Bouncing off the heavy ballooning chats to spend a bit of time on videotaping your fun.
First you need a video camera. Go with a Contour Or a GoPro.. there are lots of choices here. Great all around cameras that is quick to go. Easy switch on and off. Upgrades are plentiful and accessories are all there too.
Lots of details on both websites. Other video cameras are out there but really don't hold up like these do.
I have been using these manfrotto clamps.. But with a flexi arm on it.
Problem is that they keep slipping on the uprights. More in the winter than in the summer. Though I am getting tired of it as its a waste to find upon the balloon landing that your camera is pointing at the sky.
I am thinking that a fixed clamp, like a bicycle clamp might work better but it also may gouge the burner frame metal. Fixed poles are great but if you have to land quickly or get it out of the way ... well you have a problem. That's why I like the flexi pole.
GoPro with display back. The GoPro has the skeleton back on because even though you might get dust in the camera the sound with a full back on is so muffled its ... well ... unusable.
One of the other problems I have run into with the GoPro that I never did with the Contour is that if you leave the battery in the camera it may.. and I say may... be dead when you want to use it. Or! I have had the the camera while the display back is on had the battery overheat inside the main camera. I didn't even know it. I was just checking the cam and it was hot to the touch. I pulled it all apart and it was okay but it was not a good thing. The camera or back could have been damaged. Just a thought.
I lightly wrap my cameras in a lint free cloth and then tuck them in these water resistant bags. I get them at REI. http://www.rei.com/
Cheap and you can pick them up year round.
Woops! Looking up!
Get a good quick memory chip ( for GoPro ). Class 4 or above. For the higher rated video capture speeds you will need it. (from Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/
Memory chip for the Contour..again class 4 or above.
I have used both camera while just holding it in my hand and have come out with great video. It is easier on the GoPro with the display back on but you can do it without as well. Whatever floats your boat.
That's about it for camera gear as I use it. A good rule of thumb is to have everything prepped the night before and take time in the morning or before your ready to go out and shoot to verify that you have everything you need with you.
You might find something interesting.
