General questions

[Tuna-Salad 0]

Hello. Sorry if I'm asking a question that has already been asked... I am a new skydiver and not even close to being able to fly a camera yet. I have a canon powershot s5is (point and shoot) that takes fantastic pictures and is capable of very high quality video. I'm wondering if this would be a good / bad choice as a camera and why. Has anyone used this camera? The only thing I can see about it is that it is not very aerodynamic and drag might be a factor as well as hang points during deployment, however I have seen far bulkier less aerodynamic cameras used. I don't know much about photography so I cannot see why you would need a wide angle lens for camera flying, but I'm sure I will find out soon enough. I am not planning to do any profesisonal work, more to record my skydives with friends etc. Anyway any input would be useful.

Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night.

[PhreeZone 20]

You are right, the general jump numbers for flying camera are at 200 or more jumps so you have a ways to go still even before "just" filming friends. The Powershot does not have a remote shutter release, how are you going to take pictures with it? Typically there is a mouth triggered release for the stills, either bite, tongue or blow. With out a remote release you need to reach up and press the button each time, its not going to happen in freefall.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[BMFin 0]

Quote

With out a remote release you need to reach up and press the button each time, its not going to happen in freefall.

Are you sure ?

Also, unless Im mistaken there are some skydivers that have modified a remote for a point and shoot compact camera. I think lazlo has done it at least and some other regulars on this forum. Sure it requires you are a bit more tech savy than the average..

[Tuna-Salad 0]

I really had no plans of taking pictures, (not yet anyway) more just pressing the record button well before exiting. I was mostly wondering about quality. Would it be any less than what I would see on the ground? (That is probably a dumb question) I also see people talking about fps, I find that with lower end batteries the fps suffers however when using the expensive types it is smooth as glass.

Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night.

[Fast 0]

Quote

I really had no plans of taking pictures, (not yet anyway) more just pressing the record button well before exiting. I was mostly wondering about quality. Would it be any less than what I would see on the ground? (That is probably a dumb question) I also see people talking about fps, I find that with lower end batteries the fps suffers however when using the expensive types it is smooth as glass.

This camera really isn't suited for shooting freefall video.

~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