Video camera, light combo?

jtompilot

jtompilot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I’ve got a 9’ Peter Vitale, Lord Nelson table coming and wondering what to do about a light and camera installation. My idea is to build a light using three 2x2 led lights from HD and building light cabinet to kinda match the table. What kind camera should I get and is it better to mount it in the center or end of the table? Might want two cameras so I can see what I’m doing wrong🤣 I could also use someone’s plans to help me with the light fixture.
 
Perimeter Billiard Lights. The light is awesome. Easy to assemble and install. It comes with a remote and is dimmable so you can adjust to your own comfort level. The owner is very easy to work with too. Highly recommend.

For the camera, I like the Canon Vixia HF G20 camera and have a couple. I was already using them for business stuff and they work really well for the table. They don't make them anymore but you can get them used on ebay. I use those for side or end mount, or if you want to use on a tripod to record your stance or stroke.

If you mount in the center you need to make sure you have enough ceiling height that you don't get fisheye. That will be a key factor in your camera choice. I had that problem because my basement is finished and doesn't have a high ceiling. I tried a bunch of cameras and lenses and found the Sony FDR-X3000 did the best job on that without getting into a more expensive setup. At my ceiling height it has slight fisheye but is very acceptable. I tried several cameras with wide angle lenses but the Sony worked better. I got those several years ago so there may be a better option now. Your mileage may vary.
 
Last edited:
I've got the perfect camera for you. It plugs into your computer with a USB cable, and you record to your computer using free OBS software (or stream if you want to). I tested about 20 cameras in my other thread. I didn't follow up with this one yet in that thread, as I had too much going on to make a review, but it's the best one. This one is for the typical end rail position, not the direct overhead position. (I have one for that too).

It's all manual control, which is better for pool. There is no hunting of the autofocus and auto white balance that most cameras today have, which causes the picture to change when someone walks in front of the camera. I'm sure you've seen this effect on many streams.

This one. Make sure to get the 6-12mm version. If you have about 12" of backstroke room to your wall on a 9' table, this will work great. There is no sound, you will need a separate microphone, which can also plug into your computer with USB and is controlled by the OBS software.
Link:

Screenshot:
1756699200079.png
 
Stay away from perimeter lights, especially the Predator Arena. They are blinding. Worst light ever made for pool, IMO. If you make your own like you are suggesting, you can buy the egg-shell grates from home depot for commodity pricing.

If you want an overhead camera, use qty 2 2x4 lights, and leave 6" or so between them for the camera.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I've got the perfect camera for you. It plugs into your computer with a USB cable, and you record to your computer using free OBS software (or stream if you want to). I tested about 20 cameras in my other thread. I didn't follow up with this one yet in that thread, as I had too much going on to make a review, but it's the best one. This one is for the typical end rail position, not the direct overhead position. (I have one for that too).

It's all manual control, which is better for pool. There is no hunting of the autofocus and auto white balance that most cameras today have, which causes the picture to change when someone walks in front of the camera. I'm sure you've seen this effect on many streams.

This one. Make sure to get the 6-12mm version. If you have about 12" of backstroke room to your wall on a 9' table, this will work great. There is no sound, you will need a separate microphone, which can also plug into your computer with USB and is controlled by the OBS software.
Link:

Screenshot:
View attachment 847855
Click to expand...
Looking forward to seeing what you came up with for the overhead!
 
iusedtoberich said:
Stay away from perimeter lights, especially the Predator Arena. They are blinding. Worst light ever made for pool, IMO. If you make your own like you are suggesting, you can buy the egg-shell grates from home depot for commodity pricing.

If you want an overhead camera, use qty 2 2x4 lights, and leave 6" or so between them for the camera.
Click to expand...
I’m going to try and mimic a Littman light with three 2x2 panels and spacing for a camera installation the center.
 
jtompilot said:
I’m going to try and mimic a Littman light with three 2x2 panels and spacing for a camera installation the center.
Click to expand...
How can you have a camera in the center with an odd number of panels? Needs to be an even number. Unless you put the camera under the center panel itself.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Stay away from perimeter lights, especially the Predator Arena. They are blinding. Worst light ever made for pool, IMO. If you make your own like you are suggesting, you can buy the egg-shell grates from home depot for commodity pricing.

