DrizZ

Just for future readers, +1 for consistently great service from CS.

you bow to me, noob!! ;)

...awesome

Slap a gopro on in continuous still mode. tiny and you'll get fairly decent quality stills. I mean, unless you want to just screencap stuff, which I think is ever so slightly lower quality.

+1 on point 1, pops. As with the overall training methods (AFF, IAD, Static, Tandem Progression), it seems like different variables (aircraft, landing area, dz conditions, instructors available) may call for different approaches to the post-AFF portion of the licensing process. Having seen both the post-AFF (structured v not) systems in play, I'm having trouble figuring out where I fall opinion-wise. I did like the method that I did (where I was solo after AFF), but the debriefings that the students are getting on the structured system seems to be helping them progress, as would be expected. Is it worth the extra $ per jump for the student? Can't say since I don't have to pay it. I will say that I'm glad to have these coaches getting students out of the otter and onto the ground safely, and with minimal obstruction to other jump operations. With ~21 people in the air per load, I don't need a student on his own doing something stupid like tracking/backsliding up jump run, hanging out in the door for way too long, deploying at some unsafe altitude, etc. Should they know better? Yup. Do students do stupid things that they were taught now to do? Yup. This was far less of a concern when there were only 5 of us getting out per load, often times in only 1-2 groups outside of the student. disclaimer: I'm only a b-licensed jumper with ~200 jumps going through the coach course in 2 weeks (read: noob). Those 200 jumps have been at a cessna dz (tandem progression), eloy, and orange primarily, with some jumps a few trips to lodi, perris, and elsinore as well.

Same here. Although I will say that the only one that seems iffy is the coach having to put you out for your hop n pops (so a student is paying the coaches slot), but then again seems like most students aren't really hip to spotting being important, especially at medium+ size dropzones flying aircraft on GPS. Anyhow, as others have said, there are pros and cons to both sides. I didn't have coaches for anything other than my RW jumps after AFF, but these students do get the benefit of having a debriefing based on what the coach saw with their own eyes and, at times, even video to use as well. As an aspiring coach, I'll say this new method means more oppurtunities for me to work with students, which I like in my own greedy way. Love the oppurtunity to share the passion and pass on some of the great nuggets of knowledge that were generously shared with me.

I agree that any Canon Rebel will do the job. You can go even cheaper and get used. The best thing in the 'non-dslr' category would be the Canon G11 or G12, but for the price, you may as well buy a DSLR if you want the option of multiple lenses. Orrrr, put a gopro on timelapse. :p

No stealing my helmet! :p I was just reading this thinking that the funniest part is when you say 'hehe', I can actually hear you do that evil laugh of yours... So you may stick out the Flattop narrow for a bit? What about the Mantle as an option?

Liquid Flatlock (until I get my RRS) Delta LowPro GoPro mount Canon rebel (any crop-sensor model) w/ Canon 15mm 2.8 Fisheye GoPro on Bonehead Optik 210

Orange. All the way. Orange. We win. See ya there!

Very true. It also doesn't help that you're most likely on a crop sensor it it's actually closer to 5mm difference. :)

Depends how wide you go, but same setup with a still on top and I just clear the gopro. still's on a flatlock right now and will move to RRS at some point

I don't do tandems, but i loaned my Canon 15mm 2.8 to a few friends that are and it's worked great. Kit lens would be the lighter, cheaper option as billvon mentioned. About a $700 price difference and the 15mm is only 3mm wider (but much sharper)

Yup. Tunnel and coaching. http://www.norcalalliance.com/www.norcalalliance.com/Prices.html

I know this thread is kind of old, but TJ coaches at $750/hr. in off hours. That's about as close to free coaching as I can think of, especially for someone used Eloy and Raeford prices...

Moses: Some of us started talking about an Orange invasion at Lodi this winter :p I'll be there anyways, as that's home for me. $15 is a good deal, but $10 sundays is even better

This is only half answerin the OP, half tangent, but: I love my Canon 15mm 2.8. I bought it back before I ever shot digital for my Canon EOS film cameras. It's a great peice of glass that works really well for exits and small formations. Also, keep in mind that 15mm (or any of these other zoom levels people have talked about) are generally 1.6 times that, unless they're jumping a 5d2 or another full frame. The 15mm on my 5d2, for example, is a bit ridiculous for anything other than really close stuff (like inside stills) The kit lens is a great all around lens if you're just trying to capture stuff. The 15mm will get you a little wider (for close stuff) and way better depth of field and colors. It's also usually a bit faster to focus. I really want to try the 10-22. I've heard great things. I'm also going to give my 35mm 1.8 a try soon, as that may be good for stills where you want to keep your distance (like from a large formation)

Hey all, Thanks for the great feedback. RRS it will be! And this is why I asked :p

All of those 'don't discuss' things were me trying to avoid the typical 'try doing a search' response, DSE. I'm really open to any suggestions, options, discussion, or input at all, especially from you (sorry if that sounds fanboyish). Is this the RRS plate everyone's referring to? http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B400D&type=0&eq=B400D-001&desc=B400D%3a-Conventional-Plate-for-350D%2f400D&key=ait

Straight from the new SOI site: '...we would prefer that you do not bring pets or children' Staff dogs are present, though, and any kids that come through there are sure to be scarred for life... the boggie approacheth

So, I’ve been working on building my first dedicated camera helmet for stills and researching the ‘best’ mount has been a massive headache. I’ve searched, read, searched again, read more, etc. I know, I know: It’s all about me. Shutup and search. But maybe this thread will help people in the same situation later? Or, more likely, it’ll just be another resource that they read in a flurry of searches like many other threads were to me. The camera I’ll be mounting primarily is: Rebel XT with Canon 15mm f2.8 fisheye (don’t think I’m brave enough to risk my nexk flying the 5d2 quite yet…) The helmet being used is a: Bonehead Optik 210 (yes, it has a cutaway chin cup installed) The primary issues I’m worried about are: Removability (e.g. Flatlock,Goldmember, Schumacher, Bogen, X-Shut): Important for battery swapping. Antitwist support, if any Stability Security (let’s not start another thread about the fulcrum point being the tripod screw mount ;) ) Helmet Compatibility (i.e. what helmet you mounted it on) Snag hazard friendliness (it’s a camera helmet, so this may not matter, but the pull ring on the goldmember and Schumacher seem sketchier than the flatlock’s pulltab) Sorry to be the asshole asking for repeated information, but any constructive input is appreciated. Yes: I have talked to other camera jumpers in person about this, but I want to extend my question to our lovely dz.com audience. Thanks, dr.

the small metal mount is the Low-Pro by Delta Mfg.

It's just the tripod gopro mount and a hotshoe to tripod adapter from amazon. lo-tech, works well for getting video fo close swooping pics and some other minor use-cases. also works well for a second time-lapse camera while I'm doing TL with the big camera.

This is KINDA one camera... :p

Kai - I'd narrow it down by swapping out your body with the same lens, and then the verse. Definitely looks like it could be either air, moisture, or dust causing the mirror to hesitate. Either one are distinct posibilities with your t1, with the lack of weather sealing that say a 7d has. especially with the humidity and conditions at Orange.