What Camera?????

[iam 0]

I'll keep this brief,
Basically i'm now in a position to buy a video camera, but i'm totally confused as to what to buy. I want to video 4-way and tandems eventually. Any informed opinions would be greatfully recieved.
I have a chance to buy a Sony IP7 at a very good price, does any one have any experiance of this camera?

Thanks
Ian

"Don't ever knock on deaths door, just ring the bell and run away - it really pisses him off"

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Search this forum it been discussed before, I seem to recall that not everyone is convinced this particular model is what you want.

I'd opt for a miniDV model such as a PC101, or PC9 etc....

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[mountainman 0]

I am not nearly as well versed as many on here, but I do have experience with JVC and Sony cameras. It is pretty much the concensus that Sony cameras are what you want to stick with. From what I've heard, they can stand up to the most amount of abuse. My parents' JVC is really finiky when it comes to a little abuse, so skydiving with it would be the pits.

Now, miniDV is pretty much the best format out there right now. You can FireWire it to and from your computer with hardly any loss in quality. Also, the tapes are cheap now.

You really need to decide if you want a top mount (TRV) or a side mount (PC) for yourself. You CAN mount a PC series on top, however.

You can probably find a PC9 or 5 or a PC100 or 110 used on the net for a good price. However if you want the warranty, you'll have to go for a new PC101 or 120.

I just got a new PC120 from www.dbuys.com for a GREAT price. I also purchased the extended warrenty since I use the camera about twice per week.

Good luck on your decision.

http://www.brandonandlaura.com

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

I have a chance to buy a Sony IP7 at a very good price, does any one have any experiance of this camera?

Search for "Micro MV" on the P&V forum, to sum it up, it seems that the cameras aren't very well suited for skydiving for a few reasons.

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Hook high, flare on time

[Deuce 1]

I initially set my gear up for 4 way, and ended up changing everything for tandems.

You look down on 4 way, and you look up at tandems when shooting on your belly. 4 way teams fall pretty fast, light tandem pairs fall really, really slow.

With tandems you get paid a decent rate to video people having the most fun they've ever had, with 4 way you have very competitive individuals who are on a tight budget.

So, I enjoy shooting RW, but I get paid to shoot tandems. I got a bigger winged suit (Tony D wing) and angled all my cameras up so that I can see smiley faces hanging under Vector tandem rigs. My point is that 4 way camera and tandem camera are quite different animals. With 4 way you stay close and still, with tandems you can get creative and zoomy.

Top mount Sony's are bigger, so are less expensive (generally)

Good luck.

[JGarcia 0]

I shoot with a Sony PC-100 that is top-mounted right next to a Nikon N70 still camera on a Bat-Rack helmet. So PC-series cameras aren't limited to side mounting. I'm all about versatility, so get something that'll allow you to shoot anything you want without having to change between types of jumps (except maybe focus length). I video mostly Tandems and RW, and this set up works well for me. Like everyone else here has said, Sony cameras seem to be up for the challenge that skydiving presents...so I would suggest sticking to what works.
Good Luck & Blue Skies.
--Jairo

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