Jason
Looking to buy a Juice link CX231 preamplifier for recording sound with my canon T2i. What is the best shotgun mic out there I can get for less than $300 to go along with it? Also I heard of something called "Magic Lantern". How can I get this for my T2i? Thank you.
Answer
I have a juicedLink CX231. Works great - good choice as it also has phantom power.
We don't know what you plan to capture to video.
If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".
If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation availble for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they (including your EOS 550D/T2i) will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limted) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing... You already know a little about this XLR mic part, too.
Plan on investing on more than one mic. My kit includes a couple of handheld Shure SM58 dynamic mics, an Audio Technica AT-825 stereo mic, a couple of Sennheiser G3 wireless lavs with portable base stations and an Audio Technica AT-875R short shotgun mic.
Basically you end up spending more money and time you would not spend if you use the tool designed for the task.
I am not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder...
And I did not get into the video file compatibility with your computer/video editor (MOV from the dSLR), lighting requirements, steadying devices, power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture - and in the camcorders you listed, be sure your selected editor can deal with AVCHD compressed video.
If you need a dSLR footprint then look into the BlackMagic Cinema cams - better yet, the Canon EOS Cinema cams... They do not have the known problems dSLRs have with capturing video.
As for MagicLantern... Learn more about it here... http://www.magiclantern.fm
I have a juicedLink CX231. Works great - good choice as it also has phantom power.
We don't know what you plan to capture to video.
If video is important, then a camcorder is preferred. It is designed to capture video. And audio. capturing still images is a secondary "convenience feature".
If stills are important, than use a still image capture device. Like a dSLR. Capturing video (and audio) is a secondary "convenience feature". For example, if you read the documentation availble for download from the dSLR manufacturer's web sites, you will find they (including your EOS 550D/T2i) will overheat when capturing video "for prolonged periods" (about 15 minutes maximum) and stop video capture until it cools down (takes a long time)... or... check their built-in (mono) mic and no (or extremely limted) manual audio control. This means no stereo without an external stereo mic and adding something like a XLR adapter (~$350) to plug into the stereo audio input + use the audio gain controls... or... use an external audio recording device like a Zoom H2, H2n, H4n and take the extra steps to import and sync the audio when editing... You already know a little about this XLR mic part, too.
Plan on investing on more than one mic. My kit includes a couple of handheld Shure SM58 dynamic mics, an Audio Technica AT-825 stereo mic, a couple of Sennheiser G3 wireless lavs with portable base stations and an Audio Technica AT-875R short shotgun mic.
Basically you end up spending more money and time you would not spend if you use the tool designed for the task.
I am not saying dSLRs can't capture good video - they can - but they cannot be treated like a camcorder and they cannot replace a camcorder. There are workarounds for lots of things that you normally don't need to worry about when using a camcorder...
And I did not get into the video file compatibility with your computer/video editor (MOV from the dSLR), lighting requirements, steadying devices, power supplies... and lots of other "accessories" needed for successful video capture - and in the camcorders you listed, be sure your selected editor can deal with AVCHD compressed video.
If you need a dSLR footprint then look into the BlackMagic Cinema cams - better yet, the Canon EOS Cinema cams... They do not have the known problems dSLRs have with capturing video.
As for MagicLantern... Learn more about it here... http://www.magiclantern.fm
BEST PROFESSIONAL HD VIDEO CAMERA FOR RECORDING INDOOR CONCERTS/PERFORMANCES (UNDER $1300)?
Maranata
Hello everyone!
I am completely inexperienced about video cameras. Could someone recommend the best professional HD video camera for recording INDOOR (guitar/string quartet/piano/some percussion) concerts and dance/drama performances, which usually have low light. I would prefer a shoulder-mount model. My budget is only $1300.
Thanks in advance!
Answer
My definition of a "professional" HD video camera:
Lens diameter of 70mm or larger;
3CCD or 3CMOS imaging chip array.
Low compression video capture and storage.
When you find this, you get:
Separate zoom and focus rings on the lens barrel;
Manual audio gain control on the outside of the camcorder;
Neutral density filter setting on the outside of the camcorder...
At the low end are "prosumer" units like the Sony HDR-FX1000.
Low end camcorders have small lens and small imaging chip - this makes it impossible to capture good video under poor lighting conditions. Manual controls are buried in the menu and difficult to use/reach (your iPad has no manual controls). As the lens diameter gets larger and the imaging chip size increases, the low-light and poor light video capture behavior gets better and so does the price. As the manual controls migrate to the outside of the camcorder, more price increases - and add a mic jack an manual audio control...
dSLRs and other still image capture devices that happen to capture video as a secondary "convenience feature" should not be used as camcorders. This does not mean they cannot capture good video - they can, but they can't be treated as a camcorder. dSLRs have known issues related to overheating when capturing video over a prolonged time; poor audio options, file size and video length limitations. Generally, dSLRs do not have "stabilization" for video (even when the lens has stabilization).
