We get lots of questions about which camera angles work best so we decided to provide some information that will help.

Q: How does lens size affect distance and field of view?
A: The smaller the lens, the wider the field of view (and shorter distance). The larger the lens, the narrower the field of view (and further distance). The 2.95mm lens produces a much wider angle (150deg approx) than a 6.0 mm focal length lens (120deg approx).

Front View Camera
Suggested lens: 6.0 mm
This is an important view showing the water and action ahead. When reviewing your video and data, we think it's best if the video view looks like the view you would see in your boat – this helps with recall after a session as well as recall of your practice session and different techniques. For this reason we would suggest using a 6mm lens in your front view camera.

Using a wider 3.6 mm lens allows you to view a wider section of the water in front of you but the captured video is not similar to the view you see when rowing so it may look a bit strange. Also, the wider angle lens seems to slow down the action and makes other boats or objects on the water look further away than the really were.

Other Camera Views

PowerView accommodates up to four camera inputs so you can capture video from lots of different perspectives. Here are a few of the many informative views you could record along with the forward view.

Rigger Camera
Suggested lens: 2.97mm
Cameras focusing on rowers are critical to examining form and technique. To capture the action inside the boat, customers typically mount 2.95mm cameras on the rigger(s) using our rigger mount brackets.

Left and right side catch view Cameras
Suggested lens: 2.97mm and 3.6mm
With a 3 camera setup set camera 1 (usually a 3.6mm) pointing forward off the bow and use two 2.97mm cameras at the bow or stern of the boat looking down each side to watch the oars at the catch. It very useful to watch the boat speed data and in-line accelerometer data during the stroke along with the video, especially at the catch in order to minimize boat checking and improve overall boat speed.

Head to head Cameras
Suggested lens: 3.6mm or 6mm
During a race, with a 4 camera setup place a camera pointing off the port and starboard at the other boats in the race. This allows post race video analysis along with speed and stroke rate data to determine when time is being lost or gained.

Birds eye Camera
Suggested lens: 2.97mm
A high view looking down on the boat, rowers and oars is a great way to study body lean and arm reach. Mount the camera at the bow or stern on top of a carbon post 5ft high. These posts will be available from the power view website soon. A wide tripod base will ensure the camera remains steady during each stroke.