Switch Theme:

Best Camera Options for Batreps  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
»
Author Message
Advert


Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
  • No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
  • Times and dates in your local timezone.
  • Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
  • Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
  • Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.




Made in ca
Dakka Veteran




Canada

Hey guys my playgroup has started to amass a lot of armies, and want to do some batreps. We just don't know which camera to get. We would be looking for a fairly decent one, but not costing a ridiculous amount,. Let me know if you have any ideas!

(60) Successful Trades With: coffinofstone (x2), Mike94656, kungfujew, LOS Not Needed, Uriels_Flame (x3), redthirst, Lehnsherr, VostroyanFirstClass (x4), midget_overlord, Timofeo, Makutsu, Eclipseone (x2), Krug001, JHall, Neomagicwarrior, Vygoth, Eldarain (x5), Green is Best!, Acardia, Exalbaru, ephrael, MadCowCrazy, pretre, kusanagi68, Theevilone, bd1085, wreeper007, Soccerlfb6, bagelboy71, Masakik, xghostmakerx, Mecha_buddha, Grimwulfe, saleen302 (2), thormar, manvas, iStompya, Farboozle, GearheadXII (x2), Spartan289, marcus.iscariat, Sannaga, Spikes, Gamerely, Catfiish, Physh, skavenmatt

YouTube channel for new batreps and other content: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBasementCollective
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBMCV 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Might not be what you are after, but we set up an overhead camera at a friends house last spring.

It is mounted on the ceiling above the table and streams to a PC that then feeds a big screen TV. Gives you the satellite view of the battlefield. The camera streams in 1080p HD, but still images are about twice that resolution. Since it is all set up, taking snap shots at the different phases is easy (click of the mouse) and the overhead view makes sure most units are visible at all times.

Now he wants to add 4 more cameras at the corners of the board and a mobile one he can place on the table. Since the cameras use the PC for most their processing, you can get pretty good ones for cheap.

An actual camera would provide better quality images, but I dont see a huge demand for 8MP batrep pictures.
   
Made in au
Crushing Clawed Fiend




Ballarat, victoria

Sean! Wt.... Sounds like an amazing set up!
Personally, I think you can get very good images just using your iPhone 4 or better. But if you want truly artistic shots (there is a thread somewhere here about atmospheric diorama pics) then it's worth looking at stepping up to the slrs. Realistically, unless someone is very keen on photography, then I think a decent phone camera will get you very good results in the right hands!


Edit: here you go, have a look at this thread for some inspiration!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/584613.page

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/03/23 20:05:07


 
   
Made in ca
Dakka Veteran




Canada

Sorry I meant a video camera.

(60) Successful Trades With: coffinofstone (x2), Mike94656, kungfujew, LOS Not Needed, Uriels_Flame (x3), redthirst, Lehnsherr, VostroyanFirstClass (x4), midget_overlord, Timofeo, Makutsu, Eclipseone (x2), Krug001, JHall, Neomagicwarrior, Vygoth, Eldarain (x5), Green is Best!, Acardia, Exalbaru, ephrael, MadCowCrazy, pretre, kusanagi68, Theevilone, bd1085, wreeper007, Soccerlfb6, bagelboy71, Masakik, xghostmakerx, Mecha_buddha, Grimwulfe, saleen302 (2), thormar, manvas, iStompya, Farboozle, GearheadXII (x2), Spartan289, marcus.iscariat, Sannaga, Spikes, Gamerely, Catfiish, Physh, skavenmatt

YouTube channel for new batreps and other content: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBasementCollective
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBMCV 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Web cameras do video just fine. HD even for under $100.

Even if you dont want to do the overhead, I would seriously look at them if batreps are your primary concern.
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut




Something like this could work: http://gopro.com/cameras . I don't know what you are looking for (besides video) but you should be able to mounts a gopro camera anywhere with a bit of work. I have no experience with them but they are theoretically for first person sports footage (meaning they are small).
   
Made in gb
Joined the Military for Authentic Experience





On an Express Elevator to Hell!!

I would get an SLR (from any of the big names.. Canon, Nikon, etc or even Fujitsu, Olympus, Pentax), even entry level models with stock lens (most have a macro function) will you get very high standard photos, far superior to anything you will get from a camera phone. Also the video function is nothing to be sniffed at - again even the cheaper models have HD video recording. My Nikon 3200 has better video capture quality than my mates dedicated video camera that cost him 5 times as much just 5-6 years ago, it's unbelievably good.

You're not abseiling or riding a Honda Fireblade, you don't need a camera that can be strapped to your chest or head (which is really what you are paying for with the go-pro)

The advantage also is that you will then have a fine camera for other uses beyond bat reps.

Epic 30K&40K! A new players guide, contributors welcome https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/751316.page
Small but perfectly formed! A Great Crusade Epic 6mm project: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694411.page

 
   
Made in gb
Dispassionate Imperial Judge






HATE Club, East London

I'd go for a really good webcam, overhead, linked to a computer at a more accessible level.

