kawisixer01 0 #1 April 16, 2010 I bought a d90 a few months ago and have been slowly learning how to use it well. I was thinking about getting a helmet and switch for it to use for skydiving sometime down the road when I get higher jump numbers. I've heard some comments from other guys about the d90 being too big. Does anyone use one and do they feel this is too big of a cam for jumping with? Also I am curious about how much goes into getting a cam set up for jumping. Is it easy to demount and use as a normal cam or is there too much stuff to set up to be taking it on and off to use for other photog? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #2 April 16, 2010 You can use a D90 for skydiving, but most people start with just a video camera for the first few (hundred) jumps, as a videocamera is better for viewing what YOU are doing, is more useful for most people as video is used for debriefing, and a videocamera is much less of a distraction (less settings to set and only have to to turn it on/off instead of having to take the shot every time with a stills camera). You COULD use it for jumping even at first though, just don't jump a videocamera at first too, stick with one or the other. A nice DSLR and a good jumping lens cost way more than a video setup so make sure you don't damage your camera in the process (bump it against the plane, land on it etc) It's not a small camera but any (D)SLR is a bigger snag hazard than most video cameras, so make sure you mount it safely. You'll need a good camera helmet with a release system. Buy a good quick release for the camera. Buy a Nikon remote for the D90 and wire it yourself to a switch of your choice (or have someone like Laszlo make you a switch), as switches for a D90 are not sold ready to go for skydiving. What lens did you get with it? If you got the 18-55 kitlens you could use that at first for jumping, if not best buy the sigma 15mm f/2.8 for a good (and affordable) jumping lens. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #3 April 16, 2010 No... Nikon cameras don't work in skydiving... only Canon dSLR and Sony video cameras... j/k... I couldn't resist.... as Saskia mentioned... the d90 will work fine however most people start with a video camera then after a number of jumps with that will add a still camera. Scott Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kawisixer01 0 #4 April 18, 2010 ok. Thanks for the info guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #5 April 19, 2010 Quoteok. Thanks for the info guys! Also, when you get to that point, you will need to make your own bite switch by splicing a premade one with a proprietary nikon shutter release. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
