Basejumper.com - archive

Has anyone found a camcorder (Mini DV) that won't go out of focus so bad during the openings for the slider off jumps? We have been using the SONY PC100 and PC105 with the floating lens.

My Sony DCR-HC40 has been all good~J

Those two cameras (particularly the 100) are notorius for doing that. You should be safe with just about any new Sony camera.

sony DCR-HC30

Small / Light weight / great Sony inboard stabilization / reasonable price

Spence just got one. Does the job for BASE video.
I am shopping around for one right now.
.

I paid $534.97 out the door for my new HC-40 (double the resolution of the 30 I believe) from an internet store. came with a gear bag,tripod...blah ...bla...bla
DSN digital shopping network 1(877)393-6205
look for them on EBAY,good shit and the best prices I could find.
Word!
~J

 new HC-40 (double the resolution of the 30 I believe) from an internet store.
..................

Sweeeeeeeeet...I will look into it.

The PC 110 won't do that, and I've got one I'd trade you for that 100......

It does not matter what new miniDV camera you get. with 3,5,or 10 mega pixel. as long as it is standard minidv it will only produce about 720x 480.. or about .4 of those 3 mega pixels or about 500 - 530 lines of resolution.. the rest of the extra pixels are used for video intrapolation ( to long to explain) and the "STEADY SHOT" video stabilization.
so out of the cameras you get you should be looking for best white balance,color tone, and low light level operation.

THe Sony dvr-hc40 is an overpriced version of the HC30. some extra features that you wont use..

right now the CHEAP sony caneras at the top of my list are.
SOny HC-30 $399(us) Ebay
or new from this site $369 http://www.amphotoworld.com/...x=15&filter.y=11
sony pc -109 $
new here 609$ http://www.amphotoworld.com/...p;om=Sony&rpp=10
sony pc-350 $ 8
New here 879 http://www.amphotoworld.com/...p;om=Sony&rpp=10
SOny PC330 $ http://www.amphotoworld.com/...p;om=Sony&rpp=10
the pc330 has been discontinued.. but uses a nice auto focus using HALOGRAM..


In my opinion thease are the best 4 cameras(by sony)..
beware that the pc109 and the pc350 need the DOCKING station to use the FIRE WIRE...
the rest of them have the connections built onto the camera.

As I am sure others are good also but these are the ones I am looking to buy at this time..

also if you find better pricing let us know

Those two cameras (particularly the 100) are notorius for doing that. You should be safe with just about any new Sony camera.
And, any OLD Sony camera, like PC7 and PC10 is safe too.

Ronald Overdijk
www.liveskyproductions.nl

 I used the pc 9 for a year, after the pc 101 and now I´m using the PC 109.....

My first two had the same problem, in skydiving jumps, depending on how hard was the opening, but I have friends here in Brazil using the same models.....and some of them have the same problem, others not..

It should be lucky on buy....because this happens to anybody, independent of the camera´s model.
I had a friend with an old JVC with the same problem.

It is caused by the movement of the step motor inside the optical package during opening.....engineering stuff......

If someone want best explanation, please write me e-mail.

Good jumps,

OK...some more reasons I like my HC-40....
I'ts lighter and smaller than the PC series.
The LCD screen works great in direct sunlite.
The touch screen is pretty cool.
The night shot seems to come out better than the PC's Ive seen,(crisper and the IR doesn't look like someone is pointing a penlight at your face on the video)
also...
It is Low in carbs,gets out those deep,set in stains,dolphin safe,non etching,hypoalergenic,freerange,organic,low sodium....
~J
edited so that it would say ~edited~ at the bottom.

Sorry, the 100 took a dunk in a well known fjord awhile back.

How is it with very cold hands? Or hot and sweaty ones? I've long been a fan of real buttons because it seems like when my hands are cold the touch screens don't work properly (or maybe I just can't tell where I'm touching ).

setting my 105 on manual focus does that it dont do it.. Only when its on auto focus it were do so...

I was trying to order HC-30 but the program would not accept my phone number. Dose anyone know how to type it if you don´t live in the States?

**** I WAS IN NO WAY REPRESENTING THAT SITE IN MY LAST POST******

I just put it up there for price reference..

a good page to check out camera.http://www.camcorderinfo.com

I did not understand it like that I replied to you becouse i was thankful for your info. I also needed more info so i asked for little help

thanks agin!

