Turning off mic on Nikon D4 at DVinfo.net

Ron McKinney · March 1st, 2013, 04:41 PM

I posted this in the Nikon dSLR forum, but seems fair to post here as well. The first time I attached my Sennheiser shotgun mic to my Nikon D4, I had left my camera in AF mode, and thus could hear my AF motor. Since my Sennheiser was plugged in, that means my internal D4 mic is still on, right? How do I turn off the D4 mic so I'm only getting audio from the Sennheiser? I'd check my manual but I'm away from it right now.

Thanks for any feedback!

Ron

Allan Black · March 1st, 2013, 05:11 PM

Plugging in a D4 external mic turns off its internal mic. You need to get a better Senn shockmount or position your Senn well away from the D4
to avoid the auto focus sound.

Cheers.

Ron McKinney · March 1st, 2013, 09:53 PM

I was afraid that might be the case. Well... I don't plan to use the AF anyway, so hopefully we should be okay.

Steve House · March 2nd, 2013, 05:44 AM

You're hearing the motors because you're trying to use the mic mounted on or at the camera. You should be aware that this will rarely lead to satisfactory results, even if you do turn off the motors to eliminate their noises. Shotgun mics do not magnify distant sounds the way a telephoto lens magnifies distant scenes and the camera position almost always puts the mic too far from the subject for proper recording. If you're trying to record dialog, interviews, etc, you need to get the mic to within 18 to 22 inches thereabouts from the person speaking for best results. About the only use for an on-camera mic is general ambient sound pickup.

Ron McKinney · March 2nd, 2013, 08:38 AM

Thanks, Steve! I do have a couple of wireless lav mics to use for interviews.

March 1st, 2013, 04:41 PM	#1
Ron McKinney Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 51	Turning off mic on Nikon D4 I posted this in the Nikon dSLR forum, but seems fair to post here as well. The first time I attached my Sennheiser shotgun mic to my Nikon D4, I had left my camera in AF mode, and thus could hear my AF motor. Since my Sennheiser was plugged in, that means my internal D4 mic is still on, right? How do I turn off the D4 mic so I'm only getting audio from the Sennheiser? I'd check my manual but I'm away from it right now. Thanks for any feedback! Ron

March 1st, 2013, 05:11 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,931	Re: Turning off mic on Nikon D4 Plugging in a D4 external mic turns off its internal mic. You need to get a better Senn shockmount or position your Senn well away from the D4 to avoid the auto focus sound. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 1st, 2013, 09:53 PM	#3
Ron McKinney Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 51	Re: Turning off mic on Nikon D4 I was afraid that might be the case. Well... I don't plan to use the AF anyway, so hopefully we should be okay.

March 2nd, 2013, 05:44 AM	#4
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Turning off mic on Nikon D4 You're hearing the motors because you're trying to use the mic mounted on or at the camera. You should be aware that this will rarely lead to satisfactory results, even if you do turn off the motors to eliminate their noises. Shotgun mics do not magnify distant sounds the way a telephoto lens magnifies distant scenes and the camera position almost always puts the mic too far from the subject for proper recording. If you're trying to record dialog, interviews, etc, you need to get the mic to within 18 to 22 inches thereabouts from the person speaking for best results. About the only use for an on-camera mic is general ambient sound pickup. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

March 2nd, 2013, 08:38 AM	#5
Ron McKinney Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 51	Re: Turning off mic on Nikon D4 Thanks, Steve! I do have a couple of wireless lav mics to use for interviews.