Video Cameras

[BDashe 0]

Looking to get my first video camera, so now im looking for your opinions. My needs:
NOT a camera flyer, will not be selling videos
I dont want something too pricey or fancy, but i dont really know what reasonable is, and i don't want a piece of shit.
90% of my jumps are freefly
i make about 150-200 jumps a year in a bunch of different climates.

Please lend me your suggestions and thanks!

Clear skies

[Samurai136 0]

I'm a little confused.

Are you intending to wear this Video camera in freefall or not?

I would recommend a Sony camera. You can find a used (discontinued) Sony PCxxx series camera at a good price. And most camera flyer/ skydivers are familiar with the sony brand if you ever need help/ tips.

Do a search in the Photography and Video forum and you will find reviews of nearly every video camera on the market.

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[jas8472 0]

sony dcr-pc105

[BDashe 0]

Yes I will be wearing it in freefall, i meant Im not a paid videographer. I just want to have some footage to remember jumps and watch in air antics with my buddies :-)

So there I was...

Making friends and playing nice since 1983

[Cacophony 0]

If all you want is something to remember your jumps and maybe give out to friends even the base MiniDV Sony models would work just fine. Either you can look for used older cameras on ebay, or you can just get something like an HC36 for $300 or so brand new. Only thing is it does not have a lanc port for a cam eye. Something that Sony is only putting on their high model cameras now. But that is of little relevance if you are just shooting fun jumps. In a month or so they will be coming out with the new models, but you pretty much cannot go wrong with a MiniDV camera from Sony.

[bigdad510 1]

I jump a HC36 just for fun. A lot of peple have commented the video quality is better than the PC cameras most jump with. Like B?D said though, no LANC, ant it doesn't have an outside record light for the battery operated cam eyes.
I just have a routine. I turn it on around 11K, then when the green light comes on, I reach up and push record. Works like a charm. I like the MiniDV tape, I've heard the DVD and hard drives don'w do too well in the air, too much vibration.

Brad

[packing_jarrett 0]

My PC7

But seriously you can find a good sony HC40 for like $250 on ebay. Thats really all you need.

Na' Cho' Cheese

[unfeomateo 1]

I just got a HC-42 off ebay for $150.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Lucky you! HC-42E going around 400-500.

[packing_jarrett 0]

there's like a zillion pc 109's on sale on ebay for $220.

Na' Cho' Cheese