Jumping flash / more equipment - helmet choices

[RossDagley 0]

I'm finding myself to be wanting to jump with my 580EX more and more - so I've been looking at ways to get more gear on my head safely.

Other than a FTP, what are my options? I'm not against the FTP at all - in fact, i'm seriously considering one so I can top mount a CX7 (or some other HD camera I'm probably going to get this year) and keep my stills camera. I'm just shooting pool hoping for some other examples that work - I'm presuming the CCM is way to expensive.

Edit: the vapor looks like a good helmet, but on further reading seems its hard(er?) to front mount stills. Thoughts? I guess a comparison of the FTP Vs. Vapor Vs. something else would be perfect for me
Finally, is it always best to buy new when choosing a flat-top style helmet, or can I get away with second hand (from a "fit" point of view).

Thanks in advance.

Ross

[BMFin 0]

I would be intrested to hear some advice also. Im going to mount my flash to a bonehead optik. (with a pc-120 on the side and 400 D on top)

If I remember correct theres a few guys here who have had a flash mounted on this type of a setup.

Any advice concerning the technical details of the mount would be appreciated.

[Icon134 0]

I have an FTP and have jumped with a flash once (which I realize isn't much).

When I did the jump I relocated the my Rebel XT to the front of my FTP and mounted the flash on the top with a custom made aluminum bracket.

I've only jumped with the flash once but it seemed to work out well.

There are others that have quite a bit more experience then I do...

Scott

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[Laszloimage 0]

Check out the pictures of my FTP. The plate is home made. It the whole set up allows me to mount and change all kind of different gear quickly. In the images I have an HC30 video camera, but there's plenty of room for an HC7 combined with the 5D.
Or even an extra 580 flash combined with the HC30 and the 5D (2x580EX plus HC30 plus 5D= dam heavy...)
Anyway the whole idea is a costum (home) made top plate which is 9.5inches wide.
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2623684#2623684
-Laszlo-

[vdschoor 0]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2641723;search_string=schumacher;#2635368

Here is mine... with the flash setup

Iwan

[johnboy 0]

I got a smokin deal on my second hand FTP last year. You can buy new liners from BH if the lid doesn't fit you.

[RossDagley 0]

Thanks for the link Laszlo - I've been looking through the "post your helmet camera" thread at helmets i liked - yours was one of them.

Any reason you elected not to front mount the stills? Was it just the size of the 5D?

[Laszloimage 0]

I prefer to have the still camera on the top by two reasons. The one is I have full access to all the controls and the display on the back, the other one is the better weight balance.

[sinjin 0]

i just am going thru the change right now for the same reasons.. i had an optic illusion and was side mounting the flash on top of the side mount box. the weight was very off center and i opted for the flat top pro.. i did buy a used FTP.. although i had the advantage of driving to pickup the helmet and going to bonehead to get advice and shims for a perfect fit (and baking).. if you go used, just get a new set of interior pads and bake it, if it was baked already. a used one can be re baked depending on how your head matches the person you buy it from.. so far i am going to mount both the still (rebel XT) and the video up top with the flash (580 exII) mounted on top of my video box.... with velcro and a strap... i opted to keep the box on the top mount for that reason rather than building a mount for the flash.. i am finding the regular width not quite wide enough for the top plate if you want to mount everything up top, IMO. i am trying to avoid front mounting the still camera to keep all the weight over the center of my melon and to keep the setup consistent.. i will try to post a picture later as i am work right now.. i will say that the FTP is not too comfy yet and i loved my optic.. but in time i am sure it will fit great..... feel free to pm me if you like as i just went thru this whole process..

dont let life pass you by

[sinjin 0]

i side mounted my 580 ex II flash onto of my bonehead box. i used industrial velcro (home depot) on the box and the flash. and then i used a strap ( fastec or walmart) to secure to the velcro. i had mine at a 90 degree up to avoid riser strike in the rear but you could lay it flat as well. run the strap around the box... two things with the strap.... it may interfere with your cam eye so check that out before you install or buy it.. my strap was 1" wide... the other hassle is when your not using the flash you have an extra strap to undo to get in the box. it was very secure with the strap and velcro. if you have questions pm or reply.

dont let life pass you by

[BMFin 0]

Ok. Thanks for the info.

I have also been thinking about mounting the flash to the opposite side of the video camera. (laying flat). Maby this way the helmet would be more balanced. I dont know yet..

Somekind of velcro stap system is ofcourse an option, but the best way would be if I could make a mount system that is barely visible (or comes off) when Im not using the flash.

So far Im only planning on using the flash when theres less light.. Most of the times I would jump without.

[PharmerPhil 0]

I have mine mounted flat on top of a Vapor next to my video cam. Nothing sticks out to the sides, the weight is lower down, and the flash beam is horizontal like my SLR. Don't know if I have a pic, but if I find one I'll post it.

[BMFin 0]

Quote

Don't know if I have a pic, but if I find one I'll post it.

If its not too much of a problem, that would be great !