Probably the most cost-effective option is to get an NTSC type videocam that shoots 60 interlaced fields per second. If you shoot with a high shutter speed, e.g. 1/250s the frame-by-frame playback should be pretty sharp. A PAL videocam will be easier to buy, and will shoot at 50 fields per second which is not too far behind.
If you have more (a lot more) budget, the Sony EX1 can overcrank at 60 progressive frames per second and will slow down wonderfully, however I think it's probably overkill for what you need.
hmm. what does overcranking do? and do you have any idea whats an acceptable fps without too much blurriness? thanks for the suggestions so far!
Hi,
I just bought a consumer videocam (Canon HG20) with the exact same purpose in mind - just that mine wasn't golf shots, but swimming, so I might be able to help you out with this. I am also doing frame analysis, but on a much lesser scale.
If your dad insists on 100fps, just go look for a camcorder with slow motion recording feature. There are a number of videocams that can record in slow motion for a few seconds (which should be enough). Not sure what models they are, just google around of go to the camcorderinfo.com reviews.
However, I wish him best of luck doing the frame analysis at 100fps though. My professor didn't need 100fps, he only needed 30 fps (normal NTSC) but we had mass amounts: 50+ swimmers (75+ minutes) worth of swimming footage split over 5 people to clear.................
Most video cameras can take still photos as well, but most P&S digital camera can easily beat them in terms of picture quality.
You might want to ask your dad about these priorities:
- Budget ($$)
- Not so essential parts of video quality (e.g. colour, anything that doesn't affect resolution and sharpness etc)
- Size / portability
- Ease of use
- Hi Def / Std Def
- Compatibility of format with other people's computers (i.e. less need to edit videos)
These do influence the type of camera that you might want to look at.
Another thing you should look at NSTC and PAL. This is important because they have different frame rates, and will affect the video. If your dad doesn't mind NTSC he could save a bit if he buys high end consumer models from pricejapan or US and ship to Singapore (for the lower end its not worth the trouble).
Hope this helps you.
thanks so much for the insight! i kept telling him 100fps is quite crazy, but i couldnt back it up for sure so i thought i'd check. what do you think is an acceptable frame rate to get unblurry frames for analysis? i know he will need to point out things like - oh your hand should be this way and not this way, your arm should be like that. hence it shouldnt be blurry. i understand that w higher fps he will definitely need a larger budget and a crazy ass computer able to upload the footage fast enough so its economical, but somewhere in the back of my mind, 100 just seems like overkill.
my dad's a closet photographer, he used to be into photography until it became too expensive, and i would love to recommend him a dslr that can double as a camera for his work too so i was wondering if the d90 can do the job?
but what i read from above, you used a camera thats 30fps? then is that more than enough? that'll open up so so many more cameras for us to choose from.
anw,
- Budget ($$): less than 2k, less than 1k even better but i know for dslr system that quite impossible. haha.
- Not so essential parts of video quality (e.g. colour, anything that doesn't affect resolution and sharpness etc): i'm assuming you mean the things he doesnt really care too much about? colour, file format
- Size / portability: size doesnt really matter. my dad's quite fat, so fat man + fat camera = dont look so fat. a matter of proportions i suppose.
- Ease of use: quite user friendly but advanced features wont faze him, i can explain it and he catches it quite fast.
- Hi Def / Std Def: i dont think it really matters.
- Compatibility of format with other people's computers (i.e. less need to edit videos): not really. just as long as its compatible w his laptop which runs on a windows system. he might get a cheap laptop to complement the camera so probably basic specs with his own computer program to slow down things and draw lines like you see on the pga.
taking photos is definitely a bonus, but if cannot then he's ok to settle for a dedicated video cam that can do the job.
and ultimately, the one w the best value is the best option.
haha. thats my dad. (most other dads too i suppose).
