Shotgun mic mounted on camera

[jdh3334]

I am using the DVX100a to shoot a travel doc in Europe this summer featuring university professors and their students. I have a wireless lav to capture interviews, but I feel like I want to purchase a shotgun mic to pick up the nat sounds and discussions when we're walking the streets. I do not have an assistant to carry a boom pole, so I would need to mount the mic on camera.

Appreciate suggestions for a pro quality shotgun that I can mount on the camera -- and -- was wondering if anyone had an issue with the mounted shotgun appearing in the frame of their shot - how to avoid this?

 

[saneproductions]

the rode sm3 shockmount fits in the hot shoe for $50

The rode ntg1 shotgun is $250 (decent)

The rode dead cat $40 will give you slight wind protection for the money.

There are much better, more expensive options, but these will work

 

[ozduc]

Mounting a mic on the camera is never the best option but sometimes the only option. That being said you should always avoid having it appear in the shot. This can be achieved by having an offset bracket mounted to the hotshoe. You can get one at B & H for about $25. This will get it about 6-8 inches above the lens and depending on what mic you use it will be able to stick out a few inches beyond the lens without being in shot even at full wide zoom. Another option is to not zoom all the way out if your mic is closer to the lens but then that will force you to back up from the subject in which case the audio will suffer the more you have to step back.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...*&bhs=t&shs=NRG+tri+mount&image.x=0&image.y=0

 

[Bus No. 8]

I would also invest in a good windsock - and better to get it now than to realize you really need it when you're already in the foreign country (like I did).

I would suggest a Rycote Medium Hole Softie, which is what I paid way too much for while in Copenhagen (I forget how many damn Kroner), but it does a really nice job (starting at $120.00 through B&H).

The only problem that I had was with it showing its fuzzy self in the top edge of my frame, so an offset bracket like ozduc suggested would be a good idea.