Overhead Camera Setup

[Mark Hargrove]

I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong forum.

I would like to create a camera setup over my pool table so that I can record real-time video. I have already got my lighting arranged so that I have a central location to place a camera and have successfully used a small camera attached to a PC to establish that -- in theory -- what I want to do will work. Because I only have about 6' of distance from the camera to the pool table surface, my experimentation has been with a wide-angle lens. This results in an image that is highly distorted. For still images I can 'dewarp' the images with some software post-processing, but that approach for video is probably beyond my capabilities.

What I'm curious about (and the reason I'm posting on this forum), is whether there is any such thing as a lens that will automatically make the necessary correction so that a wide-angle image doesn't appear warped. I'm also trying to identify a video camera that will accept the lens (if such exists) and allow me to shoot 1920x1080 (HD) resolution at at least 30fps (60fps or even higher would be better, but 30 fps for sure). I've been searching for days now, but I'm just not finding any articles that clearly cover what I'm trying to do -- and I can't tell if that's because it's impossible, or if it's just because I don't know the right search terms to use. I'm finding cameras that appear to have the characteristics I want (mostly with CS- or C- lens mounts) and one or two lenses that (maybe?) do the necessary optical correction -- but I'm not really sure.

If anybody can point me in the right direction (or even just tell me that what I'm trying to do isn't possible) that would be enormously helpful!

Thanks!

-M.

 

[RowdyRay]

Not trying to offend you. If you haven't already....Google "Overhead Billiard Filming". I did that about 18 months ago when my brother asked me the same thing. He literally has a bar in his basement. Everything you associate with a bar, it's there. He wanted to put a camera above the table, so that others could watch the action on remote screens. It's a basement. 8' ceiling? Not much room. Plus, he has a vintage light fixture over the table he refuses to remove. So, we are at a stalemate and no results.

Not my first choice, but at the time, I suggested a GoPro. It was small and easy to mount, wide angle lens, meant for video and could stream to a PC. Haven't checked out the latest offerings. Might still be a viable option, just not sure on how well they've improved auto focus/tracking.

My first choice was to use a DSLR and a mirror on the ceiling. Then I could have filmed it with a camera on a tripod. But, that came with restrictions too. Right sized mirror, right lighting, right lens. And the tripod was most likely going to be in the way of a billiard shot. Since he wouldn't remove the light it didn't go any further. Can't find the original video, but you can get the jist of it near the end of this one.

Three Ways to Shoot an Overhead Video - Wistia Blog

Wasn't much help, I know, but not impossible. Sounds like you have better conditions than what I had to work with. If you come up with a good method, please share.

 

[480sparky]

..... is whether there is any such thing as a lens that will automatically make the necessary correction so that a wide-angle image doesn't appear warped. ............

Lenses cannot change any distortion they produce. They either have barrel distortion, pincushion distortion, compound (both barrel and pincushion) distortion, or negligible distortion. It's a function of their design.

I think what you're looking for is a rectilinear lens.

.....For still images I can 'dewarp' the images with some software post-processing, but that approach for video is probably beyond my capabilities...........

Some video editing apps can correct for many popular video lenses.

 

[Mark Hargrove]

rectilinear

That is the magic term I was looking for to search for a lens that might do what I want! Thank you!

 

[Mark Hargrove]

Not trying to offend you. If you haven't already....Google "Overhead Billiard Filming". I did that about 18 months ago when my brother asked me the same thing. He literally has a bar in his basement. Everything you associate with a bar, it's there. He wanted to put a camera above the table, so that others could watch the action on remote screens. It's a basement. 8' ceiling? Not much room. Plus, he has a vintage light fixture over the table he refuses to remove. So, we are at a stalemate and no results.

Not my first choice, but at the time, I suggested a GoPro. It was small and easy to mount, wide angle lens, meant for video and could stream to a PC. Haven't checked out the latest offerings. Might still be a viable option, just not sure on how well they've improved auto focus/tracking.

My first choice was to use a DSLR and a mirror on the ceiling. Then I could have filmed it with a camera on a tripod. But, that came with restrictions too. Right sized mirror, right lighting, right lens. And the tripod was most likely going to be in the way of a billiard shot. Since he wouldn't remove the light it didn't go any further. Can't find the original video, but you can get the jist of it near the end of this one.

Three Ways to Shoot an Overhead Video - Wistia Blog

Wasn't much help, I know, but not impossible. Sounds like you have better conditions than what I had to work with. If you come up with a good method, please share.

I did a ton of searching before I posted here, although I was using the term 'pool' instead of billiards. I tried your search terms and did get some additional results I hadn't seen before -- thanks for that!

I'll have a look at the current GoPro release. I actually have older GoPro, but it doesn't stream.

-M.