Shotgun upgrade.

[Jeff Harper]

I run a rode videomic on my vx2100 and it works fine for wedding ceremonies.

I am now looking for an equivalent upgrade for the stock mic on my PD150's. Any suggestions for a low cost upgrade?

[Mike Beckett]

Jeff,

For value for money, it's hard to beat the Rode NTG-1. I use it (well, the NTG-2, close enough) on my Sony V1, it's great bang for the buck. $200-ish, I think, not sure of the US price.

The NTG-1 takes phantom power, the NTG-2 is a couple of inches longer and can take either a AA battery or phantom power.

[Jeff Harper]

Thanks, Mike!

[Chris Swanberg]

I really like the NTG-2 as well. Dan Brockett is fond of the AT875r and it is available for under $200, you might give it a look.

[Ilya Spektor]

Originally Posted by Mike Beckett

Jeff,

For value for money, it's hard to beat the Rode NTG-1. I use it (well, the NTG-2, close enough) on my Sony V1, it's great bang for the buck. $200-ish, I think, not sure of the US price.

The NTG-1 takes phantom power, the NTG-2 is a couple of inches longer and can take either a AA battery or phantom power.

I upgraded to Rode NTG-1 for my Sony PD-170. It is shorter than NTG-2, fits my bag perfectly (I use it only on my camcorder though...) During ceremonies I use it with normal sensitivity setting on Sony, but when you are at the reception with a loud DJ, you have to use mic ATT (-20dB) setting because this mic is very hot...

B&H has a nice set of NTG-1 with a cable and a shock-mount (SM-3, which is a shoe-mount) for $250 w/free shipping. I asked them to replace SM-3 for SM-5 shock-mount, since I use my light in the shoe-mount. SM-5 fits exactly into staff mic place, you can insert it there from front or back of the mic mount. Though it is heavier, it serves my purpose well.

Good Luck!