Just wanted to order the DM-50 along with a GL2 from Zotz and they recommended against it, pushing a locally produced alternative instead.
What is the consensus on this mike? Is it much better than the on-board mike?
I plan to use it in a fairly quiet (not always) nature preserve to shoot birds and other sound-producing animals.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Roland

To help people answer it, which brand is it?

Isn't it a Canon brand accessory?

Sorry; it's an accessory mike offered by Canon.
Roland

First off, you will not be in a quiet shooting situation. The worst thing about the onboard mic (in fact, the ONLY bad thing about it) is the camera noise. The second you separate the microphone from the camera, you get rid of it. So even if the DM50 is the exact same mic, just mounting it will noticeably improve your audio.

That said, I'm not sure how well the DM50 mount absorbs motion and the resonance of the vtr motors.

I've never used it, but I've been testing out the Schriber you refer to as the "local alternative."

It's gotten a lot of bad press regarding the "hiss." The "hiss" is just a result of a high-gain boost in "tele" mode. It's not a defect. The Schriber is a perfectly good microphone for the price. In fact, for $130, I'd pretty much recommend it. You're getting a better deal than you are with a bigger name brand at that price point.

-S

Thanks all. I guess I'll try the GL2 as is and upgrade as required.
Roland

When I got my XM2 I was also set to get the Canon DM-50 but the person I spoke to at the dealer (a reputable company who supply the BBC with their gear) said that the DM-50 was very bad. He said there was a Sennheiser for the same price which was much better (I don't remember the model number though).