Does a hot-shoe shotgun mic really reduce / remove AF noise on video?

So, after purchasing a Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (thank you guys for the useful discussion in this thread!), I can confirm that the lens is almost silent -- almost.

So I'm wondering whether a hot-shoe shotgun mic (say, a RØDE VideoMic Pro) would be of any help in reducing AF noise with respect to the built-in mic (note that I cannot seem to hear any noise coming from IS -- only AF is a bit annoying in almost-silent, closed rooms).

Taking a look on the net, it looks like the answer is no. Some even say that there is no reduction at all.

Anyone?

Thanks

Sergio

Ps: Yes, I know, if I really wanted good audio I should use a lavalier mic, or anyway any kind of mic which is detached from the camera body... but, to put it simply, I won't. Why? Because 1. I do not want to do any post-processing muxing, and 2. I want some compact, portable, easy-to-use gear which will not distract too much my favourite subject -- that is, my 3-year-old son -- from what he's doing.

Hi BAK,

thanks a lot for taking the time to answer.

Just to confirm. Your comparison is between a hot-shoe mounted mic compared to the built-in mic, right.

Correct.

I work with a variety of videographers, and they all prefer the external microphone, although not always mounted on the camera.

Put the mic on a stand and run a five - ten foot cable back to the camera works well for a variety of reasons.

Thanks, I know that would solve my problem.

Unfortunately, as per my PS, I'm just occasionally shooting my 3-yr-old son (typically indoor spontaneous scenes), and I'm pretty confident that the presence of a stand and a 5/10 ft cable would ruin the scene for sure -- i.e. the subject would start playing around with the cable, for a start, and would end up using the stand to beat the cameraman.

That is why, if I buy an external mic, that needs to be a hot shoe one -- cannot escape this. The point is: Should I (considering that my main concern is AF noise, and not sound quality more in general terms)?

S

Ps: just as a remainder, I plan to shoot with a Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM on my 70D.

Yes. I own a similar mic and the mic itself is insulated from the camera body with a support web of rubber bands. This brings the AF transference noise down to an almost inaudible level. You can also put the mic on a pole and bring it in close to the subject to really kill any AF sound.

Yes. I own a similar mic and the mic itself is insulated from the camera body with a support web of rubber bands. This brings the AF transference noise down to an almost inaudible level. You can also put the mic on a pole and bring it in close to the subject to really kill any AF sound.

Thank you Craig!

Which mic do you own, if I may ask?

Sergio

vastunghia wrote:

Yes. I own a similar mic and the mic itself is insulated from the camera body with a support web of rubber bands. This brings the AF transference noise down to an almost inaudible level. You can also put the mic on a pole and bring it in close to the subject to really kill any AF sound.

Thank you Craig!

Which mic do you own, if I may ask?

Sergio

Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Rode-Directional-Condenser-Microphone-Camcorder/dp/B00770JAYS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1449073740&sr=8-9&keywords=rode+videomic

The sound is, of course, light years superior tp the camera's mic.

I use a Rode videomic pro on a 7D for client testimonial videos, so no af issues as there isn't any on the 7D ( well, not while filming) but it minimises the "rustle" of me handling the manual focus ring and looking into my Zfinder viewfinder. A better solution for me is to mount the mic on a separate tripod so that I can position the mic directly in line with the subject and out of shot. This gives excellent results and I am so pleased that the latest firmware included manual audio level-setting - high gain on the mic, low level in camera

Od

I hope not to high jack this thread, but I have a related question.  I have lung disease and use oxygen.  However, I still manage to get out taking pictures from time to time.

I've never considered taking video with my SLR.  But, this past year I came across a limpkin in the brush along side a stream.  Some how it didn't spook in spite of my breathing.  I took several minutes a video while it preened itself.  I was very happy until I returned home.  The pictures on the video were quit nice if I do say so myself.  However, it sounded as if Darth Vader himself had been behind the camera -- It was terrible my breathing sounded loud and labored, and the oxygen made a klick-hiss.  Everything was picked up on the audio track and even amplified.

Somethings I just have to learn to live with, but can these mics help even Darth to take video.

David

PS  I was using a Canon T4i (650D) with a EF-S 55-250 II.

They can help since they are somewhat directional, but I think you would still get some noise. Placing a mic on a boom further away from your breathing would work better, but is likely to scare wildlife. Maybe just drop the original sound track entirely and add some music would be my most practical solution.

I shot video of a big bronze statue being moved and the sound was useless because it was nothing but generators and power tools. Music was the solution.

Thank you for your input Hotdog.  BTW would this require a lot of extra equipment, except something like Photoshop Premiere?

dlschulz wrote:

Thank you for your input Hotdog. BTW would this require a lot of extra equipment, except something like Photoshop Premiere?

There are a bunch of video editor software thingies and they all allow you to drop out the original sound and put in a soundtrack. I'm using Pinnacle Studio 14. Microsoft used to have nice basic free Movie Maker that I'm using on Win 7 pro. They dropped support, but I think it works on Win 10.

Thanks again for all your help.  I think I may have found a new reason to be out and about.

David

dlschulz wrote:

Thanks again for all your help. I think I may have found a new reason to be out and about.

David

Glad to help! I don't do a lot of video, but it sure is fun.

For what it's worth, even if you want the microphone on the camera, the hot-shoe is often not a great place for it. Hot shoe-mounted mics are often very close to the lens and can still pick up sound from the lens. If you can mount the microphone in front of the lens and further from it (off to the side, perhaps), its polar pattern will play in your favor a little better.