GH1 Video + Stills on my Hang Glider

[designbydave]

Here is an interesting example of "convergence"

I mounted my GH1 + Olympus 8mm f/3.5 lens on my hang glider. The field of view is so wide that I only had to have the camera mounted about 1 ft in front of the control bar. This meant that I was able to easily reach the controls and switch between video and stills mode.

Here is the video

http://vimeo.com/6662741

And stills here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/designbydave51/sets/72157622289353523/

 

[ustein]

The video is nice. I hardly ever like stills from fisheye lenses. But for video it works just fine.

 

[drk3p]

Man you look like some weird worm, not human at all in that sleeping bag thing that keeps your legs from dangeling.

 

[admactanium]

Fantastic stuff. I tried to get a Tandem ride in Torrey Pines years ago but evidently I weigh too much. I'm still considering learning it at some point as there's a basics school very close to me on the beach.

Stupid question, but how dangerous of a hobby is it? I've been a motorcyclist for years so I understand risk but with a new baby my perspective has changed quite a bit.

 

[designbydave]

@drk3p - Probably the distortion from the fisheye lens. Here is an undistorted view

@ Aadmactanium - All tandem pilots have weight limits. Its not that the glider can't handle it structurally, its more that it will be very difficult to safely land the glider with too much weight. Hang gliding is as safe as you make it. Go crazy, fly advanced gliders, do aerobatics and take other risks and the chance of something going bad increases. Its all about risk evaluation and good judgment. It is much safer than motorcycling. I know many pilots that have been hospitalized by their motorcycle, but not the hang glider. Lots of good info here - http://www.hanggliding.org/http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=18997