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At what speed did the camera run?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What does the Patterson-Gimlin film show?·3 answers·0·0 following
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

Walking speed, cadence and stride, and therefore whether the gait is human, depend on frames per second, which was not recorded⁠[1]. Every biomechanical argument inherits this uncertainty.

Answers 3

16 to 18 frames per second.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 2 for
Still possible
24 frames per second.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Munns & Meldrum puts forward: 16 to 18 frames per second.
  2. Munns & Meldrum puts forward: 24 frames per second.
  3. Munns & Meldrum: munns and Meldrum say the speed has been established at 16 to 18 fps.For: 16 to 18 frames per second.
  4. Munns & Meldrum: the K-100 offered 24 fps, and the speed setting on the day is unrecorded.For: 24 frames per second.
  5. Tian et al.: 16 fps was the K-100's minimum and typical for amateur film without sound.For: 16 to 18 frames per second.
  6. Asked on this site
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