flyingfrog 0 #1 July 14, 2003 Hi I'm looking for your suggestion which still camera (not digital) you would recommend to buy. Should be as cheap as possible. Primary use is for FF and Tandem stills Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveguy 0 #2 July 14, 2003 The arguement is going to be Cannon vs. Nikon like people argue about Ford vs. Chevy (or Javelin vs. Racer, etc) I would have to recommend going with descent quality as compared to cheap price. I use a Nikon N90s (which is more expensive and heavier weight, but better metering system) as opposed to the majority using a Cannon (cheaper price and all plastic) but I find it is a huge trade off in the quality of the photo's. The tandem client might never make another jump as long as they live and this is the only chance you will have to record it for them. It is extremely heartbreaking to have to tell them the stills didnt come out. Remember, you get what you pay for! Cheaper is not nessisarily going to perform the same. SG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingfrog 0 #3 July 14, 2003 thx... that's a valid point.. never thought about the quality of the pics have not expected that there will be huge difference in regards to quality between a cheap and an expensive still camera...thought it is more features related. However a Canon sounds good and should be compatible with byte switch as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveguy 0 #4 July 14, 2003 No problem... it is after all a matter of preferance also. I have always been a Nikon Guy. The skydiving industry for some reason likes to favor Canon and Sony as the systems of choice. (probably due to the price and availability of their products) Good luck! SG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #5 July 14, 2003 QuoteHi I'm looking for your suggestion which still camera (not digital) you would recommend to buy. Should be as cheap as possible. Primary use is for FF and Tandem stills I was a Nikon guy before skydiving, so I have an N90s. If I did it over I'd definitely get a Canon Rebel. Lighter, less expensive, and the Conceptus switches are wired for them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingfrog 0 #6 July 14, 2003 just checked the internet on the recommended canon rebel camera... wooow looks not bad at all and is cheap :-) This will be definitely one of those I want to check at the local store Thx for your recommendation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #7 July 14, 2003 QuoteHi I'm looking for your suggestion which still camera (not digital) you would recommend to buy. Should be as cheap as possible. Primary use is for FF and Tandem stills hahahaha.. when I buy a lawnmower,,, I might look for cheap... when I buy groceries,, I might look for cheap.. when I buy gasoline,,, or a long distance service,, I might look for cheap... But when I buy something with which I intend to Skydive, and with which I intend to " capture a True fleeting moment in time".....cheap is not the priority.. Look for value... look for equipment which can do MORE than what you are capable of... then learn how to DO it... look for durability,, look for compatability with your other photography gear.. and for sure!!!!! do not rule out Digital..... of course much of this depends on your level of experience on your budget, and on your comfort level..... Oh yes,,, suggestions.. canon Eos rebel 2000 works for me....( though you WILL eat up alot of batteries,, ( 14 $ a pair ) so maybe a digital still with rechargeable battery would make sense...Technology is steaming ahead,,, I am having some good results with a Sony Cyber-shot 5 m. pixel unit.... model DSC-V1... makes pretty good prints....small in size,, big in features.... good luck.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #8 July 14, 2003 That's a really good point. With a 5 megapixel cam like the Sony, you will recoup your costs quickly. You will also progress as a aerial photographer MUCH more quickly. My recent switch to digital has really accellerated my photography, and my flying skills. You gotta get in there and get the picture, so you gotta fly harder. Jimmy, what's the object in the bottom left portion of the images? Your helmet? Are you using a wide angle convertor on the cam? JP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #9 July 14, 2003 the image in the bottom corner,, is the 28-80 lens from My Canon Eos.... I know it looks sort of weird,, but I kind of like it.... No.. I am not using any lens on the Digi.... the camera has a 3x zoom built in,,, and I suppose I can zoom just enough to miss catching the other lens..... But the zoom setting does not "hold" from one power up,,, to the next.... i do fire that camera with a hand switch,,, which gives me power on capability, power off.... a button for video,, a button for photo,, and INDICATOR light right in my hand to tell me the camera is On,,, AND a W/T zoom switch... only I would just be guessing how far Up the zoom i am going.......I've just used it now for a couple of weekends..... I wear 2 mini DV sonys VX-1000 and DRC Trv20... plus I fit the digi still in there without having to remove the Canon 35..... hahahaha I am firing THAT with a conceptus tongue switch and the other with the hand switch.. hahahah so i'm plenty busy..hahahahha....oh yes... optional lenses ARE available for the cyber-shot which is threaded to receive them.... i also invested in the HP photosmart model # 7550... It works as a stand alone printer..