What Is a High-Speed Camera?
A high-speed camera is a device capable of capturing images of objects moving at high speeds and reproducing them in slow motion. Unlike standard cameras, which capture around 30 frames per second (fps), high-speed cameras can capture from about 100 fps to 2 million fps. This capability makes them ideal for visualizing fast processes that are not visible to regular cameras.
Uses of High-Speed Cameras
High-speed cameras capture many images per second, allowing them to play back fast phenomena smoothly. They are used in automobile crash testing, fluid dynamics visualization, object drop experiments, and manufacturing defect analysis.
Principle of High-Speed Cameras
High-speed cameras often work with software for analysis. A typical setup includes the camera connected to a PC, data logger, and sensors like clamp meters. Captured video files are analyzed using specialized software, providing quantitative data such as motion analysis and waveform synchronization.
History of High-Speed Cameras
The history of high-speed photography dates back to 1851, with the first photograph by William Henry Fox Talbot. The field saw developments like the 120 fps black-and-white camera in 1972 and the SP-2000 in 1981, capable of 2,000 fps. In Japan, NAK Corporation developed a 1/2-inch VHS-type high-speed camera in 1981, followed by the HSV-400 in 1986 and a color high-speed camera in 1990.
Price of High-Speed Cameras
The price of high-speed cameras varies with their performance. Lower-priced cameras, capturing 120 to 500 fps, can be found around $150, while those capturing 1,000 to 2,000 fps are priced from $1,500 to $3,000. High-end cameras, used for research and capable of 4,000 fps or more, can cost from $4,500 to $15,000 or higher.