Shooting video/stills at night

[StevePhelps 0]

We're making a demo jump into a football game and the school would like me to jump my video/still camera as well. Plus the DZO wants to use it for his demo promotions page.

Got my PRO rating (done 20 or so demo jumps, mostly into HS FB stadiums) and been doing video (tandems/AFFs) for about the last 500 jumps, but I have little experience jumping video at night. I have a Sony HC 20 and a digital Rebel . Any suggestions for the settings of both to get good video/stills at a dusky/night setting (7:30 PM)?

Thanks in advance.

[LouDiamond 1]

Need a few more specifics first. How dark are we talking here and do they want video freefall footage done at night? The still camera I won't get into. The video, if done using night shot, is probably going to need some additional IR lighting beyond what the camera has if you want anything decent( I am assuming that it's going to be dark and not twilight). You can add an additional light source ie: a flashlight with an IR cover to accomplish that. Surefire makes some incredablely strong lights and IR filters but they are expensive. You can go the cheaper route and use a a normal light source(flash light) set at it's widest area of coverage and use several different household items to create a filter that only alows the video to pick up. You can use that thick red cellophane that usually comes on Valentines chocolate in combination with a piece of white plastic off of a coffee can cover. Play with the combinations or layers of material until you find one that the video camera can still pick up but isn't visable to the still camera. A judicious application of gaffers tape to the homemade light source filter and some flex ties to mount it should keep the cost relatively low. The crucial part is the strength of the light source to still penetrate the filter enough to give you a wide field of IR coverage and have it in line with the video cameras FOV.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[StevePhelps 0]

Thanks Lou -- I will shoot video of my view of stadium and landing, then proceed to film other PRO rated guys landing. So, its a little dusky at 7:30 this time of the year, but stadium lights will be on. The view of the stadium from the air will be different from the view of the other jumpers landing (shot while I'm on the ground)

Should the video camera be set on "night" shot or use the "moon" overide in the programming?

As far as the still camera I thought about weening out and simply shoot everything on auto. How wil that look?

[LouDiamond 1]

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I will shoot video of my view of stadium and landing, then proceed to film other PRO rated guys landing.

In that case I would use the night shot feature plus the added light until you land. After that I would turn that feature off and the light source and video as usual. Knowing how busy one can get on things like a demo my suggestion is to go auto and not worry about having to manually adjust your still settings to the situation. 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other. I know some guys who are all over the camera settings and F stops, if your one of those guys then have at it.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[StevePhelps 0]

There are two night shot settings I can think of. Let me make sure which one you're talking about. There is a nite shot switch on the outside of the camera that gives everything a "starlite scope" feel -- Green and all, then there is a Night option accessed through the touch screen. It looks like a moon.

I "assume" you are talking about the latter.

[YahooLV 0]

Just remember...addding a camera to an already tough jump into a stadium will increase stress levels dramatically. PLEASE make sure you have your outs, and use them.....if you have to. Don't be the bigshot and splat in just for the shot. Camera flying at night is fun, but dangerous.

As one broken bone said to another, "You crack me up"!

http://www.curtisglennphotography.com

[LouDiamond 1]

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There is a nite shot switch on the outside of the camera that gives everything a "starlite scope" feel -- Green and all,

Thats the one I am talking about and again, I am assuming it will be dark enough out to warrant it's use.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[StevePhelps 0]

I agree it is, but I'm okay with stadium jumps -- love 'em actually. I've jumped camera into a few demos before, but it was during the day-- I needed advice on camera settings.

Thanks for the warning though.