( as well as having full compatability with most computers) it has a mini screen .. it reads an almost full 256 memory card in about 60 seconds,,, it can read 3 other types of storage media... it allows you to magnify the image by 1.5 x or 2.0 x or 2.5 x.... then lets you crop, or reposition the image to center it !!!!! You can also adjust the brightness level both plus and minus,,,, the printer then spits out a sweet 4 x 6 or 8 x 10....,,, and pretty quickly too...Only drawback for me is that I need to remove the camera from the helmet base, in order to access the memory card slot... but I will often remove it anyway to plug in the charger,,,,, ( did i mention the RECHARGEABLE battery??? ) between jumps..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #10 July 14, 2003 Oh, that's right, you're the guy with the trophy for most sh*t on his head! Jimmy, you gotta post a picture or your setup. I've read it described as ten grand worth of gear on a $10 hockey helmet or something similar. I thought my BatRack with the 10D and the 550EX up top with the PC120 on the side was pretty Borg-ish, but I think your stuff will win I liked that HP printer too, but I ended up investing in a Epson 2200. The ink is marginally cheaper and I like the option of printing the bigger pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverds 0 #11 July 14, 2003 I have a Cannon Rebel TI and really like it. It is a bit more $$$ than the Rebel 2000, but it can shoot 2.5 frames per second vs. the Rebel 2000's 1 frame per second. This gives you several shots of the exit with the airplane still in the frame. It also will work with the tounge/bite switches and is pretty light as well. The only thing I don't like about the Rebel TI is that the shutter speed is limited to 1/2000. If you go to the Canon Elan series you will get 1/4000 shutter speeds. This is not going to matter for freefall photography, but if you are doing other stuff it could be a negitive to you. Skydive Radio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #12 July 14, 2003 Quote Jimmy, you gotta post a picture or your setup. I've read it described as ten grand worth of gear on a $10 hockey helmet or something similar. I can't possibly imagine that Jimmy's helmet would cost nearly as much as $10. ;) Attached, a few pics of the one and only Jimmy T with his daughter Alison. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #13 July 14, 2003 Ah! Excellent! Does he have to keep one hand on it at all times like that! Whoo-shah! Nice neck! I think we have a Winnah! (Video class, That Movie thing is a whole nother beast...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #14 July 14, 2003 ....not as much as ten grand.... not as little as ten... but I had the helmet among my acquired collection of jumping gear.I will get a shot or two and send them along... re: hand firing the shutter...... did it for years... hahaha. I was having a tough time with a bite switch when we made Allison's First ( and only ) Jump.. the switch was kaput....but i wanted some stills.. hahahaha... I'm not sure i know what "whoo-shah" means ,, but as for "nice neck..." !!!....hahahaha with me ,,,you get "Nice Everything."... including sense of humor....... as for trophies deuce,,, the only one's I have from jumping are from accuracy meets... I'll post some pics,,,, as soon as I finish mounting an altimeter to the helmet .. i think I have 4 square inches where it might fit..... !!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fasterfaller 0 #15 July 14, 2003 Canon gets my vote . I use a Eos 1V for for my 35mm film camera . If you want a cheap canon look at a Rebel G or even an Elan . Don't overlook the used market or e-bay . I bought a 1V on e-bay for less than a grand new in box . Thats 6-800 off retail . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #16 July 15, 2003 Jimmy, you gotta post a picture of your setup. I've read it described as ten grand worth of gear on a $10 hockey helmet or something similar. I thought my BatRack with the 10D and the 550EX up top with the PC120 on the side was pretty Borg-ish, but I think your stuff will win Ok Bro' here you go......... jpegs attached.... jimmytavino A 3914 D12122 USPA # 9452 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingfrog 0 #17 July 15, 2003 Folk.. just wanna say thanks for all your help and suggestions. All of your recommendations are a good point to start with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #18 July 15, 2003 "PC120 on the side was pretty Borg-ish, but I think your stuff will win" I can't resist showing you guys one of the busiest camera helmets I've ever seen.... Ace Dutch lensman, Henny Wiggers' set up from 99.-------------------- 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
skydiveguy 0 #19 July 15, 2003 Another thought on this.... what kind of camera helmet are you going to use? That is almost as important as the camera you use. I bought the Flat Top Pro from BoneHead.... love it! Single point release system. Ease of escape in an emergency is the most important factor of flying a camera. SG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingfrog 0 #20 July 15, 2003 I am currently using s simple bonehead optic with a Sony pc9 side mounted, thought I can attach a still on the flat top of it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #21 July 16, 2003 Beautiful. Thanks for the pics. That setup looks like it's evolved quite a bit over the years! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #22 July 16, 2003 "evolved ,,, or DEVOLVED" ???!!!! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
