Cable for MA300
 

I bought a Canon MA300 mic adapter for my GL2 and am confused about the proper cable to connect mic to camera. (patience, I come from a long still photo background) The mic recommended cable, 3pin mic to 1/8 to camera, bypasses the MA300. If I don't connect mic to MA300 what do I need the adapter for? Mic is Azden SMG1X. I did a net search before posting. Thanks,

Ed Space

It's an either/or. The MA300 connects to your camera - the mic connects to the MA300 via a conventional XLRM-XLRF mic cable. When using the MA300 you don't need the XLR->1/8 mini adapter at all. Where ever the recomendation for the adapter cable came from, it doesn't take into account the fact that you had the MA300 on your camera.

MA300 mic cable
 

Thanks Steve, makes sense. I'll scour B&H for a cable. Also found out that the Azden SMG1X mic I bought will not fit in the MA300 mic holder. I wrote to canon to get holder radius (not in their copy specs). Azden mic 21mm, MA300 mic holder, 25mm. Might try a piece of hose over mic or B&H for 25mm mic.
Any ideas Steve?

Ed Space

Ed,
You want the plumbing section not the garden section. A couple of #15 O-Rings that are slipped over the Azden will do what you want.

MA300 mic holder
 

Thanks Ernest,

Great idea! I know exactly what a #15 O ring is. I'm humbled by the collective unselfish help available on this forum.

Ed

It wasn't my idea but I love the solution. You're right about DVInfo. I first saw the idea here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115222

O rings for MA300 mic mount
 

Got the O rings, but MA300 holder has grooves in the holder, so the rings would slip into the grooves. Solution: slipping several rings close together onto mic barrell will do the job. Now I'm looking for a cable less than 1 1/2 ft long.

Thanks again Ernie

Ed

Right. On my NTG-1 and A1 holder, the 3 O-rings are spaced to match the grooves in the holder. B&H has this cable:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...one_Cable.html

There are right angle coiled ones too.

XLR cable
 

Thanks again Ernie. Will order this session. While searching DVi for answers to some of my questions, I find this mic barrel problem comes up a lot with solutions ranging from rubber bands to gaff tape (what special properties does gaff tape have?), you'd think someone would come up with an adapter that would slip over the mic barrel.

Ed

LOL. You think like an engineer. The characteristics of Gaff tape is that it's cheap and typically in your box of gear. So, a couple of wraps and you've increased the OD of your mic. The goal is to have a firm grip so it doesn't slip out but not be so tight as to transfer camera motor vibrations or handling bumps/moves from the camera to the mic.

There's no converters because mics and holders vary. Plus, I doubt there's much of a business case when the target customers would just as soon whip up a DIY solution or make a trip to HD.

Mic holders & gaff tape
 

Thanks again Ernest. I'm in the DYI school of thought. Ordered 50 ft of 2 in gaff tape.

Gaffer's tape has a low residue adhesive that doesn't mess up cables, walls, etc. Though they look very similar, the common hardware store duct tape isn't the same thing as for real gaffer's tape. The real stuff is also a lot harder to locate - pretty much got to go to a film/video specialist dealer to find it.

Gaff tape
 

Thanks Steve. I can see why the tape would have many usefull photo applications so I have ordered 50ft of 2in gaff tape. I see you are in the inner circle so perhaps you could help me with another matter. I have other replys to my original post but no email notification to to reply. I don't want to ignore folks who took the time to reply to my post. I have read DVi policy. What have I missed? And what does "unsubscribe to thread" mean? I'm a gratefull new member who wishes to contribute to the success of this forum.

Ed Space

Sorry, can't help you with that. I'm afraid 'inner circle' doesn't mean any special knowledge of the workings of the board software itself. Drop a note to master guru Chris Hurd and I'm sure he'll be able to help you.

Ed,
on my A1 I use this shock mount:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Mount_for.html
You'll have less camera or zoom noise transmitted to your microphone.

Vasco