Best video is captured under perfect lighting and best audio levels using low compression. That is not reality. That means we need to use equipment that works under as many adverse circumstances as possible.
Use of some sort of stabilizer (other than the camcorder's optical stabilizer) is strongly recommended. Humans are not built to be steady. Use of the ground, a rock, chair, shelf, monopod, shoulder-mount - anything but handheld... If you are capturing video handheld - with a camcorder, dSLR or other video capture device, expect poor quality.
Audio: The built-in mic works well with any camcorder when the audio is at an appropriate level and located in the right place. When this happens, the video framing may not be good. When the video framing is good, then the audio may not be set up correctly. The resolution to this is to use an external mic or audio recorder. This way the audio and the video are not physically depending on each other. Even if you don't choose to use an external mic or audio recorder, it is much better to have the mic jack and manual audio control (in a camcorder) when you want it - rather than want it and not have it.
I would suggest you look into the Canon Legria HF S series. Decent lens diameter and imaging chip size for the price, external mic jack and manual audio gain control. Please do not compare their video quality to a $4,000 camcorder - especially under poor/indoor lighting conditions. The lesn diameter is only 58mm and single imaging chip is 1/3".
Tips:
Use a tripod or other steadying device.
On a camcorder, use the white balance.
Use an external stereo mic (Audio Technica has a decent, affordable ones) or audio recorder (like a Zoom H2) when recording music - the stereo separation is much better than mono audio.
Use the manual audio gain control.
Capture video under good lighting.
Use the White balance settings.
Capture video at highest quality.
The shoulder mount cams in your price range have small 37mm lens diameter. The Canon HF S series on a shoulder mount system will be much better. And when you go with the HF S series cam, that leaves you budget for the other stuff.
And we don't know if your computer needs to be upgraded to deal with the AVCHD compressed video.
My definition of a "professional" HD video camera:
Lens diameter of 70mm or larger;
3CCD or 3CMOS imaging chip array.
Low compression video capture and storage.
When you find this, you get:
Separate zoom and focus rings on the lens barrel;
Manual audio gain control on the outside of the camcorder;
Neutral density filter setting on the outside of the camcorder...
At the low end are "prosumer" units like the Sony HDR-FX1000.
Low end camcorders have small lens and small imaging chip - this makes it impossible to capture good video under poor lighting conditions. Manual controls are buried in the menu and difficult to use/reach (your iPad has no manual controls). As the lens diameter gets larger and the imaging chip size increases, the low-light and poor light video capture behavior gets better and so does the price. As the manual controls migrate to the outside of the camcorder, more price increases - and add a mic jack an manual audio control...
dSLRs and other still image capture devices that happen to capture video as a secondary "convenience feature" should not be used as camcorders. This does not mean they cannot capture good video - they can, but they can't be treated as a camcorder. dSLRs have known issues related to overheating when capturing video over a prolonged time; poor audio options, file size and video length limitations. Generally, dSLRs do not have "stabilization" for video (even when the lens has stabilization).
Best video is captured under perfect lighting and best audio levels using low compression. That is not reality. That means we need to use equipment that works under as many adverse circumstances as possible.
Use of some sort of stabilizer (other than the camcorder's optical stabilizer) is strongly recommended. Humans are not built to be steady. Use of the ground, a rock, chair, shelf, monopod, shoulder-mount - anything but handheld... If you are capturing video handheld - with a camcorder, dSLR or other video capture device, expect poor quality.
Audio: The built-in mic works well with any camcorder when the audio is at an appropriate level and located in the right place. When this happens, the video framing may not be good. When the video framing is good, then the audio may not be set up correctly. The resolution to this is to use an external mic or audio recorder. This way the audio and the video are not physically depending on each other. Even if you don't choose to use an external mic or audio recorder, it is much better to have the mic jack and manual audio control (in a camcorder) when you want it - rather than want it and not have it.
I would suggest you look into the Canon Legria HF S series. Decent lens diameter and imaging chip size for the price, external mic jack and manual audio gain control. Please do not compare their video quality to a $4,000 camcorder - especially under poor/indoor lighting conditions. The lesn diameter is only 58mm and single imaging chip is 1/3".
Tips:
Use a tripod or other steadying device.
On a camcorder, use the white balance.
Use an external stereo mic (Audio Technica has a decent, affordable ones) or audio recorder (like a Zoom H2) when recording music - the stereo separation is much better than mono audio.
Use the manual audio gain control.
Capture video under good lighting.
Use the White balance settings.
Capture video at highest quality.
The shoulder mount cams in your price range have small 37mm lens diameter. The Canon HF S series on a shoulder mount system will be much better. And when you go with the HF S series cam, that leaves you budget for the other stuff.
And we don't know if your computer needs to be upgraded to deal with the AVCHD compressed video.
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Title Post: Shotgun mic for DSLR cameras?
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Author: Yukie
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