HC 40 - 400 gm
PC 109 - 385 gm

I use the 109 and it not only has the same features as the HC40, but it also promotes world peace

Thanks........that saves me a shit-load of sufin & lookin

  I really like pc-9's . I have used 2 of mine for years without any problems. I found an almost brand new one on ebay for 399 with shipping. I have been told that newer "inexpensive" line of Sony cameras come with lenses that are not Carl Zeis(s.p.) lenses. They are made by Sony under license from Zeis. The total quality of theses 250.00-600.00$ consumer grade cameras is much less than there more expensive models. They are 90% plastic and will not hold up for long in a parachuting enviroment in general. My suggestion if you are going to buy a cheaper camera is to buy it from either Sams or Costco, and to hang on to all packaging and receipts as they have a 5 year no question return policy ;) !!
When you start adding super quality(300.00$ +) wide angle lenses to your camera, you will see the difference in the quality between a "Real" zeis lens, and a cheap one.
Just my .02 $$$$

Bennii

actually I meant to relpy to you then typed something totally different. didnt want others to think I supported it.

Not sure about the phone number thing
have any friends in the states? use thier number.. or paypal them and have them purchase it for you. ship it to ya.
none have export restrictions that I know of..

I agree totally with you Jay.
the PC-9 is my camera of choice. unfortunatelly a bath at bridge day took it out of service. I can use it as a VCR but no Camera video.
that is why I am looking into a new one.
my next choice is the PC330 or PC350.. both of them use REAL Carl Zeis lenses.

anyone have a sony PC-9 for sale?working or broken ill buy for parts..
tymkoder@hotmail.com

Some US retailers won't ship overseas, because of customs problems. As Tymkoder suggested, you might want to have someone in the US transship to you.

huh we are almost nice people all of us and wont sue a compagny if the camcorder dont work after beeing fryed in a micro

FYI- I recently bought a Sony HC series Camcorder, and I'm not happy with the image quality. What can I expect for that price!

* The lens is too small and doesnt gather much light, so the image exposure isnt as good.

* I dont think the Stabilizer works as well either. I really have to concentrate on limiting movement while using the HC.

So the Sony HC has become a playback deck only...
If you want the highest quality images, keep looking.

Can anyone ID the jumper in the attached photo?

Cya,
Josh Morell
www.imagethisphoto.com

Did you ad a wide angle lens?
If not, try a .5 or .42 something along those lines.

I've been using the HC30 for a full season of tandem vids and some BASE with nothing but praise from my customers.

Since a lot of the people I video come as a group and all get video, some from other guys with much more expensive cameras, if my finished product were inferior I would have heard about it.

You can definately get a better camera, but you'll pay for it in cash, size, and weight.
-Josh

ps: You can buy a wide angle lens with an adapter ring to fit for about $40.

pss: Night shot isn't great, but it seems to work well right through sunset.

DJ Higgins from Portland.

I would asume that doing tandems you are jumping in at least decent conditions. So the Camera will work almost all of them will.
Most people are jumping for joy to see any video and wont notice the little differences between your $400. camera and the other guys 1500. camera, and in normal conditions there wont be a difference.

few things to remember.
Bigger lens = better light capture
More pixels on large CCD =(should) better picture.
top two together = better low light capture.

Now for wide angle lense..
Paying more does get you more. getting a good lense will offer a few things.
1. reduce the distortion and fish eye effect.
2. reduce fussyness at edges of video
3. allow you to ZOOM thru the wide angle lens.

edit to add...
Shaking....
well that is a factor of extra pixels. lense stability. and software..
also the big old heavy cameras had less shake..
think of your dads big old heavy Cadilac running down the highway compared to your lighweight honda civic.. the big heavy one smooths out the bumps..

not an expert. just have used alot of equipment.

Ya.. I know who he is.

Why ?

What did he do now ?

I know of atleast 5 different models of the HC series, which do you own? Have you tried a wide angle lens~J

Looks like Timmy from Australia to me.

Timmy has shorty hair. And only DJ wears those god awful white sneakers that should have stayed in the 80's.

I dont own the HC series of cameras. I have demo'd them (buy and return). and I am looking at purchasing a HC30 if the price is right on Ebay. currently for size/quality i like the PC9.

