A letter to Disjecta

M

msbryan

Member
About three years ago I went out and spent $2000 on a shiny new set of golf clubs. I was, and still am, a decent golfer. Unfortunately, the clubs didn't improve my game. I wasted a bunch of cash to look like, but not actually be, a better golfer. I should have spent the money on lessons.

Disjecta,

You assume from what you have seen thus far that the HVX is not for you. The problem is: you've never used it. I suspect that many bought the DVX based solely on how YOU used it in your work. You've captured some truly remarkable images with the very same camera some of us struggle and curse at on a daily basis. You were even gracious enough to describe your work process in detail at one point to get us off of your back. ;) I think you are doing yourself and all of us a disservice by not first taking the HVX for a test drive and then letting us know YOUR opinion about how it handles.

Here's an analogy. I love analogies.

A few years back I caught an exhibition tennis match with John McEnroe and Pete Sampras. What made this match interesting was they were required to use wooden rackets from back in the day. They both struggled for the first few games with mis-hits and sometimes complete wiffs (Pete more than John. Remember, McEnroe really is from back in the day) until they got familiar with the old school. After that, it was an all out blast fest. You could have given them a broomstick and a plunger and it would still have been a good match.

The bottom line is: in the hands of a professional, any camera can be used to paint a masterpiece.

You're a master. Paint your piece.

Wait.

That's not right.

Good bye.
 
Bravo.

Selfishly, I admit, I'd like to see the D first take the HVX for a spin if not only for a sorta DVX sequel. I also know he is a master and am dying to see his work in the HVX light
 
msbryant, you may think me a smuck for saying this, but I hope not. That analogy you posted works both ways and while poetic in its presentation, I’m not entirely sure how it fits into Disjecta’s decision-making process. Sure, it acknowledges that Stephen has amazing talent and that he would create great stuff regardless of the camera, but it really doesn’t further the argument of why he should consider the HVX.

And if we were to continue with the analogy, ask yourself this question ...

At the end of the match, would McEnroe and Sampras still have used those wooden rackets if given the choice?

“In the hands of a professional” you want to use the tool that brings out the best of your talent. So D keep filming those ducks (personally, I am not a big fan of the fowl – unless it’s at Hee Hings Restaurant in Honolulu).

What I would think would be cool is for Disjecta to rent/borrow both the HVX and the HD100 and film identical scenes/locations. After editing, post the footage here and conduct a blind test poll to determine which looked best. Almost like the Pepsi challenge. I would love to see the results of that poll.

Cheers
 
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Ranger said:
What I would think would be cool is for Disjecta to rent/borrow both the HVX and the HD100 and film identical scenes/locations. After editing, post the footage here and conduct a blind test poll to determine which looked best. Almost like the Pepsi challenge. I would love to see the results of that poll.
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Good idea!
 
The problem is we would be seeing either stills or compressed footage... I've just purchased the HVX and really saw the diference between the native dvcprohd file vs a h264 version of it. And its not on a pc file and monitor that one sees the overall quality of the output. I've done a 1 and a half minute clip on the HVX and it was 2 gb of space for the output file in native resolution.

I suggest that, if this test goes forward, for everyone to try and view the output on a Plasma, projection or a big LCD.
 
If he has access to both cameras and can test them that' s the best way. if he doesn't i'd suggest he worry less about which has the better image as all comparisons point to parity, and more about which feature set/work flow suits his objectives.
 
Well said brianluce; Disjecta is a big boy I'm sure he'll figure out what works best for him.
Aloha
-A
 
If Pappas hadn't sold his HD100, I would have done a shootout with my hvx and his - btw, I did some shooting in some of the locations he did and will be posting footage of the grabs.
 
Still wearing my devil's advocate hat ... :evil:
brianluce said:
i'd suggest he worry less about which has the better image as all comparisons point to parity, and more about which feature set/work flow suits his objectives.
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But that's just it, to Disjecta the image quality doesn't point to parity.
disjecta said:
I have decided that I am not going to buy an HVX, preferring the footage from the JVC. It's significantly sharper and the temporal cadence of film at 24p is spot on. The JVC footage has an organic and analog feeling to it much like what initially attracted me to the DVX.

I'm going to rent before I decide for sure but I haven't really been impressed with the footage I have seen from the HVX in terms of perceived resolution. I have noticed noise in everything I have seen posted, even in bright sunlight and it is positively distracting to me.
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disjecta said:
I've looked at a lot of footage posted on this site from the HVX and I am seeing what looks to me like a bigger DVX frame. I mean, it kind of is that anyway but I'm still seeing that mush on the horizon and there is a softness that is not pleasing to my eye from the footage in general. Close ups are fine, just like in SD but it's small detail I want to jump out.
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disjecta said:
I want to get the best camera in its class when I shell out cash. I like more resolution for the same reason the cinematographer wanted to shoot Capote in Super 35mm or why they shot Baraka on 70mm film. I like to shoot vistas and a lot of my work is in wide angle shots of nature.
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He has already admitted in so many words that all things being equal, he desires the HVX feature set/workflow, so that is really not the issue here as much as the quality of the image.
disjecta said:
I want the optics of the Canon with the functionality of the HVX...is that so wrong?
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So where am I going with this?

A lot of folks want for Disjecta to focus more on functionality rather image performance. While it seems he is willing to compromise on some things, it is obvious (to me at least) that the image is still paramount above all else.
 
Would the real disjecta please stand up :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

You guys are too funny....I don't have time to respond properly to this thread tonight but I will tomorrow... stay tuned.

Thanks to all who have spoken on my behalf. :love4:
 
Poi Boy said:
Well said brianluce; Disjecta is a big boy I'm sure he'll figure out what works best for him.
Aloha
-A
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Yeah, but Disjecta had desired dialog on this previously before the other thread was closed for unruly behavior.
disjecta said:
It's still a way out to buy anything new. I want someone to dissuade me, damnit!! Make a really good case for the HVX, show me some super clear and well shot footage. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
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Besides, what's the point of having a forum if we are not willing to discuss the issues or have friendly and civil discourse? I want to learn and grow in my understanding of video, not just regurgitate the party line.
 
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i went nuts trying to figure out which camera had the best image. hd100 or hvx200. some reports favored the hvx, some the hd100. who to believe? but also a lot of the most experienced shooters like walter graff (aka "the great satan") and several others said there is not significant image quality difference between the whole lot. that became my fallback position since i don't have access to the cams.

it's hard for me to believe you can really go wrong with any of them.
 
Ranger said:
Yeah, but Disjecta had desired dialog on this previously before the other thread was closed for unruly behavior.

.
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and i promise to behave this time. promise. Jaron already sent me to my room and didn't give me my dindin.
 
brianluce said:
it's hard for me to believe you can really go wrong with any of them.
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I agree. That's why for the present moment, I am leaning towards the HVX.
 
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