Is this a good Mic? for its price?

[sadude]

Im finally taking the plunge and getting the ex1 instead of the Z7. THx to everyones threads on this forum i feel allot more comfortable with this purchase than i did a week ago. Infact i probably wouldnt of even considered the ex1 a week ago. Because of the tapeless recording and only HD format. But there are some really great ideas out there about cheaper MxM adaptors with SDHC card options and downconverting workflow aswell as hard drive storage options. But my favourite is the MxM card adaptor.

I think the industry is ready now for tapeless recording and i think HD is a really nice gimmick at the moment to help seal the deal with clients.

I want to purchase the Camera from B & H because they offer a full sony warranty and i cant take the risk with buying a grey import.

the first problem i noticed is that the camera does not come with a microphone. Which my dad actually pointed out and before then i thought i had my facts all in order.

B & H is offering this mic,
Rode NTG-2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone
$269.95

does any one know if its any good? Which shaggy dog is recommended with this and do i need a shock absorber. I want good sound but my main sound will come from a Rifle mic or lapel etc. i prefer to keep all my components together for cheaper shipping.

[ksteiger]

I have the Rode mic. I am very happy.

[xpycm]

I have NTG-1. It is the same as NTG-2 but no battery option (I use it only on camera, so no need for the battery...), it is shorter and better fits in my camera bag. B&H sells it as a kit with SM-3 shock mount for $250. Actually, I called and asked to sustitute SM-3 for SM-5 because I prefer to use the camera shoe for the light. They did it for the same money...

[basspig]

Rode makes decent equipment. I have an NT4 and the build quality and pickup pattern are very good. If quality is across the lineup, I'd say you can't go wrong with the NTG-2.

[sadude]

thx for the help. Yes i see now that the shock absorber is included in the deal. What are your experiences with the onboard camera mic, Is this an okay mic to use as my second mic and sometimes my first mic. My target market is broadcast. but recently ive been watching some nigerian films on broadcast with distorted sound. So what i mean is my target market is good broadcast quality

[basspig]

The on-camera mic has okay frequency response, but is omnidirectional and is unsuited for speech pickup to the front of the camera. Pro grade audio requires a good hypercardioid condenser on a boom pole, driven by a skilled operator. Suggestion: avoid the AGC functions on the camera and just set manual levels, lower than you would normally for analog, and normalize it in post if you want the loudness.

[Jackson Miller]

I like the rode a lot. However, if you have the money, I might get something better. I don't know what you will be using it for though. Or if you have enough money.

[sadude]

The on-camera mic has okay frequency response, but is omnidirectional and is unsuited for speech pickup to the front of the camera. Pro grade audio requires a good hypercardioid condenser on a boom pole, driven by a skilled operator. Suggestion: avoid the AGC functions on the camera and just set manual levels, lower than you would normally for analog, and normalize it in post if you want the loudness.

How would you compare the ex1 onboard mic to the one that comes with the pd170 or pd150. Because here in South Africa the pd 170 mic has legendary status.

[liondor1969]

Sunday I shot a wedding with the EX1 and Rode NTG-2, the sound is great. I shot outside, where wind beating .. we used RODE DEADCAT yet the sound was little affected by wind.

[Sverker Hahn]

I have the NT-2, but haven´t used it without the battery option. If you want it on the camera, go for the NT-1, since NT-2 with the deadcat windshield will show in the picture in wide angle shots. BTW, this deadcat is not very effective. Get a Røde Blimp too. But then you cannot have it on the camera, of course.

[sadude]

thx for all your help. I was just trying to check out of the B&H website with a EX1 AND A nt-2 MIC, BATTERY AND EXTENDED SONY WARRANTY. and guess what a little note pops up saying they cant sell the ex1 internationally. spoke to the guy on the live chat at B & H and he says they will only sell internationally when sony lets them. Thanks sony yet again i feel priveledged living in South Africa because here we get to fork out an extra 40% to buy a sony product. It makes business so much easier. peace out

[Jackson Miller]

Oh man! That sucks, sorry to hear that. Buy a grey market cam maybe?

[basspig]

How would you compare the ex1 onboard mic to the one that comes with the pd170 or pd150. Because here in South Africa the pd 170 mic has legendary status.

Smoother, wider, flatter, in general. But some of that is due to the better response on the EX1's front end. The PD150 rolls off after 100-8,000Hz on either side.

[Bassman2003]

I have had a real nice experience with the Peluso mics I use.

They are "pencil" condensers with a cardioid pattern.

They have a lot more presence than the Rode NT4's I have.

[sadude]

Oh man! That sucks, sorry to hear that. Buy a grey market cam maybe?
even if b & H offered that cam to me as grey id take it, il just have to risk globalmediapro or expandore

[sadude]

i found a offer for the rode nt2 with a wind sock not a shaggy dog , dont know if i should take that one or get the mic on its own and buy a seperate shaggy dog for better wind noise elimination

[robbz]

even if b & H offered that cam to me as grey id take it, il just have to risk globalmediapro or expandore

I bought my first EX1 and a few other bits from Expandore... They were great to deal with and shipped within 3 days to Australia.

[sadude]

I bought my first EX1 and a few other bits from Expandore... They were great to deal with and shipped within 3 days to Australia.
okay i got it from expandore.com cant wait for it to arrive.

now i just need to get my mic from b&h, think im gonna go with NG-2 and a shaggy dog, also if i need to i can always get a boom pole and then when the situation arrives i can just take the NT-2 off cam and stick it onto boom for interviews.

does anyone have any experience with doing something like this, its a shotgun mic not a rifle mic but i think it will serve this purpose?

[liondor1969]

someone tested RODE NTG-2 with RODE WS6? RODE DEADCAT Currently we are not satisfied with it.