advice for a newbe but potential peer

[freeflychef 0]

Howdy Ya’ll. Chef Mikel here from Skydive Dallas.
I am going to get into the camera side of this sport. My ultimate goal after some coaching and practical experience is to video for the school. I am sold on the top mount equipment set up. Now my question is this. Do I buy a cheaper mini DV work horse camera to learn on? Or, do I drop the funds for a HD set up? I am going to let Cookie build my first helmet. As I become more proficient in the art I will tweak as needed. I am not as concerned about the price outlay as I am about being able to use for the school. The mini Dv seems like the more practical option but damn, I would hate to start in the dark ages. And, HD is the future. With HD will I get spanked at the editing table? And now I see this HXR-MC1. It seems I will need to get a bigger toy box. I think it is most valuable to learn from my peers. Any input on this will be appreciated

"Chef Mikel "
www.theskydivingchef.com
Always remember:
Eat safe, & Use condiments

[bdazel 0]

If the school doesn't require HD, wait to drop a load of money on an HD MiniDV camera. Flash memory will be the future in HD anyway, and I believe those are still buggy in freefall. If top-mount, you can forego the box, so you won't need to worry about having to switch boxes down the road. You can get a solid MiniDV camera for less than $200 (I just purchased a second PC9 for $140, a great skydiving camera).

[PharmerPhil 0]

I highly recommend going HD, whatever the media. For $100-200 more, you can get a used HC-5 (HDV) that records in either HD or SD. If you are using an analog editing set-up, you'll probably want to use SD, but at least you have the resolution upgrade path for no add'l dollars. If you ever want to shoot HD, you can mix HDV well with whatever any other HD videographer is shooting, and either way (HD or SD) you will be shooting 16x9 which is also the future (I don't think the 109 does 16x9, but I may be wrong).

The HC-5 is a wider camera than the PC-series, but if you are going top-mount anyway (good move IMHO) that doesn't matter, and it is shorter than most of the PC-series cams as well which is a big plus for top-mount.

Just my too sense...

[DSE 5]

HD.
A-there is no more SD. You can buy used, and be well behind the curve, or buy new HD for the same price as what new SD was.
Either tape (shudder) based or flash mem based such as MSPD or SDHC card based.
If you're freeflying, you'll potentially run into problems with most of the HD systems, read the sticky above on the subject of OIS/EIS.
No, you will not be spanked at the editing table. The HD camcorders can all output SD as well, so if you're using older analog gear, it's the same. If you're using an NLE, all newer softwares support all HD formats.
I can't think of *any* reason to buy SD as a primary camera.
The HC52/62 are very cheap (200.00) Sony SD camcorders, and they're OK, I've got one of each, maybe have 10 jumps on either of them.
HC5, 7, 9, or CX7/CX12, IMO.

[PharmerPhil 0]

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No, you will not be spanked at the editing table. The HD camcorders can all output SD as well, so if you're using older analog gear, it's the same.

It's not exactly the same. Yes, the HDV cams can output SD whether you shoot HD or SD. But if you shoot in HDV and then down convert in camera, there is a lag when going from slow-mo to full speed (ie. a couple seconds of freeze frame), and when re-winding the tape, what you see isn't what you get. i.e. the scene jumps many frames from what it was displaying in rewind and what it plays when you go to play mode. If you're shooting to edit on the fly on older analog equipment, shooting HDV will be a pain IMHO. But if you just use a HDV camera and record in SD for those systems, it acts just like the older SD camcorders except it looks better and is 16x9.

[DSE 5]

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***
But if you shoot in HDV and then down convert in camera, there is a lag when going from slow-mo to full speed (ie. a couple seconds of freeze frame), and when re-winding the tape, what you see isn't what you get. i.e. the scene jumps many frames from what it was displaying in rewind and what it plays when you go to play mode. .

Are you referring to GOP sequencing? If so, you're right..I've been working with SX and MPEG for so long, I'm just used to that....and you're right, it can be a pain.
then again, I can't understand why anyone is still editing analog.

[PharmerPhil 0]

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Are you referring to GOP sequencing?

Yes.

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...then again, I can't understand why anyone is still editing analog.

I still do for tandems (hell, I still shoot film for tandems). I am sure I will go over to NLE for tandems in the not too distant future, but for now analog is fast and cheap (my MacPro stays at home, and my notebook is long in the tooth).

Either way though, I agree that buying SD-only gear these days is kinda pointless, and anyone doing so will probably regret it. For now, I love my HC-5, and it goes from Tandems in SD to 100-ways in HD (today) without a hitch.

[freeflychef 0]

Thanks to All!!! the info is most appreciated
I think I have made my decision. I will update
Y'all when the time comes.....

"Chef Mikel "
www.theskydivingchef.com
Always remember:
Eat safe, & Use condiments

[beowulf 1]

Hey Mikel,

Why did you choose Cookie for your helmet? From what I saw from looking at their website, they are primarily a side mount video camera helmet. So the only way for you to jump both a still and video camera is to side mount the video camera and top mount the still camera. Have you thought of getting a Bonehead Flat Top Pro or a Vapor? That way you can top mount both cameras.

[Blink 1]

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Hey Mikel,

Why did you choose Cookie for your helmet? From what I saw from looking at their website, they are primarily a side mount video camera helmet. So the only way for you to jump both a still and video camera is to side mount the video camera and top mount the still camera. Have you thought of getting a Bonehead Flat Top Pro or a Vapor? That way you can top mount both cameras.

I've been looking into buying a camera helmet now for quite some time, and I am pretty sure I will be buying a Cookie as wel. They make a metal plate that mounts ontop of the ROK or MVX for a large mounting surface. They look great! http://cookiecomposites.com/data/image/Catalogue/Helmets/ROK/Rok%20Orange%20199.jpg

[beowulf 1]

Sorry man that doesn't look great to me.
I jump a 2k Composites FF3. For a side mount I think it's the best helmet out there.

I really don't like that big piece of metal on there. It looks like one big potential snag point.

If I were to buy a new camera helmet right now, I would get a Vapor Wes Pro. It and the Bonehead FTP give you the most flexibility in what type and number of cameras you can mount on it.

[freeflychef 0]

Well Sh*t! To be honest, I have not totally decided yet. After conversing with the video jocks at my DZ I may look into a diffrent option. This whole project is to video for the school at my DZ.. Damn there are a lot of options.

"Chef Mikel "
www.theskydivingchef.com
Always remember:
Eat safe, & Use condiments

[beowulf 1]

Yeah I have been planning on doing some tandem video. I don't want to do it full time, just help them out now and then when they are swamped. I just added a still camera and haven't been able to try it out yet. When will you be at the dropzone next? I haven't jumped with you in a long time.

[freeflychef 0]

I was there today. Friday "weather permitting"

"Chef Mikel "
www.theskydivingchef.com
Always remember:
Eat safe, & Use condiments

[beowulf 1]

oh you are still working weekends? That's why I don't see you out much on Sat and Sun. I will be out of town this weekend, but plan on being at the dropzone the next weekend.
I will have to make it out on Friday so I can jump with you.

[freeflychef 0]

I am family man on weekends until I get the camera issue resolved. Then it is balls to the wall.
I am now a semi retired Executive Chef. LOL Skydiving will do that to you

"Chef Mikel "
www.theskydivingchef.com
Always remember:
Eat safe, & Use condiments