NTG-3 on camera?

hjrt

hjrt

Active member
Hey,

I'm about to purchase a new microphone (actually my first one), so that the basic equipment is there (using HPX-171 plus Vision 3AS tripod) and I just don't need to rent mikes all time anymore. Untill a week ago i would have gone for a Rode NTG-1 + blimp + simple boom. This way i could use the mic on boom, handheld and on camera (the NTG-1 (D=22mm) should fit in the mic-holder that can be attached to the HPX) and it's not too long so it won't be in the frame.

But that was untill a week ago. Now Rode offers a blimp virtually for free with a NTG-3 microphone, for about 100,- ex. VAT more I can get a much better mike+blimp! Well...there is a downside for using it on camera. The NTG-3 is about 5cm (approx. 2 inches) longer than the NTG-1 and the diameter is only 19mm. So I'm not sure if it would fit well in the mic-holder of my HPX, plus I'm afraid it would be in the frame.

So does anyone has experience with the NTG-3 on camera? Does it work or is other 'equipment' needed to be albe to put it on camera?
 
The thing is that I can't really afford (now) to buy 2 mikes. Most of the time I would be shooting with a boom, but sometimes you don't want to hire or ask someone who does the boom and for that cases an on camera mic is very usefull (at least, that are my experiences with my previous cam and mike).

So because I can only buy one, I'm going for a shotgun. I've seen that shockmount before, but I'm a little afraid because there are no 'fixing unit's'...it seems the microphone could slide through it more or less freely (maybe I'm not expressing myself clearly, but English isn't my mother tongue)...but probably I'm totally wrong:P
 
The SM5 and the SM3 will hold your mic tightly. It will not slip out. I have them both and have never lost a mic.

As to which mic to get: Do you record more inside or outside? Outside - get a shotgun. Inside - get a hypercardioyd like the NT3.

I like the looks of the free Rode Blimp. I may get that too. They have that deal in a great package at dvcreators.net.

Check it out: http://www.dvcreators.net/rode-ntg-3-shotgun-mic/


You get the SM3 shock mount with it, and that will go in a camera or a boom pole. You get a boom pole, and even cables. It's an awesome deal for 899.00. You may even get 5% off for putting "take5" in the coupon code.
 
Go with the NTG-3. It's a great mic, and with the current blimp deal, you really can't lose.

No matter what mic you're using, on-camera isn't the best situation, so I'd look more at suitability for boom work. As you say, most of the time you're booming, and you really don't want to use something as heavy as the NT3 on a boom.

If the length / diameter of the NTG-3 are an issue on-cam, you can get different mounts from B&H and other sources.
 
I agree with Jordan. If your budget says one mic now, the other later, the current NTG-3/Blimp deal is the one, you can't possibly miss.

To test whether you can see it in frame on cam, measure out a piece of dowel or similar and try it. If so there are adaptors you can screw under the shockmount to raise it a bit further.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=298913&is=REG

If you have to boom with it indoors damp the area down to kill as much room sound as possible. Cheers.
 
Chadfish said:
...
As to which mic to get: Do you record more inside or outside? Outside - get a shotgun. Inside - get a hypercardioyd like the NT3.

I ....
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While the NT3 is a fine mic on a mic stand, don't you find it's a bit massive and unwieldly for booming, hanging out on the end of a 12 foot lever arm hand-held over your head? Would take someone with the shoulder muscles of a gorilla to swing that boom for any extended period of time.
 
I too have got the NTG-3 with the free blimp AND a free Boom pole at DVeStore. I must admit that it's not as cut and dry as I previously thought as far as shotguns indoors go. My ME66 is pure crap indoors. My NTG-3 sounded wonderful. I tried out my new Rode NTG-3 at Thanksgiving dinner walking around the house with the mic on the cam, and found it to be a wonderful sounding mic. Even indoors! It blew me away how great it sounded. Though as a home movie mic you can barely hear the camera man making smart a**ed comments due to the superb directionality. I left the EX1 at the default trim setting of -41db, put the audio level at 6, with the signal split to both channels, and I got a nice level, no noise, and surprisingly no clipping. There were some cackles from some lady guests who had a little too much to drink that I expected to blow out the level, but the limiters saved it smoothly. Nice mic. Nice camera.


I don't know if the free boom pole is available but with the Blimp and the pole you're getting 525.00 worth of kit for free.
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Yeah the NTG-3 is a great mic but based on your situation/budget that will serve you just right. I am about to buy the Rode NT3 though for indoor use when dealing with a ton of dialouge/vocals. I recommend putting it on a stable boom stand and positioning it correctly especially if talent will remain sitting. Great for documentary and interviews. Just my two cents.

Nicole
 
misscc803 said:
I am about to buy the Rode NT3 though for indoor use when dealing with a ton of dialouge/vocals.

Nicole
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Hi Nicole

I can vouch for theNT3 as an awesome sounding mic. I have 2 of them and use them almost exclusively for indoor dialogue. HOWEVER ans many say, they are pretty heavy. I'm not trying to change your mind, but I think a cool mic is the AKG BlueLine CK93.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/349107-REG/AKG__Blue_Line_Series_Microphone.html

You can buy new capsules for 200.00, and the ad to cart price is 429.00. Yes more expensive than the NT3, but lighter, and possibly better sounding - though I can't verify that. I would like to hear a comparison, or at least someone's opinion who has both.

I only say this because I have grown tired of the heaviness of the NT3, especially when I have it on a camera. But also I just like to change things up to check out a new sound. Still I have recorded many interviews, or actors in TV ads, and even plays with my NT3s. And they don't sound bad on acoustic guitars either!

Happy shopping!
 
@Chadfish-Thanks. I'm actually looking at getting the Rode M3 instead of the NT3. I heard good things about both but the main issue well complaint that I have heard or read is the weight of the NT3 but the M3 is around the same weight size as well. I will be using it more for sit down situations where a lav will be placed to as well as a boom. The boom will be positioned and stationary so no long holding.

Thanks
Nicole
 
The M3 is sub par compared to the NT3. M3 is eletret condenser, and NT3 is a True Condenser. Spend the little more and get the NT3.
 
@Chadfish-yeah I noticed from the specs. I still want to add both of them to my arsenal if possible. I can get the M3 for a good price and I'm also going for the NT3 as well. But definitely got both in mind.

Thanks
Nicole
 
misscc803 said:
@Chadfish-yeah I noticed from the specs. I still want to add both of them to my arsenal if possible. I can get the M3 for a good price and I'm also going for the NT3 as well. But definitely got both in mind.

Thanks
Nicole
Click to expand...

The M3 is a caridoid mic intended mainly as a close-working instrument mic, less than ideal for a boom mic where you want something with more "reach."

IMHO, the NT3 is too big and heavy for easy booming. Mounted on a mic stand, okay, but not on a fishpole.
 
@Steve House-yeah I never inteneded on using either on a boom pole but on a stationary mic pole. The M3 is great for a lot of acoustic instruments. I do record live bands and stuff of that nature as well. It can be used on location but I would prefer when recording bands/instruments. The NT3 as mentioned will be stationary not on a boom pole but a mic stand.

Thanks for your insights.


Nicole
 
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