KennyP

Thanks, I called B and H but the '(expert?)' tried to tell me that I couldn't put one on the lens. I tried to explain that it was threaded but gave up. English not being his 1st language and all...

What size UV filter did you order for the .55X century wide angle lens? I can't seem to find front diameter of the lens.

Holla, Alright, I bought a 580 EXII and realized my hawkeye just won't handle everything. I've decided to go with the Bonehead FTP. I'm jumping a cannon XTI with a 580 flash and a video. If you've a simular setup, can you post some pics? Just want to compare setups and steal ideas. No diatribe, please!

Sorry, I guess I should have said what picture I'm looking at. You've 2 in the 2007 calander. I'm looking at the Nov 2007. The tadem master and student seem to haved a warm tone to their faces. And now that you mention it, the sky does have a purple tint.

Laszlo, I'm looking at your photo on the USPA calander. This may be a dumb question but are you using a warm card to set your white balance on that.

He did.. ~Jeff Actually one of my TI's is on the national accuracy team. So please don't make assumptions. If a 10mm works for you and makes you happy...cool. I prefer the flexabilty of a 10-22mm. I think The111 said it rather well.

Yep, it does feel good. I didn't see her video but I noticed the camera looked off. Wow, so many dropzones so little beer and time.

Just wanted to thank all the posters out there. This spring, I decided to buy a still camera and start shooting stills. I posted some questions and got great feedback. I also lerked and learned. Well the camera has payed for itself, though the lenses, computer and software may take another year or two. And I just got an article and four small pictures in this months 'Parachutist'. The best part is seeing my pictures framed and hanging at the DZ, in peoples homes and on websites. Again thanks to everyone out there.

I also have the cannon 10-22 and keep it on 15 or 16mm on almost all freefalls. The major advantage to the zoom is after you land, you can zoom out to 22mm as the tandem lands. For me that justifies the extra cost and weight. It also makes a pretty good walk around lens.

FFU123, I just watched the 1st DVD on Norman Kent's new video. If you're interested in flying a camera, I'd recommend it as a good place to start.

How's your landing skills? Can you land in a cross wind on your feet? Face plants and PLFs can cost more than your pride when you have a few grand riding on your helmet.

I've been doing some on-line shopping and found the best prices for the camera and lenses at Broadway photo http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?id=cneosrdxtblk But they'll rape you on accessories. Look at the price for the 512 mb flash ($219). You can get an 8 gig ultra II at BH photo for 129.95. Same deal on filters. Anyway with the body(XT), lens(10-22mm), filter, hood, and flashcard, I'm already over $1k. I still need to set up a mount and get a mouth switch and I can get started taking pictures. Of couse then I'm going to want a good wide lens (for the 22mm and above shots) and an external flash... Yea this is going to be over $2k in a hurry. At least I already have a helmet and sight. Anyway it's sunny and temp is in the upper 60's. I need to jump. Thanks for all the advice. Later

Hey Luke, I'm curious about your setup. After a lot of reading, I think the canon with a 10-22mm is a good starting point. Do you have a picture of the bracket? I have a hawk eye helmet with a side mount video and plan on putting the camera on top. I haven't got the camera or lens yet but I'm thinking about support for the lens so the body doesn't have to absorb the opening shock of an unsupported lens.

Do you or anybody else use/have an opinion on the 10-22mm zoom?

Why is the XTi better for action shots? ___________________________________ First thing, you should consider my comments here to be questions. From what I've read here, Pop Photo, Ken Rockwell, etc... The line of thought seems to be that canons are a better sport camera. Although the specs between the D80 and XTi don't seem to indicate a definate advantage either way between these two. As far as glass goes, I should have been more specific. The canon 10mm-22mm lens seems to be a pretty good piece of glass for skydiving and from I've read, it out performs the Sigma 10-22 and is a lot lighter than the tokina 12-24. The nikon lens seemed a little pricey in this range. Feel free to correct me, I'm here for advice.

Ok, tell me if I got this right. Since I'm not willing to spend much over a grand for a camera, I should probably go with either the XTi or the D80. Pixels don't matter a lot at 8X10 unless I'm cropping with the photoshop, in which case I need the 10mp. The nikon is built better and is better for pictures outside of skydiving. The XTi is easier to adapt to skydiving and action shots and has better glass. The glass is the 2nd most important thing and the body is the 3rd. Neither of these cameras are sealed. It doesn't matter what I put on my helmet because I'm still an idiot and need to learn how to shoot stills. I'm right back where I started. I feel like the broad in Fandango... 'A whole weeks worth of laundry shot to hell' Thanks for the input. I'm still confused but a little smarter.

Hey Luke, That's kind of what I was getting at. I'm new to dslr's and the 30d isn't that much more yet it seems like a better built, more professional camera. The d40 is 100s less than the D80 yet outside of the pixels, some people think its a better camera.

Hi Guy and Gals, I'm back and cross-eyed from reading up on cameras. My question is; if I'm not going to be blowing up anything more than... say 8x10... Is there a huge difference between a 8mp and a 10 mp camera? Would a canon 30d be better than the XTi? Or are the extra 2 meg more important. If we're talking D80 vs D40 will the extra 2 meg justify 2x the cost for skydiving photos? TIA Ken

Thanks 'y gracias' for the responses. I'm still not sure which to get. They each seem to have advantages over the other. I guess I'll have to go to the store and do a side by side comparison next. Also lots of good advice on lenses. I'm leaning toward getting a sigma wide angle zoom first then investing in a fixed one, once I get a good feel for what I'll need. I use a .45x on my video camera and want to get something fixed that matches up for tandem shots since those will most likely make up the bulk of my camera jumps. (Any advice on filters?) Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be needing a lot more advice as I start accumulating equipment and camera jumps. Ken

Ok Guys and Gals. I've been doing videos for a few years and decided to to mount a digital still on my helmet. I've spent a few hours checking out DSLR's and determined the best 2 are Cannon XTI and Nikon D80 for skydiving and my price range. I see most of you like Cannons. Outside of price and color resolution, the Nikon actually has better ratings. I'm new to this and don't know if the noise, color, resolution and other differences will be noticeable and worth the difference in price.(Nikon is approx $175 more). Also can you give me some lens recommendations? I'll mainly be doing 1)tandem 2)4way 3)8 and 10 way. ie Is it ok to start with the 18mm to 55mm lens kit or should I immediately buy a wide angle? What's the best size wide angle for the above photography? TIA Ken