Good (and inexpensive) shotgun mics?

Hey. Experienced still photographer here but trying to dive into video a bit. I wanted to get a shotgun mic for my 7D, but don't want to pay that much. Hopefully one for between $50-$75. I know at this price point the mic won't be the best quality, and that's ok since I'm just beginning. What are suggestions for mics around this price point? Thanks.

I dont want to be a downer or sound harsh, but in that price range, you will be wasting your money if you buy a microphone that connects directly to your 7D.

I would recomend an inexpensive external recorder such as the H1n:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rtable_Digital_​Audio.html

This guys is a little bit above your price range, but would offer much better quality, even though it is a separate system sound recorder...

I wish there was a better solution to offer, but it is fairly unreasonable to ask for a decent shotgun mic for $300, much less $70.

J_O_S_H_U_A wrote in post #16585582
I dont want to be a downer or sound harsh, but in that price range, you will be wasting your money if you buy a microphone that connects directly to your 7D.

I would recomend an inexpensive external recorder such as the H1n:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rtable_Digital_​Audio.html

This guys is a little bit above your price range, but would offer much better quality, even though it is a separate system sound recorder...

I wish there was a better solution to offer, but it is fairly unreasonable to ask for a decent shotgun mic for $300, much less $70.

Thank you. Like I said, brand new to video. I did not know all my options as far as sound capture goes. I really like your recommendation as I also like to record music and this seems very versatile.

We're using the Rode mics with good results, both straight to the camera and to external audio recorders.

I have no personal experience with external mics, but the Zoom H1 (mentioned before) and the Rode Videomic are considered very good for the price. The advantage of the Rode Videomic is that you can plug it straight into your camera and still get very good results. Some people even have both and plug the Rode Videomic into the Zoom H1, yielding slightly better results.

This is the Lav. Mic. I use for my YouTube tutorial that plugs into your iphone or android phone for 60$. You can buy the apps for 5.99$ or use the free version.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …mart_lav_lav_mi​c_for.html

Here is the before the mic sound quality.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=ykC-uNB6-MA

Here is the after using the Rode SmartLav mic.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=tZC7nFb_6tk

You'll notice that the sound quality is more clear and the background noise is distance. The only thing you'll have to do in post production is to reduce the hissing noise, which is pretty easy and there's a youtube video that shows you how to edit with that as well.

Note that you'll still be fighting with the 7D's automatic audio gain/levels.

I think Magic Lantern firmware will let you manually set audio levels on 7D.

nathancarter wrote in post #16605552
Note that you'll still be fighting with the 7D's automatic audio gain/levels.

I think Magic Lantern firmware will let you manually set audio levels on 7D.

Is there a way to install Magic Lantern on the 7D or do you have to use that externally? I'm the ultimate noob in video and audio, sorry.

With Firmware 2.03 you can set mike levels manually rather than use automatic.

Jarvis Creative Studios wrote in post #16605735
Is there a way to install Magic Lantern on the 7D or do you have to use that externally? I'm the ultimate noob in video and audio, sorry.

http://www.magiclanter​n.fm/index.html
Magic Lantern is an add-on firmware that you put on the memory card. When you turn on the camera, it reads that file and it runs a little differently than normal - adding an additional set of menus with lot of interesting and useful features that Canon didn't originally include. It's free - something you download, not something you buy in a store.

In addition to lots of video tools, it adds some things that are useful for stills, such as an intervalometer, dual ISO in a single image, shutter speeds longer than 30 seconds.

Looks like there's a version for the 7D:
http://builds.magiclan​tern.fm/#/

It's not part of the current "stable release" .. but neither is the current version for the 5D3, which I just installed.

artyman wrote in post #16605841
With Firmware 2.03 you can set mike levels manually rather than use automatic.

Thanks, good to know.

The old rode mic can be had for under 100 (used), but it uses 9v battery (which can be quite pricy).

I have bought one of these and a wind muffler for it , http://www.ebay.co.uk …hones&hash=item​2eccc0dfcc

http://www.ebay.co.uk …ain_3&hash=item​4d02e16a5b