4dbill

I installed it on mine. Audio enhancement of disabling auto gain is huge. Smaller ISO increment is nice for more accurate exposure. Qscale enhancement to increase bitrate that is supposed to increase the video quality is interesting, but I really didn't notice anything. Other enhancements such as histogram and audio bar are nice. In overall, it's an excellent enhancement since it also autoboots the whole thing when turning on the camera, unlike the previous version. I was hoping that the hack would increase the video quality like Hacker named User13 did for Panasonic gh1, but I guess it's the limitation of Canon DSLR, skipping sensor lines when capturing video. 4DBill http://www.dslrforvideo.com

The video spec of Panasonic DMC-GH2 looks great! Wow.. I might have to upgrade soon. Most of the reviews claim that the 1080p quality is much sharper than Canon 5D/7D/t2i. The burning question, however, is this. They claim that a full resolution picture can be taken at the same time, while video'ing, but can it do that without interrupting recording of the video? 4DBill http://www.dslrforvideo.com

Here's an interesting thread on theoretical possibility of human flight that could be applied to wingsuits. http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=40915&page=1 4DBill http://www.dslrforvideo.com

I read about this a long time ago. http://cheesycam.com/gopro-hd-underwater-flat-lens-housing/ 4DBill

I am trying to make a custom special switch for Canon DSLR. For starters, I ordered Mouser 171-3325-EX plugs from mouser (see attachment). The connector part is TINY! Is there such thing as a female end of the tiny probe (see arrow) so I do not have to solder? Is there any other slick solid solution? Thanks. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Who would be the lucky first one to jump the Panasonic AG-AF100? Even the DSLR video King, Phillips Bloom, has nothing but good things to say about it. It looks 'small' enough to jump it. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Wow.. the specs look great! Now the question is, who is going to be the first one to jump it? 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Man.. I was I was in that area -- I would take up DSE's FREE pass offer in a heartbeat! A seminar like that would be better than going to a rock concert! Hmm... I must be getting old. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Very good footage, Costyn! They definitely look more rich/filmy than the footage from comparable camcorders. As far as high aperture is concerned, you can simply get an adjustable Neutral Density filter, enabling you to control light entering the lens, as much as 8 stops, but I am sure you already knew that. :) Like what you said, DSLR video is definitely not for most freefall videographers, since it requires good knowledge of DSLR photography in general and since it requires tweaking constantly. It's nice to have a T2i video buddy across the ocean! :) 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Most DSLR filmmakers will agree that the #1 reason for shooting DSLR in video mode is to emulate the “film look”” at a reasonable price. Red One “video” camera does that quite nicely but it costs as much as a new car. DSLR, starting around “only” $1000, is close to the film quality as it can get, again, for the price. For general skydiving purposes, CX Sony camera work beautifully. It is a quantum leap better than Hi-8’s, which were revolutionary at the time, but it really can’t compare to the final filmic visual quality of DSLR, when shot and processed correctly. There are a few key elements in making video look like film. 1. Color and dynamic range – Footage from video cameras, well, looks like “video.” I don’t know all the technical terms, but the highlights are blown out, shadows are too dark, and colors are over saturated, etc. DSLR has the capability of setting a profile where you can shoot everything flat (washed out), increasing dynamic range, bringing out more details and color in post, enabling flexibility in the look film makers are going for. It takes much more work, but the results are worth it. The footage from most consumer grade camcorders can’t go beyond the ‘video’ look. 2. Depth of field – This already mentioned, but it doesn’t apply in freefall since everything is in focus with wide-angle lens and high f-stop during freefall. For ground footage, however, when set properly, gives that nice soft filmy look, with controlled depth of field due to wide selection of lens and f-stops. 3. Progressive – DSLR’s do not do interlace, and films are definitely not interlaced. 4. Frame rate – Almost all movies are shot 24 FPS -- Most videos, 30 fps; DSLR, 24 FPS. Most people cannot tell the difference, but the viewer who care about the filmy look, can. Above are just a few items I can think off my head at the moment. I am sure there are many more reasons that can be found at DSLR filmmakers’ forum. If you ask them about the quality difference between CX series and DSLR – well… In conclusion, it’s all about the ‘look’ when shooting DSLR. The learning curve is relatively steep, even only to get a ‘decent’ look. To get an awesome look, however, it takes years. Here’s a good analogy -- most people can take pretty good pictures with point-and-shoot cameras, but consistently awesome shots are taken in the hands of very good photographers with good DSLR’s. I, personally, am ‘decent’ at achieving that filmy DSLR look after a few months of experimenting. It will take years before I become pretty good, but like most serious photographers, I enjoy learning, and keeping up with imaging technology. 4Dbill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

I don't know much about the electronics technology, but the last Silicon Valley Marathon I ran, they gave each runner a little chip device we tied to our shoes. It recorded our pace at every gate we ran through. Can such technology be implemented cheaply for DZ's? I suppose a 'gate' could be set up at the hanger, and if the skydiver loses it, he/she has to pay for it. The tracking chip is probably not cheap since all runners had to turn it it at the end of the race. 4DBill http://4dbill.com http://dslrforvideo.com

