Pocket-sized video cameras are ok and easier to carry. Larger cameras are harder to carry but easier to get a steady picture.

Use a lens filter or a telephoto lens adapter (gives you more usable optical zoom). The harsh light on a ski slope does horrible things to your camera lens.

Carry an extra battery, extra tapes, fingerless gloves in your camera bag.

Put the camera away during inclement weather. If the camera fogs after coming indoors, let is sit for a while to warm up and dry out. If you insist on pushing the envelope, all weather camera covers are expensive. You can make a cheap plastic cover for your camera. A sturdy see through plastic shopping bag will do, but if you can cut out a piece of thicker plastic (e.g. like packaging for bed linen) this works better for over the lens. Use a rubber band to secure it the plastic over the lens to minimize picture distortion.

Save those little packets of silica gel that you get in your mail order packages. Put them in your camera bag to reduce moisture.

If you don’t have a digital camera, you’ll need a way to digitize the video from your camcorder (see the PC hardware tips page).

Almost any PC less than 5 years old is powerful enough to handle video.

Rusty has not yet experimented with Helmet cams. Rusty thinks the biggest problem with these puppies is that there is no zoom capability to optimize the size of the skier in the frame. The plus is it ought to be a lot easier to get footage. Here are some links for helmet cams (sport shots, viosport, archos (also has a DVR), skullcamz, helmetcamera, Oregon Scientific- cheapie - low res and low frame rate, JonesCam - they also have a rugged DVR)

Copyright 2004 Rusty Carr All Rights Reserved
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