Oct 17, 2005
Posted by Mike in Audio Production,Uncategorized,Video Production
0 Comments
Welcome to state of the art?
Go to any high end audio/video store (think B&H in NYC) and tell someone you’re looking for a Canon XL2and note the funny look you might get. Why?? Because immediately the gent (or gal) behind the counter figures you’re a wanna be “wedding video guy” or you’re planning to shoot video that’s unacceptable for eyes under 18 years of age if you get my drift. But let me tell you something: the XL2is one kick ass piece of technology. As the proud owner of an XL1 (its predecessor) I can tell you with all honesty that I’m convinced that you have to spend at least 2x as much on a competing camera to get the same quality that the XL2rolls up into a neat little package. And to think they actually call it a “prosumer camera”!
But what really is “state of the art”? I’ll make the argument that the state of the art is as advanced as the hands that the technologies are in. I’ve seen great quality work done with the cheapest of equipment and really lousy stuff done with really good equipment.
So what are we trying to say here? I know I’ve been harping on and on about analog equipment like someone stuck in the 1950′s but I think its worth saying again…You might only be as good as your equipment but your equipment IS only as good as you are. Period. I’ve become so tired of listening to everyone’s idea of what state of the art is for one reason: Its a lot easier to drop some cash than it is to sharpen your skills through practice and dare I mention it, education. Do you want to be state of the art? Take a couple of photography or audio or video classes at your local community college. Then go out and hone your skills with any quality equipment you have at your disposal. Good is good no matter what you shoot/record/photograph it with. Then when you’ve got equipment that matches your new found high level of skills, you’ll be state of the art too.
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