High speed cameras

djkarn105

djkarn105

Well-known member
I have a project coming up and the client wants to shoot on a high speed camera. I'm wondering what my options are as I have absolutely no experience with these things.

I've heard the name vision batted around but they have a ton of different models and some seem more aimed at research than motion picture applications. So the usual suspects (panny, sony, canon et al) make anything that can shoot 200+ fps?
 
I don't believe it makes a difference necessarily. There likely is differences with "High Speed Science Research" cameras, but the point is, they still capture a high amount of frames per second. I don't know much about high speed other than the fact that you need MUCH more light. If you have a meter nearby, try setting the fps to something high and have it calculate how much light you would need to have the same "look" lighting wise at that same FPS. But, as I said I don't know much, just pointing you in the right googling direction.
 
If the budget is big enough and the client wants it, I'd go with the Phantom camera. Again, if the budget allows, hire a DP to go with the camera, you'll save time and money vs. trying to figure out how to operate it and lose valuable time and money.

http://www.visionresearch.com/
 
DJ,
I was on a shoot with two Phantoms last week with a DIT who is the man for this stuff, trained by the techs/engineers vision research. A bit technical, but thats what it means to be a DIT. If you are in the NYC area and have a budget to back it, I can put you in touch with him. Shoot me a PM if you are interested. I have to say, with these cameras, having a qualified, experienced DIT and AC pays for itself 100 times over.
 
And don't skimp on the lights. Depending what you are shooting, a few 2ks or 5ks will do you a world of good.
 
I want to echo what has been said by the other posters and explain a bit. First of all, don't go cheap, use the Phantom, but be prepared for stopping often and for extended periods for your DIT to downlaod. These files are huge and require care.

Secondly what grimrebes said is true but 2k's and 5k's are a minimum requirement. I frequently use 10k's and even 20k's when going up to 1000fps. An example of a time I used 10 and 20k's an be viewed here: Lizardlandvideo.com. It is the homepage video - the water shots.

Best of luck to you. I hope it works out well.
 
I'm curious, does the Phantom show you real time what the image will look like through the viewfinder? Especially when selecting different framerates?
 
No the Phantom does not show in realtime what the image will look like. It will only show after processing and playback.
 
Hence why it takes so much time between takes. Sort of ironic that a camera that shoots so fast takes what seems like ages to download and render footage.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

We're definitely planning on renting a studio for this so I'm not worried about lighting.

We're still in the prep stages of this project and I'm trying to get a handle on whether or not the highspeed camera is within reason given the budget. Does anyone have any reccomendations in the SF Bay area for Phantom rental and / or a DIT I could talk to about figuring out if this is even feasible?

Essentially, we want to shoot a bunch of action sports athletes (skateboarders, breakdancers, bmx bikers, etc.) doing tricks at 200+ fps so aside from the highspeed camera a pretty simple setup.
 
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You could always go with the RED. Shoot at 120fps @2K. Its going to be more easily accessible(and a hired DP) than the Phantom. Maybe even take that footage and run optical flow over it for buttery slow goodness.

Side note: If you really want the Phantom call the guys at Abel Cine in LA for a rental quote, what would be involved, etc. 888.700.4416
 
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