DSLR cameras are bulky to mount overhead and rarely record for more than 30minds at a time. If you have the right DLSR, you could potentially link it up to a ground-level PC too but would require a but of research.

Go pros tend to fisheye everything

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/03/26 17:53:36


   
Made in us
[ARTICLE MOD]
Huge Hierodule






North Bay, CA

How about a go pro attached to a remote controlled Rhino that you could drive through the battlefield?

   
Made in gb
Joined the Military for Authentic Experience





On an Express Elevator to Hell!!

 ArbitorIan wrote:
I'd go for a really good webcam, overhead, linked to a computer at a more accessible level.
DSLR cameras are bulky to mount overhead and rarely record for more than 30minds at a time. If you have the right DLSR, you could potentially link it up to a ground-level PC too but would require a but of research.


Having owned a long string of SLRs, from the humble Canon Ae1 to the mighty T90 (nicknamed the 'tank' because journalists used to use it as a weapon to whack over the heads of unwilling subjects!) I was actually shocked by how light a lot of the new D-SLRs are. It takes some getting used to, even with electronics goods weight has often been associated with quality, and it's amazing how light they are.

If you struggle holding one of the new ones even for a reasonable length of time you really need to get yo self to the gym!

Also, capacity isn't really an issue any more - think some of the new high-capacity cards will last getting on for 24 hours of footage, probably way longer than the battery will last!

Epic 30K&40K! A new players guide, contributors welcome https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/751316.page
Small but perfectly formed! A Great Crusade Epic 6mm project: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694411.page

 
   
Made in ca
Dakka Veteran




Canada

 Ifurita wrote:
How about a go pro attached to a remote controlled Rhino that you could drive through the battlefield?

Haha awesome!

(60) Successful Trades With: coffinofstone (x2), Mike94656, kungfujew, LOS Not Needed, Uriels_Flame (x3), redthirst, Lehnsherr, VostroyanFirstClass (x4), midget_overlord, Timofeo, Makutsu, Eclipseone (x2), Krug001, JHall, Neomagicwarrior, Vygoth, Eldarain (x5), Green is Best!, Acardia, Exalbaru, ephrael, MadCowCrazy, pretre, kusanagi68, Theevilone, bd1085, wreeper007, Soccerlfb6, bagelboy71, Masakik, xghostmakerx, Mecha_buddha, Grimwulfe, saleen302 (2), thormar, manvas, iStompya, Farboozle, GearheadXII (x2), Spartan289, marcus.iscariat, Sannaga, Spikes, Gamerely, Catfiish, Physh, skavenmatt

YouTube channel for new batreps and other content: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBasementCollective
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBMCV 
   
Made in us
Twisting Tzeentch Horror





Morgan Hill, CA

This might help - this is the set up we used for Adepticon 2 years ago.

http://theindependentcharacters.com/blog/?p=1857

   
Made in us
Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant





SF Bay Area

twinner wrote:
Hey guys my playgroup has started to amass a lot of armies, and want to do some batreps. We just don't know which camera to get. We would be looking for a fairly decent one, but not costing a ridiculous amount,. Let me know if you have any ideas!


top down/ aerial. It may also be interesting with a graph layout to critique movements and shots to ensure everything was played accurately.

Tyler


 
   
Made in gb
Dispassionate Imperial Judge






HATE Club, East London

 Pacific wrote:
 ArbitorIan wrote:
I'd go for a really good webcam, overhead, linked to a computer at a more accessible level.
DSLR cameras are bulky to mount overhead and rarely record for more than 30minds at a time. If you have the right DLSR, you could potentially link it up to a ground-level PC too but would require a but of research.


Having owned a long string of SLRs, from the humble Canon Ae1 to the mighty T90 (nicknamed the 'tank' because journalists used to use it as a weapon to whack over the heads of unwilling subjects!) I was actually shocked by how light a lot of the new D-SLRs are. It takes some getting used to, even with electronics goods weight has often been associated with quality, and it's amazing how light they are.

If you struggle holding one of the new ones even for a reasonable length of time you really need to get yo self to the gym!

Also, capacity isn't really an issue any more - think some of the new high-capacity cards will last getting on for 24 hours of footage, probably way longer than the battery will last!


Sorry, just to clear up confusion.

I was suggesting that the OP doesn't use a DSLR as an overhead video camera. Finding a way of mounting a DLSR over head during an entire game might be more difficult than mounting a webcam overhead (which requires what gaffs tape??) because of the weight of the DSLR.

I only really use Canon DSLRs but it's not the capacity of the card that limits the record time - it's usually the buffer in the camera. I know all the current canons (and many other cameras) won't record video for more than 29 minutes at a time even if the card can hold more - you have to restart after 29 mins.

Not to say it can't be done, but it might require a bit more thought/rigging etc if he wants to use a DSLR as the overhead!!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/03/27 09:55:30


   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






Western Massachusetts

Actually, you can do an overhead mount for a DSLR pretty easily. It works pretty much the same was as the webcam but you'll want to add a 1/4" screw that goes into the tripod mount.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Indiana

I like how the forge the narrative guys do it. I would watch their battle reports for inspiration.

