The $6 microphone improvement for the 5d2

http://www.ebay.com …_trksid=p3984.m​1439.l2649
$6 microphone (ships from the UK)

reviews here (amazon uk)
http://www.amazon.co.u​k …?ie=UTF8&showVi​ewpoints=1

audio samples

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=cfpCl3brl4Y
comparing the gembird microphone to the canon 5d2's microphone

http://www.youtube.com …_j36HooFE&featu​re=related
(not mine, but what sealed the purchase for me)

http://www.youtube.com …9mTMYit0&featur​e=youtu.be
sample real life footage

I know there are plenty of audio improvements for the canon 5d2 that range from having an external microphone such as a rode stereo microphone pro, zoom h4n microphone, rode ntg-2 shotgun mic, to wireless microphone systems including the sennheiser G3 system, sony uwp-1, azden 310 LT... however all of these are quite expensive alternatives to achieving better in-camera audio. Additionally, most of these systems are directional or require the subject to wear the system for higher fidelity audio.

But for those of us who just want to improve the internal audio from the canon 5d2, look no farther! In comes the gembird microphone. This microphone plugs into the external 3.5mm slot improving the audio levels dramatically without sticking out too far from the camera. The best part about this microphone is that the microphone is actually omnidirectional even though the microphone itself appears to be directional by design.

You will want to get a wind screen for this microphone to reduce the wind noise. (i salvaged a headset microphone windscreen which fit quite nicely).

Worse case scenario, if you find that having the microphone on the camera to be intrusive to your left hand, you can always relegate the microphone to it's intended purpose of improving the audio quality on your laptop for skype purposes.

Just wanted to share what I found! In my opinion, this microphone is pretty slick.

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Wow. Great find!
The mic on my T2i hasn't had exactly splendid quality and high volume. Lackluster at best.

I will definitely order one and see how it works out for me.
At that price, for ANY (even little) improvement, how can you lose?

Also, maybe this should go in the video section.
I mean, this is an accessory, but how else would you use it if not mostly for video?

I wonder how hard it would be to add a windshield

I almost ordered one and then realized my RRS L-bracket probably would get in the way, unless they make one that is extended to accomodate?

Thanks for the great find. I thought about getting a Rode stereo shotgun but it is expensive, more than I can afford right now. This might work for me a bit. Too bad they don't sell it on Amazon or in the states.

already did the microphone wind screen add on

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For Euro members , here's a good place for mics etc :
http://www.thomann.de …rophones_for_vi​deo&oa=pra

Wow! At £2.32 with free shipping how can you go wrong?

I have a Rode Videomic, but it's just too clunky to carry around for 'just in case' moments. But these little beauties look as if they'll easily fit into bags.

hollis_f wrote in post #14089808
Wow! At £2.32 with free shipping how can you go wrong?

My thoughts exactly!

Anyone asked in the video section if it's really any good?

Why not get a simple cable extension then gaff tape it to the front of your hood or anywhere else for that matter

I think i'm gonna pick one or two up, thanks for the share!

So I have actually been looking for a mic to use on my 5d2 to record better audio at my brothers local music shows. They are very loud, so i'm thinking a more sensitive mic might actually make my "maxing" problem worse. I know very very little about it though i've only recorded one show. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

tnis0612 wrote in post #14089965
So I have actually been looking for a mic to use on my 5d2 to record better audio at my brothers local music shows. They are very loud, so i'm thinking a more sensitive mic might actually make my "maxing" problem worse. I know very very little about it though i've only recorded one show. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

you would probably want to look into the rode ntg-2 or the stereo pro since it's shotgun design would isolate the sound better. This microphone is omnidirectional, so you will pick up the crowd cheering/ambient noises. I just got this microphone so I'll be playing around with it in the future. This microphone won't perform miracles if that's what you were hoping for. it's just a significant improvement over the internal mics

Awesome find, gotta try this out too. I find I always rub the mic on the body and well it sucks anyway!

Would a longer flexible version work better?