RODE on trip or leave at home?

[Mike]

Newbie here taking a trip to Europe. Thinking about getting a RODE VIDEOMIC. Is the RODE something you'd take on the trip or leave at home. Don't plan on interviews, just hi def memories. Thanks

[Thimble_Guy]

I take my Sennheiser mic everywhere i go with my camera including holidays, even tho i might not use it. You never know when you might need it and a video mic is worth it if you want clearer audio.

[Mal]

Agree with Thimble_Guy. If you have a Videomic (or any good external mic); it will be hard to watch any video recorded with the built-in mics....you'll be constantly saying: "darn, I wish I'd had the external mic for that shot..."

You say "hi def memories": those memories include the audio too, you know!
:)

[Mike]

Well, you have a good point. I ordered the Rode Videomic 5 min.ago from the "Jacks Music Factory" in Calif. . Their web site emailed the quote of $119 for the mic and $29 for the dead cat if ordered at the same time. There is only one reseller review (positive) so crossing my fingers...they've been in business since '73. Thanks fellas:hv20-smilie70:

[ToTo]

Once you aclimate yourself to the idea of sound being as important as picture you will have a LOT more satisfying home videos. Take it to the next level and set aside a few minutes in each location to grab a friend or family member and ask them some impromptu questions about the place or event. While you're in the moment this will seem a little cheesy, but trust me... when you get home and start editing this project (or even if you just show it uncut)... you'll find that the interview segments are the BEST parts of your video!

It's like when people take pics of a place... and they only have people they know, or themselves, in a few of the pics... a couple years later which shots are the ones everybody wants to save? OBVIOUSLY the shots with known people in them... that castle or whatever looks the same in post cards.

Injecting commentary into a vacation is about the only thing that makes it watchable for everybody who wasn't standing there!

Trust me... if you get the mic AND USE IT... you'll be on the first step towards an obsession with sound. Sound SELLS the images... otherwise you're just looking at a TV.

[Mike]

Matt, you had me at hello. After reading your reply I think I'm already hooked and have never used the camera (the rode is ordered). The PQ Pany tapes are being shipped, the WD-H43 is ordered, and the Bogen/Man 560B monopod is on the way too. YES, the Rode will be in the bag on our trip. Thanks for the great tips in videography.