Still Camera Question

[SkyFlyer 0]

I'm sure this has been asked plenty of times before but indulge me here... is there one still camera that is better for jumping (top mounted on a camera helmet) than others?

Thanks!

[JGarcia 0]

Of course, camera choice comes down to personal preference and how much $$$ you have to spend. Are you going to be shooting for your own pleasure, or will you be getting paid for the pics you take. How much experience do you have flying a camera (video?)?
Personally, I don't believe in getting bottom of the line to gain experience or "just in case." That said, my first still camera was a Nikon N-70 with a 24mm wide angle lens. My current camera after 300+ camera jumps? Same one. It's not made by Nikon any more, but you can still find them used at many camera shops. It's definately a work horse, and it comes highly recommended by myself and many other experienced camera flyers.
So to answer your question, this one works for me, it rocks.
Whether or not it's "better for jumping than others" I cannot know.
--Jairo

Low Profile, snag free helmet mount for your Sony X3000 action cam!

[SkyFlyer 0]

Thanks. This will just be for my personal shots either Skydiving or BASE. I'm just trying to find a camera that is reliable, has the necessary features for jumping (auto-wind etc.) and is moderately priced.

[Deuce 1]

I've got an N70 also. But I added it to my other Nikon camera gear.

The problem with it is linking it to the bite/blow/tongue switch. Mine is permanently soldered to a switch with a quick-disconnect, but most people aren't comfortable soldering onto their cameras. Nikon has a switch adapter, but it's expensive. I don't know how Jairo hooked his up.

The Canon's have the easy 2.5mm jack, most of them, and if you're just starting and aren't brand loyal, you might consider how that might make your life easier.

The 24mm is a good match to a mini-dv with a .6 wide angle converter. I have a .5 on my PC110, and the 24mm is just a little closer.

I jumped a C206 with a cargo door last week for the first time -BEEER!- and the pilot told me that a tall camera flyer sheared his 35mm off the top of his helmet striking the tail. Lucky it wasn't his head, and he didn't take the tail off too.

If that had been me, it would have been on my first jump with a brand new D-1. MAN those are cool.

OUT

[JGarcia 0]

When I bought the N70, I also bought Nikon's shutter release for it. Hooked it up to the camera body, cut the cable. I soldered it to the female side of a mini-jack. Then I took the Conceptus Tongue switch, and soldered it to the male side of the mini-jack. I did it this way rather than having a permanent connection in case the tongue switch ever craps out...(experience with bite switches crapping out ...but, that's why I switched to the tongue one anyway) I can quickly put on a new one.
If, however, you just want point and shoot ease with low budget, maybe that "skycam" would be good (I think it may have auto film advance/rewind). However, if you plan on making any $$$ at a DZ with your camera, they may laugh at you if you show up intending to use one of these. <<--my opinion, though.
--Jairo

Low Profile, snag free helmet mount for your Sony X3000 action cam!

[Deuce 1]

You're cold!

Feast or famine! Nikon or skycam!

I was just trying to make the point that the N70 hookup takes some effort, and that effort is worth it for a Nikon fan. If you aren't brand-loyal, you may consider the easier hookup for the shutter release that other cameras have.

As a Nikon fan, I also thought it was worth the extra effort

[Danger 0]

Take a look at the Canon EOS Rebel. Works great, has all the features you need and has a 2.5mm jack.

Danger

[vidiot 0]

While we're at it...

Does anybody know what kind of remaote jack Minoltas have? I'm seriously considering getting a Dynax 4/5.

Oh, and do you trust those tripod quick-releases to top-mount an SLR?

Klaus (currently jumping a homemade Skycam )

My Logbook

[Deuce 1]

I use a stroboframe QR, and I trust it to the tune of a couple of hundred dollars

[quade 4]

I also use a stoboframe and I'm going to see Deuce's 2 C-notes and raise it 2 grand or so. Yes, it's a gamble, but what else are you going to do?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[SkyFlyer 0]

Any place online/phone in US that sells the stroboframe QR?

Thanks.

[quade 4]

Call http://TristateCamera.com or http://CalumetPhoto.com.

I don't find it listed in either of their on-line catelogs, but I know they both have them so you might want to give them a call and talk to a human.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[freekflyguy 0]

Does any one know of a Stroboframe dealer in either the UK or Germany?

Thanks

Buzz

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

[quade 4]

After much searching on the web . . . lookie what I found!

http://www.saundersphoto.com/html/strobo.htm

And click on "Macro Bracket & Accessories" then scroll down to the "QRC".

And . . .

http://www.saundersphoto.com/html/Dealers.htm

Unfortunately, I just checked the "Internet Only" Dealers listed, and NONE of their search engines will Pull up "Stroboframe". However, I know that Tristate Camera will sell them over the phone. That's how I bought mine! I also know that Calumet Photo has them since there's a store about 5 miles away from my home that has them.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Deuce 1]

I scored mine, USED, at B&H.

Sometimes they've got great stuff in their used section.
B&H photo/video

[newshooter12 0]

Check out www.keh.com
I've bought a number of times from them over the years and have been happy with them. Especially their rating system for used gear.
matt