Wood-turning Cameras Reccomendations

Schzam

Morning

I am in the process of getting a system together for a wood-turning club.

Basically, there will be about 4 cameras positioned around the lathe to show various angles, this will then be connected to a laptop and displayed on a large screen.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good cameras for this ? I was looking a the GoPro kind of cameras, but recommendations are very welcome.

Man thanks

Scott

Terfyn

How are you connecting four cameras into a laptop?
You would want cameras which put out a continuous signal and can be connected to a power supply. I would suggest cameras which take a 5V supply from a USB outlet.

Have you considered CCTV systems?

Schzam

I was thinking of using the CCTV DVR to connect the cameras but wasn't sure on the close up and zoom capabilities of actual CCTV cameras ?

Terfyn

Fortunately there are others who may answer your question, 'though I presume you would still need a third party to operate the CCTV system

I had a thought based on my own setup. This would also require a "camera operator".
I have majored on Panasonic cameras and these have the following benefits which may help you.
1) Remote control of the camera operation and zoom using a Smartphone App.
2) The same App will control the VW-CTR1 Pan/Tilt head to aim the camera at a particular location on the lathe.
So Pan and Zoom can be controlled remotely. I often use this system to video wildlife from a remote vantage point. i.e. camera outdoors, me indoors.
3) Panasonic consumer cams are powered and charged using a USB 5V supply. This can be supplied in this case either by a mains charger or by a (so called) Power Bank, supplied to charge phones, laptops etc. Again I use an AUKEY 20,000mAh power bank slung on my tripod and wired to the camera.
4) Panasonic cameras have a live HDMI output to drive a TV or projector at the same time as recording the video.

Benson C

Hi Scott,

I think any 4 camera CCTV kit will be suitable for your situation. You can go for SWANN or EZVIZ, if you want something more functional then SPRO will be your choice. You will need a recorder just to consolidate all 4 cameras into the same place so you can get them displayed together on the screen.

I hope this helps : )

Terfyn

What about zoom and camera pan/tilt?

Benson C

Do you mean a camera you can control and move around or just to have the ability to adjust the cameras positioning and zoom upon install and then it will be left in that position?

Terfyn

See post #3
If you have enough cameras to cover every shot required and will accept a static setup then a CCTV setup might work. If you want a dynamic presentation then you would need more control over the cameras

12harry

Hi - Am I understanding this is a club with members watching "The Master" at work?  _ presumably at his home-workshop?
-OR- are you wanting to make a video of a  ( insert here some object ), which can be posted on YT or elsewhere, for example....?
I'd be surprised that you need four cameras. For a start the audience will be interested in one-angle with the possibility of a "cutaway" that shows some specific detail ( e.g. setting the tool-position ). So you need a camera "Operator" who makes these choices . . . and with all the wires/Options to contend with,  this Operator will need to be very skilled at 1) Woodwork  and 2) teaching woodwork . . . . Not to mention having some flare in creating a video that is interesting/informative.
IMHO  few want to see shards of wood-turnings for 90% of the time . . . I'd suggest they want to have some "inside info" on what to do: a) so it runs smoothly and,  b) what to do if it doesn't . . . . possibly with examples !
This might start with the choice of woods - and setting onto the machine, etc.
So I guess It's up to you . . . the actual choice of camera-models, Aps and cabling seems a long way away . . .​...Hope that helps...
Cheers.