wel, looking at the new canon a1, has a built in mic, but i suspect thats sorta sub-par, so how much for a decent to ok shotgun mic? Not ready to by, just inturested

Hi Tim, how are thangs in sunny Mayretta?

The AT897 is priced at around $250 without a shock mount or XLR cable. It sounds pretty good for an inexpensive shotgun. Also, RODE makes the NTG1 and NTG2 which are basically copies of the AT897 at around the same price.

Guy, is the AT897 about the same size as the XL1/XL2 mic? At least the pickup end... the reason I ask is I have a windscreen that fits the XL1 mic, and I was wondering if I needed to get another one for the AT897 or if mine would fit

I know this is sorta off topic... but thanks anyway

Dnno about the size to sox ratio or the mic, just asked casue the a1 uses the little in handel mic that's never as good as you want.

Marietta is fine, sept school started to day and getting out of the neighborhood bast the eementry school is as bad as a round about in an english town center (meaning it's bad).

price range?

Nick,
Dunno about the XL1/2 vs. AT897 diameter. The 897 is 21mm in diameter. Maybe this review (http://www.pana3ccduser.com/article.php?filename=Review-of-the-Audio-Technica-AT897-Short-Shotgun-M) will give you more information.

Tim,
Yep, I know what you mean. I leave at 5:30am to beat the traffic.

I've got an Audio-Technica ATR55 (about $50) that gets decent sound...Read a review that shows it's the best of the Bottom $ range.