Documentary Mics

longshanks

longshanks

Well-known member
Hello everyone,

I don't know if this has been posted yet or not, but I'm wondering what are some quality lavalier and shotgun mics that work specifically well for on-the-field shooting for a documentary. I've looked a lot around B&H and other sites trying to figure out whether I need to go wireless or not. My two choices are UHF bundled packages that would be either Sennheiser or Azden. Thoughts anyone?

Micah
 
longshanks said:
Hello everyone,

I don't know if this has been posted yet or not, but I'm wondering what are some quality lavalier and shotgun mics that work specifically well for on-the-field shooting for a documentary. I've looked a lot around B&H and other sites trying to figure out whether I need to go wireless or not. My two choices are UHF bundled packages that would be either Sennheiser or Azden. Thoughts anyone?

Micah
Click to expand...

Senn's got a much better reputation.
 
forget azden.

the cheapest usable broadcast wireless equipment is Sennheiser G2. Do a search on this...

mid range has always been a bit of a tussle, with no clear winner - the sennheiser is more or less used in this range too, along with second hand lectrosonics 195 systems (uhf, but not tunable, good sounding systems).

the high range, professional systems are the lectrosonics 2xx and (even better) 4xx series.

and the ultra high range (meaning serious money for additional features), is pretty much the territory of the zaxcom systems, and lectro venue systems.


hope this helps.
 
i forgot to mention the lectrosonics 100 series, also a mid range system, but quite a price jump up from the sennheisers.

and also in the high range system are the sennheiser 3000 (i SERIOUSLY may be wrong on model here - forget the ones, but i know its a number and it AINT g2).
 
the lectrosonics look like they are a very reliable lavalier system, although the receiver for the camera mount looks to be rather hefty. i need something really portable as i will be out in Cambodia doing a documentary. timapter, you mentioned the Senn's but there are two different G2 series models, the 100 and 500. The 500 series costs around $1200 and the 100 is about $550. Can I get by with the 100 for my application or do I need something better?

check out this link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&at=Brand_Sennheiser&basicSubmit=Submit+Query
 
The 100's will be just fine for what you are after. I've used them for several projects and they results were great.
 
Spending $1200 on a Sennheiser 500 is a non sense. Lectro 100 is a lot better. I own a Lectro100 and I just have signal problems once, shooting inside Air force base.
 
Shotgun wise, if you need to do a lot of one man band, Sanken CS1, nothing beat that guy as a on camera microphone. Great sound, with great rejection so you don't pick up noise from camera handling and perfect size to use with wide angle lenses.
 
I have two Lectro 411 with UM400a kits for sale. Both in great condition, come with pouch, AC adapter, manual, M152 lav.

But they're in block 28.
 
block 28 is going bye bye no?

..the g2's, for the money they're ok but not good enough if this is what you do for a living. imho. Its a small thing but it just bugs me that the Rx and Tx units looks exactly the same.. and if you're working in a bag they have no top mounted display to know what's going on. Also you can scan for open RF but it won't tell you the signal strength, lot of guess and check with this product.. After working with 411's and even 211's the G2s are a drag
 
For wireless Sony dont seem so popular here, but I use them and am getting good sound mixed with the sanken cos 11 lavs (still searching for a replacement with sony hirose connector if anyone has one). But heres what I use

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/251142-REG/Sony_WRR861B66_68_WRR_861_Portable_Diversity_UHF.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/64910-REG/Sony_WRT822B66C15_WRT_822B_66_Body_Pack_Transmitter_with.html

and

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425109-REG/Sanken_COS11SRMBK_COS_11_Omnidirectional_Lavalier_Microphone.html
 
wow, i just looked at 400 series lectrosonics. WAY out of my price range. As i said earlier, i need a set for a doc im doing. i want quality, but im not necessarily going to be using the set-up frequently. (i.e. video business) anyone else happy with the g2 senn's? or should i go with lectro 100 series?
 
checl for used lectro 200 series or audio ltd on ebay , beven 10yers old units sounds better then sennheiser crap
 
I agree the G2's are just crap. If you have high aspirations for your doc, don't skimp on quality, you can always sell your radio mics later. Ebay has some used 201s right now. They're analogue systems but that's ok, they still sound good compared to the 400 series.

Remember, you can sell them once you are finished shooting.



Oleg 2 said:
checl for used lectro 200 series or audio ltd on ebay , beven 10yers old units sounds better then sennheiser crap
Click to expand...
 
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