future vid advise

[cgross 1]

I am still a student. From what I have seen so far, I think in the future I would definately like to get into videography. I have been lurking, and realize the safty issue involved, and for that reason, I will not get into it until I have maybe a couple hundred jumps. But, I was looking for some help on first time videographers equip.

Types of helmet:
Types of Cam, cam case... etc
How much $$$ am I looking at to get into it. I think in the begining I just want to shoot a couple of my friends, or use it while doing some RW... you know build up som skills and stuff, so I am not looking for top of the line shit.
I am just looking to make some movies that I can watch on rainy/windy days while drinkin some beer.

[PhreeZone 20]

About 2000 seems to be about middle of the line for helmet, camera, and d-box. Then another 200 if you want ring sight and cameye... and what ever is left in your paycheck to pay for tapes, lens etc...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[cgross 1]

do most people generally use Digital?... I would assume yes in this day and age.

[PhreeZone 20]

Digital 8 is the lowest most shoot on any more. Most go for the Mini DV

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[cgross 1]

If you could... Explain what digital 8 and Mini DV is:
If you could give examples of each camera, it would help.

I am Planning on getting a digital video camera for personal use. I would also in the future like to use it for skydiving. I mean why buy 2? If you guys coud give current models and brands I could do some research. Thanks.

Chris

[murrays 0]

Digital 8 Camcorders use Hi-8 tapes but record digitally. They are useful if you have a lot of old 8mm tapes that you still want to play and perhaps digitize. Mini-DV camcorders record digitally but with a much smaller tape.

My advice is to get a mini-DV camcorder. Smaller form factor. If you buy a Sony, I'd say you want one with Super Steady Shot, which provides optical image stabilization. In any event, don't get one with Digital image stabilization. Firewire or iLink (Sony's term) is a must as well.

I now have one of each. I'll keep the old Digital 8 to digitize old tapes...I just pop them in and transfer them to my Mac via firewire where I edit and burn to DVD.

have fun looking,

Murray

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[AndyMan 7]

Digital 8 is old stuff, mini dv is new stuff. there's no need to buy both.

Digital 8 is DV when it is recorded on tape, just a different size tape (8 mm vs Mini DV size). The tape is just a recording medium. It itself does not affect the quality of the video in either way.

Just as the DV tape is smaller, the recording mechanism in the camera is also smaller. This, I think - is the most compelling argument for mini-dv over digital-9 - the cameras are a LOT smaller.

There are no digital-8 cameras in the vertical form factor like the PC120 or PC101.

MiniDv cameras tend to be more expensive, tend to have a lot more features. You can't get professional quality lenses (carl zeiss) on the digital-8's, but can on the mini-dv's - for example.

Mini-dv is slowly replacing digital-8 in the marketplace. Depending on how long you expect to keep it, there will come a time when you won't be able to buy digital-8 tapes anymore. Mini-dv will have a longer lifetime. That said, if you're going to be skydiving with it... it won't last long enough for that to be an issue anyways.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Deuce 1]

Quote

Types of helmet:
Types of Cam, cam case... etc

A helmet that is comfortable and secure (more secure than comfortable,but Ithink they can be both)

And a Sony mini DV camera.

First you have to spend about $3600 after getting your A on jump experience before strapping that bad boy on.

I consolidated and sold my old expensive hobbies. I now do mostly video jumps, either tandems and AFF or pick-up work for folks who want video and/or stills. AFF = $1300, 200 jumps = $3600, video/stills setup = $3000, camera suit = $350, new rig with cypres = $4000, 50 more jumps beggin folks to buy your crappy video while you develop skills = $900.

I see about $13 grand. You might be able to do it for 10 if your savvy.

I get a check (a little one, usually) to skydive now. It was worth it for me.

Good luck!

JP

[cgross 1]

Laying out in $$$ terms looks very bad to my girlfriend. She doesn't think it is worth it, but of course I do.
That said, my initial intention will not be to make money shooting footage for other people. What I really want to do in about 200 jumps or so (once I get some flight experience) is film my friend and I doing small ways. I would like to be involved in the 3-4 ways while I get some RW experience before learning some FF.

In the long run will I film tandems and such? Probably, but that is not my immeadiate goal. I guess my immeadiate goal is getting my A, B, C ... and getting som good footage.

Thanks for input guys.. I was actually out looking a cams today... Big $$$

[PhreeZone 20]

>50 more jumps beggin folks to buy your crappy video while you develop skills = $900.

You charged people while you were learning the video? I gave away tandem video after tandem video, then RW after RW while i was learning. I'm still yet to take money for RW. They are fun jumpers just like me and I'll try to save them money any where I can.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skreamer 1]

Quote

I now do mostly video jumps, either tandems and AFF or pick-up work for folks who want video and/or stills. AFF = $1300, 200 jumps = $3600, video/stills setup = $3000, camera suit = $350, new rig with cypres = $4000, 50 more jumps beggin folks to buy your crappy video while you develop skills = $900.

I see about $13 grand. You might be able to do it for 10 if your savvy.

As long as you're in the sport for the right reasons...