The Learning Curve!

M

mickd22

Member
I know the basics of the HVX, but I still don't fully understand how variable frame rate and everything else that comes with the prosumer cameras work. Would it be stupid of me to outright purchase the HVX and learn as I go along? I know that barrys book is really helpful...

Thanks in advance.
 
Oh, man. I don't have Barry's book yet. But what I can tell you is that the HVX200 is sort of the "Swiss Army Knife" of video cameras. There is just a ton to learn and for me, learning about the HVX has completely changed the way I think about video.

I can't tell you what you should do. But I'll tell you what I did. I got the camera and started learning. I think a lot of learning with the camera comes from experimenting with it. And there is only so much I could learn without actually trying it. I made a list of all the things I knew that I didn't know, and then I'd go search the forums and try to learn about them, read the manual on the feature, and then set aside some time to try it. I'm not done with my list yet. And I keep discovering new things to add to that list. So, for example, one time I decided I wanted to be able to shoot DV to tape. Which you would think is a simple thing, especially since I'd been shooting with the DVX for a couple of years. But I needed to map some of my skills over. And there are a few extra buttons here and there to press and a few features that are slightly different, or the name in the menu is confusing and means something different from what I would expect or different from the same thing on the DVX. So it took me a couple of days to really transfer my DVX standard definition skills over to the HVX. For me, breaking down the complexity of the learning curve into manageable bite-size chunks, and pacing yourself is important because there is a lot to learn. With other cameras its more like "buy it, read the manual, use it". But with the "Swiss Army Knife" of cameras, its more like "buy it, learn one tool, use that tool", and then pick another tool and learn it, and then another."

As far as the investment itself, you need to know whether you are making a wager with the camera. Are you betting, for example, that you will be proficient in some particular skill that is going to be paying for the camera within a certain amount of time? If you need to use the camera for income, then there is a time bound on your learning and a set of priorities about what you need to learn. If, on the other hand, you don't need income from the camera, then you can follow your interests and take more time learning.

Hope that is of some help.
 
Buy the camera, buy the book, know that your learning curve will depend on your background and your passion for learning a complex camera. I am trying to get better at the aspects of the camera that I need ,,,outdoor shooting/documentary and integrating on the water and oceans into my shots. I am looking forward to getting the cineporter for my application. Think of the camera as a 12-14k investment, by the time you add in all the needed goodies- that is where I think I will end up.
 
I ordered Barry's book over the weekend... received it yesterday and already 100 pages in. It's great! I plan to order my HVX in the next week. Just figure it's best to have a grasp on how to use the camera before getting it in my hands... and the book is certainly helping me do just that.
Jim
 
No, it wouldn't be stupid. Heck, you have an advantage over me. I got mine early before there really was any footage available. At least you know what the camera can do. :)

It's really pretty easy to learn the basics of the camera. With the addition of Barry's book, you'll be up to speed in no time at all.
 
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