C100: Shotgum Mic For C100

M

MPM

Active member
Hi all,

What shotgun mics are people using on their C100s?

I had an NTG-1 but sold it, when I went on a lens buying binge, so I am looking at getting a new one.

I'm thinking I'll just get another one, unless anyone has a better idea in the same price range?

Cheers,

Phil
 
I went with the NTG-2 so I would have the option of phantom power. It sounds gr8 to me with my C100 when phantom powered. I do wish the mic holder on the handle fit the NTGs though. I ended up wrapping an eighth inch of electrician's tape around my mic so it would stay in the holder...not too pretty but worked just fine.
 
The nice thing about the NTG-2 is that it has the AA battery option. The bad thing about the AA option is that the mic itself is a bit longer. The NTG-1 is the same mic without the battery option, so it's a bit shorter, which is nice.

The only other option to consider in the entry-level price range is the Audio-Technica AT875. It too doesn't have an AA battery powering option, and it a bit shorter in length because of it.

Sennheiser recently came out with the MKE 600, which is a similar shotgun (no AA, short). It sounds nice, but it's $399.
 
I am using Rode NTG-3. AT875R is a very good suggestion if you plan on using wide angles because of its short length, not to mention good performance for the price. You can see pics of the Rode NTG-3 in a WS7 with a C100 and wide angle in the pictures I posted on DVinfo (can't link it here). I found that anything wider than about 14-15mm will show the deadcat in the top of the frame with this set up. A short shotgun is the way to go for any on camera use.

As we all know on camera is the worst place for a microphone but for run and gun it is often the simplest way.
 
I just got my NTG-2 back from being repaired. It's been a great mic so far, but I haven't done anything really stressful with it. I really like the NTG-3 from what I've heard of samples, but I prefer to use a battery instead of phantom power.
 
+1 on Andy's point (worst place for mic and all that).

Having said that, I'm using my Sanken CS1 (like a sawn-off 416) on a Rycote elbow thing that fits the mic and **just** squeezes into the Canon clip, though if I can boom the CS1 in, its a joy.

I must say that I'm rather taken with the Rode VideoMic pro for a run-around mic (atmos only), rather than attach the handle and have the CS1 hang off there. I've broken too many £75 EX1 Mic Holders that way. I wouldn't be without the CS1, but having a little stick-on mic would win - FOR ME, YMMV - over the built-in mics on the handle. I wasn't particularly happy with the built-in mics - quite coloured and bland.

There's the Nikon NE-1 stereo mic which is even more diminutive (I'm getting obsessive about this), which I would hope is good enough for atmos. Not tried it, not absolutely keen on taking a punt whereas I'd be willing to do so on the Rode (known to be good).

Yet again, there's the Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Shotgun mic, which will probably be very close to the Rode.

Let me re-iterate - this would be for picking up a guide track for syncing with an external recorder, and that's stretching things a bit. Or for picking up those little spot sounds when I'm filming notionally mute candids (screams, cheers, applause, gongs, you name it). Not for interviews, proper wild tracks, room tone or anything 'serious'. That's what the Sanken CS-1 is for.
 
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MattDavis said:
+1 on Andy's point (worst place for mic and all that).Having said that, I'm using my Sanken CS1 (like a sawn-off 416) on a Rycote elbow thing that fits the mic and **just** squeezes into the Canon clip, though if I can boom the CS1 in, its a joy.
Click to expand...

I have both the Sanken CS-1 and the Audio Technica 875R. I stopped using the CS-1 when my EX1 stopped being able to phantom power it (never did figure that one out). But it's been resurrected now that I'm using a C300. If deciding between the two, here is how I would describe the differences.

Sanken CS-1- Pros: Very natural sounding, best for ambience, low handling noise. Cons: picks up more room noise, not as good for interviews
Audio Technica 875R - Pros: Low room noise, voices cut through the mix. Cons: handling noise, not quite as natural sounding as CS-1, less bass response

Basically, I've found the 875R to be a much better interview mic. Voices just cut with this mic in a way they don't with the CS-1. If I had to choose to bring one or the other, I'd bring the 875R because in general when I just need ambience, it usually the audio quality isn't quite as critical. But when I need to isolate a voice, with a setup or impromptu interview, I need the best performance - and in that realm the 875R wins IMHO.

Because of the handling noise, I'm currently using the CS-1 on camera. On my EX-1 I had rigged up a Rycote Lyre shockmount for my 875R, which eliminates virtually all handling noise. I want to do a similar thing with my C300, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
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