What microphone do you use with your R5/R6 II

Wildlife Guy · Feb 11, 2023

I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

Abbott Schindler · Feb 11, 2023

Read the product description; it only works with the R3 and one other camera (darn!).

Larry Rexley · Feb 11, 2023

Wildlife Guy said:
I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

I've had very good results with both the Sennheiser MKE-200 and MKE-400 mikes (on the Canon M6ii). Audio quality is quite good with both. (They're mono mikes like the majority of mikes in their price range).

The MKE200 does not require its own batteries, is shorter and smaller, less directional, and less expensive.

The MKE400 is more expensive, needs its own batteries, but has auto on/off (with the camera), very long battery life, 3 different levels, a wind cut mode, and is longer and more directional.

Besides the very good audio quality, what I like about them is their internal shockmount --- they are far less fragile to put in your camera bag and use on a gimbal than mikes with external, highly visible, 'boingy' shockmounts.

Plus their out-of the-box configuration with the metal 'blimp' already offers some wind noise mitigation, so under less windy conditions you can often get away without using a deadcat.

Steven Blackwood · Feb 11, 2023

It also works on the R7, 10, 6 ii, and the upcoming 8 and 50..

R2D2 · Feb 11, 2023

Wildlife Guy said:
I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

I went with the good old Rode VideoMic Pro+ on my R6ii (Auto On/Off, Lithium battery, cut filters, gain boost). Decent mic, though I’ve only used it for events and not wildlife.

It did great at a political function I shot this week, with lots of pontificating, and it didn’t even melt! ;-) Also, I sure have been appreciating the absence of the 30 minute time limit with the R6ii. No babysitting!

R2

Wildlife Guy · Feb 11, 2023

Abbott Schindler said:
Read the product description; it only works with the R3 and one other camera (darn!).

The R6II has the new Multi Function hot shoe, same as R3. I confirmed again after reading your post.

Steven Aunan · Feb 11, 2023

I’m also using the Sennheiser MKE 400 on the R6/R7. As noted by the earlier comment, the internal shock mount makes it easy to carry in the bag. Sound quality is great, and wind noise is minimal with a dead cat. I was able to find one used at MPB for $70. As good as it is, I wouldn’t pay full retail.

Wildlife Guy · Feb 11, 2023

R2D2 said:
Wildlife Guy said:

I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

Click to expand...

I went with the good old Rode VideoMic Pro+ on my R6ii (Auto On/Off, Lithium battery, cut filters, gain boost). Decent mic, though I’ve only used it for events and not wildlife.

It did great at a political function I shot this week, with lots of pontificating, and it didn’t even melt! ;-) Also, I sure have been appreciating the absence of the 30 minute time limit with the R6ii. No babysitting!

R2

I am looking at the Rode as a possibility. If the Canon is a decent mic, it has the advantage I don’t have to expose the port connections using cables. I don’t shoot in rainy conditions, but there is always moisture and dust.

Not a video shooter, this is a whole new world to me. I do use iPhone for video, but need more reach and it would be nice to switch from stills to video without changing devices.

Do you video outdoors a lot and any issues with cable connections?

DIGITAL-PURPLE · Feb 12, 2023

Agree with others that the Sennheiser mke400 is absolutely wonderful. I use either that or the DJI mic wireless setup if it's a taking head or vlog situation. I also have the mke600 for overhead interviews and it's spectacular. For an on camera setup, you can't beat the mke400 @ all. Much better than rodes offerings and more compact.

R2D2 · Feb 12, 2023

Wildlife Guy said:
R2D2 said:

Wildlife Guy said:

I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

Click to expand...

I went with the good old Rode VideoMic Pro+ on my R6ii (Auto On/Off, Lithium battery, cut filters, gain boost). Decent mic, though I’ve only used it for events and not wildlife.

It did great at a political function I shot this week, with lots of pontificating, and it didn’t even melt! ;-) Also, I sure have been appreciating the absence of the 30 minute time limit with the R6ii. No babysitting!

R2

Click to expand...

I am looking at the Rode as a possibility. If the Canon is a decent mic, it has the advantage I don’t have to expose the port connections using cables. I don’t shoot in rainy conditions, but there is always moisture and dust.

Not a video shooter, this is a whole new world to me. I do use iPhone for video, but need more reach and it would be nice to switch from stills to video without changing devices.

Do you video outdoors a lot and any issues with cable connections?

Our videographer and I shoot video at events outdoors and outdoor sports (on roads, in woods and field), but nothing in the Rough (I mostly do the stills, but get strong-armed into video). We avoid shooting video in inclement weather, although I don’t mind shooting stills in it (esp with my R5).

That said, no issues with equipment to date. The R6ii’s ports under that rubber cover are both 1/8” (3.5mm) jacks. That kind of connection has always been robust, simple, and trouble-free. Maybe plug (up) the headphone jack if you aren’t using it (to keep rain out).

Best of luck,

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

Rudy Pohl · Feb 12, 2023

There's a free, excellent digital audio program called Audacity which I've used for years. With this software or something similar you can easily make adjustments and enhancements to improve your final audio output such as removing unwanted sounds or background noise. So even if you don't buy the perfect mic you can do a lot to improve the final sound of the one you get.

Rudy

Sage · Feb 12, 2023

Wildlife Guy said:
R2D2 said:

Wildlife Guy said:

I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

Click to expand...

