HVX200: Shutter speed for shooting a car race?
 

I have an upcoming job shooting at an open road course where go carts are raced. Its professional level and the cars go super fast. I will have full track access and can position myself wherever I feel comfortable (hope my insurance agent doesnt follow this group). Anyways I went out to the place this weekend and got some test shots. I played with the shutter speed on my HVX200 and was curious what settings you would use for this type of shooting.

I set up camera at 720P 30PN and mixed up the shutter speed. I am now reviewing the footage and trying to decide what to shoot at for the "semi pro" race coming up.

Would you shoot this in another format besides 720P 30?

My final product will be transferred to BetaSP.

Thanks for your comments.

Darrin

Darrin,

Most sports are shot in 60i; the faster the frame rate the less motion blur you'll have. Unless you're doing this to transfer to film later, try that setting.

At 720/24p (not PN) at 60 fps you can have both 24p and slow motion if you want. (using the frame converter)

I shot a bike race at 1/100 w/ 1/64 ND that turned out well. I was panning to follow a specific rider and the background blur was just enough to convey the speeds (80-120mph). For cars @80mph, I've shot 1/250 without ND on cheaper cams. You can pretty much throw out any shutter slower than 1/60; the blur is too distracting.

Don't ever shoot interlaced for action footage unless your final format is broadcast; of course, if you have 60p available, then do that as it is wholly superior to 60i.

Do not go to 24p.