Is there anyway to still use the VL3 light after using the DM-50?
Do you use videolight? if so what would you do since the horse shoe has been taken up?

ys

I'm trying to "hear" the differences of the DM-50 mic vs. the mic thats already onboard.... Does anyone have the DM-50 mic and can film some footage, but just convert it into sound? I really want to see what the DM-50 sounds like and if it makes any good differences in trying to film documentaries or short films where you want the sound concentrated in front of you, but I want to see if anyone has some sound clips or two....

David

The built-in mic on the GL2 has a wide pickup pattern and (like all on-board camcorder mics) can pick up zoom motor and tape transport noise in quiet environments.

The DM-50 has a narrow pickup pattern, is shock-mounted to reduce picking up camcorder noise, and has a couple of switchable pickup patterns, stereo and mono. Those are the differences in a nutshell. Hope this helps,

Some people will probably disagree, but I hardly hear the difference between the two. If you want a better mic, I would go the next step up.

I purchased a DM-50 when I first got my GL2, tried it on a couple diffrent shoots and I was very dissapointed in the sound from it. Very midrange, not a lot of bass or high end. I've tried it in all the modes in many diffrent situations and I just can't get it to produce good sound for me. I normally shoot live bands so I know that it is not easy to get good audio from that, but I was still very dissapointed in the DM-50. I'd save the hundred bucks and invest in a better mic.

What about the EQ-GL? Has anyone tried this windscreen?
I have the equalizer on an XL-1S with MA200 and AT897, dual batteries, etc. The Eq looks great and works well.

I am trying to keep the GL2 (that I plan to order Monday 3/08/04 AM) as small as possible, as a travel cam. In most cases, the audio will be scrapped in post and replaced with MP3 files, narration, etc.

The EQ is not necessary, but I think it adds to the looks... and I plan to add a VL-3 on the hot shoe all of the time. This eliminates the place for an external mic.

Thoughts...?

Would you say the DM-50 compared to the onboard is better for interviews or short films possibly where you don't want to pick up the sound behind you?

Do you need to put on that plastic black wind/foam shield only for heavy winds? Can you remove it? Is it better to have it on or off at all times?

There are two foam elements, the front one and the back one. They are removeable. There might be a tiny difference if you have them off in a very quiet room, but I kinda doubt it.

Yeah....I was just wondering if the wind shield is needed or recommended just to have it on (perhaps for protection and no hassle of having to put back the shield back on and forth or carrying it).

I'm wondering what the best applications would be for the Canon DM-50 Directional Microphone, which mounts on top of the GL-2?

I'd like to speak to someone who uses one of these to see how practical it might be, how much range it has, sound quality, etc...

Thanks,
Dan from Michigan

Dan,
We have many, many threads (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=274194&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending) that discuss the DM-50.

Covered, but for a quick answer not worth it. To me the DM-50 and the on camera mic are so similar that I would save a bit more money and get a better mic. Look for a used Senn Me66 perhaps?

Yes, I priced a Senn Me66 and it looks like I'd only be able to afford a used one...

Thanks!

I have to agree that the DM-50 isn't probably the best shotgun mic you could get for your camera. However, it IS relatively inexpensive, and DOES provide pretty good directional sound. I also like that you can switch it from directional to omni with a simply flick of your finger, and the fact that it pulls power from my camera battery, which I can monitor easily.

Overall, I'd say it's a good deal unless you can afford a much better directional mic.

I did notice a difference when I recently got the DM-50, and since I usually add a soundtrack later, I'm happy with it for now. And considering the increased range, windscreen, 3 settings and shock mounting it really is a great value.

Thanks Vladimire and Travis,
I appreciate the help. If anyone has any info on the specs of the DM-50, I'd still like to know the approx. pick-up range/distance of this microphone.

:)
Dan

Dan, I'm relatively new to digital video, so I'm afraid I don't know much about the wireless mic systems. I did use the dm50 for a friends wedding and during the vows I was about 20 feet away, and this was a bit out of range for the mic (although it should be fine with some work in post production). I'd say anything within 10 feet would sound good. (Using a wide-angle converter lets you get even closer to the subject for better audio pickup)
Hope this helps, Vlad

I've run tests with my DM-50 vs. the onboard mic at ranges around 25 feet, and I picked up sound very well with the DM-50. However, weddings are a different story because the bride and groom (the bride especially usually) will be talking very quietly. I did a wedding this past summer where I was no more than 10ft. from the bride and groom with a GL2/DM-50 combo, and I had a wireless (feeding to another GL2 w/receiver) about two feet above their heads (attached out of view to the struts on the tent they were under). I got only slightly more sound out of the bride using the wireless that was right above her vs. the DM-50. I'd say the DM-50 is a very good mic overall for its price category.