I went with the good old Rode VideoMic Pro+ on my R6ii (Auto On/Off, Lithium battery, cut filters, gain boost). Decent mic, though I’ve only used it for events and not wildlife.

It did great at a political function I shot this week, with lots of pontificating, and it didn’t even melt! ;-) Also, I sure have been appreciating the absence of the 30 minute time limit with the R6ii. No babysitting!

R2

Click to expand...

I am looking at the Rode as a possibility. If the Canon is a decent mic, it has the advantage I don’t have to expose the port connections using cables. I don’t shoot in rainy conditions, but there is always moisture and dust.

Not a video shooter, this is a whole new world to me. I do use iPhone for video, but need more reach and it would be nice to switch from stills to video without changing devices.

Do you video outdoors a lot and any issues with cable connections?

I spoke to B&H Photo to determine if the Canon DM-E1D had a shock mount, even an internal one, and they responded it does not. Before, purchasing it, It might be worthwhile to call Canon and confirm whether or not it has a built in shock mount. If it does not, then I would consider a microphone that has one.

Basil Fawlty · Feb 12, 2023

I have been very happy with the Audio Technica AT8024 Stereo/Mono mic

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...8024_stereo_mono_camera_mount_microphone.html

Wildlife Guy · Feb 12, 2023

Steven Aunan said:
I’m also using the Sennheiser MKE 400 on the R6/R7. As noted by the earlier comment, the internal shock mount makes it easy to carry in the bag. Sound quality is great, and wind noise is minimal with a dead cat. I was able to find one used at MPB for $70. As good as it is, I wouldn’t pay full retail.

Sounds like I need to checkout this microphone.

thank you.

R2D2 · Feb 12, 2023

DIGITAL-PURPLE said:
For an on camera setup, you can't beat the mke400 @ all. Much better than rodes offerings and more compact.

Have you (or anyone) actually compared the sound quality head-to-head with the Rode VideoMic Pro (or + version)? I could use another mic.

Thanks,

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

CamerEyes · Feb 12, 2023

Wildlife Guy said:
I have decided it is time to include vide with my stills wildlife photography. What microphone do you recommend for light/non professional video? I like the idea of the Canon shoe mount microphone since it doesn’t require cable that expose the connectors to the environment. Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone

DJI Mic, plugged into my camera via USB type-C cable. One receiver, two microphones.

Larry Rexley · Feb 13, 2023

R2D2 said:
DIGITAL-PURPLE said:

For an on camera setup, you can't beat the mke400 @ all. Much better than rodes offerings and more compact.

Click to expand...

Have you (or anyone) actually compared the sound quality head-to-head with the Rode VideoMic Pro (or + version)? I could use another mic.

Thanks,

R2

I got the Senn MKE400 after watching many reviews, including Mark Wiemel's comparison here:

I've gotten quite a few pieces of equipment based on Mark's recommendations, and have been happy with all of them. He also has several reviews dedicated to some of the Sennheiser mics including the MKE 400. The comments people post on his youtube videos also provide lots of informative user experiences with the various mics.

I also got an MKE 200 since I sometimes shoot video with 2 cameras. The MKE 200's levels are slighty louder than the 400, I use it for wide-angle shots where I want a little less directional sound such as close-up trains, and I use the MKE 400 with longer lenses. The MKE 400 gives a 'richer' sound especially for voices.

Franz Kerschbaum · Feb 13, 2023

I use and like the Canon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone on my R7. Unfortunately I cannot use it also on my R5 because of missing contacts. It is very nice to have not extra cables, no battery and direct characteristic setup from the cameras meanue.

R2D2 · Feb 13, 2023

Larry Rexley said:
R2D2 said:

DIGITAL-PURPLE said:

For an on camera setup, you can't beat the mke400 @ all. Much better than rodes offerings and more compact.

Click to expand...

Have you (or anyone) actually compared the sound quality head-to-head with the Rode VideoMic Pro (or + version)? I could use another mic.

Thanks,

R2

Click to expand...

I got the Senn MKE400 after watching many reviews, including Mark Wiemel's comparison here:

I've gotten quite a few pieces of equipment based on Mark's recommendations, and have been happy with all of them. He also has several reviews dedicated to some of the Sennheiser mics including the MKE 400. The comments people post on his youtube videos also provide lots of informative user experiences with the various mics.

I also got an MKE 200 since I sometimes shoot video with 2 cameras. The MKE 200's levels are slighty louder than the 400, I use it for wide-angle shots where I want a little less directional sound such as close-up trains, and I use the MKE 400 with longer lenses. The MKE 400 gives a 'richer' sound especially for voices.

Thanks for the info Larry. I’ll have to check out the video. Been happy with the Rode, but I don’t have any experience with Sennheiser (except for their headphones).

R2

Wildlife Guy · Feb 14, 2023

Guys,

Thanks for the great input. I took a close look at the Senn MKE 200/400. While they actually appear to perform better with some nice features, I decided to go with the Canon for a more compact, integrated solution. My primary focus will always be stills and the Canon mic seems more like a device I can leave on the camera without fussing with cables or worrying about ports. I just want to have a better chance of picking up that elephant trumpeting or the Lion rumbling. With any of these mics, I know I will have to be careful about placing in a bag and damaging the shoe mount.

David

What microphone do you use with your R5/R6 II

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