sky-pimp 0 #1 March 25, 2008 OK i know we have had the 'what camcorder should i use' question lots of times but what i want to know is 'WHAT DO YOU CAMERA FLYERS WANT, what is important to you when making that investment ?? size ? DV in/out ? Mini DV ? Lanc port ? etc . any features you want to see If i can get as much feed back as possible it would be much appreciated and hopefully beneficial to our community once i have finished collecting all the info i can . thanks guys YeHaaaaaaaaaaa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #2 March 25, 2008 The search funtion is not broken is it? JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #3 March 25, 2008 It is very benefical that people answer this thread in great detail. Sky-pimp has an amazing contact and over the past years has bought many many excellent condition sony cameras into the skydiving scene at the most affordable prices. I hope people contribuute to this thread instead of just telling him to do a search. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #4 March 25, 2008 Just by the question, I'm curious how "the whole community may benefit." DV is dead. Mini DV *is* DV. LANC is effectively dead. Questions about HD, file-base, storage, Xfer of data, wireless video Xmission, form factor, encoder, glass would perhaps be more future-looking? My list? ~Low MTF ~High bitrate encoder (20Mbps or faster) MP4 ~High bitrate encoder (35Mbps or faster) MP2 ~High speed CF or MSDP ~Zoom wider than 28mm (based on 35mm comparison). ~Progressive imager ~Framerates of 60p @ 1920 x 1080 ~x.v. color ~HDMI output ~Port to digitally Xmit data when within 2' of the computer (automatic). Must be high speed. ~37 or 52mm lens mount threads ~Optical ND filterset ~EIS or better, user-selectable stabilization ~Large memory buffer for slow motion recording (at least 3600 frames vs current 360 frames) ~OLED screen ~profile memories (one-touch and everything about the camcorder is set for the jump, ie; zoom, focus, colorspace, framerate, exposure) ~Low profile -due to focal length/width of HD, it's unlikely we'll see narrow, but tall camcorders for a long time if ever. Making the camera more low profile for top mount would be my own next priority. ~14bit internal processing ~EVF in addition to LCD panel ~Dual-stream record to web-friendly size/format ~mxf containers ~powered I/O ~external mic input ~$1200.00 USD or less SD video? haven't shot a frame of SD in about 3+ years, and the manufacturers have developmentally phased it out.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #5 March 25, 2008 I don't really have much to add to what DSE said, all I am interested in anymore is HD in as high quality as you can get in a small form factor and light weight. Like DSE said tape is pretty much dead and solid state recording is the future. I currently have an HC5 and don't ever see myself going back to SD video. My next camera will most likely be a solid state camera. I prefer not go with first gen cameras so I didn't get the CX7. I prefer to let others be the guinea pigs. Oh and at less $1000 would nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velocityphoto 0 #6 March 25, 2008 He won't get much more feed back than that huh.... :) A friend will bail you out of jail , a REAL friend will be sitting next to you in the cell slapping your hand saying "DUDE THAT WAS AWSUM " ................ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #7 March 25, 2008 Direct access to features trough real press buttons instead of the stupid touch screen. As it used to be on cameras in the late '90s. I wouldn't mind to pay the extra $ either If colud have a small video camera (up to date standard HD quality like HC9, CX7) with the features of my good old VX2000. A true professional video camera in a size and weight of the consumer camera. (Technically it's possible now days). Can you really make this happen? Do you have the connections and the infulance to push Sony or any other manufacture to make this happen? That would be awesome!!! -Laszlo- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #8 March 25, 2008 I think you will find going by what he sells is that he is trying to find out what cameras he should be purchasing from his supplier at very good prices to then sell to the community at better prices that one would find usually. I don't think he is redesigning the camera. If he is then he is alot more connected than i thought from the communication we have shared. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pattersd 0 #9 March 25, 2008 my only addition to DSE's list would be input recording, it would be nice to be able to get video from others directly onto my camera without having to bring the laptop to the DZ, especially when traveling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #10 March 25, 2008 Quoteget video from others directly onto my camera without having to bring the laptop You mean firewire (IEEE 1394)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FirewireLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erikph 0 #11 March 25, 2008 I am not a "real" camera flyer, I just make some of my jumps with a camera on my head. I have a 60 minute cassette in my camera, and when it is at its end, I just rewind it and use it again. Only purpose of the videos is briefing and debriefing students or fellow jumpers and myself. I am not interested in all the quality stuff, or the fancy features. I am interested in a camera that produces video, is lightweight and small. I want a new one to fit in my existing camera helmet without too much trouble, and I'd like the thread size to be 25 mm so I can keep my wide angle lens. And of course it must be unbreakable and cheap. blue skies, http://myjumps.blogspot.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pattersd 0 #12 March 25, 2008 I don't really care what type of cable/connection is used (firewire would be nice). The CX7 has no method of recording from another source, which means I have to lug around my laptop or another camera with input recording. