Slow motion cameras ?? at DVinfo.net

Mat Thompson · April 27th, 2009, 04:33 AM

Hi people.

I'm going to be hiring a camera to shoot some high frame rate stuff (150FPS+). I have a limited budget so I think dedicated high speed cams will be out of the equation.

Anyway, I thought I'd throw up a post to see if you folks know of any cameras available with good fast frame features that are available at the moment.

I know the Z7/S270 has the smooth motion system that looks of a useable quality...it is this sort of thing I'm interested in !??

Many thanks
Mat

Steve Phillipps · April 27th, 2009, 04:51 AM

Unless you're prepared to spend the cash you're probably going to have to make big compromises on image quality, so it really depends on what it's for.
You could hire an Arri SR2 Highspeed that'll do 150fps, and won't cost much to hire, just the filmstock will set you back a bit. At £200 per 10 minute roll, you'll be whizzing through it at 150fps!
There is a Phantom Miro made by Vision Research which is the size of a DSLR that will go upto about 1000fps, that's not too pricey. Image-wise though it's certainly not upto Phantom HD standards by any means, but it might be adequate for what you need. Got to High Speed Cameras: Digital High Speed Video Camera Systems and Accessories. and look for Miro 4. John Hannaford is the UK rep., and he has one for hire. This is some stuff on kites that I shot with it BBC Wales - Nature - Species - Red kite
Steve

Mat Thompson · April 27th, 2009, 05:16 AM

Hi Steve
Thanks for the info...great stuff! Having never shot film I think trying to handle it under those cercumstances would be messy :-/ ! However I am interested in trying my hand shooting on a decent film camera for experience sake, so any info on places to hire would be much appreciated.

I hear what you are saying about compromising on quality. The footage is for a 10 minute short/film fest piece I've been working on for a couple of years now but its all self funded at the moment. I've just spoken to Steve and the Miro 4 is £1150 pw - which isn't bad on a daily rate (i need about 2-3 days) ....although they only hire by the week, and that is more than I was looking at.

Nice Kite footage btw...those feeding times look crazy! What frame rates this at /500ish ?

Cheers
Mat

Steve Phillipps · April 27th, 2009, 05:22 AM

Lighthouse Films hires out an Arri SR2 package that's quite reasonably-priced. I would say mainly look at cameramen who have an SR Highspeed as they may want to get a bit of income from it as it's likely to be sitting there not getting much work. There's a guy called Graham Hatherley (who I only know in passing) who's trying to sell his, so may be interested in hiring it out Wildlife Filming by Graham Hatherley
Having said that, there's maybe not a lot of call for getting experience in S16 gear anymore, it really does seem to have had its day for wildlife filming - shame but there you are.
Also RSPB Film Unit has one, wonder if they might be interested in letting you have it - maybe they'd lend you it for a few days in exchange for some footage, I don't know.
Steve

Marcus Marchesseault · April 27th, 2009, 11:56 PM

The Casio EX-F1 shoots 512 x 384 @ 300 fps which is decent for high framerate footage. I have seen its HD samples and it is a passable HD camera as well as shooting stills.

Photo for HD Video (D-SLR and others) - The Digital Video Information Network

April 27th, 2009, 04:33 AM	#1
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Slow motion cameras ?? Hi people. I'm going to be hiring a camera to shoot some high frame rate stuff (150FPS+). I have a limited budget so I think dedicated high speed cams will be out of the equation. Anyway, I thought I'd throw up a post to see if you folks know of any cameras available with good fast frame features that are available at the moment. I know the Z7/S270 has the smooth motion system that looks of a useable quality...it is this sort of thing I'm interested in !?? Many thanks Mat

April 27th, 2009, 04:51 AM	#2
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	Unless you're prepared to spend the cash you're probably going to have to make big compromises on image quality, so it really depends on what it's for. You could hire an Arri SR2 Highspeed that'll do 150fps, and won't cost much to hire, just the filmstock will set you back a bit. At £200 per 10 minute roll, you'll be whizzing through it at 150fps! There is a Phantom Miro made by Vision Research which is the size of a DSLR that will go upto about 1000fps, that's not too pricey. Image-wise though it's certainly not upto Phantom HD standards by any means, but it might be adequate for what you need. Got to High Speed Cameras: Digital High Speed Video Camera Systems and Accessories. and look for Miro 4. John Hannaford is the UK rep., and he has one for hire. This is some stuff on kites that I shot with it BBC Wales - Nature - Species - Red kite Steve

April 27th, 2009, 05:16 AM	#3
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	Hi Steve Thanks for the info...great stuff! Having never shot film I think trying to handle it under those cercumstances would be messy :-/ ! However I am interested in trying my hand shooting on a decent film camera for experience sake, so any info on places to hire would be much appreciated. I hear what you are saying about compromising on quality. The footage is for a 10 minute short/film fest piece I've been working on for a couple of years now but its all self funded at the moment. I've just spoken to Steve and the Miro 4 is £1150 pw - which isn't bad on a daily rate (i need about 2-3 days) ....although they only hire by the week, and that is more than I was looking at. Nice Kite footage btw...those feeding times look crazy! What frame rates this at /500ish ? Cheers Mat

April 27th, 2009, 05:22 AM	#4
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	Lighthouse Films hires out an Arri SR2 package that's quite reasonably-priced. I would say mainly look at cameramen who have an SR Highspeed as they may want to get a bit of income from it as it's likely to be sitting there not getting much work. There's a guy called Graham Hatherley (who I only know in passing) who's trying to sell his, so may be interested in hiring it out Wildlife Filming by Graham Hatherley Having said that, there's maybe not a lot of call for getting experience in S16 gear anymore, it really does seem to have had its day for wildlife filming - shame but there you are. Also RSPB Film Unit has one, wonder if they might be interested in letting you have it - maybe they'd lend you it for a few days in exchange for some footage, I don't know. Steve

April 27th, 2009, 11:56 PM	#5
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	The Casio EX-F1 shoots 512 x 384 @ 300 fps which is decent for high framerate footage. I have seen its HD samples and it is a passable HD camera as well as shooting stills. Photo for HD Video (D-SLR and others) - The Digital Video Information Network