best video camera for drag racing

Henry S · 12-17-2007, 04:51 PM

Does anybody have an opinion on what is the best video camera for taping the launch of the race car in both good light and low light conditions? There are so many out there with hard drive and mini dvd etc. what is best? Thanks in advance.

Mike Hedger · 12-17-2007, 05:44 PM

We have a JVC hard drive camera and it seems to do good. I was told when I bought it they were phasing out the DVD cameras so I bought the one with a HD instead. It will record over 11 hrs. and cost 440.00 with the extra stuff (second batt, case etc.)

Tom Goldman · 12-17-2007, 06:04 PM

We've been taping my car and customers cars for many years, and have gone thru many cameras. ........ most of the new digital cameras are excellent for our purpose, however make sure the one you choose has a stabilization feature, commonly found on most cameras with a "sports " setting, without this your runs will appear very shakey..........Auto focus and high speed zoom is also a great feature,since its difficult to manually keep up with the cars movement during the first 2-300'. .......Tom

Greg Barsamian · 12-18-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

We've been taping my car and customers cars for many years, and have gone thru many cameras. ........ most of the new digital cameras are excellent for our purpose, however make sure the one you choose has a stabilization feature, commonly found on most cameras with a "sports " setting, without this your runs will appear very shakey..........Auto focus and high speed zoom is also a great feature,since its difficult to manually keep up with the cars movement during the first 2-300'. .......Tom

Now you tell me!
LOL
Greg

Jack Matyas · 12-18-2007, 06:27 PM

Greg--After seeing the taping you did for me I'll have to find the "Sports" setting for you...............At first I thought maybe you just needed a drink or you just quit smoking but now Tommy brought out the truth--you just need glasses to read !!!!!!!! Maybe Santa will bring 'em........Happy Holidays

john clegg · 12-18-2007, 08:49 PM

raceoptics.com. small and great stuff.

Don Kennedy · 12-18-2007, 11:44 PM

I just bought a Aiptek Camcorder Pocket DV 5900 at best Buy for $89 on line with pick up at their store. I also bought a bigger Sandisk SD/MMC so I could record more minutes for $19. . I then ordered a trick Video Camera Mount from S&W race cars from their new catalog on page 23 for $30. You must know the size of the roll bar where you want to mount the camera on either a 1-5/8 or 1-3/4 . This is a very clean way to mount the camera . I am not sure yet on how good the camera is , but it looks neat in race car . I did see a persons video with the system I just bought and it was good.

The total cost for a simple setup is appx $130. not sure how it will work yet.

Don Kennedy · 12-19-2007, 01:35 AM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....prd81700050001

Not sure this will work but copy and paste ?

Don Kennedy · 12-19-2007, 01:37 AM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1186004295515

This is without the tripod FYI

Ken Haase · 12-19-2007, 03:00 AM

I think the best video camera for drag racing is the one you remember to take with you.

12-17-2007, 04:51 PM	#1
Henry S Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 83 Likes: 11 Liked 19 Times in 7 Posts	best video camera for drag racing Does anybody have an opinion on what is the best video camera for taping the launch of the race car in both good light and low light conditions? There are so many out there with hard drive and mini dvd etc. what is best? Thanks in advance. Last edited by Henry S; 12-17-2007 at 07:08 PM.

12-17-2007, 05:44 PM	#2
Mike Hedger Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kemah TX Posts: 93 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: best video camera for drag racing We have a JVC hard drive camera and it seems to do good. I was told when I bought it they were phasing out the DVD cameras so I bought the one with a HD instead. It will record over 11 hrs. and cost 440.00 with the extra stuff (second batt, case etc.) __________________ Mike Hedger S/C 4646 MPH Racing and Fabrication

12-17-2007, 06:04 PM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,474 Likes: 885 Liked 859 Times in 234 Posts	Re: best video camera for drag racing We've been taping my car and customers cars for many years, and have gone thru many cameras. ........ most of the new digital cameras are excellent for our purpose, however make sure the one you choose has a stabilization feature, commonly found on most cameras with a "sports " setting, without this your runs will appear very shakey..........Auto focus and high speed zoom is also a great feature,since its difficult to manually keep up with the cars movement during the first 2-300'. .......Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

12-18-2007, 06:27 PM	#5
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,927 Likes: 406 Liked 2,050 Times in 398 Posts	Re: best video camera for drag racing Greg--After seeing the taping you did for me I'll have to find the "Sports" setting for you...............At first I thought maybe you just needed a drink or you just quit smoking but now Tommy brought out the truth--you just need glasses to read !!!!!!!! Maybe Santa will bring 'em........Happy Holidays __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

12-18-2007, 08:49 PM	#6
john clegg Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: victoria texas Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 1 Post	Re: best video camera for drag racing raceoptics.com. small and great stuff.

12-18-2007, 11:44 PM	#7
Don Kennedy VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Portland TN Posts: 1,590 Likes: 3,876 Liked 902 Times in 237 Posts	Re: best video camera for drag racing I just bought a Aiptek Camcorder Pocket DV 5900 at best Buy for $89 on line with pick up at their store. I also bought a bigger Sandisk SD/MMC so I could record more minutes for $19. . I then ordered a trick Video Camera Mount from S&W race cars from their new catalog on page 23 for $30. You must know the size of the roll bar where you want to mount the camera on either a 1-5/8 or 1-3/4 . This is a very clean way to mount the camera . I am not sure yet on how good the camera is , but it looks neat in race car . I did see a persons video with the system I just bought and it was good. The total cost for a simple setup is appx $130. not sure how it will work yet. __________________ Don Kennedy 7701 SS

12-19-2007, 01:35 AM	#8
Don Kennedy VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Portland TN Posts: 1,590 Likes: 3,876 Liked 902 Times in 237 Posts	Re: best video camera for drag racing http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....prd81700050001 Not sure this will work but copy and paste ? __________________ Don Kennedy 7701 SS

12-19-2007, 01:37 AM	#9
Don Kennedy VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Portland TN Posts: 1,590 Likes: 3,876 Liked 902 Times in 237 Posts	Re: best video camera for drag racing http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1186004295515 This is without the tripod FYI __________________ Don Kennedy 7701 SS

12-19-2007, 03:00 AM	#10
Ken Haase Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 233 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: best video camera for drag racing I think the best video camera for drag racing is the one you remember to take with you. Last edited by Ken Haase; 04-04-2008 at 02:32 PM.