NTG-2 and Zoom H4n mounted on DSLR at DVinfo.net

Tris Laughton · July 20th, 2014, 10:14 PM

I'm currently using a T5i and just recently purchased Rode NTG-2 and Zoom H4n and need to mount both of them to my DSLR. What would be the best solution to achieve this? Are there any particularly inexpensive ways this can be done? Could you guys recommend any shoulder rigs or cages?

Pedanes Bol · July 21st, 2014, 08:48 PM

I use a flash bracket like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131401-REG/General_Brand_Right_Angle_Bracket_with.html
and a shoe mount like this:
shoe mount | B&H Photo Video

.

Peter Riding · July 22nd, 2014, 01:41 AM

The kit from Photography and Cinema is well made and good value.

The shoulder rig I have:

Photography and Cinema - Store · PR-1 Prime Video Shoulder Rig Kit

and the cage:

Photography and Cinema - Store · GB-2 GearBox Video Cage

You could just about get away with a simple bar bracket if the cam is otherwise stabilised on a monopod or tripod. Something like this attached to the cams hotshoe (care with the stress on it):

Digital SLR Camera Holder/Flash Bracket Mount for 1/4" Screw Tripod/Light Stand | eBay

The Mogopod with its three feet works well. I have the feet attached to a monopod that I already own.

Pete

Brian P. Reynolds · July 22nd, 2014, 02:24 AM

The NTG2 has a lowish audio output level compared to other better quality mics and if used with the H4n the input gain needs to be raised to get a good level on the recorder.

The H4n has poor preamps.... so if you raise the gain you will get lots of 'hiss'.

The Rode NTG1 has similar gain to the NTG2 except the 2 can run on an internal battery this give the H4n a little better battery life which is quite poor when running ANY phantom powered mics.

So in brief the Rode NTG 1 & 2 make a poor choice when used with the H4n. The Rode NTG3 is a much better choice.

The Rode NTG1 & 2 and Zoom H4n came onto the market at about the same time and in theory make an ideal combination.... BUT in reality they dont.

Keep in mind a RF bias mic (NTG3) is MUCH better than a condenser mic (NTG 1&2), What are you going to be using it for, Fx or dialogue?

Mounting a mic on top of the camera is actually the worst place to mount it, it's near the camera handling / lens noise.....
It is virtually impossible to get good quality dialogue from a mic mounted on top of the camera regardless of what mic you use.

The only way to get quality sound from the spoken voice is get the mic close.......... either Lav mic, hand held mic or shotgun mic...BUT they need to be less than 500mm from the mouth.

July 20th, 2014, 10:14 PM	#1
Tris Laughton Tourist Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1	NTG-2 and Zoom H4n mounted on DSLR I'm currently using a T5i and just recently purchased Rode NTG-2 and Zoom H4n and need to mount both of them to my DSLR. What would be the best solution to achieve this? Are there any particularly inexpensive ways this can be done? Could you guys recommend any shoulder rigs or cages?

July 21st, 2014, 08:48 PM	#2
Pedanes Bol Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston MA Posts: 167	Re: NTG-2 and Zoom H4n mounted on DSLR I use a flash bracket like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131401-REG/General_Brand_Right_Angle_Bracket_with.html and a shoe mount like this: shoe mount \| B&H Photo Video .

July 22nd, 2014, 01:41 AM	#3
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: NTG-2 and Zoom H4n mounted on DSLR The kit from Photography and Cinema is well made and good value. The shoulder rig I have: Photography and Cinema - Store · PR-1 Prime Video Shoulder Rig Kit and the cage: Photography and Cinema - Store · GB-2 GearBox Video Cage You could just about get away with a simple bar bracket if the cam is otherwise stabilised on a monopod or tripod. Something like this attached to the cams hotshoe (care with the stress on it): Digital SLR Camera Holder/Flash Bracket Mount for 1/4" Screw Tripod/Light Stand \| eBay The Mogopod with its three feet works well. I have the feet attached to a monopod that I already own. Pete

July 22nd, 2014, 02:24 AM	#4
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: NTG-2 and Zoom H4n mounted on DSLR The NTG2 has a lowish audio output level compared to other better quality mics and if used with the H4n the input gain needs to be raised to get a good level on the recorder. The H4n has poor preamps.... so if you raise the gain you will get lots of 'hiss'. The Rode NTG1 has similar gain to the NTG2 except the 2 can run on an internal battery this give the H4n a little better battery life which is quite poor when running ANY phantom powered mics. So in brief the Rode NTG 1 & 2 make a poor choice when used with the H4n. The Rode NTG3 is a much better choice. The Rode NTG1 & 2 and Zoom H4n came onto the market at about the same time and in theory make an ideal combination.... BUT in reality they dont. Keep in mind a RF bias mic (NTG3) is MUCH better than a condenser mic (NTG 1&2), What are you going to be using it for, Fx or dialogue? Mounting a mic on top of the camera is actually the worst place to mount it, it's near the camera handling / lens noise..... It is virtually impossible to get good quality dialogue from a mic mounted on top of the camera regardless of what mic you use. The only way to get quality sound from the spoken voice is get the mic close.......... either Lav mic, hand held mic or shotgun mic...BUT they need to be less than 500mm from the mouth.