Good Morning All,
HD Expo this weekend was really great. I ran into a lot of people, and I received some really great words of encouragement and feedback on all my many products in development. My prototype case was also a big hit.
There are a lot of freelance camera people not working right now and while that’s bad for their bank accounts, free shows like HD Expo get a nice influx of respectable and talented attendees browsing the show floor and socializing with others. The show felt smaller than in years past, but the crowd was definitely more upscale. While I was at HD Expo I saw a couple really cool things, and I’m going to post a lot more about them in the coming days.
So here’s where I start talking about the “something new” part of this post. I am getting requests to build all kinds of gizmos, and I really do appreciate it. It gives me valuable feedback as to what products are lacking/missing in the market. For example, on Thursday someone asked me to build a “better, higher quality version of Varizoom’s Zero Gravity head”. Usually I explain how, I’m not trying to be an ‘all things’ manufacturer, and how there’s already an alternative product that should be looked at (i.e. Cartoni’s excellent “Smart Head”). Hot Rod Cameras is quite specialized and really I’ve got plenty of design and build projects on my plate at the moment, I’m not going to be taking on anything radically different for a while. So while I keep blogging about the stuff I’ve got going on, and how it’s coming along, as of right now- I’m also going to start using this space to talk about some pretty damn awesome gear. Why is this new? Hot Rod Cameras has nothing to do with the design or the manufacturing of this “awesome gear.”
I bounced this idea of a friend and I’ve been officially warned that I’ll be violating a “business 101″ thing. Turns out, I’m not supposed to “dilute the message” or tell people to spend their money on products other than my own. I understand this advice, but I’m going to ignore it.
So why the heck would I do it anyway? About 2-months ago a friend of mine showed me a little invention, about a week ago he asked if he could sell it on my website when it’s available. The thing is awesome! Based on the prototype I’ll gladly recommend it, and if he isn’t selling it all over the world this time next year (in other words if he doesn’t need me), he can certainly sell it on my website. Other than me, he doesn’t have contacts in the equipment business, and if he tried to do it all himself, I think it’s likely his project would go un-noticed for several months. So I’ve decided that as soon as it’s ready, I’m going to start talking about it. And while I’m at it I’m also going to launch a new “store” on the Hot Rod Cameras site, that sells more than just products Hot Rod Cameras has a hand in.
To be clear, I’m not going to do any sort of “Amazon store” filled with mass-market consumer products that you can order through me. I don’t like those things, it’s not my style, and maybe it’s just me, but when I find them on other people’s websites I consider it a turn-off.
I’m still figuring out how the whole thing will work, but what I envision is that the Hot Rod Cameras “store” will only feature items entirely hand picked by me, Illya Friedman. I’m only going to (attempt) to represent products that I think are genuinely the best “bang for the buck” and most useful, these products will all have some direct relation to HDSLR filmmaking.
So how would this work? My plan is to attempt to convince some select manufacturers, to allow me to sell it as an official dealer, and if I can I will. If not, I’m still going to recommend that anyone considering something like “it” to go purchase the product through the most appropriate place, or the vendor I like the best. I’m not looking to represent ENTIRE product lines either, that’s not my business and I think there’s plenty of other places you can go on-line for that sort of thing.
I’m also NOT going to recommend any products that I consider poor value or poor build quality, to me those are ALWAYS deal-breakers.
So why would you ever want to buy ‘other peoples stuff’ from Hot Rod Cameras? Well, any product I’m allowed to sell (made by other companies), I’m only putting on my website because I TRULY THINK THEY ARE GREAT, really I’ll be evangelizing products that I have used already, or after long and careful evaluation would gladly use if the situation calls for it.
Something to keep in mind- Hot Rod Cameras business model has never, ever, been built around selling other peoples stuff. So where/when I can I’ll pass dealer discounts on to my clients, and I’ll make the prices less than anywhere else, if possible (look out B&H). If I am allowed to post the lowest price on-line, I will. I want other companies doing innovative work to continue! Because if they do- we all benefit as users of that technology.
Having worked professionally in the entertainment industry for the past 16-years (8 of those spent dealing directly with camera and production equipment manufacturers as a consultant) I’ve found that some companies make great stuff at one level, and terrible products (comparatively) at another. Very few large manufacturers have truly excellent products across the entire range.
One exception would be a company like Cartoni, they make great stuff- absolutely my favorite tripods and heads at every price point, although over the years they definitely have made some products that I can’t get behind, like the “Action Pro“. Granted it’s the cheapest fluid head they make- and not to put to fine a point on it- it’s plain lousy-simple as that. Other than the price, I have nothing good to say about it. I’d probably rather shoot with a monopod.
So where do I get off judging Cartoni, let alone so harshly? I’m using Cartoni as an example, of all the products that I plan/hope to have in my “store”, I’ll also disclose my personal history (if any, or lack there of) with that company. So for example- I’ve either directly purchased, or made the recommendation to purchase well over $200K worth of Cartoni products over the years. These purchases have been for both owner-operators and rental facilities. I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of Cartoni and which of their products are winners (to be fair- it is nearly everything.) Cartoni also has excellent service and warranty (most products are 5-years!) Cartoni also makes the “Focus” which to me is easily the winner in that price point- sorry Manfrotto, sorry Miller, sorry Sachtler. I’ll post more details about my exact reasoning about why the Focus “wins” in the next few weeks, that lightweight (perfect for HDSLRs) fluid head is fantastic!
I’m not familiar with any on-line company in this business disclosing lengthy and direct manufacturer information/history. I know that I have a greater comfort level spending thousands of dollars based on something more than what a so-called expert at CNET or Amazon says.
I probably am getting 4 or 5 equipment recommendation requests a week from friends and clients anyway, so I figure I might as well write it all down in one place, and if it’s easy for someone to shop based on my recommendations, great. I just saved them time. My clients and (non-clients) can now all benefit from my experience, 24-hours a day, without having to call me on Sunday morning at 1:30AM (you know I’m talking about you, Ron!)
I think it’s a win-win. Lot’s more updates to look forward too…. Including the Hot Rod Cameras website V2.0!
I.
Illya Friedman
President
Hot Rod Cameras