Here is goes... at DVinfo.net

Loren Simons · January 3rd, 2008, 02:18 PM

ok so, here it goes. My birthday just came around (Jan 1st yay! now im 15!) and i got $1000. I Have my A1 and a manfrotto tripod. I'm looking for a nice boom kit, and would have LOVED a 35mm adapter, but i couldn't find one to get my started that was under 930, and that just wont let me get a boom. ahaha. so are their any opinions as if i should get a cheap boom kit,( Azden X2 and boom would cost me only 180) than buy some other accessory? I also have lights so those wont be needed. Thanks to anyone who took the time to even read this, and even more thanks to the people who put their 2cents in =D

Don Palomaki · January 3rd, 2008, 03:42 PM

Are you thinking about the Azden SGM-2X?

Before you buy, compare specs to AT-897, Rode NTG-2, Sennheiser K6/ME66 and then make your decision.

On getting a cheap kit - in general, why put a cheap kit on an expensive camcorder if everything else is not not cheap.

Bill Pryor · January 3rd, 2008, 05:13 PM

I don't see any Azden mic and boom that cheap at B&H.

Loren Simons · January 3rd, 2008, 06:08 PM

Well, as to the "cheap" microphone. I went to a dv expo a few weeks ago and they had a special, 175, for a 2x. I also have a gift card for the same place, bringing it down to 125, i than see a canivision boom pole at bh for 90 bucks, carbon fiber too =o! I've heard peoples criticism toward the X2, but i mean for 125 cash, i think it would be a nice beginners microphone.

The initial question basically is, should i get the kit posted above, and than spend my money on another variable for my camera, or should i put the money mostly into my mic?
thanks for the speedy replies though=D very appreciateddd

Bill Pryor · January 3rd, 2008, 06:28 PM

A cheap mic properly used is better than a good mic stuck on the camera. It'll probably do OK for you at this point. You're probably just going to be recording dialog, right?

Double check that fishpole before you buy it and make sure it's long enough. Usually the cheap ones are only 5-6 feet.

Loren Simons · January 3rd, 2008, 06:42 PM

Thats probably the best advice if hear so far. The pole is 7.5, i dont know if that is enough, but it should be. And even if not, there is a rode for $100, not carbon fiber, but still fine. So now that ive decided on that, what should i buy with the rest? It'll be about 800 or 700. any ideas? lol

Alessandro Garabaghi · January 3rd, 2008, 07:11 PM

I am assuming you have Cases and tapes and batteries? What about an ExpoDisc?

Wireless Mic Kit?
Lighting Kit?
Computer Upgrade parts?

Clothing?
Legos?

Loren Simons · January 3rd, 2008, 08:33 PM

ahahah i was thinking about the legos but i restricted this money to camera supplies. The wireless mic is an option, but do you think it would be money well spent to buy a Firestone or some sort of portable recorder?

Don Palomaki · January 4th, 2008, 08:48 AM

[Quote]A cheap mic properly used is better than a good mic stuck on the camera. [\Quote]

The trick of course it to use the cheap mic within its limits, and adjust expectations accordingly.

My point is that a person who wants the best gear will never be happy with a cheap gear much beyond the time it takes to find out it is cheap in ways beyond the price.

Kellen Dengler · January 7th, 2008, 05:10 PM

If I had an extra $1000 to drop on camera gear I would save up a little while and get a Firestore. That's simply because a tapeless work flow is something that would streamline my workflow emensley. It's NOT a necessity though.

If I were you I would focus on necessities and not wants. You'll be pissed if you have all this cool new gear and then go to record and realize your final product sucks becuase you bought a lousy mic or terrible lights...

Bill Pryor · January 7th, 2008, 05:18 PM

Good point--the cheaper the mic (or camera for that matter) the more you have to be careful to learn its limitations and work within them. Builds character.

Loren Simons · January 7th, 2008, 06:11 PM

well, after hearing all this. im gona go with the senhieser M66, and just a cheap pole i think...than i guess ill have to figure out a way to get some other lights or a work around. thanks!

Kenneth Johnson · January 7th, 2008, 10:07 PM

You might do a google search for building a photographic crane. Several items will come up.
cheaper than buying one new. also check ebay for a used one and try www.craiglist.org

ken

Don Palomaki · January 8th, 2008, 07:33 AM

Audio and other gear comes and goes on used gear lists with great regularity. You can find bargains there, (and abused gear too). The LA areas should be a hot bed for that sort of stuff.

