Need camera for unusual shots.

[Flynnstone]

Hi all,

My brother needs to buy a new video camera.
They need to video their top fuel dragster.
They want a high def camera.
They have a $3500 budget.
Because the motion is extremely fast, I suspect progressive scan.
The race is under 5 seconds long.
There is a lot of vibration, some cameras can't handle this, but their Sony does well on this point.

They presently have a Sony HDRFX7.
They are looking at a XHA1.

Another idea is a camera that has high FPS, like 100 FPS or faster.

Anyone with comments, recommendation etc?

 

[pdpfilms]

My first question is this: By high fps, you're asking for slow-motion, correct? Not just a high shutter speed?

If so, you're out of luck. There aren't any cameras in your price range that will shoot that fast. The only high fps consumer camera that I'm aware of is that Casio EX-FX1, but it's primary function is a still camera. All in all, it comes down to the fact that HD on it's own uses a LOT of bandwidth. Couple that with having to record 4-5 times normal speed and you're not going to be able to find a camera less than $20,000 that can handle it.

The XH-A1 is a great cam. But I'd even look at an HV-20 or HV-30- they're smaller and cheaper, and with the proper settings can capture an image comparable to the A1.

 

[cube]

I also thought about the Casio, but it can shoot HD only upto 60fps.

 

[LethalWolfe]

As pdpfilms said, your price range for a 100fps camera is low (the Red One is closest camera to your budget that can do 100fps in HD and it's $17.5k for just the camera body). Due to the speed and vibration I'd probably stay away from CMOS based cameras (like the HV20/30) as high speed moves and vibration can cause distortion in the image.


Lethal

 

[Flynnstone]

My first question is this: By high fps, you're asking for slow-motion, correct? Not just a high shutter speed?

The only high fps consumer camera that I'm aware of is that Casio EX-FX1, but it's primary function is a still camera. All in all, it comes down to the fact that HD on it's own uses a LOT of bandwidth.

Thanks the Casio looks interesting.

I checked out some "hi end" cameras. $30k to $70k +" . A bit out of budget.

Thanks for the Casio info.

 

[Flynnstone]

As pdpfilms said, your price range for a 100fps camera is low (the Red One is closest camera to your budget that can do 100fps in HD and it's $17.5k for just the camera body). Due to the speed and vibration I'd probably stay away from CMOS based cameras (like the HV20/30) as high speed moves and vibration can cause distortion in the image.


Lethal

I thought about the Red One, my brother has a connection there. but ...

On the second note, the CMOS based camera, is this due to CMOS vs CCD technology? Is there a similar difference with Bayer pattern vs 3 CCD?
Is there info available on this subject?

 

[LethalWolfe]

On the second note, the CMOS based camera, is this due to CMOS vs CCD technology? Is there a similar difference with Bayer pattern vs 3 CCD? Is there info available on this subject?

Yes, it has to do w/CMOS vs CCD technology. Basically all the cameras w/CMOS sensors right now scan from top to bottom (this is called a "rolling shutter") and fast changes to the image (lots of speed, lots of vibration, camera flashes, etc.,.) can happen faster than the CMOS sensor can make a complete scan. So, for example, if a quick camera flash goes off while the CMOS sensor is in mid-scan then only half of the recorded image will be bright from the flash and other half, which was recorded just before or after the flash, will be dark.

If you google "rolling shutter" and "skew", "flash", or "wobble" you'll see lots of discussion about it.


Lethal

 

[Flynnstone]

Casio EX-FX1 - EX-F1. Are these the same camera?

 

[ChemiosMurphy]

If you up the budget by $2000 you can get a JVC gy-hd200. IT supports 720p60, which is one of the highest framerates for progressive HD out there. My university TV station has 4 of these and they work great. You do need to buy expensive $400 a pop Anton Bauer Dionic batteries, which get over 3 hours of life... Good buy though if you can up the price

 

[Flynnstone]

Update:

My brother bought a Casio EX-F1.
Loves it. Everyone else wants one too.

Thanks pdpfilms.