AHoyThere

So far, I've already got some of the smaller stuff. A couple of monitors, Win7Pro-64bit, 4x1TB raid 5 NAS for archival storage. We're learning Sony Vegas Studio. But we want to upgrade the computer and upgrade Vegas.

By 'another' hard drive, do you mean a second drive in addition to this one? Or a different drive instead of this one. What kind of specification is it missing?

I thought that chart was interesting. A google add on that page led me here... http://www.cpusolutions.com/store/pc/home.asp And while I was there, I spec'd out a computer. (See the attachment). I left off the OS, monitors, keyboard, mouse, speakers. But, I tried to add in the things that we would need for a powerful video editing machine. Fast CPU, Fast Video Card, 12GB ram, BD burner, DVD burner, card reader. What do you all think of this computer? Does it look like it would work for a video editing work station?

Yeah. It sure comes in handy for confirming that the ring sight is adjusted correctly. I've got the still, video, laser and ring sight all aligned exactly parallel with each other. I posted this mainly because the flash mount is brand new. And I like the way it turned out. All I have to do is slap it onto the quick attach plate, and it is ready to go. It is much better than what I had before.

I've got three quick mounts on the FTP. One each for the still, video and flash mount. I made an 'L' bracket to hold the flash. It attaches to the helmet with a strobo frame quick attach plate. A few more pics here... http://picasaweb.google.com/michael.hoy/Helmet?authkey=Gv1sRgCI3B6YHl9dWprAE&feat=directlink

I'll be following this thread for the dream machine specs. Want to build something in preparation for this upcoming Spring season.

For those of you that are jumping with an externally mounted flash for your still camera. I've found generally better results by stepping down flash exposure by two thirds or so. Anyone else have a similar experience.

NICE looking set up.

+1

I wouldn't know about that. I've never shot in Sports Mode. I'd guess that in the past, probably about 80% of the time I'd use Shutter Priority and 20% Aperture Priority depending on what I was trying to do or setting up based on the available light. Most of the time trying to get a fairly wide depth of field with aperture setting in the 8.0 to 11.0 range. It's been a while since I looked it up but I'm pretty sure with the 20mm fixed (what I use most) that any setting 9.0 or above is going to have everything in focus. I don't see any real benefit to setting in the high teens or 20's unless the conditions are just too bright. I think generally that picture quality is going to be better in the middle range. I've been experimenting lately with the 7D by manually setting both Shutter Speed and Aperture and letting the camera adjust exposure by automatically adjusting ISO. I thought the ability to do this would be totally cool. But the camera seems to struggle a bit. I'm finding too many shots where the camera tends to over expose with this setting and some times under exposed. For the most part it is working well but it isn't consistent enough for my taste. But the ability for this camera to get super sharp pictures compared to my 10D and 30D is simply fantastic. I'd get frustrated with the other cameras when taking three shots within one second and one would be sharp and the others soft. This would happen too often (in my opinion) even with no noticeable change in composition, lighting, movement between the camera and the subject. Now sometimes, the images would have to be really blown up side by side on the computer to notice. But it does make a difference if you're going to make a 20x30 print. The AF customization that is available on the 7D is very good. I like the zones feature. And the ability to have the camera give priority to speed of shooting or give priority to sharper focus. Bottom line is it all keeps getting better, and there is always something new to learn.

NICE Pics!

I've got one in a spare parts box somewhere. The trick will be trying to find it. If I find it, you can have it.

Is the T2i the same camera as the 550D? Anyway, beyond the sensor (and obviously the lens) another thing that can help a camera take better quality pictures is if the subject is in focus. My 30D has a 9-point AF system. With just a little bit of use, my 7D has noticeably a MUCH better auto focus system. From DPReview... For swift and accurate focusing, the EOS 550D features a 9-point AF system with one extra-sensitive cross–type point at the centre for f/2.8 or faster lenses. 7D New 19-point AF system. The new AF-system features 19 cross-type sensors and is highly customizable.

I upgraded to the 7D mid to late summer. I upgraded from a 30D. My primary reason for changing was to get a better auto focus system. I had too many shots with the 30D that were just slightly out of focus. The 7D is much better in this regard. It is a heavy setup. But I don't shoot camera all day either. Most of my work is AFF. Three camera jumps in a day would be a lot for me. For me, I've been happy with the upgrade.

This was about 12 years ago or so. I'm not a rigger but I was dropping off my gear to the rigger. And he was in the middle of inspecting a reserve packed by a different rigger. About half of the right/rear C/D line set were through the slider grommet correctly, and half were not threaded through the grommet. Those lines just went straight from the canopy to the links outside of the slider grommet. So, where on the critical scale would you riggers place that kind of mistake?

Picture says Michael Hoy 2001. Missed a few years ? Yeah, the scripty font made the '9' look like a '1' in this small pic. The 30" x 20" poster hanging on his wall clearly shows 2009.

I liked this shot from last Fall. It would have been a good shot except it is out of focus. But I don't know why. Here are some of the specs. (This picture drove me to upgrade to the 7D just for the better auto-focus features.) Camera: Canon EOS 30D Shutter speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: 8 Exposure mode: Tv Exposure compensation: -1/3 Flash: Off Metering mode: Partial Drive mode: Continuous (high) ISO: 320 Lens: EF20mm f/2.8 USM Focal length: 20mm AF mode: AI Servo AF Image size: 3504 x 2336 Rotation: none Image quality: Fine White balance: Auto Picture style: Standard Color space: sRGB Saturation: Normal Sharpness: 3

Hey, that's great! Congrats on getting the TI rating.

What a great opportunity. Not too long ago, they were selling P-51 rides at our local airport. $2,200 for 30 minutes or $3,200 for an hour. I think you got a better deal. Thanks for sharing.

I had this exact discussion over the last few weeks. Some guy with about this same level of experience and same amount of time off who had trained somewhere else wanted to just jump right back in where he said he left off. In fact it could be this person (OP) but I don't see any location for him. I wouldn't do it. I held fast that he needed to sit through the FJC. He was adamant that he didn't think he should have to. Came down to the fact that if he wanted to jump here, he'd need to sit in the FJC. Lucky for him we had a FJC scheduled the next week. But he chose not to attend. Glad to see everyone here is on the same page.

I delivered a C-340 to a new owner in Germany who had it registered "D-IRTY". They were a fun couple.

That was funny.

Hey, that's me. So yes, it can be done.

I only know that DocJohn didn't take it because I was sitting at his house at his desk when we found it and I watched him post the link to dz.com.

Okay, Squeak with his mad skillz finally figured out that DocJohn did NOT pull the cut-away handle and did NOT take the video and did NOT post it on YouTube. He just shared the link. Did any of those who are ranting watch the video and listen to the music that was selected and see the great big "SORRY" note at the end of the video. It is obvious that they guy feels really bad about what happened. I'd even be willing to bet that it was an ACCIDENT. I bet he's never done that before and I bet he never does it again. And I bet he owes beer and a repack. I think people should enjoy the facial expressions on the vid. They really are priceless. But they are only priceless because we all understand the gravity of pulling the wrong handle at the wrong time. We all understand that this is serious. I showed it to a wuffo and had to explain why I was laughing so hard. Wuffo's don't get it, we all do. That is part of the reason it is such a funny video. I look at this video as a nice reminder to everyone here to be careful out there.