If you want an overhead camera, use qty 2 2x4 lights, and leave 6" or so between them for the camera.
Click to expand...
It's a solid design which it's easy to copying, or make on your own. The cheap copycats aren't dimmable, so that's why they blind and have glare issues.

Predator version is called Arena as the lights are a bais for accessories. Couple of years ago, I saw short throw projectors, laser rack templates, scoring with LED monitors and other accessories that you could snap on, and hang off the lights. Many of the copycats lights are too flimsy to support any accessories.
 
Last edited:
ctyhntr said:
It's a solid design which it's easy to copying, or make on your own. The cheap copycats aren't dimmable, so that's why they blind and have glare issues.

Predator version is called Arena as the lights are a bais for accessories. Couple of years ago, I saw short throw projectors, laser rack templates, scoring with LED monitors and other accessories that you could snap on, and hang off the lights. Many of the copycats lights are too flimsy to support any accessories.
Click to expand...
My local room has Arena. Legit, not copycats. Worst light I've ever played under. I'd rather have the 3 bulbs. To each his own.
 
PoolPlayer4 said:
For the camera, I like the Canon Vixia HF G20 camera and have a couple.
Click to expand...
I have this camera. It is perfect especially in low light. The replacement is somewhere around $1349. Might able to get a refurbished
Or trade in. I’d only deal with B&H Photo
 
Last edited:
iusedtoberich said:
How can you have a camera in the center with an odd number of panels? Needs to be an even number. Unless you put the camera under the center panel itself.
Click to expand...
Oops, you’re right. I was thinking the streamers version, two 2x2 and two 1x2. I was thinking maybe two 2x4 would be too large.
 
jtompilot said:
Oops, you’re right. I was thinking the streamers version, two 2x2 and two 1x2. I was thinking maybe two 2x4 would be too large.
Click to expand...
qty 2 2x4 end to end works great. Def not too big. That's what I had over my 9' GC. However, they were flush mounted to the ceiling (8'), and had maybe 10" in between them for room for a camera.

That's also what a lot of the custom builds by Gregory are (without the space in the middle for a camera).

All that said, I have seen the new Diamond lights made by Littman that use qty 3 2x2 lights, with about 6" in between each light. I like those a lot! Just won't work with a center camera.

Also after messing around with an overhead camera centered over the table for years, and the typical streaming camera pointing to the rack end rail of the table, I'd prob skip the overhead center one entirely.
 
iusedtoberich said:
qty 2 2x4 end to end works great. Def not too big. That's what I had over my 9' GC. However, they were flush mounted to the ceiling (8'), and had maybe 10" in between them for room for a camera.

That's also what a lot of the custom builds by Gregory are (without the space in the middle for a camera).

All that said, I have seen the new Diamond lights made by Littman that use qty 3 2x2 lights, with about 6" in between each light. I like those a lot! Just won't work with a center camera.

Also after messing around with an overhead camera centered over the table for years, and the typical streaming camera pointing to the rack end rail of the table, I'd prob skip the overhead center one entirely.
Click to expand...
Probably skipping the overhead is good, one on each end then.

The Littman is 2x7 so it’s not full length
 
Depends on what you budget is for a camera as it can vary wildly. I shoot on an A7iv but I think something like that would be overkill for what you need unless you fancy taking on a hobby that is somehow more expensive than pool.

If I were in your shoes I would likely go with a used Panasonic G7 and the Panasonic 7-14mm F4. Comes in at a decent price, up to 4k 30fps and the zoom range offers a bit of flexibility. If you're blessed with more space and can get the camera set up a bit further away then it opens up to a choice of better lenses.

If you don't want the pain in the butt of learning videography basics I'd recommend going with some form of action camera or even your phone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top