iPhone Hand-Wave Pursuit Camera
I've found that "ProCam" and "DSLRCamera" are suitable camera applications that makes pursuit camera easier with smartphones.
Rules of thumb for hand-waved iPhone pursuit camera.
- Video mode is easier because it behaves as a high-framerate burst-shoot mode.
- Configure FIXED color temp of "6500K" or "Daylight".
- Configure FIXED camera exposure to about 4x refresh cycle.
1/30sec for 120Hz. Refresh cycles must be stacked for accurate pursuit camera.
For lower refresh rates, it might be easier to use 2x or 3x refresh cycle, it is acceptable. - Point at www.testufo.com/ghosting. Adjust ISO until things aren't too bright or too dark (all 3 bars).
- Configure FIXED focus at about arm's length away from screen, with your arm outstretched in front of you.
Can use closer distance, but might amplify viewing angle issues (especially on TN). Best to put camera lens same distance as normal viewing.
If close distance creates problems, back up a bit and use a small bit of zoom instead too see the UFOs better - Start video recording.
- Keep your chest & arms stiff while you spin your computer chair following the UFOs
This minmizes shaky hands and arms. You can even hold the phone landscape (better!) with both hands for better stability - Repeat a few times (3 to 5 times) in the same clip.
- Stop video recording.
- Now you can use a video player to single-step through the video and find clearest freeze frames.
Or just upload the video verbatim to YouTube and use the YouTube "." and "," keys to find clearest freezeframe. Video is also partially self-explanatory on how a pursuit camera is done
The sheer number of burst-shooting provided by video (1000 "photos" in a single video) compensates for the lack of a rail for hobbyist pursuit camera photography -- and becomes scientifically viable $0 free pursuit camera (no $100 rail needed) with accuracies occasionally reaching a $30,000 lab piece once in a while (after repeated attempts). So the only investment is...time (repeating until error margins are good enough)
If you have other camera app recommendations (for iPhone or Android), post them here!
For more info, see New Easy Free Pursuit Camera: Smartphone. No rail needed..