if money were no object...

[ntrprnr 0]

Someone hands you a blank check made out to b and h photo and says "go buy the best freefall camcorder."

You buy..._______________

_______________
"Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?"
"Even in freefall, I have commitment issues."

[DSE 5]

I don't think B&H sells Arri or RED.

The best freefall camcorder is the one that meets your specific needs and allows you to grow.

[USPA 0]

RED? very nice, but you know most people use helmet mount don't you? ;)

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...

[Cashmanimal 0]

... all of them.

Just to cover all the bases, really. Freefly helmet makes filming certain belly configurations much harder than it rightfully should. Likewise, A flat-top pro is nowhere near the ideal freefly camera. Therefore, the "best" freefall camcorder doesn't really exist.

A pc-style camera mounts great to the side of a freefly camera helmet, but as a top mount it will stick out WAY more and therefore a more low-profile (height-wise) camera would be more appropriate. (whereas that camera would be horrific as a side-mount.)

So yes. The 'perfect' camera is the one for your specific application. I know countless freefall videographers who have multiple cameras on multiple helmets. I think I speak for everyone when I say I wish there was a 'perfect' setup. Should would save a lot of hassle. and money.

It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye

[DSE 5]

The RED is easily helmet-mounted. Aside from what MB38 posted, I've seen other pix of setups. The Arri is bigger, and often helmet mounted, FWIW.

All that said, to echo Cashmanimal's comments, some types of flying are better with a side mount, some better with a topmount, and unfortunately, none of the newer cameras are optimal for both positions.
If I were looking to get just one camera and HD wasn't an issue, and it was just for fun, I'd purchase one of the PC/HC camcorders, and a helmet that allows for both top and side mount.
If HD is important, then the question is whether it's for tandems or just fun. If "just fun" is the goal, I'd seriously look at the CX7 AVCHD camcorder. It is fast to transfer, fast to edit, and hell to render on today's current computers.

[PhreeZone 20]

I've got 600+ video jumps, probally 400 of them are freefly and most of those are on my FTP with PC camera's or a TRV (sometimes with both). I'd love to know why my helmet isn't a good freefly camera helmet.

Look at the end goal right now. Are you wanting High Def? If so thats one thing, if you want standerd def thats another and harder to find. I'd look at a HC3, HC5 or HC7 if you wanted to go tape based and High Def. Tapeless? there are only a few that seem ready to jump with.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Fast 0]

Quote

Someone hands you a blank check made out to b and h photo and says "go buy the best freefall camcorder."

You buy..._______________

The problem is that more than half the cost of getting the camera I want is the helmet to go with it.

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[pilotdave 0]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I think it's a lot easier to find an ideal video camera now than an ideal still camera. With video, you can find cameras in all shapes and sizes, and at least as far as consumer cameras go, quality is pretty independent of size and weight. With still cameras, it seems that quality is proportional to size and weight... finding the best still camera for freefall depends a lot on how much weight you're willing to carry (and how much money you will spend).

All I know is that I'm going to cry the day my PC1000 dies. Got huge compliments once from a tandem student and her husband a few weeks after I shot her video. Her mom's video was shot on an HC3 the same load and they couldn't rave more about how much better the video looked from the PC1000 than the HC3. Better color, clearer, etc. I was more than a little surprised! Course that was standard def video... I won't be able to compete when tandem videos are presented in high def.

Dave

[The111 1]

Quote

All I know is that I'm going to cry the day my PC1000 dies. Got huge compliments once from a tandem student and her husband a few weeks after I shot her video. Her mom's video was shot on an HC3 the same load and they couldn't rave more about how much better the video looked from the PC1000 than the HC3. Better color, clearer, etc. I was more than a little surprised! Course that was standard def video... I won't be able to compete when tandem videos are presented in high def.

I'm not sure that makes any sense. I've seen tons of PC1000 footage and tons of HC3 footage and there's no comparison, even when both are played on standard def sets. The HC3 is crisper and more colorful.

Maybe they just watched the HC3 footage letterboxed on a small TV and lost a lot of detail that way?

I think I may also disagree with your statement that video doesn't carry the same weight/quality relationship that still photography does. Better cameras are bigger and heavier, for sure.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Cashmanimal 0]

Quote

I've got 600+ video jumps, probally 400 of them are freefly and most of those are on my FTP with PC camera's or a TRV (sometimes with both). I'd love to know why my helmet isn't a good freefly camera helmet.

I never said it wasn't a good helmet. And although I obviously don't have enough jumps in any discipline to say what would be the best, I am just pointing out that that is not the 'best' freefly setup. I am sure it works great for you as well as countless other people.

I was just noting that a PC-Style camera mounted on top of an already dominantly tall helmet would not be as efficient of a choice as something a little more low-profile. The understanding that my experience yields is that filming freefly jumps with a sidemount pc-style setup is going to be much more efficient than a FTP with a PC-style setup. I meant no personal downplay or attacks... I was just going along with another "what's the perfect setup" thread... and in my opinion, a FTP with a PC-style camera is not the ideal freefly camera helmet. (For me).

