Ragnarok

Give this a look, may help you out...

http://www.cookiecomposites.com/shop/Accessories/32/index.htm

Just avoid the Bone Head Gold Member. Fit and finish are sub-standard. It works better ad a paper weight.

Liquid Flatlock is one of the best with the Cookie Cage or their Black Box.

Why this place is known as Dork Zone ---

Nice replies.

On the bottom or that CX100 there are 5 very small screws. Remove them. It takes a bit of finagaling but the bottom cover comes off. Then there are three more screws to get the strap off. I will take mine apart this week and get some pictures and post them so others with this question will have something to use.

Cutting the strap is just lazy, and most of those that cut the strap have helmets covered in gaffers tape. Form follows function.

For those of you that post smart ass comments, if you are happy with a sloppy taped up helmet, fine. Juat leave your 0.02 to yourselves when someone asks an honest question.

We are supposed to hepl eachother here, are we not?

Early on as I was asking about the finer points of flying camera, I was told a few things that have stuck in my head:

YOU WILL fall of the step - more than once.

If you do not bump into the group your videoing, you are not trying hard enough.

Get back up and do it again, this time do better.

Learn from others experience and mistakes as well as your own.

Sometimes the best footage is footage you might not have gotten otherwise.

- oh, and buy a Sigma 15mm - -- wait, that was in another thread

Look around. 9 out of 10 you will see the Sigma 15 on a helmet mounted camera.

I don't like having to worry about my zoom changing because of a bump or whatnot. The Sigma can take a beating and still give great results. If you are taking Tandem or Student photos, they are probably not going to care if you used a Sigma 15 or the kit 18-55 that came with the camera.

If you are shooting for yourself buy what your pocket can afford.

I will stick with Sigma.

I just spent 30+ minutes in Skyventure AZ's wind tunnel this past Sunday. A few thoughts:
1 - I have accumulated about 90 minutes tunnel time. Amazing how it affects the "small things" we don't have reference for in the air.

2 - 30 minutes of learning to back fly in the tunnel gave me not only solid learning experience, but an appreciation of what free-fliers go through to be so proficient.

3 - NEVER under-estimate what some time in the tunnel can do for you.

4 - I'm grounded anyway until I get much needed surgery on my ankle. Long story....

If you can, do yourself the favor and invest in tunnel time. You will NEBER regret it.

Ragnarok

I got two knock-off batteried for my CX100.

Worthless. Since I can not return them, I am stuck with the loss. Out 30 bucks.

But I got lucky. Picked up a NP-FH70 for 50% off at Best Buy inone of those 'marked down' bins. I can fly with it all weekend and never have a problem. I keep the smaller original battery as a backup.

Buy Sony and DO NOT LOOK BACK!!!

Afterall, you get what you pay for. Save yourself the trouble and don't make tha same mistake I did.

Would moving the Video camera to the right and have the still on the left be an option?

I think for budget sake the deflector is probably the best bet, though.

Post a picture of what you come up with.

I spent alot of time looking at different camera models, lenses, helmets, what not - before I started to fly with a camera.

I hindered myself because I did NOT want to fly with what everyone else was flying with.

After asking alot of questions, it finally sunk in.

There is a REASON why most camera flyers jump Cannon for stills and Sony (CX100) for video.....

garywainwright - that is EXACTLY what I was looking for.

The idea of the loop on the legstrap just kept biting at me.

As far as the plastic clips, I have had them fail in other uses, so I am biased against them for this type of application -

Still - thank you, Fletch. You are still a signifigant mentor to me in this dicipline

Quote

I already have the goldmember. Is there any way to get the play/slop out of it? Or should I just return it to PG and put the $$ on a flatlock?

I used model paint on the sides where the bottom plate lips over the top plate and on the slide-lock. It helps alot, but will need re application from time to time.

Sorry BoneHead - you fell short on this one

Clear nail polish will work well as well.

Maybe you can find someone around with a machine shop and fart with it to get the play out (I may mess with mine when I go to the Liquid Flat Lock for sheits and giggles)

though - this may not be economical feasable since the quad or flat-lock will be the way you end up going anyway.

0.02

Good. So at least I can re-sew if I have issues without compromising the wing.

Funny - the hip ring on my rig seems to be a great place to hook the RSL quick link to-----

The idea of grommets sewn onto the edge of the leg strap has also come to mind.

Thought about the plastic clip - if it breaks, I can just put in another one. Then safety made me think more toward the RSL quick link.

Thanks All, much appreciated.

