will help you but here is an example of what we are using at our drop zone. We have licensed the use of all this music which I highly encourage everyone to do! Admittedly the music needs some updating but overall it seems to work out pretty well. Occasionally students want us to use their own music, personally I don't like the idea because of copyright issues but some of the other photographers don't have a problem with it. Also, I started using this model release last year, this year manifest will hand this sheet out to each student that purchases a video or video/still package. The model release is a standard stock item I found on the internet somewhere, most likley form a link provided here. Pat

Nice, I 2nd the comments noted above, music is nice but the comments would be very helpful. Pat

Great list How about getting your ring site kicked off your helmet along with your wide angle lens? Getting taken out on an RW jump, not once, but twice in the same skydive? Nothing says "Bulls Eye" or "Target" like having a camera on your head Having what appeared to be a perfectly good battery die in the middle of a skydive. I always love having to tell them their video didn't turn out Luckily it's only happened a couple of times. Oh, and my personal favorite is having a problem on jump run and having to ask for a go around to try and fix the problem. I think my all time stupid move was forgetting to change an almost full tape and then running out right as I finished interviewing the student on the way to altitude, luckily I was able to rewind the tape and not blow the video

Now, I'm curious how many of us will run out and buy some of those new toys?" It looks like the 1000 has threads on the lens, not the 55 though. I agree Docking stations are a pain, I dislike them as much as any product that requires you to use a remote control to access standard features.....

not to threadjack but do you mean like this This was a twofer, one for the bad spot and the other for the students body posistion. I was laughing so hard on this skydive from the time I left the plane till the time I opened I almost peed myelf !

Jimmy, sorry no free samples, only in my dreams my friend! Saut thanks for the comment..... Now, I'm curious how many of us will run out and buy some of those new toys? I'm in the market for a new camcorder myself, but have been holding out, hopefully the HC 20, 30 & 40 will go down in price!

Great advice, I agree with you especially if your doing Tandems, for the most part I would hope they are facing the sun! Oh, and don't buy cheap filters it's a waste f money. Tiffan are a value. You may want to try their Haze-1 or Multi-coated UV Haze.

Saut, I was just trying to relay the latest news from CES to our members here, sheesh , it's not like I'm trying to sell anything to anyone, I just happen to have access to this information faster than most and figured I'd share it

I just dumped my 512 cards to my laptop throughout the day at the DZ and found it worked very well for me, I just leave it on all day, it wasn't big deal. In addition or alternatively I'm seriously considering one of the USB 2.0 CD burners for quick and eazy backup and faster buring of CD's for the students oif they want to leave with a CD, the MicroSolutions RoadStor in another thread looks like a good choice especially since it acts as a stand alone DVD player.

Ok, for all of you who have to have the latest and greatest toys to drool over I thought I'd share this with you from CES. SONY TURNS HEADS WITH THE STYLE AND SOPHISTICATION OF ITS 2005 LINE OF MINI DV CAMCORDERS LAS VEGAS (CES, Booth #N109), Jan. 5, 2005 - Sony is raising eyebrows with the introduction of six new Mini DV Handycam® camcorder models. The 2005 line-up is big on performance and functionality, while still being easy to use, and a joy to behold. For people who love to record and enjoy high-quality video, Sony loaded its new Mini DV camcorders with powerful features. One of the most exciting is the addition of the Handycam Station, a tabletop cradle that charges the camcorders and connects them conveniently to a TV or PC. One of the models has a new imaging technology, while several of the camcorders feature improved optical zoom, along with wide LCD screens to address the growing demand for 16:9 video. "We've studied how people use their camcorders and have incorporated this understanding into a comprehensive line of Mini DV models with the aim of making a camcorder as important an accessory as a cellular phone," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products at Sony Electronics. Highlighting the line, the DCR-PC1000 model is Sony's first consumer camcorder to feature 3-chip CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor technology with an enhanced imaging processor. CMOS sensors deliver wide dynamic range for outstanding picture quality with better lighting details on video and still images. They also require less power, providing more efficient operation. A true enthusiast's camcorder, the DCR-PC1000 model is loaded with upgraded features for making movie masterpieces. Its cinematic mode lends a 24 frame, film-like effect to recordings while the new imaging technology adds clarity and detail. The model also has a 2.7-inch wide hybrid SwivelScreen™ touch panel LCD screen, which lets you switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios and comes with a Handycam Station for quick, easy connection to a TV or PC. Fashion Friendly and Feature Rich Bringing high-style to the new lineup is the DCR-PC55 model. Slightly larger than a deck of cards, as of the end of last year is the world's smallest Mini DV camcorder. But don't let its small size fool you: It still sports a huge 3-inch Hybrid SwivelScreen™ LCD. And for the first time, Sony is offering a Handycam camcorder in four colors - silver, black, white and red - appealing to the most fashion-conscious consumer. Additionally, the DCR-PC55 camcorder features SlideShow Plus, ™ which uses the 3-inch LCD and a distinctive Handycam Station that is positioned to display desktop slideshows with the push of a button. Get More for Less For advanced performance with great value, the DCR-HC90 camcorder is Sony's first three-megapixel Mini DV camcorder with a recommended price under $1,000. The camcorder comes with a 2.7-inch Hybrid SwivelScreen Touch Panel LCD display to record and play back in widescreen format. Additionally, it has an intelligent accessory shoe, Super NightShot® Plus, a built-in flash and the advanced multi-layer coating of a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens to capture video and pictures that are more vivid and rich, even when taken in low light. Charged Up For Convenience Like a cellular phone or PDA cradle, the accompanying Handycam Station charges the units and connects them to a TV or PC, while keeping the camcorder easily accessible and ready to record any video moment. The Handycam Station comes fully loaded with all the necessary inputs, including S-video and an audio/video terminal for connecting the unit to a TV, as well as a USB port and an i.LINK® (IEEE1394) digital interface for connection to a compatible PC. Rounding out the new Mini DV camcorders with Handycam Station are the DCR-HC32 and DCR-HC42 models. New Model Pricing and Availability · DCR-HC21 includes 20X Optical/800X Digital Zoom, the Super SteadyShot® Image Stabilization. Available in February for about $400. · DCR-HC32 includes the above-mentioned features, Handycam Station and Memory Stick DUO™ Media slot. Available next month for about $500. · DCR-HC42 includes the Handycam Station and Memory Stick DUO™ Media slot as well as enhanced 16:9 Wide Mode and 2.7-inch SwivelScreen hybrid LCD display. Also available next month for about $600. · DCR-PC55 includes a Memory Stick DUO™ Media slot, Handycam Station and a 3-inch SwivelScreen hybrid LCD, Slideshow Plus capability, as well as, an automatic lens cover, and a new intelligent accessory shoe. All four colors will be available in February for about $800. · DCR-HC90 Sports a 3 megapixel CCD for outstanding video and still performance, has a 2.7-inch wide SwivelScreen hybrid LCD, built-in flash, a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens and a new intelligent accessory shoe. Available in February for about $1,000. · DCR-PC1000 includes the new 3-chip CMOS Sensor technology, a Handycam Station, a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens and a 2.7-inch wide Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD. Available in April for about $1,300. [Author ID1: at Thu Dec 23 14:36:00 2004 ] Currently available models: · DCR-VX2100, a 3-CCD Mini DV unit that is specifically designed for videographer enthusiasts and aspiring artists, with a 2.5" Precision SwivelScreen™ Hybrid LCD Display. Currently available for about $3000. · DCR-HC1000 a 3-CCD, one-megapixel Handycam camcorder that comes with a swivel handgrip, 12X Optical/150X Digital Zoom and a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens. Currently available for about $1700.