Agreed. I think! Depending on what I'm doing will depend on mics/placement. At a gig, I simply don't have the space to have any other mic than my electret (just a simple 108db peak one from sony.. ecm series) mounted on the camera. It would get destroyed in most of the venues I use! Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a fairly balanced desk feed to mix in, and I'm happy. I've never heard a zoom noise because the volume of the gigs is so loud it's simply not an issue.

Mounting the Sennheiser and the default Sony mic was just for comparison in a friends mini-studio. I've never used the Sony mic for anything, and comparison was simply for fun and information.

Carlos,

I tend to agree about the zoom motor noise on most cameras. As you may know, Lightwave products had a solution for the original XL1/s series that isolated the mic from the camera body. I noticed that on my XL-2, Canon has incorporated this solution into the design. IOW, the mic mount portion of the viewfinder is now a flexible rubber construction whereas on previous models it was rigid (hence the Lightwave add-ons). I have experienced no zoom noise on the XL-2. However, it's still the same mic and so the audio response limitations are still present, but it's well isolated from the camera body.

regards,

=gb=

p.s. Tyge, I see you are located just a little south of me. I fish Lake Lewisville alot as I live just a couple streets from the boat ramp.

Yeah, Greg, we are not that far from each other. (Other than the fact I would just as soon watch ice melt as fish! LOL) We should try to meet some time for a beer, maybe at Bass Pro Shops.

Thanks for all the feedback, you guys have been a real help. After handling and spending a little time behind a PD150 this past weekend, I've made up my mind and am ordering the following today or tomorrow from DVinfo.net sponsor B&H Photo:

PD170 with the Sony wireless mic setup
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=306461&is=REG

Century Optics 2x lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=252930&is=REG

Rycote windjammer
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=259872&is=REG

I have some other items I will be acquiring as well, from other sources. A shoulder pod, zoom controller, extra batteries, Pelican 1600 case, Sony soft bag and Bogen tripod (Not sure which one just yet).

'Bout time, Floyd! You've been threatening to buy a new camera for two years!

Greg, I lived in The Colony for a couple of years, but am now back in Houston. Watch out for that Tyge fella, though, he'll stiff you with the bill. ;-)

Michael

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Middleton. I know it took me a while to make the leap. I didn't want to let go of the dough! I'm anxious to get the new equipment in hand. He who dies with the most toys wins, right?

Tyge, I know you decided to go with the PD170, but I'm interested to know what accessory list you compiled for the XL2...I'm interested in buying one with some accessories, and I have no clue what to get or what they'll cost. Thanks.

It was pretty simple, really, went something like this:

XL2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=339002&is=REG

Rycote Windjammer
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=258922&is=REG

Sony Wireless Mic Kit
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=274576&is=REG

I was going to add a hard case, soft bag, batteries and a Bogen tripod as well.

Having heard and agreed with that, the mono Rode VideoMic is really quite good. Noticeably better than the mic on the XL2. The mini TRS feeds both channels. Streets for @ $150 USD.

Regards,

Ty Ford

thanks for the info!

You might want to check out this recent article in EventDV magazine:

http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Read...ArticleID=9267

Good luck.

Dennis

<<<-- Originally posted by Dennis Vogel : You might want to check out this recent article in EventDV magazine:

http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Read...ArticleID=9267

-->>>

The article may be serious, but camera prices and the place they quote certainly are not. Express Cameras.com seems to be a "dangerous" place to buy from.


Carlos