Using an Innovative Camera

[aresye 0]

It was nice during my AFF training to have my instructor video most of my jumps. It allowed me to (originally) see how horrible my arch was, and other things I could improve upon. It was also fun to watch my jumps, no doubt about that.

From what I've read around on the forums, is you don't want to get into using a camera until after a couple hundred jumps. That seems more for the experienced guys who want to get into freefly camera, more than just shooting a jump. I understand how a helmet cam can potentially get caught on lines during deployment, and other factors that can cause a problem.

I have a digital camera, not a camcorder, but an actual, "Smile!" camera. It has the option to record movies, and from what I've used it for so far, the frame rate is great, and it's almost as good as a real camcorder. I have a pouch that I have that can keep the camera secure, in addition to allowing the lens to poke through the center and record while it's secure in the pouch.

My question is, would it be okay to feed my chest strap through the pouch's back loop, and secure it to my chest in order to film some of my solo jumps? It's a similar design to many radio pouches that I used for AFF, that were mounted through the chest strap. All I would have to do is hit record before I leave the plane after I check my gear, and then not have to worry about it until after landing. It poses no risk in getting entangled during deployment. In all honesty, it would pretty much be the same as the radio. Turn it on before leaving the plane, and having it attached to the chest strap.

So for all I see it, I don't see how it could be a problem for me to take it during a jump, but I want to ask the experienced guys first, and get their opinion on it. If you want a picture of my, "Redneck Freefall Pouch," I'll be happy to upload some.

Skydiving: You either learn from other's mistakes, or they'll learn from yours.

[bodypilot1 0]

Your best bet would be to ask the S&TA at your drop zone about it.

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[billvon 2,990]

>I don't see how it could be a problem for me to take it during a jump . . .

The biggest problems cameras pose are not the entanglement hazards, it's the loss of awareness - or to be accurate the funneling of awareness into what the camera is seeing, and the operation of said camera. It's tripped me up, and has tripped up a great many people who have a lot of experience. That's the big worry I have when people say they're going to take a camera and just 'forget about it.' That's not possible, in my experience.

[councilman24 37]

To rephrase Bill's post in my own words and opinion;

No, it's not okay. You have enough to think about and be distracted by. Entanglement is not the issue.

And yes I was jumping a still camera with less than a hundred jumps on a home made mount. But I was dumb and stupid and didn't have the internet to get good advice. (At least this time.)

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[aresye 0]

With the majority so far saying it will likely be a distraction, I'll hold off until I get my license and experience, and be able to jump with others, some of whom will likely have a camera. Definitely want to get licensed soon. Solo jumps were cool at first, but now, it just gets lonely up there, lol.

Skydiving: You either learn from other's mistakes, or they'll learn from yours.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Simple. Get 200-300 jumps, than get back to this topic.