Rode NTG-1 and battery life
 

I've searched this forum for information about using this phantom-powered mic on the A1, but nothing has mentioned how it's use effects the run time of the A1's battery. It draws 3.5 mA according to the Rode specs, while something like the AT 897 draws 2. Would that difference be enough to noticabley shorten the time you could shoot on a battery? Thanks.

Hi Jim,

Let's asume you have the BP950 battery, or even better: the BP970.

The BP950 has a capacity of 5200 mAh. That means it can give the camera about 5200 mA per hour. The camera runs about 4-5 hours on that battery, so that would mean it uses about a 1000 mA per hour.
Looking at the 3.5 mA would mean that the camera would run 12.6 seconds shorter on the battery if I calculated it right.
With 2 mA it would mean 7.2 seconds. So the difference is 5 seconds shorter filming.

I don't think you have to know the results with the BP970......

3.5 mA or 2 mA are absolutely no problem......

I've been wondering about the quality of that Røde mic. It's really a low price. Has anybody used it for critical things?

Thanks, Gert. There's nothing quite like a completely factual answer.

Bill, my interest in the NTG-1 stems from my use of Rode's NT3 mic and hearing it's results played in a theater.

Rode NTG-1 and NTG-2 (same thing as far as audio goes) are the best cheap(esh) short shotguns. You would have to pay 2-3 times more to get real improvement. Many pro productions have been done with those with no complaints.

As Gert notes, the impact of the Rode mic (or the AT) on available runtime would be insignificant (less half a percent).

The Rode NTG-1/2 appear to be excellent shotgun mics for their price point. Arguably roughly comparable to the AT-897, although some people like Rode better, and some prefer AT.

I'm using an NTG1 and it's pretty decent. Audio quality wise compared with top mic's I'd give it a 6/10. I have found that even if wrapped in rubber mounted in the mic holder it picks up more handling noise than I'd like so now tend to get a mic stand and place the mic above the subjects pointing down and run a long cable to the cam.

I picked up a bargain non brand but obviously pro tie clip that runs on phantom power on eBay for £30 the other month and it's even better. I place in on the table etc pointing towards the subject.

As I work mostly in recording studios I can borrow some pretty exotic mics, I recorded a feature with Tony Visconti (producer for T Tex etc) and had a super Neuman mic, it just sounds astonishing. Used in figure 8 pickup pattern, interviewer one side and subject the other it was super crisp and kept background noise out. I think that the mic pre's on the Canon are very good as you can really hear the difference in the mics.

I just recently ordered the xh a1...I also have the at897 so when I get time this weekend I will see how well it works. Is there a post anywhere to show pictures of people xha1 setups. I would love to see them.

Not only did I answer the question. I also learned from the other reactions. I was looking around for a reasonable microphone for a while and had not heard about these two. So, thanks for the 'tip' Jim. :-)

I have the SM-5 holder for my NTG-2. Seems to do a reasonably good job at dampening things.

NTG1 is too thin for the A1 mic holder. So how you guys deal with this? Wrap some duct tape around the mic?

I use this:
http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=SM5

Works fine.

I have placed a couple turns of black gaffer tape around the NTG-2.

You could go to a hardware store and get a couple of O-rings to put around the mic.

I just wrap a paper towel around the mic. and kinda on the subject but an off question, but I've always just thrown a AA battery in the mic how do I use the phantom power on the cam without needing a duracell? thanks

Turn on the phantom power switch for the XLR jack/mic you are using, see page 48 of the manual.

How do they compare to the Sennheiser ME66/67?

Price wise the Rode are substantially lower cost than the Sennheiser ME66/K6 combo.

You can read the specifications from their respective web sites adn compare them. And you can find some reviews if you google on the web.

But mics have to be heard to appreciate their differences, and different folks tend to prefer the tone of different microphones.

Some might argue that the Rode provide 90% of the quality for 60% of the cost, but opinions will vary.

Can you explain how the SM5 fits into the XH-A1? I don't have either yet, so I'm trying to figure this out by looking at pictures. I'm not certain how it fits.

The longer end of the SMF5 tube is put inside the microphone mount that comes built-in with the camera.

The link you give says that the SM5 comes with adapters so it will fit different size camera mic mounts. I believe there are two basic sizes uses, and the XH-A1 has the larger size.

K-tek makes a similar system for it's shock mounts. The "system" is just a short tube (there are two sizes available) that goes in the camera mic mount. The tube has a threaded bolt sticking out to screw on the shock mount. To use the K-tek tube you have to have a shock mount with a side hole.

The mic then threads through the shock mount.

Hi Gert, there is something wrong with your calcuations. It's not important for little things like microphones. However, it is better to get the concept right.

5200 mAh means the battery can maintain 5200mA (37.44W) for totally 1 hour, not per hour. If the camera can run for 5 hours with BP950 (~ 7.2V). It consumes about 7.5W (Canon spec states 6.9W). If the difference between the two microphone is 1.5mA at 48V (phantom power is 48V, right?), the power consumption difference is only 0.072W. It's only about 1 % of your camera power consumption.