They have two-three webcams attached to their computers that they move around as necessary. Allowing people to see the important stuff or important die rolls. Maybe if you are serious about it have an overhead cam that is the default and then switch to other ones for specific recordings.

All of this will be cheaper then buying a dedicated video camera.

But for the love of god if you are going the video camera route, get a tripod or something to mount it on. I love the frontline battle reports but some of the ways the camera shakes and moves gives me a headache.

People who stopped buying GW but wont stop bitching about it are the vegans of warhammer

My Deathwatch army project thread  
   
Made in us
Unshakeable Grey Knight Land Raider Pilot





Wyoming

C'mon guys, if this is going to be in a shop setting then a dslr is just a really expensive thing that will potentially get stolen. For what you want in a bat rep you can get with semi low priced (about 100 dollars) webcams. they will be much smaller and lighter than a dslr, which means easier to mount. if for some reason it fails it is cheaper to replace, typically it requires power so you don't have to worry about batteries. Furthermore you can get it wifi so that the webcam will autodownload into a computer without wires for post processing.

Can a DSLR do these things? yes. Is it more risky to have a DSLR hanging over your models in a shop? yes. Will the webcam be as effective and cheaper? Yes.
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






Western Massachusetts

 Grey Knight Luke wrote:
C'mon guys, if this is going to be in a shop setting then a dslr is just a really expensive thing that will potentially get stolen. For what you want in a bat rep you can get with semi low priced (about 100 dollars) webcams. they will be much smaller and lighter than a dslr, which means easier to mount. if for some reason it fails it is cheaper to replace, typically it requires power so you don't have to worry about batteries. Furthermore you can get it wifi so that the webcam will autodownload into a computer without wires for post processing.

Can a DSLR do these things? yes. Is it more risky to have a DSLR hanging over your models in a shop? yes. Will the webcam be as effective and cheaper? Yes.


Will the DSLR provide a MUCH better quality video? Yes.

Not to say that everything else you've said isn't true. It is. But if I had a DSLR (and I do) there's no reason for me not to use it. If I have it mounted to a tripod and I'm the middle of filming a batrep and it gets stolen then I really need to consider where I'm spending my gaming time.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/01 19:11:07


   
Made in ca
Fixture of Dakka





Ottawa Ontario Canada

A DSLR is not exactly inexpensive, they offer great video quality but it's not that simple, good luck keeping focus. I've done batreps with my 5dmk2 and they looked great, they also took a really long time to shoot and required a shoulder mount and a lot more time setting up shots.

I would suggest a small point and shoot camera. Smaller sensor than dslr, easier to keep more in focus. The added benefit is if you want to get really creative, it's much easier to fit on the board than a dslr.

Here's a link to some batreps we've done over the past little while, all either shot on a canon 300hs or more recently a canon S100: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuPOz2dQKg9Di8WdS6uY0DQ




Do you play 30k? It'd be a lot cooler if you did.  
   
Made in gb
Joined the Military for Authentic Experience





On an Express Elevator to Hell!!

Actually, I suppose a lot would depend on what type of AAR the OP wants to create, and therefore which tools would be appropriate.

I'm still a bit of a traditionalist and prefer still shots + a write-up, rather than a video (which I think are immensely difficult to keep interesting without it turning into the scene from Red Dwarf where Rimmer is describing his game of Risk.. "and then I rolled a 2 and a 4" )

Epic 30K&40K! A new players guide, contributors welcome https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/751316.page
Small but perfectly formed! A Great Crusade Epic 6mm project: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694411.page

 
   
Made in gb
Lead-Footed Trukkboy Driver





Warrington, UK

I've long considered a rig where four webcams and lights are suspended over the table, at a height to avoid clouting the player's heads. A still is automatically taken every 1 min or 30 second. These images are stitched together in to a mosaic showing the whole table and the stitched images are then automatically made into a time lapse video.

Given an average tournament game is 90 to 120 mins you'd end up with roughly a 3 to 5 minute video (at just over 1 frame a second).

Why four cameras instead of 2? It'd "flatten" the image a avoid models being hidden by terrain and also give a reasonable resolution.

I guess it could be adapted for video as well.
   
Made in us
Purposeful Hammerhead Pilot




Vior'la Sept

I am looking for a video camera too. I want something that I can pretty much hold in my hand and just do updates after every game turn. Something similar to what Frontline Gaming does. No need for a fancy setup, just something that will film in HD, and is compact/ lightweight. Anyone have some ideas or areas I could go check out?
   
Made in ca
Fixture of Dakka





Ottawa Ontario Canada

 Commander_Farsight wrote:
Anyone have some ideas or areas I could go check out?


I would suggest picking up a point and shoot camera, quite a few will shoot HD. Canon would be a good starting point, sony also makes some great cameras. If you've got about $150 you should be fine, make sure to get at least a 16gb card with it.

Do you play 30k? It'd be a lot cooler if you did.  
   
 
Forum Index » Dakka Discussions
Go to: