freefalle 0 #1 July 21, 2004 not to beat a dead horse but; in a previous post someone mad a comment about using the thumb screw vs a stroboframe to secure a still camera inverted, Is anyone or has anyone just used the thumbscrew to secure a camera inverted to there helmet. Any thoughts as to how secure of a method this is? any bad experience? I would tend to think it really would not be a problem but I thought I'd ask. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #2 July 21, 2004 A thumb screw is no less secure than other methods I've seen. In all reality, it's probably more secure than the stroboframe. I do know a few people who have lost still cameras with stroboframes when they got a riser slap across the front (well, that was their claim, anyway). I've used stroboframe mounts since I first began flying camera and I really like them. They provide a solid, reliable mount and they're really great when doing lots of tandem videos. It really cuts back on the time it takes to change film and get out to the plane when doing back to back loads. Peace, Z Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #3 July 21, 2004 On my first camera helmet I had the still camera mounted inverted in front. I used a thumb screw and a couple of 'bungies'. This worked well if you weren't on a quick turn around for students. I then switched to a Stroboframe and it worked great as well, but alot quicker for dismounts and remounts to the helmet. Either way was very secure. No problems. Switched to a top mount (vs front mount) for my still camera for several reasons years later....one being that my new digital still camera couldn't invert the images back 180 degrees for viewing on the tv screen. I had to use a computer to rotate them around....wasn't convenient to show the customer on a quick one-step shot. (the camera would only rotate the image 90 degrees either right or left...so we were left viewing the images upside down with my old helmet set-up). Hope this helps, ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #4 July 21, 2004 That's kind of funny. That's a pain in the butt having to rearrange your set-up cuz of something that seems so trivial.. Guess turning the camera right side up when hookin' it up to the tube didn't make much of a dif, huh? Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #5 July 21, 2004 QuoteThat's a pain in the butt having to rearrange your set-up cuz of something that seems so trivial.. That was not the only reason. The most important was that with the heavier (digital) camera mounted in front, the pull from that side was too great for my neck. It actually HURT! So, I had to change to a more balanced setting. My top mount did that for me. Thanks to quade for letting my try his camera helmet on to feel the difference first. QuoteGuess turning the camera right side up when hookin' it up to the tube didn't make much of a dif, huh? Nope. And thanks for the late night laugh. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #6 July 21, 2004 Yeah, I know all about the PAIN. My set-up weighs in at a moderate 13 pounds - that was another one of those bogus things - the flash automatically switches to Bounce Flash when I fold it flat and it reduces the output so much I had to rig it up so it sits upright. I wish I had figured that out before I went through the trouble of building a nice flat platform for it Ya learn somethin' new every day, I guessPeace, Z Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #7 July 21, 2004 speaking of flashes, what kind of flashes do you use and how do you connect them to the camera; obviously there not connected by sliding them into the foot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #8 July 21, 2004 It's called an Off-Camera TTL-Cord and you can pick one up in most any camera store for around 50 bucks. One end hooks up to the camera where the flash would normally mount and the other hooks up to da flash. What kind of flash you use would mainly depend upon the camera you want to hook it up to and the type of lighting effect you're trying to achieve. I would strongly suggest that you not skydive with a flash until you're quite proficient with the basic set-up first. Not only does it add a significant amount of weight, unless you're using remotely stored battery packs, but, it can really screw up your pictures unless you have a good understanding of how it all works. On top of that, you want a really secure mount for the flash and the cords as they can cause some very ugly and serious safety issues if either should come loose in freefall. Peace, Z Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #9 July 21, 2004 yea, I wasnt thinking about doing it, I just like to figure out how stuff works, thanks for the info though.....knowing is .5o the battle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
