Hot Shoe Microphone - Recommendations?

Has anyone got a recommendation for a Hot Shoe Microphone please?

I am not wanting to spend a fortune but do want it to work!

Thanks

Maybe iPhone with Rode X/Y!!!

Possibly the worst place to put a mic and looking to do it on the cheap spells disaster I'm afraid

I'm sorry, but does this really add to the thread at all? short of buying an external frame or holding it himself a hotshoe mic is the only way of improving the sound recording easily.

Rode do a few very decent mics at the 100-150 range.

It may not have added much, but it certainly did stop the thread dead in its tracks I'm glad you brought it back to life, as there does need to be some balance added. There's a place for professional grade audio rigs and independent soundtracks, but there's also a place for hotshoe mounted stereo mics, which can dramatically improve upon the mono audio from the built in mic. This is very practical solution for many scenarios, and the sound achievable I'd argue could be adequate even for certain professional applications.

It would not be 'adequate' in any professional situation. My professional experience includes producing two BAFTA winning and one Oscar nominated productions.

I think the OP just wants to improve on the built in mic.

Regards

Jeff

Ken, don't be ridiculous about this ... Obviously a Bafta or Oscar type of production would need a sophisticated setup, I know that and I never said it wouldn't, but the quality of sound possible from a decent stereo hot shoe mic IS very good with the high quality audio that our DSLR's record. This quality is adequate, with proper editing and maybe mixing with a narration or music track, to serve in some kind of production that is'professional' ... Not bafta winning stuff, but something at the lower levels. I hope that defines my point more specifically.

What you originally said about any sound that is recorded on a camera hotshoe MIC being 'disastrous' ... Well, come on, that's nonsense.

Nigel, for the record one of the bafta winners had a cash budget of £103.00, nano budget and shot on mini DVD. Probably lower quality than a dslr. Whatever you are doing you should be aiming for the highest quality and in my opinion the hot shoe isn't the place fora microphone ever.

OK, lets take some steps back .. I don't think we really needed the Baftas & Oscars brought into this at all!

Here on Pentax User, we use digital cameras and our manufacturer has provided stereo inputs on the top models (since the K7 I think) in order to access and make best use of the cameras high quality stereo sound recording capabilities. So logically, here on PU, it is with those sort of technical parameters in mind that we take forward any discussion - if this were, I don't know, .. 'Independent Film Makers Forums', then yes, language like you've used and that sort of wider perspective on further technical options might be appropriate.

Regarding budgets, if extreme compromises are involved (such as your £103 example), then I'd say that using a single Pentax DSLR, doing away with off camera audio rigs and people to hold it all, and using a high quality hotshoe mounted stereo mic ... well that would offer any professional low-budget operator a lot of bang per buck! Adequate in the circumstances, should we say.

And again, here on PU, we are really talking about single camera shooting, so why on earth should the sound be coming from anywhere other than right in front of the lens? I don't think we're talking about multi-camera setups, or complex L & J cut style recording where the audio needs to be centrally placed and balanced out at editing. You could do all that with a DSLR of course, but it doesn't change the fact that very high quality stereo sound can be output from our DSLRs using a good hotshoe mounted mic.

One professionally written book I have about my camera, Peter Burian's Magic Lantern Guide, describes the sound from the K7 with a stereo hotshoe fitted mic as 'superb' ... are you going to say he's wrong and should have said 'disasterous'?

Yes he is wrong and I have made a note to myself not to use inappropriate language on this forum again. I bow to your far superior technical knowledge Nigel and look forward to seeing your video work.

Here we go again - it always comes back to WHO people are, or what is assumed about a person, and thats a slippery slope, as we've all seen before Lets focus on what is being said, not about your Oscars & Baftas, or my home movie making, which are clearly worlds apart and not at all related to this discussion.

I'm not asking to see your films because I don't judge you based on any of that - no doubt they are worthy of great respect, but its what you actually write that matters here - likewise my K7 home video making serves its purpose very well and is something I treasure and enjoy, but the results of it do not qualify or invalidate anything I say here ...

This is not about anyones technical knowledge ... it is about having bit of common sense and perspective about the sound recording options available on our Pentax cameras ...

I must put up one of my videos on for you all to see sometime - they're a bit boring in places, but I must say the sound is superb ...

completely off topic but my stepson has a couple of baftas and emmys, but he can't take a picture to save his life...imvho of course

This response Ken just underlines the feelings that were on the Forum some weeks / months ago and is the reason why so many members are disgruntled with the Mods. It was unhelpful and aloof and did not offer any alternative advice to Andrew as to what he should be doing instead to get the best performance.

Andrew is not a professional film maker and was looking for some friendly advice. What he got was a bit sharp, a bit rude and not at all helpful. I don't see any apologies since either.

Very dispiriting I'm afraid.

Unfortunately Andrew I don't have the expertise to offer you any advice on this subject but I can see there have been a couple of suggestions given.

Regards
David

Quite.