Canon 5D Mark 2: Mic pics up IS!?

[photography by ronan donov]

<p>Has anyone used the 5D Mark 2 with an L series IS lens? I have a 70-200mm f/2.7 IS L and I was very disappointed to find out that the internal mic on the camera body pics up the soft 'wrrrrrr' of the IS working away. That's really too bad. I have a Rhodes shotgun mic that I tried on the hot-shoe and that too pics it up!<br>

The only thing that doesn't is a lapel mic that dangles off the end of the camera while I fumble around with the video...<br>

I know this is a still camera first and foremost, but I was curious if anyone had experimented with this more?<br>

Thanks for your time,</p>

<p>-Ronan</p>

<p>www.ronandonovan.com</p>

[tdigi]

<p>I picked up a Manfrotto Modo monopod for like 30 bucks that is about 14 inchs tall and very compact. I just turn the IS off when I shoot video. </p>

[zml]

<p>If you want to use it on-camera, get a higher end (which means $1000+, sorry, this stuff is expensive) shotgun mic with a very good off-axis rejection (and a roll-off filter) but you'll still get some camera/lens noises, esp. during quieter moments when the AGC starts increasing gain. The best solution is an off-camera mic fed into a good portable recorder/mixer: the video quality on 5D2 is very good but the audio channel is not that great (and lacks rudomentary controls.) Besides, basic sync in post is not that difficult and opens up new and exciting possibilities.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>And you'll also pick up other operational sounds, e.g., touching camera, zooming lens, pushing buttons, burping, etc. If you're picky, you need to use an off-camera mic. I do a lot of location audio recording and would never consider an onboard mic/build-in mic, even though my Tascam machines have them for causal use. It's really poor quality and works best at picking you you running the gear...</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>Name me any video camera with moving parts that <em>doesn't </em>pick up any operational sounds through it's own internal mic. It's to be fully expected. Canon provided a stereo mic input for that very reason. If you're shooting holiday video or your kids it's more than good enough. If you're shooting to compete with Hollywood you need to spend serious cash on a decent mic. As Puppy Face says, any movement or fiddling anywhere near the camera will be recorded - including button pushing, zooming, focusing, whispering and scratching your arse.</p>

[photography by ronan donov]

<p>Thanks everyone for the input. So the best on-camera option would be as Michael said; a pro shotgun mic.<br>

What are some options for off camera recorder/mixers? I do really like that idea the best, it seems to have more flexibility and would allow for crisp, up close audio. Any recommendations for brands/models?<br>

I've done the off-camera mic setup with a lapel mic for interviews, but I found that for long tracks, the off-camera recorder lagged after about 25 minutes: I loaded it all into Final Cut Pro and synced the audio without a hitch, but the after 25 minutes it was off and got worse. Might it be because of a cheap setup? I hope that wouldn't happen with higher end setup.<br>

I am not looking to compete with hollywood or bollywood for that matter, I'd just like to have the option to accompany HD video with HD-ish sound. Seems reasonable enough...? right?<br>

Thanks again for all your comments and suggestions.<br>

-Ronan</p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>Here is where it all starts. Most professional mics use XLR plugs not mini plugs like on the 5D2. This allow you to get any professional mic on or off the camera and allows you to adjust the inputs and set up headphones so you can monitor what the mics are recording.<br /><a href="http://www.beachtek.com/dxa5d.html">http://www.beachtek.com/dxa5d.html</a><br />Then you need one of these kits Whicj come with a variety of mics for different situations.<br /><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/12621/UHF_Wireless_Systems_Dual_Channel_Systems.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/12621/UHF_Wireless_Systems_Dual_Channel_Systems.html</a><br />Like someone said before it aitn cheap, but neither is a 5D Mark II or any L-series lenses.<br>

PS - the maximum record time for a 5D Mark II is 4 GB which from my experience is 30 Minutes or less depending on how much movement their is in the video.<br>

<a href="http://www.beachtek.com/dxa5d.html"></a></p>

[zml]

<p>Once you decide to go with separate sound rig, you are opening another can of worms, so get as much info as you can before plunking down some serious $$.<br>

As for recorders, for DSLR video and other more casual and enviromental recording I just got the Marantz PMD 661. It goes up to 96 kHz 24 bit PCM (uncompressed) plus a slew of other modes. It has XLR (balanced) mic and line in inputs (so you can use a pro outboard mixer if desired) and many other goodies. See here for more info <a href="http://oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-661.html">http://oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-661.html</a> and read as many reviews as you can find elsewhere: Marantz is by no means the only game in town.<br />Do you know this site..? <a href="http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html">http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/location_sound.html</a> A good intro to location recording including mics and other equipment selection.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>Yeah, the Marantz PMD flash recorders are great. I use one for my shows as well as archiving student concerts. Of course, they are hard to sync up to video with out the time stamp track...</p>

[robert_reister]

<p>Well, the camera body mic will pick up sounds of things like that. I tried my 24-70L which zooms quite hard. It won't zoom smoothly and it is picked up loudly on the body mic as well. Love the image quality of the lens but not good for video to zoom or use body mic. Best bet is to go to an external mic option either wired and mounted away from the lens or wireless on your subject.</p>

[jonny_mac]

<p>Lots of reviews on video have shown the built-in camera mic will pic up the IS noise. I have the Rode stereo mic and haven't noticed but I'll try harder to see if I hear it.<br>

<br /> Also, if you don't want an external mic you could try getting the mic a little bit further away by using a stroboframe type bracket and an off-camera cord, similar to an off-camera flash.</p>

[jonny_mac]

<p>check out this link too!<br>

http://www.vimeo.com/2707206</p>

[zml]

<blockquote>

<p>they are hard to sync up to video with out the time stamp track</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Clapperboard, Luke, use clapperboard :-)</p>