Looking for automated camera system for rollercoaster

[Stephen Jameson]

Hi, we're looking for an automatic camera, flash and housing for a rollercoaster, but having trouble finding suppliers in the UK. Does anyone know of any please?

We're looking to transfer them by ftp and import for use with darkroom (express digital).

To add more details -

The ride has 5 carts which we'd like to photo individually, the camera will be mounted on a wall pointing towards the fastest part of the ride for best facial reactions/g-force . The ride obviously goes pretty fast even if it's a kiddies coaster, so it has to be able to flash and take pictures very quickly.

If anyone knows a company that sells these systems or might know anyone at all, we'd really appreciate a reply, thanks.

 

[Hamish Gill]

That's some pretty specialist equipment you are after, I'm not sure we are the right people to help really.
A quick google brings up these folks Prosilica Cameras Capture the Thrill of Roller Coaster Rides - Allied Vision Technologies
The technical requirements are pretty steep ... Certainly nothing any camera owned by anyone here could stand up to. Upto 5000 photos a day ... Even the top end digital SLR's are only speced for 400000 shot lifetime use. So 80 days at that rate.
so yeah, as I say, specialist gear is required I'd say!
have you spoken to the manufacturer of the ride? That's what I would do!

 

[Pete Askew]

I wonder if high frame-rate digital video capture might be a better option. For example, the Sony NEX-FS700E. It can be over-crakned to over 200 frames a second and you could probably set it up so that it will do a burst of capture as the carriage goes past and stream the output to an external HDD recorder and then do frame captures from that to your printing solution. You'd need a custom housing for it to protect it but it may be a viable approach.

NEX-FS700E (NEXFS700E) : Product Overview : Sony Professional

Sony NEX-FS700EK 4K Ready Camcorder inc Lens - Sony Camcorders - Cameras / Camcorders - Production Gear Ltd - Broadcast and Professional Cameras & Accessories

Simon at Production Gear is always helpful and it would be worth talking to him.

 

[Stephen Jameson]

Hi, thanks for your replies, we have spoken to the ride operator and his contact has been yet unable to source the whole system.

I've done extensive googling and emailing and phoning and now posted on a few event photography forums. On-ride photography is a massive worldwide business, really didn't think it would be this difficult to get something like this! .

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Talk to these folks - based in Holland but they cover the UK and have installations in Blighty

Image+ Digital BV
Postbus 193
9500 AD Stadskanaal
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)599 330930
Fax: + 31 (0) 599 330939

Image+ Digital BV | Ridephotography

 

[Bob Reeves]

A little late to the thread but we have been developing Coaster Photo Systems for almost 20 years. I'm the guy that writes the software, be happy to answer any questions.

http://www.somethinxtra.com/

 

[Pete Askew]

I was thinking of you and this post when I wrote my welcome!

 

[Huw Woolley]

I know this reply is a little late.. I'm from a UK company who provide ride photography solutions. We can certainly provide equipment for Rollercoasters but also have systems for many outdoor pursuits such as cycling, zip wires, rope adventure courses etc..
http://www.caughtintheaction.co.uk

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Huw and welcome to RPF. We haven't seen Stephen on here since his initial question but thanks for the information. Who knows, there may be others interested and you have some interesting solutions it seems. Feel free to enjoy the forum.