Suggestions: Video Camera for golf swing?!

[Alittleboost]

In the market for a new video camera, it is going to be used to film golf swings so I guess I need a camera with high FPS?

I'm pretty much clueless on this topic so I came here for some suggestions.

I'm willing to pay up to $500.00.

It also needs to plug into my lap top, but my lap top does not have fire wire?..but I do have HDMI capability. I would like to use the camera at night also, I do have lights set up for this.

Maybe some golfers would like to chime in?

Thanks,

Mark

[Motegi]

Have you looked at the high-speed mode on the Casio Exilim cameras? Up to 1000 frames per second! It might suit the bill for what you need.

Here's a link:
http://exilim.casio.com/products_exfh25.shtml

Here are some slow motion video samples from the FH25, even a golf clip too.
http://www.photographyblog.com/revie...review/videos/

If you look up "FH25 golf" on youtube you will pull up a bunch more videos.

Manufacturer list price is $349 and the online prices are much lower.

[NetViper]

I guess I would ask how you think the video will help you. Have you taken lessons? Have you tried working with lasers and plane aids?

If you have done all that and just want to monitor your swing plane then I would get a nice camera output to a TV where you can watch and record your swing.

Have you looked at any golf simulators?

This looks interesting

http://www.dancindogg.com/ I have read mixed reviews, but you get a free trial period.

there are higher end versions that are $1000.

[Motegi]

Or the other option is shooting it with whatever you have right now and slowing it down using Twixtor.

Here's a link to some sample videos:
http://vimeo.com/16306661
http://vimeo.com/16946799
http://vimeo.com/15995969
http://vimeo.com/16881793
http://vimeo.com/15461835
http://vimeo.com/15931319

Obviously the higher quality the input footage the better.

The GoPro Hero HD series cameras shoot at 60fps and work well with Twixtor. I just ordered one for just over $200 after coupons. They are ultra compact and very rugged. These cameras are used often for outside vehicle in motion videos.

[Motegi]

I guess I would ask how you think the video will help you. Have you taken lessons? Have you tried working with lasers and plane aids?

If you have done all that and just want to monitor your swing plane then I would get a nice camera output to a TV where you can watch and record your swing.

Have you looked at any golf simulators?

This looks interesting

http://www.dancindogg.com/ I have read mixed reviews, but you get a free trial period.

there are higher end versions that are $1000.

Personally I've used simulators as well a variety of swing plane gadgets but I have found that the high speed photography and slow motion video instruction that I got at golf school was very helpful.

[Alittleboost]

I have gotten lessons before...but now I just want to do it on my own.

When I was taking lessons I was shooting mid 80's, now I'm down to low 70's...knocking on the door to going under, but all depends how often I get to practice due to my work schedule.

My buddy set up a golf mat and net in his back yard with a video camera and his game drastically improved...his swing is also very solid. I asked him about the camera and he said he just borrowed his friends, so I want to get my own camera...not that I have a mat and net.

My plans are simple, get the V1 swing software and just hit balls in the backyard when I don't have time to drive to the range...there are variety of swings I can compare myself too.

Thanks for the suggestion about the Casio...I'll do some more research, fell free to chime in any more suggestions, I'm a newb when it comes to camera's.

[NetViper]

I have gotten lessons before...but now I just want to do it on my own.

When I was taking lessons I was shooting mid 80's, now I'm down to low 70's...knocking on the door to going under, but all depends how often I get to practice due to my work schedule.

My buddy set up a golf mat and net in his back yard with a video camera and his game drastically improved...his swing is also very solid. I asked him about the camera and he said he just borrowed his friends, so I want to get my own camera...not that I have a mat and net.

My plans are simple, get the V1 swing software and just hit balls in the backyard when I don't have time to drive to the range...there are variety of swings I can compare myself too.

Thanks for the suggestion about the Casio...I'll do some more research, fell free to chime in any more suggestions, I'm a newb when it comes to camera's.

Ok, well you are a lot better golfer than me!

I did some research last night for a while and didn't really find much.

I take some lessons at Edwin Watts and they have 2 cameras set-up -- front and rear. They draw a line on the monitor and show you the proper swing plane. Then you can practice trying to keep your swing on plane.

They don't have very expensive cameras, so when they go frame by frame it could really be a lot better, but they can see enough to tell if you are on plane and where your club face is at impact.. which is really all the matters.

[Arshad]

Or the other option is shooting it with whatever you have right now and slowing it down using Twixtor.

Here's a link to some sample videos:
http://vimeo.com/16306661
http://vimeo.com/16946799
http://vimeo.com/15995969
http://vimeo.com/16881793
http://vimeo.com/15461835
http://vimeo.com/15931319

Obviously the higher quality the input footage the better.

Wow! Never heard of twixtor before.. but read up on it and watched some comparisons against FinalCutPro's retiming function and it totally rocks! I'm shooting 1080p60 so motion already looks good when I slow to 50% or 25% with optical flow but this should kick it up a notch. Workflow and render times suck, and cost is kind of high but the results speak for themselves! Thanks for the tip!