Is this setup OK?

[TomOwen 0]

Hi,

OK so I currently jump a Fuego Pro with a CX7 topmounted (see first pic).

If I wish to mount stills as well EVENTUALLY, could I mount it upside down in front of and below the video?

I am looking at getting a Canon 350D or similar and want to make sure whatever I can get will be suitable for fitting in the future, if that's possible on this helmet.

So I made a "camera" and plate, kids art and craft style, and put it on to see how it went. The "camera" is actually a little big - it's made to the MAXIMUM dimensions of a 350D - i.e. even though the cardboard box is the same height all the way across, the camera would be a couple of cm smaller most of the way aside from the bump where the flash is. So you could put a 350D inside this cardboard box - it's oversize.

3rd pic is "stills only" as a reference.

Is it doable?

Cheers,

Tom

[DSE 5]

Yup, it'll work just fine. Be sure to use a solid aluminum plate so the camera doesn't bounce or sway during deployment, you should be just fine.
Nice helmet!

[PhreeZone 20]

An issue you might run into with this setup is that with the lens mounted it might stick out into the video frame. It tends to happen a lot on set ups like this unless the video camera is pushed as close to the front as possible if you are using a wide angle lens. Check and see if the lend would stick out in the video frame because if it does then you might need to get a less wide video lens or would need to move all the gear around.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[TomOwen 0]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I had a look and I think I will be OK with my 0.5, but might run into trouble with a 0.3

I will double check.

[DSE 5]

You're absolutely right, but notice he's got the Royal SD lens on there, looks like a .5. If that's correct, the still lens won't be in the shot. Even if it's a .3 Royal, I don't think it'll be in the shot, but it's possible.
You hit one of my harpie points. I can't stand video that is vignetted, has the camera housing in it, or when you see cutaway cables or tape in the frame. What's up with that?

[PhreeZone 20]

It annoys the living hell out of me to see the gear in the frame. I've seen goggles and noses in the frame on side mount cameras with the .3 and .2 lenses and I can not STAND to watch video like that. A .3 lens is going to be close to having the 18-50's hood in the frame how far back it is on the helmet, a .2 will have it in frame for sure.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[TomOwen 0]

I've had another look and I am 99% sure the 0.5 will be fine. A 0.3 would be tricky... No plans to get a 0.3 yet anyway.

I too hate spoiled video with a goggle elastic, lens, or worse still camera housing that moves about all over the place.

My video is nice and clean, and it will be staying that way!

[PharmerPhil 0]

Ditto on vignetting, helmet parts, etc in frame. Nothing says "amateur" more than that.

Quote

I've had another look and I am 99% sure the 0.5 will be fine...

...or worse still camera housing that moves about all over the place.

Keep in mind that checking for objects or lenses in frame on the ground is no guarantee it will work in the air. If you have any sort of image stabilization, the video may look fine while static on the ground, but may show unwanted objects when your IS kicks in during freefall. This may be the "camera housing that moves about all over the place" you are referring to.

[dragon2 2]

Also don´t forget to check your video on a computer not just on a tv, as the computer will show quite a bit more on all edges and it is really amateurish if people play your DVD on a tv screen and suddenly see dark corners bouncing around or the inside of the lens or top of the stills lens. Also very very annoying if someone has to edit video like that and still make it look good

I tend to excuse sidemounters with a .3 or .2 lens that show some goggle though if they fly AFF or coach jump inside video and are not getting paid for perfect video just for debrief video. But then I won´t fix their footage for the daily videos either

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[mircan 0]

Since you already have Tonfly helmet, you can consider side-mounting still camera. Like in picture here:
http://www.tonfly.com/CONVERTER_828527.html.
It is little too wide for my taste though...

dudeist skydiver #42

[TomOwen 0]

Too wide for me too! Saw it a while ago, didn't like it then, don't like it now.

Thanks for the post though!

[mircan 0]

You`re welcome
Look for 1000D. I think It is a "little" smaller and a little lighter. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1000d/page2.asp

blues!

dudeist skydiver #42

[ReyNier 0]

Here is another example for your project. Just be aware that you'll have the weight further in front. Some like that, some don't. This set up with the HC5 works fine down to .3., with CX7/12 down to .45 (with a XT, XTI on the front, standard short lense).

http://www.rcb-lab.com/index.php/dual-mount

[TomOwen 0]

Quote

Here is another example for your project. Just be aware that you'll have the weight further in front. Some like that, some don't. This set up with the HC5 works fine down to .3., with CX7/12 down to .45 (with a XT, XTI on the front, standard short lense).

http://www.rcb-lab.com/index.php/dual-mount

Awesome!

Where can you get these/how much?

That's definately another option to look in to.

I don't have a ZKULLS mount on the top of my helmet, it is just the standard flat top on the Fuego Pro. Is that OK?

Cheers,

Tom


EDIT: Reinier, didn't realise it was you

You got these in the shop?

[ReyNier 0]

Hi Tom, got one here, very nice tool. Bruno (Brokken) jumps one since some time and is very happy with it. You can easily screw it to your flat top surface without Zkulls, no problem. You can then remove the front mounted stills including bracket when you don't jump it. Just one thing (and this depends on the video camera that you are using). If your camera has the attachment screw thread (the 1/4") far towards the outline of the camera, the set up will not be centered. This is the case for the CX6,7,11,12. This problem can be avoided for those that have a ZkullsTM on top.