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #13 March 25, 2008 Quote I am not a "real" camera flyer, I just make some of my jumps with a camera on my head. I have a 60 minute cassette in my camera, and when it is at its end, I just rewind it and use it again. Only purpose of the videos is briefing and debriefing students or fellow jumpers and myself. I am not interested in all the quality stuff, or the fancy features. I am interested in a camera that produces video, is lightweight and small. I want a new one to fit in my existing camera helmet without too much trouble, and I'd like the thread size to be 25 mm so I can keep my wide angle lens. And of course it must be unbreakable and cheap. Amen! Sounds like a dream camera. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSE 1 #14 March 25, 2008 HD, side mountable form factor, ESI, tape or solid state. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arai 0 #15 March 25, 2008 QuoteI don't really care what type of cable/connection is used (firewire would be nice). The CX7 has no method of recording from another source, which means I have to lug around my laptop or another camera with input recording. thats the one thing that made me stop and think about the cx7, I really would have liked to have been able to copy from other skydivers at the end of the day, without lugging around a laptop. I ended up ordering it anyway, but really wish that had been included Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedPhreak 0 #16 March 27, 2008 QuoteDirect access to features trough real press buttons instead of the stupid touch screen. As it used to be on cameras in the late '90s. Actually, what would be better would be user programmable function buttons. There's no way to put enough buttons on a camera to access all the functions they pack into them and no matter which ones do have buttons they will always the wrong ones for someone. Let the user pick the functions they want quick access to. SkydiveAllegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozzy13 0 #17 March 28, 2008 Quote Just by the question, I'm curious how "the whole community may benefit." DV is dead. Mini DV *is* DV. LANC is effectively dead. Questions about HD, file-base, storage, Xfer of data, wireless video Xmission, form factor, encoder, glass would perhaps be more future-looking? My list? ~Low MTF ~High bitrate encoder (20Mbps or faster) MP4 ~High bitrate encoder (35Mbps or faster) MP2 ~High speed CF or MSDP ~Zoom wider than 28mm (based on 35mm comparison). ~Progressive imager ~Framerates of 60p @ 1920 x 1080 ~x.v. color ~HDMI output ~Port to digitally Xmit data when within 2' of the computer (automatic). Must be high speed. ~37 or 52mm lens mount threads ~Optical ND filterset ~EIS or better, user-selectable stabilization ~Large memory buffer for slow motion recording (at least 3600 frames vs current 360 frames) ~OLED screen ~profile memories (one-touch and everything about the camcorder is set for the jump, ie; zoom, focus, colorspace, framerate, exposure) ~Low profile -due to focal length/width of HD, it's unlikely we'll see narrow, but tall camcorders for a long time if ever. Making the camera more low profile for top mount would be my own next priority. ~14bit internal processing ~EVF in addition to LCD panel ~Dual-stream record to web-friendly size/format ~mxf containers ~powered I/O ~external mic input ~$1200.00 USD or less SD video? haven't shot a frame of SD in about 3+ years, and the manufacturers have developmentally phased it out.... I want one tell me where to get it Never give the gates up and always trust your rears! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #18 March 28, 2008 I'm really looking forward to the Scarlet. Chances are, based on my existing/previous experience with RED, I won't buy one, but it is certainly interesting. it WON'T be a tandem vid camera, no matter how it's sliced. But... Hey Brooke, I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #19 March 28, 2008 durable... reliable... under 750USD i used a few sony camcorders which had good input capability and bypass... the trv series of mini dv..... ...So bypass, for the purposes of updating real old jumping footage,,, i e vhs tapes... these sony models allowed me to input via the jacks from a player deck and then record onto the mini dv tape and even output simultaneously via firewire to the computer... It let me record old VHS tapes ( GASP!!!!,,,,,) direct onto dvd via the computer. i'm a believer in the lanc benefit, and also liked the old button switches, both for record mode and in playback editing mode.. real easy to use and to get to...oh well.... touch screen and /or remotes seems the way of today.. hmmm other "wishes" ??maybe some color!!! bright colors, or interchangeable inserts, of different colors??? an easily removable handstrap, another type of access cover for the various ports, so they aren't flapping open in freefall, a better and stronger threaded front end at the lens areas, ( i've snapped one or two plastic ones, while using a big or heavy lens) a zoom capability, which is mouth-operated, maybe via, an inhale/exhale tube. hell i'd spit out my still switch to go to a tube, which will let me zoom the camcorder, say, while under canopy.... (sighting, will be crucial then.. ) an owners manual in plain english and NOT some translation.....and with an index which has everything i might ever want to look up... and lastly....ANY lift ticket, at ANY dropzone, where i may go...( Ok,,,, let's limit the printer to one or two a day...)... i'm not greedy......jimmytavino a 3914 scr scs nscr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #20 March 28, 2008 Quote an easily removable handstrap You already get that on current models. I easily removed the handstrap on my HC5 with the help of a pair of scissors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #21 March 28, 2008 My PC-350 though has a hand strap I can remove and re-fit at will. First camera of... 4 (I think) where I can do that - the others all needed to be cut or otherwise butchered. When I use the camera in a non-skydiving environ it's nice to be able to put the strap back on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #22 March 28, 2008 Yeah it would be nice to have a strap that is easy to detach and reattach. I rarely use my video camera for anything other then skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #23 April 13, 2008 So was it beneficial? .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