I want to get a HC30 for a throw away camera.. foot mount, belly mount, water jumps. or any jump that I dont want to destroy my PC9 or PC330..

If anyone has any info on the Canons or other manufactures that would be great. Reviews seem good and prices are cheaper than sony, but I have not used them.

Just my opinions.

a kindof side question - for all the non-standard ( non-helmet) mount camera angles, why not go with a bulletcam ? I have been researching it, and it seems like the quality is up there, hiding the cables should be pretty simple. And best of yet, with all the new cams being smaller and smaller, you can easily fit 2-3 in a fanny pack so you can have instant 3 angles.

let's hear it...

wouldnt you need 2-3 cameras to record the video though

that's exactly what I meant - with cameras being smaller, you can easily squeeze 2-3 in a fanny pack - I am sure we can use a higher amperage power supply to fuel all 3 bulletcams, and the wiring shouldn't be a big deal...

OK thanks, I was quite confused when you said :


I was going to write a flippant one-liner but then I realized how ignorant I would come across.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

you know what they they about assumtion :)

to clarify - 1 bullet cam per 1 camcorder. Now from the specs each bulletcam has to have a PS, but since they probably drain next to nothing, I am sure one power supply, perhaps with slights mods, can handle all of them. keep in mind, we are also talking the whole whooping few minutes ( if we get so lucky ) of recording time that we need ( i am implying exit - freefall - landing ). Of course then we can also talk about a unified battery for all the cameras that you will carry, since even 3 slim batteries are quite heavy..

now if anybody wants to buy me 3 bulletcams, I do have 3 minidv camcorders here..

P.S. Keep in mind that for this setup you can easily buy one of them "damaged" TRV/PC/HC series on ebay - about a year ago I bought a TRV33 where the whole lens mechanism was shot, but it played back fine, and recorded from external source ( RCA Analog hookup ) just fine - cost me a whooping $150 bucks.

I was in denial when I watched the video from the HC-40. When my wife mentioned the quality looked low, I knew it was obvious! The average person shouldnt notice a difference, but my wife caught it.
My first jump was filmed with an 8mm, and ofcourse I'm stoked to have it. Who isnt happy with a video of a first jump! I'm looking for pro quality video, or as close to broadcast quality possible. The HC series regardless of Model wont to the job.

HC- All models have the same resolution and Steady Shot function.
Read the fine print: Sony has a variety of Zeiss Lenses and Steady Shots. Just because its a Zeiss doesnt mean its the best Ziess available. Is it Steady Shot or Super Steady Shot??

Yes, I have used a variety of lenses (.5 .42 .38).

Ray / DJ, just looking for caption info. Thanks Tom.

The extra shake notice was in comparisson to the PC-7. Both are very light and small, so I believe its a mechanical difference. I assumed since the PC-7 was a much older camera, that the HC series would atleast compare.

Bullet Camera- I dont use them mostly because you are stuck with one size lens. There is no option for super wide fish eye lenses on Bullet Cameras that I know of. When they do, I will get one!

The HC is a great throw away camera, as mentioned.

JM
www.imagethisphoto.com

you need 3 pc alike cams whith analough in,then you´ll need 3 batterypacks aswell(8 batteryes on each) plus 3 remotes.. i do belive THAT would be a problem... i think it takes more room than i like just whith 1 bullet cam

wrong power= quallity...

well...i`m using pc-4...the OLD one...because its always that 720x 480 resolution and.... still...easier the better...smaller the best...allmost in every situation ;)

when I´m skydiving i`m using pc-120, there`s lots of features that 330 has also...

se ya Dave...when will we meet again? coming to Europe?

Fastpete

Hey Pete,
Good to hear from you.
Planning on Norway in August. After that I don't know.
That big stack on your web site looks like a lot of fun!! I might have to invite myself if they do it again.

C-Ya
Dave

we were planning to go to Norway too....and August it is...

I think they will do it again...i can ask if you want

Merry Christmas !!

 
anyone have a sony PC-9 for sale?working or broken ill buy for parts..
tymkoder@hotmail.com
Hey Tym- we have a PC9 that got a bath in Miracle Grow, Sony couldn't fix it so we bought a new one off Ebay. I think the old one is sitting around as "parts". I'll see if the owner wants to shed it. How much is it worth to you?

K