Sony Sony Sony

[martwald 0]

How come Sony are so popular in skydiving. Every general review site gives Sony very poor reviews in terms of colour clarity, value for money, etc.

Panasonic seem to have the best value for money cams but no-one is using them skydiving.

Buying a camera this week but having real difficulty getting through all the bs.

Is there a specific reason why skydivers perfer Sony?

[dragon2 2]

Sony's tend to work in freefall, and usually KEEP ON working for lots of jumps, which is a big plus

There are a few people using other brand (Canon, JVC, Panasonic) camera's, but usually they have issues, like not handling moisture at all well, dying after a few jumps, no LANC port, not being able to shut off autofocus, not being able to shut off anti-shake, if you CAN do manual setting you may have to re-set them every time you turn the camera on, stuff like that.
You can try and be one of the few that can make another camera work, it's your money....

Not all Sony's work though, avoid the DVD and micro-mv ones (this one does work but it's expensive, tapes are expensive, you're not compatible with your software or anyone else's camera and the quality is less), and some models (usually the high-end consumer models) have had issues. But most Sony's just... work

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[martwald 0]

If I go with a Sony, I am looking at the HC90 or HC42 or another if suitable. Money isn't really an issue, in so far as value for money is what I am after. Any further advice appreciated.

[quade 4]

Quote

How come Sony are so popular in skydiving. Every general review site gives Sony very poor reviews in terms of colour clarity, value for money, etc.

More important than good looking images on the ground is the ability of the camera to perform in freefall. No point in having a camera on your head if it fails in freefall.

There are some absolutely terrific looking cameras I'd be willing to use on the ground that simply do not perform well in freefall.

Sony made some acceptable looking DV cameras that worked well in freefall. The others didn't. They -might- be catching up now, but once brand loyalty sets in, it's tough to switch (fear of the unknown and whatnot).

Add in that almost all Sony cameras have a LANC port so that you can use a CamEye and the decision is almost a no brainer.

Personally I like the older Sony product MUCH better than the current Sony product when it comes to standard def DV. The TRV19 and -22 were excellent for 99% of everything. The newer HC cameras I have issues with because of the smaller imager chip size, but when my current set of cameras die, that's probably where I'll head off to anyway.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[The111 1]

Quote

The TRV19 and -22 were excellent for 99% of everything. The newer HC cameras I have issues with because of the smaller imager chip size, but when my current set of cameras die, that's probably where I'll head off to anyway.

Do you consider the HC90 to have a small imager chip size?

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[quade 4]

THAT particular camera might be the exception.

The older tTRV (and other) cameras had 1/3 inch chips and the newer HC cameras have 1/6th inch chips.

It's the 1/6th inch I'm opposed to.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[The111 1]

Yup, that's why I got the HC90.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[tdog 0]

Quote

THAT particular camera might be the exception.

The older tTRV (and other) cameras had 1/3 inch chips and the newer HC cameras have 1/6th inch chips.

It's the 1/6th inch I'm opposed to.

So, what about the PC1000... For $100 more you get a three chip that a lot of skydivers say actually works in freefall... If I remember correctly, the HC90 has a bigger chip than the three chips in the PC1000, and the chips in the PC1000 are CMOS, so, it might not just be about size... HC90 or PC1000?

[AndyMan 7]

I have noticied that the color on the PC1000 is not nearly as nice as it is on the more expensive 3 chip cameras. It's certainly an improvement over the standard PC series, but nothing like what you'd get out of a VXX or high end TRV.

I do still have one on my shopping list, though.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[The111 1]

Quote

HC90 or PC1000?

From my research on photography (non-skydiving) sites, it seemed that the HC90 had better low light performance and pretty good color. The PC1000 had slightly richer color but poor low light performance. I like sunset loads and I like saving $100.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

How come Sony are so popular in skydiving.

They don't break or have tape-flutter that causes digital drop-outs.

[fernjef 0]

I'm looking for a Sony cam myself right now. Wondering what will be the most usable and best operating camera there is, is it possible to make a poll in which we all can just vote? Makes it a lot easier for me to choose the right one!

[dunesurfer 0]

I would suggest basing your choice on how you intend to use it, and how much you are willing to spend. If you want to just shoot fun video and don't want to spend a lot of money,look at the HC cams (21 32 40 42). If you want a step up in video quality go for hc90 or pc 1000. I own the hc42 and am satisfied with it so far, but I just shoot fun video with it. My buddy has the pc1000, and I do notice a difference in the video quality in his compared to mine, his being better.... but He paid almost 2x what I put out for the hc42.

[pjc 0]

I got the PC1000. Works great even on sunset loads & I got a good deal off the web saving $200! Only 50 jumps so far, but in very wide ranging conditions from FL sunshine to below freezing UK winter!

[rwieder 0]

Is This the same one you are referring to? I've got a PC-105 - TRV-33 & a TRV-40. Would it be worth it to get this DCR-PC-1000? If so, which options would you reccomend? Where is the best place to get it the cheapest? Thanks.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"