How is it that 18 people can fall SLOWER than one??? --- wait, don't andwer that - really. (I was told why after I went low as we got near break off)

After a little over a year of jumping camera, I am finally pulling the trigger and getting TOny Suit's C-Wing Jacket.

Just need a bit more slow down for the bigger formations when they float up on me.

Those fo you jumping a jacket of this style, how do you attach your wings to your leg straps or hip rings

Here is to you getting home soon!!! (I have 2 tours behind me)

The Goldmember - let's see:

1 - Solid piece of equimpent.
2 - The fit leaves a bit to be desired - mine jiggles a hair or two locked in place.

I will either grab a quick-quad for the CX100 and us the Goldmember for stills OR get two Liquid Flatlocks for both cameras.

Best advice I have recieved so far:

DO NOT SKIMP!!! Better to pay a bit more for the right/proper equipment now than to have to re-do your setup a few days/weeks later because you are not happy with it.

Good luck and come home safe!!!

Rag

Optik Illusion (got it used three years ago)
CX-100
Bonehead Goldmember Quick (sic) release.
Hype Eye Pro
Brent's Cross ringsite.

All new liners to boot. Love this setup. Soon I will up to a flat top type helmet. But not after a hundred or so jumps on this one.

I have used Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish on non-coated lenses with great results. It is a very light abrasive and even works on plastics. I have even used it to clean CD's up with.

I use it to keep my sunglasses polished, as well. Just make sure the lense is non-coated.

I am still in the "set p the helmet and walk around the house getting used to it" stage, but here are a few things I have caught onto:

The Newton Cross will (and does) work from the many camera flyers I have talked to. There are some that like the concentric - but you may want to wain until you are getting paid to fly camera before spending that kind of money (my 2 cents)

I find that the more I wear it and walk around "filming" stuff around the house, I am getting a good "feel" for where I am aming and where the camera is pointed. It does take practice.

DO NOT INSTALL A SIGHT ON A CAMERA HELMET then jump it. You will create too many issues for yourself. Get familiar with your gear before you fly it.

I still have to get to used to it before I fly it. Another two weks or so and I will be ready for some solo flying filming landmarks and such.

Hey, Steve-

I got my B-license today. Just wanted you to know.

SR45, SR220, SR10, SR85, HC9.

Looking at my next camcorder. These came up on a search for memory stick capable camcorders. Not sure I want to spend 1k just yet for a vidcam. But when I get back from Iraq, I am looking to step it up after I get back in the air. I have been impressed with the sony video quality.

Or is the HDR-CX7 that I am drooling over going to be the one I will end up getting anyway in the long run - sucking up the 1k pricetag (well,maybe 850.00 or less in year and a half)

Right now I am using a JVC tape vidcam to learn and practice with.

Steve, I still hear your adivce when I skydive. I will remember the things you taught me - and when I teach my students, I hope to bring them to the understanding you brought me to.

Jen, remember, Steve was on reserve for my first skydive and you were on my main side.

Never thought I would regret not getting video of that jump..........

Interesting. Someone offers help or a tip and is ripped for doing so. A question is asked - and is dismissed as quickly.

Seems as of alot of the "vidiots" on this forum are more inclined to "hoard" rather than share their knowledge. Critisize rather than share information.

I have now 20 camera jumps to my credit. I have to say - I am really enjoying it. Getting memories on every skydive and learning something new.

I came here for information on a wide angle lense. This is just one of many I have read. I can honestly say, I was hoping for a more "hospitable" forum.

Can't we all just get along?

Blue skies, fly free, soft landings, Jen.

I will miss your company at the bonfire. It was a treat to be able to talk "shop" with you. I will remember your compassion when I care for my patients and know that you are watching over them as well.

Steve

I grew up at Quantum Leap. I did my first "A" license dive at FFE with my own rig. New DZ, New aircraft, new rig. EVERYONE took care of me there. I had an awesome experience that day. I had to drive 2 hours to get to FFE, when it was only an hour to Quantum.

When the plane crashed at Quantum Lepa, I lost not only friends, but my home DZ. FFE took me in. I am lucky to be able to call them not only home, but family as well.

I will miss your smile, Marnie. Fletch, I have no words for your loss. I hope you find peace, Bro.

Steve

That t-shirt is useless. I can't see a damn thing.....

Carrie is very high maintainence (sp?) Most normal men would tire of her whiny BS after oh, 15 minutes.....then again she is probably a FREAK in bed......

Scottie, well, she did eat the toast off the ground. If she is that hungry, there is some strange shit under that surface - and I question her hygiene.