pope

It seems that this whole discussion could become moot with better communication with the customer. If you can clearly tell the customer that they need to have the correct equipment to view the HD version of their tandem DVD, then your problem is over. This shouldn't be difficult because if they want this option you should be charging more to begin with and the customer should intuitively understand this. Also, if this same customer for some reason takes their disc home overseas and can't play it on their SD DVD player, then you just charge them for your time and expense for the re-edit and shipping. Maybe I'm not totally clear on this but this is what I think I'm hearing. good luck! pope

you're not alone. I had a screw mount break out of a CX-12 using a flatlock. Just a *hair* overtightened. that's all it takes. It would be nice if Sony would reinforce that part of the camera. I don't use boxes either and jumped the camera for the rest of the weekend with an elastic strap strung tightly over the top of it. It was secure unless something actually ripped it off my head. No discernible shake. I like the lightweight of the CX series of cameras, but all that plastic definitely has its disadvantages. cheers, pope

Oh...pardon me, I seem to have gotten lost!. I was looking for the Photo/Video forum...can anyone direct me to it--or should I do a search?

I'm taking a minute to ask you all to share your pictures and/or video of Dan-o with me for a memorial video I'm putting together for everyone who was touched by Dan-o. Please submit them to me as soon as possible via email, or via mail if video. Please send a copy if possible, and indicate whether or not you will need any hard copies returned to you. Send everything in the highest resolution possible. Anyone who will want a copy of the memorial DVD please send me an email at cp AT subpope DOT com. Please send any media to the same email address or via snail mail to: Dan-o c/o Chris Pope PO Box 251 Eldorado Springs, CO 80025 We'll miss you Dan-o! Thanks for leading by example! pope

I've had really shitty results using AF (with any camcorder, really) with the CX7. The camera seems to want to switch back to AF each time I power off. I wish it had a simple focus button on the outside of the camera like the early generation PC series cameras did. pope

Doug; When you import AVCHD footy on to an apple machine, in FCS, do you import it using the ProRes codec or the Apple Intermediate? Is there a difference in quality or in uncompressing time? What is the FASTEST workflow with AVCHD in FCS? BTW: When you say it may be awhile, are you talking a few months, or what (best guess)? Thanks! pope

I think that a video rating should be much like a PRO rating or an AD rating. I don't think it should be manditory, but I think that it should let people know that you are capable of certain compulsory skills and knowledge in the area of camera flying. For instance, maybe guy 'A' shows up at your dz saying "I have 500 camera jumps" and proceeds to jump with a tandem, not be able to keep the tandem dominant and in frame, and generally sucks. Wheras, guy 'B' shows up and says "I have 500 camera jumps--and a camera flyer rating." You know that he has been tested on staying with tandems of varying speeds, keeping them in frame, etc. and you might feel a bit more comfortable putting him/her to work.

The DZ I work at works like this: We are all shooting digital stills, so the videographer pays for all of their CF cards, etc. The DZ provides 2 computers for us to DL our photos onto after each jump and to burn them to CD (Takes about 1.5 min, and can be done during the edit). The DZ provides all Mini DV tapes and archives them in case of the need for re-edits, etc. I think that's pretty cool myself. Only one person so far is shooting to chip on a CX7. Videographer obviously provides his/her (multiple) rigs, maintenence, packing, and all other associated personal gear. The DZ Pays for the slots, including spec jumps. The DZ provides ALL editing equipment, including DVD and CD media, minus your personal iPod if you roll that way. Not to mention a separate room for the videographer's gear and for them to work in/out of. The DZ/manifest handles all of the money, arranges all appointments, etc. We get paid the same for every video jump, as stills are "complimentary with video." When the DZ steps up and shoulders the responsibility for equipment, media, etc., it lets the videographers focus on doing their job as professionals, and providing great customer service, which for some reason many professional skydivers don't seem capable of doing. Our "students" are first and foremost our CUSTOMERS, and they have just shelled out a lot of money to jump and get video, so yeah, you better treat them with respect, and do your part to make sure their experience is the best it can be! Some DZs do more than others in terms of videography. The smart ones realize that the videos that leave with the customers are the SINGLE biggest and best form of advertising you can get... UNLESS YOU DO A SHITTY JOB AT MAKING SURE THE CUSTOMER ENJOYS THE EXPERIENCE! In short, the videographers are a pretty integral part of the continued success of the business, and that's why it's better to not sell a video than to sell a shitty video. /soapbox.

