skyfaller13 0 #1 April 22, 2003 Hey all, I was just wondering, Is it ever too soon to start jumping with a camera. I myself don't have that many jumps, but am very interested in Camera Flying. Is it too soon to Strap a camera on just to get used to how it flys or how it feels... Obviously I'm a long ways away from being a video flyer for tandem students and that sort of thing... I just mainly want to film when i jump with my friends and maybe film some solos (I jump over some great scenery). Any thoughts? Thanks Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 April 22, 2003 QuoteAny thoughts? Maybe just a few . . . See THIS and THIS.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyfaller13 0 #3 April 24, 2003 So I should wait a while to start filming other people... but what about taking a camera up on one of my solos. just to get used to the way that feels? I could get some great shots of the lake I suppose... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christopherm 0 #4 April 24, 2003 There's no reason to be in such a rush to get the camera on your head. It says in your profile that you have 36 jumps. My DZ S&TA woudn't even let me start jumping one till I had 100 jumps and a C' license. There is so much for you to learn right now, don't go adding variables until you have all of the basics down pat. I'm not trying to say everyone should have 100 jumps and a C' license to jump a camera, I'm just saying you should be a little more patient.-So, how hard is the ground?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #5 April 24, 2003 Did you even bother to read what Quade posted? If you didn't, then I would wait until you have at least 500 jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 April 24, 2003 This isn't just me speaking now, but the collected wisdom of many people that flew camera long before I ever considered it. If you wait until you have some more experience, then you can have the entire rest of your skydiving career to fly camera. It would be far more intelligent to focus your efforts now on things like learning to fly your body and canopy as well as dealing with emergencies. Not until skydiving becomes second nature should you even begin to think about additional equipment, this goes for camera flying, sky surf, BirdMan suits or anything else you might want to fly. You need to learn to fly yourself first.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #7 April 24, 2003 Don't be too despondent though Dan. There is some middle ground here though. You can grab those shots of the stunning scenery you see in freefall, without exposing yourself to the sort of risks you simply do not have the skills and knowledge to manage effectively. I'm not insulting you, I didn't have the skills or knowledge at 200 jumps when I strapped my first camera on, I'm just trying to save you from getting hurt, or worse, hurting someone else. Way I see it you have 2 options, you can sweet talk your local camera flier to take pics of you against the scenic backdrop in freefall. It won't be overly expensive, maybe a slab of beer and a couple of jump tix. If you were at my DZ I'd probably do it for the jump tix, some beer, and a roll of film. Or you can either take the shots from the plane on the ride up, maybe even stay in the plane and get some shots on the way back down. Using either of these two options is inherently safer than trying to fly a camera around, and is also more likley to result in you getting some footage or stills that you can actually use. You are unlikely to get satisfactory results on your first outing in freefall, or even under canopy, with a camera, its just not that easy.-------------------- 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverds 0 #8 April 25, 2003 QuoteI'm not trying to say everyone should have 100 jumps and a C' license to jump a camera, Maybe you should. I constantly hear people on these forums saying that jump numbers don't mean everything, and in many cases I agree. However, I think if you talked to several seasoned skydivers, instructors, and camera flyers, you would find the general opinion to be that 100 jumps is still well at the beginning of the learning curve for most new skydivers. Adding new elements to a skydive before you are ready is often a contributing link in the dreaded "chain of events" that preceeds many accidents and fatalities. Taking things slowly will help insure a lifetime of fun in the sky. Skydive Radio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDV 0 #9 April 25, 2003 I agree with the people here and don't go to fast... but during time don't lay down and wait for strapping your camera on, keep reading and learning about video and photo, play with them to learn how they work, and take lot of photo, photographie is an art that take more then a week-end to learn on the ground .... so it is even more difficult in freefall. In this way you will a better photographer because you will had time to learnand pratice before jumping it and learning in the same time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #10 April 25, 2003 doesn't mean you are ready to "fly" a camera... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyfaller13 0 #11 April 25, 2003 Thanks for all the advice guys... Its been helpful. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
