Getting the perfect shot is not always easy. Some of the best moments captured on film are very short in length and can be easily missed when the right equipment is not used. And nowhere is that more important than for researchers and scientists, who aren’t just taking pictures and videos for fun. Researchers often rely on measuring equipment in order to obtain accurate results for their experiments.
The high speed cameras that laboratories and testing facilities use today give new meaning to the phrase photo finish, giving scientists a glimpse at the world around them in super slow motion and high definition. Some of these cameras can record at speed of 12,600 frames per second — or more!
Capturing vital moments on digital cameras has greatly evolved in recent years. Advances in technology have made it possible to record moments in high definition without the use of large, heavy equipment. Additionally, most cameras today produce images with so many pixels that they can be blown up on larger screens or allow for zooming in on smaller ones to capture all of the details. Even a standard three-megapixel camera produces images that have a higher resolution than most commercial computer monitors, and the shutter speeds on ultra high speed cameras can be as fast as one 8000th of a second. That means capturing each flap of a hummingbird’s wings — in slow motion.
Slow motion cameras, which record in ultra high speeds, are very popular among those recording live action shots. Those who have watched shows like Mythbusters are surely familiar with the shots used to capture explosions and ballistics experiments. Yet just as it’s entertaining for the crews on the Discovery Channel show to blow something up and watch it again in high-def slow-mo, this is a process researchers are using to ensure their experiments are carried out with the utmost precision. A standard film camera can only record so much; with a high speed camera, researchers can measure results down to the smallest fractions of a second.
Ultra high speed cameras are known not only for the amazing quality of their videos and photos but for their functionality and reliability as well. For starters, they can capture moments in high speed or slow motion. They also range in size to fit the particular situation in which they could be used. For example, the smallest units are lightweight and used for things like drop testing; larger units are often stationed in research testing facilities for scientific purposes.
High frame rate cameras are used in everything from ballistics testing to military or medical research; scientists use them to capture wildlife and learn about the world around us. In fact, these cameras have even been used in entertainment to shoot movies and TV shows. The possibilities are endless with high speed cameras, and they allow us to see the world around us in a whole new way.
Have you ever seen something recorded by an ultra high speed camera? Tell us in the comments section about how you’ve seen these high tech devices used.