A good TM can make your day a whole lot easier, and a whole lot more fun as well, while a bad one... well you get the picture. I keep a folder of "money shots" and I pull from all the photos I take each weekend to fill it. If I get a particularly good one of the TM and/or they ask for it, I'll give it to them. You never know when you're gonna need a lil somethin from them! cp

You are missed Josh my brother, and won't be forgotten! Josh's Memorial video Travis--you're missed too! Peace, pope

This isn't me, but I stay BEHIND the camera for a reason...

I was BASE jumping again in 3.5 mos. skydiving after four. Mine was a spiral fracture (7 pieces) just below the hip. don't push it...

I have one of those... crazy big.

typically I prefer to wear a winged camera jacket during the season. I can just wear shorts on the really hot days, or street clothes when I need a bit more on the leg. Mainly I've been preferring to jump with a pair of camos lately due to the awesome storage capability of the cargo pockets for extra camera supplies (see pic).I've found I can stay with just about anything fast or slow with it. Granted, I have a bit of trouble sitting with

adapt, improvise, and overcome.

I had my stuff taken out for a bunch of reasons, one of which was that there's a way better chance of breaking your leg MORE seriously with the stuff in. If you are unlucky enough to bend the rod, your bone will probably shatter and you could lose the leg (theoretically).

This is what we use as our pre-printed label for our photo CD. We use a different one for the DVD. just write the student's name in the blank. pope

Thanks for the advice Ryan. I don't know if it's possible though... Grant--I already DO have to unclip 'dat to get to the slider, so what if I have to reach a bit harder. And for the last time, I'm not down with you coming on to me all the time--even AFTER you shaved your manbush! Stu--you know I will be hunting you down this weekend--your previous suggestion already has helped a ton... Chuck--great suggestion about the line lengthening...if my lineset wasn't only 25 jumps old, I'd do that! So second part of the question guys: Given the same turn I'm doing now, approx. how much additional vert. altitude can I expect to add to my initiation point? 100 feet? 300 feet? cheers all! pope

I jump my velo 96 loaded at about 2.1:1 with 22" risers. I Have been starting a 360 at about 850'. I feel like I'm not getting all the power I could out of the swoops though, particularly like I'm not diving long enough. I'm considering getting a new set of [longer] risers to help me stay in the dive, and for those that know, I was wondering how much additional dive (in vertical feet) would you expect to get from a 2 inch riser length increase? any thoughts? cheers! pope

Yeah, like being able to control your body in freefall for one thing... but it probably could be done. A challenge perhaps, but assuming the rest of their body works this shouldn't be an issue. A wind tunnel could sort that issue out or at least answer that queston. I think this situation really boils down to using the equipment acceptably. IMHO that is... cp

I've *heard* that best buy and circuit city have pretty good return policies...oh damn! this isn't the return policy forum!

Geez, it isn't free either if you have to pay for your own flight to Idaho. Somehow I doubt that anyone who is willing to buy a BASE rig, a flight to Idaho and accommodations for a week is going to balk at donating $100 to a charity. No, I think that's total bullshit! Tom, don't you think it's totally half-assed of you to provide a very complete 1st BASE course, providing training that usually costs much more $, let your students jump your excess of personal gear, have people over to your house for dinner, etc. for "free" and NOT provide them with a paid hotel room with mealservice, transportation, a personal BASE setup for each student, etc. And then you have the NERVE to ask that a $100 donation to a local charity is given? I see how your scam works dude. What about health insurance and heli-vac? What do you take us for...people who take responsibility for ourselves? Tom, I demand that you charge a large sum of money for this course and hold each student's hand all the way through their 400th jump. -p

you'll also want to look into what's called an "SOS" system, which is a 2 parachute system that facillitates the release of the reserve parachute (usually a left handed function) with the other hand. Not to discourage it, but I see a number of different problems that shoulder-down paralysis would present that say an AE/BE amputee would not have. One of the most important safety practices in skydiving in knowing when to say when, whether that's because of a physical condition, wheather, equipment, mood, etc. Sometimes that kibosh is right out of the gates. good luck to you! pope

Not with pilot chutes in their hands... OHHHH! luv ya, pope

Nice letter, but I wouldn't have chosen THAT phrase with regards to Moab. Not only is it misleading and untrue, but the issue at hand shouldn't even BE whether or not we can get hurt or die BASE jumping in the park. ANYONE can do that--and I imagine that the statistics would even out when spread between ALL of the park's activities (at least for permitted jumping) over time. The issue is fair use and impact on the environment (no pun intended). I for one think that the rangers in Zion are among the most fair-minded, progressive thinking rangers in the entire NPS organization, and hope they see that BASE jumping is only a crime in small, scared minds. pope