Comprehensive Camera for Filming your Golf Swing Thread

[evan01]

Hey guys and gals, does any one have a review on a inexpensive recorder that can pick up a golf swing? I would like to be able to look at my swing  or a buddies.

[MiniBlueDragon]

I think a lot of people really like some of the Casio cameras for videoing their swings but your best bet is to use the search bar above and search for "cameras" and sort the results by relevance. There's loads of information on different cameras so you'll be able to figure out what's best for you based on your budget etc.

[evan01]

Thanks for the reply. I have looked around a bit. The issue in the Casio is indoors filming. I am fortunate enough to work at a golf club and we have a great indoor hitting facility. The quality out side is great but nothing shows up inside. I even hung 4- 300 watt lights just above the mat.

[2thetee]

I am waiting for the Casio ZR200 to come out in April at $379

Supposedly you can shoot at 1000fps and control shutter speed.

See this review http://youtu.be/Xpi75AJIHzE

[MiniBlueDragon]

That ZR200 really looks good, especially for the price.

The Casio website says that the resolutions are a bit poor though as the FPS increases?

Quote:

1920 x 1080 (30 fps)

1280 x 720 (15, 30 fps)

640 x 480 (30, 120 fps)

512 x 384 (30, 240 fps)

224 x 160 (480 fps)

224 x 64 (1000 fps)

To be fair to the camera I think most people would be happy enough videoing their swing in 240 FPS and a resolution of 512 x 384 is more than adequate. For reference, this is 512 x 384:

[evan01]

Do any of you have info. on capturing video indoors? I know the casio works great outside.

[Joezuno]

I've been looking around at casio cameras too. Im sure the quality would be fine as long as you have good lighting.

[evan01]

hey joe thats the problem. How much light will you need to shoot indoors

[sacm3bill]

I've been hoping someone with more photography experience than me would chime in before I volunteered my inexpert opinion, but I've heard you can shoot up to 300fps just fine indoors. Your best option to make sure would be to borrow a camera to see if you can get usable footage before spending money. You might also consider PM'ing Erik (username iacas) - he's a photography buff and I'm sure he can answer this question.

[iacas]

You need a LOT of light to shoot 300 FPS indoors. Your eyes are good at adjusting for lots of light levels, and most people wouldn't believe how bright something has to be to match "outside" light.

[sacm3bill]

Originally Posted by iacas

You need a LOT of light to shoot 300 FPS indoors. Your eyes are good at adjusting for lots of light levels, and most people wouldn't believe how bright something has to be to match "outside" light.

Ok, but the question I think he's asking is can you get any usable high speed footage indoors. I.e., whatever the minimum frame rate is for swing analysis (120?), can that be used to get reasonably good footage?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by sacm3bill

Ok, but the question I think he's asking is can you get any usable high speed footage indoors. I.e., whatever the minimum frame rate is for swing analysis (120?), can that be used to get reasonably good footage?

Yes, he can. He just needs a lot of light. More than one might think is necessary. We can record at 1/1000 indoors, but we also have four $150 lights above our instructional bay and nine $100 lights in our 24-foot general hitting area.

[evan01]

Sorry, I went away for a few days. What constitutes a $150 light. I also work at a higher end golf club and we have built a great indoor practice facility  our pro is struggling with this problem also. Maybe I can win favor with him for a few lessons!  LOL

[x129]

I don't think there is anything really special about the light (well maybe if you have 20'+ ceilings). It is just a matter of getting a lot of it in ways that don't cast a lot of shadows. Go to most photography websites (or think about the last time you went to a professional photo studio) and you will see a bunch of high powered directional lights.

Originally Posted by evan01

Sorry, I went away for a few days. What constitutes a $150 light. I also work at a higher end golf club and we have built a great indoor practice facility  our pro is struggling with this problem also. Maybe I can win favor with him for a few lessons!  LOL

[sacm3bill]

Might be a good idea to just borrow a camera to see if your existing light is sufficient, before doing a lot of research and/or spending on lights.

[evan01]

thats why I am here 3bill. I know of someone that has tried indoors at our facility and the 1st go around with the basic didn't work thyen I added 3 300 watt lights just over head that didn't work so I am hoping the golf gods here on the trap will help me out!

[x129]

What was your light meter reading?

Originally Posted by evan01

thats why I am here 3bill. I know of someone that has tried indoors at our facility and the 1st go around with the basic didn't work thyen I added 3 300 watt lights just over head that didn't work so I am hoping the golf gods here on the trap will help me out!

[evan01]

I guess my next quest to to get me a light meter and come back with some info. Is there a particolar number I am looking for?