I've read a few other complaints about the flimsy mic holder on the XH-A1 but it doesn't even hold my ME66...what with that? I mean gaffers tape is good for a lot of things but has anyone found a better solution?

Moved from Canon XL to Canon XH.

Just be happy that it's too big for the ME66 instead of too small. Wrap some velcro around the mic's tube to increase its diameter so as to make it fit better in the mic clamp.

Garden hose split open makes also a good filler... Looks Pro, too!

If you want to do it properly, AND have infinately better isolation, AND away from the lens if using a big furry muff, AND back off the lens plane, AND tiltable, then this is a pretty good option: -

http://www.rycote.com/products/softie_system/softie_mount/softie_cca/

I use it almost permanently with my ME67

Doesn't get much better than this.


CS

Sony actually makes a rubber ring that fits perfectly around my ME67 on my XHA1.

Here's a picture of the item and the part number is visible so you can get it from the sony parts site.

It's the one on the right hand side.

http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s280/hantanbl/?action=view&current=micholderwspacer.jpg

JR

The sony part just mentioned is a good option. I actually went to a guitar store and bought a guitar wall hanger. Most of these come with two rubber rings that hold the guitar and keep it from falling off. Take them off and the rubber rings fit perfectly over any mic and hold very well in the mic clip. 10 bucks got me 2 rings

For the short term I'm going to use either the velcro or garden hose idea. That mount for the shotgun will be what I eventually get though.
Thanks guys for your help.

If you can find a shop selling tecnical rubber and plastic products they will have silicone O-rings of all possible sizes and they are quite cheap. Just take the mic with you to check the fit and buy a dozen. You would need 2-3 of them at a time. Gives better isolation than the emergency garden hose fix.

If you try to use mics as long as the ME66 in the holder of the A1, you risk seeing them in the frame. For this kind of use a J-rod (http://www.thej-rod.com/) is a good idea.

(I made one myself, BTW. It is pretty easy, look at the attached pictures.)

If you like the position of your mic in the holder, the easiest way to use up the extra space is to loop the extra mic cable through the holder before you place the mic in. I use a Rode and it works perfectly.

I wish I could claim the idea as my own, but I read it somewhere when I got the A1 last fall. Probably read it here.

Ok this is perfect. I used o-rings from home depot (5 of them) for my Canon Xh-A1 and it has been working great. I just purchased the sleeve for the sony Part number 317988201 from http://www.partstore.com/Default.aspx this is going to work even better. Thank you all for the picture and part number of the sleeve or spacer as they call it. I will be putting it to use on my Canon.

If you want to do it properly, AND have infinately better isolation, AND away from the lens if using a big furry muff, AND back off the lens plane, AND tiltable, then this is a pretty good option: -

http://www.rycote.com/products/softie_system/softie_mount/softie_cca/

I use it almost permanently with my ME67

Doesn't get much better than this.


CS

That looks a great solution until you discover the cost £139.00 + postage :-(

Hey Tripp
Great idea..looping the cable through the mic holder. Works great! Sometimes the simpliest things! I have to watch my sennheisers muff though, sometimes under wide angle a few hairs show up at the top of the screen. I had this happen on my DVC 80 once and lost some valuable footage.

If you try to use mics as long as the ME66 in the holder of the A1, you risk seeing them in the frame. For this kind of use a J-rod (http://www.thej-rod.com/) is a good idea.

(I made one myself, BTW. It is pretty easy, look at the attached pictures.)

Nice Jerome !
I guess imitation is the best form of flattery.

Nice Jerome !
I guess imitation is the best form of flattery.


(blush)

My only excuse is that I live in Germany and that the J-Rod was not easily available where I live (to my knowledge at the time). But I have to admit that your idea is pretty good!