AS1

Ah the joy of the interweb. That's given me loads to work on. Thank you good people.

Wow, that would be so helpful, thank you.

I seem to remember a few years ago there was an outfit running helicopter jumps from Lauterbrunnen. Despite a thorough trawl of the internet I can't find anything. We're looking to jump close to the Eiger (not BASE thanks). Anyone know if a helicopter can be hired specifically for this or where to start looking? Thanks...

http://www.skyshotdesign.co.uk/ Opinions? I haven't seen this discussed yet, thought I'd put it out there...

I've had no problems at all with either helmet or camera and I've had the set up for about 18 months. No-one seemed to moan about the FF2, the FF3 is precisely 12mm wider. I'd take the FF3 over some of the Heath Robinson, snag risk, DIY bracket affairs you see around any day, even if they are slighly narrower. I saw an excellent student type Pro-Tec helmet with a bracket that looked like it was the losing entry for an 8 year old's welding competion bolted to it a while ago. I wish I'd taken a photo.

http://www.blackeyeusa.com/en/home/ How about fitting some lenses and pulling these down over your eyes?

2K Composites FF3 / Sony HC5 (raynox 5050) / Canon 450D XSi (kit 18-55). ZKulls top mount retro fitted by 2K. Old style cutaway. 2K do a new button one now which is a bit neater and easier to set up. I've attached a couple of random stills so you can see how the raynox 5050 matches the kit lens. The whole set up is very neat, very easy change between with stills and without and very comfortable. Steve at 2K is also the most helpful man in the world. Absolutely top products and customer service.

It's The HC5/7 can be sidemounted fine in a 2k FF3. It's only 12mm wider than the old 2k FF2 with a PC series in it. Not everyones choice but works for me. Try this link to see if it works. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2964114;page=unread#unread The CX models fit in it fine too. No problems free flying with the HC5 either.

Because the system has a ratchet on only one side if you want it central it's best to fit it yourself. Otherwise if you have a comedy chin it'll never fit properly. See if this link works. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=90078;guest=52173730 I think all you need is something to make a hole in the strap so it should be pretty easy. Hope this helps.

What milestones do you think are important to pass before adding a stills camera to a video setup? I'm thinking along the lines of the "before you downsize your canopy, can you do the following..." list I saw elsewhere on the forums.

I've done about 50 or so jumps with an HC5 sidemounted in an FF3. I've measured the difference between the FF3 and FF2. It's 12mm wider. I'm not pretending to be anything of an expert with so few camera jumps but I haven't had a problem with width or weight at all. People will automatically favour the set up they spent their hard earned cash on and I'm no different. But the FF3 sidemount HC5 solution works fine. Of course something else may work better in some peoples opinion but this set up is perfectly workable.

Do you mean you can access the stills feature on the camcorder with a bite switch? I didn't think there was a way to do this. If you can how do you do it and would it work with an HC5/7? I think you only get 3 stills if the camera is recording but it would be fun to play with. Or have I misunderstood something?

Try 2K again. They're normally very good. Steve will probably be able to make you new cover that just bolts onto your old helmet for just about any camera you can think of. Reasonably cheaply too.

ditto

I haven't weighed it but after a few jumps I stopped noticing the weight at all. I haven't changed what I do during the pull sequence (some people reccomended turning my head slightly). For the first few if I'm honest I forgot and did what I do without a camera. This seems to work so I haven't changed. My camera coach filmed my deployment sequence and the risers touch the box as they deploy but it's hardly a "slap". I didn't notice and can't see it as a problem.

The clam shell and the widest part of the lens are about equal. I think at the end of the day the balance is HD vs bulk. It is a big lens but for me having invested in all the other HD hardware there seemed little point in degrading it with an inferior lens. Others will prefer the lack of bulk of the other lenses on the market. I use my camera and lens for other non skydiving stuff too which has an influence on my choices and please be aware I'm a camera newbie.

I've received a couple of PMs about the FF3/Raynox 5050/HC5 combination. Rather than reply to each one via PM here's a couple of pics for all to see. The front of the camera fits flush to the box so any filter or lens you fit will stick out beyond it. Downsides to the 5050 is bulk and thats about it. The liquid and other single lens types are much lower profile. But they are not HD, lose some of the zoom (which I use on the ground), and at least in the UK are much more expensive. The 5050 is attached using a plastic spacer ring which MAY be of some use in an entanglement as it doesn't look very strong. I'm pretty sure any serious force would strip the plastic threads. I can't prove this and I've got a cutaway regardless. Oh yeah, I've not suffered any problems with fogging. And isn't my little girl cute.

There was a big hole in it just out of shot...

Jumped it, loved it. A pic of me being coached.

I've got an HC5 with a Raynox 5050 and not had a problem so far. Dodgy lens sounds a distinct possibility. Try someone elses 5050 on your setup maybe?

I'll have to shelve my side mounted macro photography project then. Damn...

You do have to take the camera out to change the tape but it is one thumbscrew and takes seconds. All other features / ports including charging are accessible. I know people who are happy with Bonehead and Cookie boxes but you have to compare like with like. Unless someone can correct me this is the only sidemount HC series helmet available, Cookie and Bonehead topmount theirs. Because their boxes are separate to the helmet when added to the side the width becomes unmanagable. 2K's design is unique and works around this problem. Bloody UK weather, hopefully I'll jump it tomorrow.

Got my FF3 today. Most happy. Here's a few pics for info of anyone interested. The main points are;- Side mounted HC5 / HC7. (possibly HC3, I didn't ask) Only 12mm wider than standard FF2/FF3. Bungee for box. Access to screen / lanc / comonent / HDMI output without removing from box. Flat top for stills (not for me for now). Lots of thoughtful detailing such as;- Very tidy cutaway. Cameye ready fitted, switch very neat. Chin strap retained in chin cup. The camera hand strap is retained within the helmet lining via the cameye hole, no need to cut off (unlike some boxes). Ideal if you use your camera for everyday stuff too. Bear in mind that mine has the HC series box but if you change your mind / have another camera you can buy a PC series box for about £25-£30 (ish) sterling. 2K obviously have the facility to make new boxes to fit new cameras so as shapes change the helmet won't become out of date. The customer service from 2K was outstanding. They genuinely care. (Read the other reviews under "gear", everyone says this.)

"in the past been very supportive" "recently she has been telling me that she wished I never took up skydiving " "worried that I am going to run off with a skydiving chicky" Are you sure skydiving is the problem?

Fair point, when I get it I'll see if the PC series would fit as well as th HC series. That would give a pretty wide selection. When you said "no manufacturer" did you mean "Sony"?