What to think about when jumping a Sony HDR-FX1000 or similar?

[lilchief 1]

A friend of mine has access to a camera quite similar to a Sony HDR-FX1000 camera. I told him that it would be been cool to use skydiving in one of his school projects and let me jump with the camera. I'm in the procsess of ordering a Vapor Wes Pro from skysystems and Id guess the helmet should fit such a camera.

but what about positioning, vibrations or snag hazard? It doesn't feel heavier then my Sony PC 350 and 350D together(which is impressive to me). But may it shift weight balance a bit due to its size?. Any extra concerns regarding pull? and best of all...what should I think of when jumping such a big camera? ;)

Thanks for any help =)

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no

[DSE 5]

Quote

It doesn't feel heavier then my Sony PC 350 and 350D together(which is impressive to me). But may it shift weight balance a bit due to its size?

Then it isn't similar to an FX1000...Not if it weighs the same as the PC350.
The heavier weight and substantially higher profile create a greater 'whip' at opening, and you'll feel it, no doubt. I've jumped the FX1000, it's about the same as the EX1, FX1/Z1, etc. It's a typical prosumer camcorder.
you'll want more than just the threaded tripod mount for an attachment point. I use long, industrial strength zip ties going over the lens (removing the lens hood) and over the back just forward of the battery housing.
It's a rudder, it provides a much bigger profile to the wind than you'd expect. To really make good use of this type of camera, you still need a wide adapter, and this is where you gain a tremendous amount of weight/imbalance. none of the 65mm-82mm wide adapters are light....
The picture quality you get is indeed slightly better, but not so much that it's worth being hurt for, so be very careful. For a school project? I don't know that I'd take the half hour extra it takes to mount (and my helmet top is made for this sort of thing) vs using a CX or HC series cam.
Depending on the actual model (you suggest it *isn't* an FX1000) then it likely is a tremendously greater snag hazard. There is no way to keep the microphone on an FX1000 from being a snag hazard, as just one example. You can't put pressure on it with the zip ties; it'll break off. You can't remove it easily, there are quite a few circuits in there.
Be sure to gaff the LCD preview screen down as well.
Either way, it's fun to jump with, just plan it carefully, practice the deployment/head positioning on the ground, and you'll likely be just fine.

[lilchief 1]

Thank for the reply DSE! =) I'll take it into consideration.

I don't know if it does much difference but I found out which camera it is. It's a Sony XH A1.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no

[DSE 5]

There isn't a Sony XH A1. There is a Sony HVR A1U, and a Canon XH A1. Canon XHA1 is similar to an FX1000, but damn...That's a LOT of camera snag right there....be very careful. I have one, have about a dozen jumps for commercial work, it has a nice 24p mode...Shoot at 1/48 or faster if shooting in 24p.

[lilchief 1]

dang! yeah..it's a canon all right. Dont know why I wrote Sony =(

I'll take a look at it when I get the vapor and see if I'm able to reduce snag hazards. Thanks for the advice DSE! =)

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no