HVX misinformation rant

DC

DC

Cinematographiliac
Just thought I'd rant about this for a minute . . .

I was in an unnamed, DVXUser-friendly gear shop today in the LA-area when I overheard a conversation. It involved two fimmakers that were debating which camera to buy: a DVX100B or an HVX200. The sales guy was trying to help them decide. At first he was trying to talk them into buying a Canon and then finally a DVX (when they seemed more insistent on Panasonic).

Ok, fine . . . but he mentioned some things about the HVX that were really off-the-mark. I'll paraphrase approximately what I heard:

"In this price range, it's the camera that comes closest to true HD."

"The colors aren't very good when it comes to looking like film. Look at the built-in LCD . . . see what I mean?"

"The picture looks too real. Better for live events."


:huh:


He went on to say other incorrect or unfair statements. The filmmakers were like, "Wow, yeah, that's terrible. We keep hearing so many bad things about the HVX."

Around then, I interjected a bit to try to clarify a few things. Then I went right back to my business because I was in a bit of a rush. Then the sales guy came over and asked to borrow my "expertise." So, I spent a few minutes trying to explain to them the merits of the HVX and how it might work well for their project and future projects. I gave one of the filmmaker's a business card and told her to call/email me if she had any HVX questions and I would be glad to help. I also recommended Barry's book. I may have swayed her on an HVX - I dunno.

Anyway, the point is that it is somewhat frustrating to hear anybody misinforming a potential HVX customer. Don't get me wrong - I don't think the sales rep was purposely trying to be deceitful or what not. He seemed like a really nice guy. So nothing personal here. All I'm saying is that I wish people - filmmakers and sales people alike - were spreading more accurate information about the HVX.

For whatever reason, this camera still seems to be like an Edsel to many, and a mystery at best. Personally, I love the HVX. It has been a great camera for all my needs. I think the pro's far outweigh whatever con's are brought up. The HVX has been out for nearly one year, and while I think Panasonic has done a fantastic job promoting it, I think they need to do even more to educate the community.
 
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I worked at a CompUSA for a while and people say whatever when trying to sell things, intentional or not. For those that take the time to educate themselves and/or the ones that have the expertise, well, you usually won't find them selling cameras.
 
Here's my two cents. If someone knows NOTHING about a camera, walks into a "camera store", and is ready to buy something just from the salesman's knowledge/advice, let 'em have it. Anyone who's actually serious about getting the right gear will do their own extensive research, and narrow down the decisions that way.


On the other hand, if I was IN a store and overheard what you heard, I'm 100% positive I would've jumped in too. I guess not everyone knows how to go about researching on their own... but you'd think they'd know better than to listen to one salesman... or not.
 
Hmmm

Hmmm

I agree with the previous poster who said you need to research what you want and then make an informed purchase. The salesperson can be a good resource, but their job is also to move inventory. If they've got other cameras sitting on the shelves, I'm sure they are encouraged to try to push those products.

I just purchased my hvx today and I've been on the sidelines, just watching and researching since the dvx 1st came out.
 
rcbrown23 said:
Anyone who's actually serious about getting the right gear will do their own extensive research, and narrow down the decisions that way.
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and by doing "extensive research", we mean looking it up on google.
 
G-Man said:
I agree with the previous poster who said you need to research what you want and then make an informed purchase. The salesperson can be a good resource, but their job is also to move inventory. If they've got other cameras sitting on the shelves, I'm sure they are encouraged to try to push those products.
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Yeah, totally. These filmmakers seemed to have a general idea about the two cameras but not a lot of the gritty details. I think they left those questions for the sales guy. But yeah, I agree, they probably should have done more research before showing up at the shop, as should anybody in a similar position.

G-Man said:
I just purchased my hvx today and I've been on the sidelines, just watching and researching since the dvx 1st came out.
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:thumbsup:

What did you get with it? The Marshall? Which tripod?
 
Gnerally speaking, most (not all) people tend to work the best job they're capable of working.

So the guy behind the counter at most retail stores is unlikely to be able to give you a particularly accurate, fair, or educated rundown on whatever high-tech hardware he's been told to move. Unless he's a moonlighting DP, or a professional videographer who just happens to be between jobs.

Like everyone's saying, if you go out and make a big-ticket purchase without doing your reserach, based upon a salesperson's say-so, you only have yourself to blame if the item does not fit the way you expected it to.

I mean, heck, if you live in a major metropolitan area, and plan to buy a $3500+ piece of hardware, *rent* the damned thing for a day or three, so you know what you're getting before you buy.
 
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Sad Max said:
Gnerally speaking, most (not all) people tend to work the best job they're capable of working.

So the guy behind the counter at most retail stores is unlikely to be able to give you a particularly accurate, fair, or educated rundown on whatever high-tech hardware he's been told to move. Unless he's a moonlighting DP, or a professional videographer who just happens to be between jobs.

Like everyone's saying, if you go out and make a big-ticket purchase without doing your reserach, based upon a salesperson's say-so, you only have yourself to blame is the item does not fit the way you expected it to.

I mean, heck, if you live in a major metropolitan area, and plan to buy a $3500+ piece of hardware, *rent* the damned thing for a day or three, so you know what you're getting before you buy.
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Sound advice.

However, the store I was referring to is highly specialized and you would expect a certain level of knowledge from its sales people. And that is what we usually get from them. It was just that this one sales guy was misinformed (and misinforming) at that particular time.
 
Whenever I go to a store I've already done my research. I'll discuss whatever it is with the salesperson and it's pretty easy to tell if they know what they're talking about or if they're just trying to push whatever gives the the largest profit margin.
 
n8ture said:
Whenever I go to a store I've already done my research. I'll discuss whatever it is with the salesperson and it's pretty easy to tell if they know what they're talking about or if they're just trying to push whatever gives the the largest profit margin.
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i always find it refreshing when the customer knows about the product. you wouldn't believe how many times i have to explain to people the difference between the big n' tasty and the double quarter pounder with cheese. and then you have other fools who try to order stuff like a big mac with big n' tasty sauce on it. for crying out loud, would it kill them to eat the big mac with the dressing that comes with it?!

anyways, your point is a good one. people should do there research before making such a big decision.
 
i always find it refreshing when the customer knows about the product. you wouldn't believe how many times i have to explain to people the difference between the big n' tasty and the double quarter pounder with cheese. and then you have other fools who try to order stuff like a big mac with big n' tasty sauce on it. for crying out loud, would it kill them to eat the big mac with the dressing that comes with it?!
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Ugafan, if you really work at Mcdonalds, that was a funny quote. If you don't work there, even funnier.
 
DC said:
I gave one of the filmmaker's a business card and told her to call/email me if she had any HVX questions and I would be glad to help.
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Nice play. :thumbsup:




- Mikko ... finds it entertaining to play "dumb customer" sometimes, just to see what happens. ... Also can't keep his mouth shut when he hears other's beeing BS:d
 
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