It would be really cool if someone could jump TWO CX100 side by side with different setups -- one with IS on, other one off; one with HD wide adapter, one without; one with certain switch on, one with off, etc, and post the split-screen results. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

Thanks for the compliment. Ever since Canon put in the HD video feature in their SDLR, simply as an afterthought, it has been embraced by low budget film makers. Despite the limitatin, it has been used to create some incredible films, TV shows, musical videos. My footage is nothing special, just yet. :) I just wanted to see how it could be applied to a skydiving environment, using basic techniques and adding a few experiments here and there. I am pretty sure more skydivers will be jumping 'em in the future. It has that certain look that's hard to duplicate with regular camcorders. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

I have mentioned a few times how DSLR videos measure up and documented my personal experience with Canon T2i at, http://dslrforvideo.com For video, it's not much different than 7D. At least that's what I read, but I would love to try either 7D or 5D Mark II. DSLR video is not for everyone since everything has to be set in the manual mode. The results, in my humble opinion, is well worth it, for creative and artistic projects, since it mimics film in certain conditions. 4DBill http://4dbill.com http://dslrforvideo.com

HDR sure has come a long ways since the last post on this thread. Some single RAW pseudo HDR images are fantastic, including some skydiving pictures. Having said that, ever since I've been shooting DSLR videos a few months ago, I've been trying to bring out more details from the dark shadows of freefall video, thus the HDR research. I knew jumping multiple cameras was not an option due to cost, weight and size requirements, so I wanted find a solution via software. Just recently, I've had pretty good luck with certain plugins that reduce the harsh contrast during post. I then tried some pseudo HDR tricks on video footage, just to see.. and this is a result. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVlj1GSplMU It's an interesting effect. I am going to continue experimenting to see if I can get more natural looking High Dynamic Range from the process. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com http://4dbill.com

I don't have a HDTV, and don't plan on getting one, so here's a somewhat of a dumb question/statement. My understanding is that all HDTV's are now progressive, so why does Sony even bother to manufacture interlace camcorders? It just seems to make everything more confusing for editors, as shown here. Progressive editing is sooooo effortless. Drop into the time line, edit, and not deal with all the extra steps of special setup, deinterlacing afterwards, etc. 4DBill http://dslrforvideo.com 4dbill.com

From the spec, it looks like it uses the same CMOS chip as T2i/7D and the same processor as T2i, so I guess the video quality is not any different/better than either. I was hoping that Canon implemented some sort of aniti-jello function, but I guess that's just the nature of CMOS chip based video, for now at least. Other than flip screen and better manual audio, it isn't a huge jump from t2i, I think. Either feature doesn't really add anything to freefall video than T2i/7D. 4DBill http://www.dslrforvideo.com

A couple of jumpers mentioned this already, but the messages are buried without the proper title. So, here it is. Starting last week, full altitude jumps are only $10 on Sundays! That's right, it's not a typo. It's just TEN bucks on Sundays at the Parachute Center, Lodi, CA. Bill Dause will keep it at $10 as long as there is demand. Please help out the locals and help yourself. Keep those airplanes full so all of us can all enjoy $10 jumps. 4DBill facebook.com/4dbill 4dbill.com dslrforvideo.com

I always liked being different. :) Of course, I do not mind you posting the link, DSE. Other DSLR film makers might appreciate how it is being used. 4DBill facebook.com/4dbill dslrforvideo.com

Okay, it has been about 3 months since I've purchased Canon T2i, primarily for video work. DSLR's are now being used by many digital film makers, but very few skydivers use 'em, probably since it's not as foolproof as Sony. Anyway, I've been video-logging my progress, learning as I go along, picking up different tips/techniques from different places. It has been an enjoyable journey so far. For anybody else who is thinking about DSLR video, you might wanna drop in. You never know. You might pick up something useful. Better yet, if would be great if you could give me some feedback and/or tips. http://www.dslrforvideo.com 4Dbill http://www.4dbill.com http://www.dslrforvideo.com

That's very cool, but how would you attach to the canopy unless you are going to ground launch it.

Assuming that you are talking about DSLR HD video.. Now I remember why I shut my Canon lens image stabilization off. For general small movements, it helped a little at 18mm wide angle setting as long as I didn't fly all over on purpose, but since it's optical mechanical stabilization, it induced vibration at certain parts of the footage, at certain angles. I rather have a consistent normal amount of shakes in the footage than mechanically induced vibration at certain parts that I have no control over. It would be interesting to see the results of two DSLR's side-by-side, one with IS on, and the other with IS off. I would do it if I had a second T2i. :) 4DBill

I would love get a cheap very sharp wide angle FD lens for my xTi. What do you recommend? Thank you. 4DBill

Rhys and DSE, you guys are trying out-do each other by getting the last word in. There is a bit much personal attack going on, also, for my taste. Can’t we all get along please?

EOS 60D -- Flip out screen is nice, but I was hoping for faster processor and continuous focus in video. At $1099 (body only), might as well get 7D for a few hundred more. 4DBill facebook.com/4dbill