It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye

[DSE 5]

If the owner of the HC3 was shooting the HC3 in SD mode, it's entirely likely that the HC3 doesn't look quite as good as the PC footage depending on how the two cams are set up; but if the HC3 is shot HD HD mode and downconverted to SD, you're right; there simply can be no comparison. No way, no how.

[The111 1]

Quote

I was just noting that a PC-Style camera mounted on top of an already dominantly tall helmet would not be as efficient of a choice as something a little more low-profile. The understanding that my experience yields is that filming freefly jumps with a sidemount pc-style setup is going to be much more efficient than a FTP with a PC-style setup. I meant no personal downplay or attacks... I was just going along with another "what's the perfect setup" thread... and in my opinion, a FTP with a PC-style camera is not the ideal freefly camera helmet. (For me).

You've said that top mount isn't "efficient" (twice) or "ideal" for freeflying... but I'm still not sure I understand why. What is the actual reason?

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[pilotdave 0]

No idea... I just accepted the compliment.

Dave

[Cashmanimal 0]

My understanding is the bulk and shape of the FTP makes it less desirable for freeflying (ran/quickness of motion). But like I pointed out, I am not an extremely proficient freeflyer and therefore not a very proficient freefly cameraman, I am simply going of what I have been told by other freefliers.

I personally have had no problems with freefly video with my FTP, but I don't do very high-demand freeflying, so I am yet to take a personal stance. But even with what I have done, I would prefer my sidemount over my FTP. Once again, I am sure that relates back to my proficiency.

It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye

[mccordia 74]

Quote

The problem is that more than half the cost of getting the camera I want is the helmet to go with it.

get a RED, and then have a nice custum D-Box and/or helmet built (and order 2 extra necks, to replace the current one if it breaks)

Or even better..have it side-mounted and have a custom FF2 style enclosed helmet made..Id (almost) pay to see that

JC
FlyLikeBrick
I'm an Athlete?

[mccordia 74]

Quote

Someone hands you a blank check made out to b and h photo and says "go buy the best freefall camcorder."

You buy..._______________

Actually having thought about it..

Id buy a basic HDV camera, nice helmet, and spend the other 99% of the needed budget on A LOT jumps and maybe a couple of weeks of tunneltime...

No matter how good the camera, its nothing short but rediculous when you see someone with a 3K setup on his head, who's doing nothing more but shooting dots in the distance because he doesnt have the skills matching his setup..

JC
FlyLikeBrick
I'm an Athlete?

[Fast 0]

Quote

No matter how good the camera, its nothing short but ridiculous when you see someone with a 3K setup on his head, who's doing nothing more but shooting dots in the distance because he doesn't have the skills matching his setup..

haha yeah, I agree.

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[Cantoral 1]

Quote

I don't think B&H sells Arri or RED



Arri Group made digital or analog cameras?

If they don't, you need 2 blank checks....one for the camera and one for the Film roll, the film development and the transfer....

[Brains 2]

Quote

My understanding is the bulk and shape of the FTP makes it less desirable for freeflying (ran/quickness of motion). But like I pointed out, I am not an extremely proficient freeflyer and therefore not a very proficient freefly cameraman, I am simply going of what I have been told by other freefliers.

In my opinion, Jason Peters is one of the best freefall cameramen i have ever seen. He can film anything in any position and he only flies a flat top pro. Norman kent and Jason both filmed the latest HD record with top mounts. In all fairness, Bucky filmed it too and i think he flies a sidemount. I have filmed freestyle, freefly, belly, tandem, and skysurf, all with a flat top pro. It CAN be done, don't let someone else tell you that YOU can't just because THEY can't.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[JGarcia 0]

Quote

It CAN be done, don't let someone else tell you that YOU can't just because THEY can't.

Wow... now that sums it up perfectly!

Cheers!

--Jairo

Low Profile, snag free helmet mount for your Sony X3000 action cam!

[jtval 0]

Quote

Someone hands you a blank check made out to b and h photo and says "go buy the best freefall camcorder."

You buy..._______________

easy answer?

ONE OF EVERYTHING! I'll sort through them and sell the rest for a quick profit.

My photos

My Videos

[Laszloimage 0]

I know (cause I've been cheking it out personally) the ARRI 235 cost $800 per day to rent(including magazines and accesories) plus $150 per day per lens. It's about 35-40 grand to buy one. It's deffinetly "skydiveable".
ARRI also has the the D-20 (35mm digital cine-cam) but that one still a bit too big and heavy to jump (but not impossible) Same with Panavision's Genesis(I guess this one is better than the D-20).
Evantually they'll get smaller and lighter.
-Laszlo-