Hey, I've been reading a lot of this forum because I'm about to buy a shotgun sound kit for my EX1. So first of all, I'll answer the "new to audio?" questions to be polite and not feel so bad, I always feel bad when I have to ask for advice without knowing anything at all 
1. What is the budget that we are working with (either immediately or over the next few months)
Don't want to spend more than 1000 on the mic+pole+windshield+wire kit.
2. What type of films are you doing (short dramatic films, feature dramatic, documentary, interviews)
Short, feature, doc, interview, events recording (wedding or so), etc. I need an all-around mic, but mostly I want it to be useful for film, I need nice and clean voice recording. And this is very important for me: I hate it when a film has mic self-noise in a calm scene with just dialogue.
3. Are your locations PRIMARILY interiors or exteriors?
Neither.
4. Will you be shooting outside at all with sound?
Yes.
5. What level of experience do you have with sound?
Little or none.
6. What is the outlet you are hoping to have with the projects (DVD release for profit, web distribution, theatrical)
Theatrical. Always hope for the best, right?
7. Is this purchase for a specific project or are you looking to purchase a kit for general future projects?
General. I read the advice on renting and not buying, which I agree with, but I need to buy one because I want to be the renter! Check 2.
8. Why do you feel that it is beneficial for you to buy sound gear versus hiring a professional (or networking for free with a professional) to do your audio?
Freedom. I have a friend studying an audio career and he would be able to, in the future, bring in aditional equipment. But the idea is, as stated in 2, to have an all-around mic useful for film-making.
9. Will you have a dedicated person to run sound (even a friend to hold a boompole)?
Check 8
.
10. Do you notice the difference between good sound and poor sound when you are watching films?
I mostly notice, as stated in 2, mic self-noise. I hate it, really do.
My first idea was to buy a ME66 but reading I saw many were against it and recommended, for example, the NTG-1. I listened to this comparison and I was surprised to notice the NTG-1 has a lot of self-noise. Just too much! I showed this to my friend and he told me that the NTG-1 had a switch to filter this noise, but he couldn't determine if it was on or off during the test.
Then the Audio Technica 4073A was also recommended. Sounds great to me but it's more expensive than the ME66! And here comes my problem. I don't want to go over the 1000 line, I could but I wouldn't like to. I don't want to go over the top with the boompole, windshield and cable.
Boompole: would this one be ok? Everyone seems to be talking about Gitzo but not K-Tek. Can the internal cable be trusted? i
Windshield: cheap option for just 'some' wind? I don't want to shoot in a windstorm or so. I don't have a clue about this, I don't know, for example, this one? Is it really necessary to get the zepellin?
The thing is maybe you say 'hey this is a great kit and it's 1000 dollars, but this one', but for example, the ME66 with K6 I buy it at 630. I was offered a Gitzo 3560 for 550 (BH has it at 300). I'm in Argentina so prices go up, really up. This is why I was so happy with the NTG-1, until I heard that sample...
Thanks a lot for your wise advice, I hope others can benefit from this as well. If you need to know anything else please ask.
I.
1. What is the budget that we are working with (either immediately or over the next few months)
Don't want to spend more than 1000 on the mic+pole+windshield+wire kit.
2. What type of films are you doing (short dramatic films, feature dramatic, documentary, interviews)
Short, feature, doc, interview, events recording (wedding or so), etc. I need an all-around mic, but mostly I want it to be useful for film, I need nice and clean voice recording. And this is very important for me: I hate it when a film has mic self-noise in a calm scene with just dialogue.
3. Are your locations PRIMARILY interiors or exteriors?
Neither.
4. Will you be shooting outside at all with sound?
Yes.
5. What level of experience do you have with sound?
Little or none.
6. What is the outlet you are hoping to have with the projects (DVD release for profit, web distribution, theatrical)
Theatrical. Always hope for the best, right?
7. Is this purchase for a specific project or are you looking to purchase a kit for general future projects?
General. I read the advice on renting and not buying, which I agree with, but I need to buy one because I want to be the renter! Check 2.
8. Why do you feel that it is beneficial for you to buy sound gear versus hiring a professional (or networking for free with a professional) to do your audio?
Freedom. I have a friend studying an audio career and he would be able to, in the future, bring in aditional equipment. But the idea is, as stated in 2, to have an all-around mic useful for film-making.
9. Will you have a dedicated person to run sound (even a friend to hold a boompole)?
Check 8
.10. Do you notice the difference between good sound and poor sound when you are watching films?
I mostly notice, as stated in 2, mic self-noise. I hate it, really do.
My first idea was to buy a ME66 but reading I saw many were against it and recommended, for example, the NTG-1. I listened to this comparison and I was surprised to notice the NTG-1 has a lot of self-noise. Just too much! I showed this to my friend and he told me that the NTG-1 had a switch to filter this noise, but he couldn't determine if it was on or off during the test.
Then the Audio Technica 4073A was also recommended. Sounds great to me but it's more expensive than the ME66! And here comes my problem. I don't want to go over the 1000 line, I could but I wouldn't like to. I don't want to go over the top with the boompole, windshield and cable.
Boompole: would this one be ok? Everyone seems to be talking about Gitzo but not K-Tek. Can the internal cable be trusted? i
Windshield: cheap option for just 'some' wind? I don't want to shoot in a windstorm or so. I don't have a clue about this, I don't know, for example, this one? Is it really necessary to get the zepellin?
The thing is maybe you say 'hey this is a great kit and it's 1000 dollars, but this one', but for example, the ME66 with K6 I buy it at 630. I was offered a Gitzo 3560 for 550 (BH has it at 300). I'm in Argentina so prices go up, really up. This is why I was so happy with the NTG-1, until I heard that sample...
Thanks a lot for your wise advice, I hope others can benefit from this as well. If you need to know anything else please ask.
I.