January 3rd, 2008, 02:18 PM	#1
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	Here is goes... ok so, here it goes. My birthday just came around (Jan 1st yay! now im 15!) and i got $1000. I Have my A1 and a manfrotto tripod. I'm looking for a nice boom kit, and would have LOVED a 35mm adapter, but i couldn't find one to get my started that was under 930, and that just wont let me get a boom. ahaha. so are their any opinions as if i should get a cheap boom kit,( Azden X2 and boom would cost me only 180) than buy some other accessory? I also have lights so those wont be needed. Thanks to anyone who took the time to even read this, and even more thanks to the people who put their 2cents in =D __________________ Loren Simons

January 3rd, 2008, 03:42 PM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Are you thinking about the Azden SGM-2X? Before you buy, compare specs to AT-897, Rode NTG-2, Sennheiser K6/ME66 and then make your decision. On getting a cheap kit - in general, why put a cheap kit on an expensive camcorder if everything else is not not cheap. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 3rd, 2008, 06:08 PM	#4
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	Well, as to the "cheap" microphone. I went to a dv expo a few weeks ago and they had a special, 175, for a 2x. I also have a gift card for the same place, bringing it down to 125, i than see a canivision boom pole at bh for 90 bucks, carbon fiber too =o! I've heard peoples criticism toward the X2, but i mean for 125 cash, i think it would be a nice beginners microphone. The initial question basically is, should i get the kit posted above, and than spend my money on another variable for my camera, or should i put the money mostly into my mic? thanks for the speedy replies though=D very appreciateddd __________________ Loren Simons

January 3rd, 2008, 06:42 PM	#6
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	Thats probably the best advice if hear so far. The pole is 7.5, i dont know if that is enough, but it should be. And even if not, there is a rode for $100, not carbon fiber, but still fine. So now that ive decided on that, what should i buy with the rest? It'll be about 800 or 700. any ideas? lol __________________ Loren Simons

January 3rd, 2008, 08:33 PM	#8
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	ahahah i was thinking about the legos but i restricted this money to camera supplies. The wireless mic is an option, but do you think it would be money well spent to buy a Firestone or some sort of portable recorder? __________________ Loren Simons

January 3rd, 2008, 05:13 PM	#3
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I don't see any Azden mic and boom that cheap at B&H.

January 3rd, 2008, 06:28 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	A cheap mic properly used is better than a good mic stuck on the camera. It'll probably do OK for you at this point. You're probably just going to be recording dialog, right? Double check that fishpole before you buy it and make sure it's long enough. Usually the cheap ones are only 5-6 feet.

January 3rd, 2008, 07:11 PM	#7
Alessandro Garabaghi Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 132	I am assuming you have Cases and tapes and batteries? What about an ExpoDisc? Wireless Mic Kit? Lighting Kit? Computer Upgrade parts? Clothing? Legos?

January 4th, 2008, 08:48 AM	#9
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	[Quote]A cheap mic properly used is better than a good mic stuck on the camera. [\Quote] The trick of course it to use the cheap mic within its limits, and adjust expectations accordingly. My point is that a person who wants the best gear will never be happy with a cheap gear much beyond the time it takes to find out it is cheap in ways beyond the price. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 7th, 2008, 05:10 PM	#10
Kellen Dengler Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 118	If I had an extra $1000 to drop on camera gear I would save up a little while and get a Firestore. That's simply because a tapeless work flow is something that would streamline my workflow emensley. It's NOT a necessity though. If I were you I would focus on necessities and not wants. You'll be pissed if you have all this cool new gear and then go to record and realize your final product sucks becuase you bought a lousy mic or terrible lights...

January 7th, 2008, 05:18 PM	#11
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Good point--the cheaper the mic (or camera for that matter) the more you have to be careful to learn its limitations and work within them. Builds character.

January 7th, 2008, 06:11 PM	#12
Loren Simons Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 288	well, after hearing all this. im gona go with the senhieser M66, and just a cheap pole i think...than i guess ill have to figure out a way to get some other lights or a work around. thanks! __________________ Loren Simons

January 7th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#13
Kenneth Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 70	You might do a google search for building a photographic crane. Several items will come up. cheaper than buying one new. also check ebay for a used one and try www.craiglist.org ken

January 8th, 2008, 07:33 AM	#14
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Audio and other gear comes and goes on used gear lists with great regularity. You can find bargains there, (and abused gear too). The LA areas should be a hot bed for that sort of stuff. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com