Why using an external microphone filming on DSLRs? - Canon 60D & Sennheiser MKE400

I recently switched to DSLR videomaking, and bought this Sennheiser 3,5mm external mic. I was able to test it on site doing an interview during the European Employment Forum. A huge open space with 400+ ppl around, still able to hear my interviewee. That's why you should always film with external mic via external sound recorder!
I also booked a ZOOM H4n, unboxing tomorrow!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• sennheiser mke 400
• Canon 60D
• external mic
• microphone
• DSLR camera
• video filmmaking
• interview
• convention
• sound
• audio
• noise
• tutorial
• videography

[ghostmomo]

@shishdim Canon 60D, because of the AGC, the hiss of silence is worse than using on board microphone itself! So practically MKE400+DSLR alone is not possible. 20$ lavalier I have one, but because it is 3.5mm unbalanced audio, it can not run on a cable longer than.. let's say 1m. If I am 2m away from my subject, then I must have an external device attached to my subject.

[shishdim]

@ghostmomo $790?? You can get a decent lavalier for about $20, and it should be in the same quality class as MKE 400. Why magic lantern? MKE 400 can be plugged directly into your DSLR. What camera are you using?

[ghostmomo]

@shishdim Yes, indeed I would love to afford the Sennheiser EW100 lavalier! But it is costs 790$ - that's a lung and an arm :) For a non-paid job like this, they won't get what they did not pay for... MKE400 for me can't be gun and run, as I heard magic lantern need to reboot every time the camera turns off? If that is the case, h4n react faster and has this auto-detection function, really cool.

[shishdim]

well, that's kind of obvious :) I use MKE 400 all the time, but its best use seems to be when it is mounted on the camera for run and gun shots. In this kind of setting using a lavalier would be a better choice IMHO.