Difference between shotgun and handheld condenser microphones for film making?

[MiguelS1]

I and a few friends are making a short film and the last aspect we have to cover is audio. I want to get the audio equipment that was made for film making (shotgun mic, boom pole, etc.), but they want to get a handheld condenser mic to save money, saying we don't need crystal clear sound because it's a low budget film.

Are they right that there won't be much difference in sound quality if we use a handheld condenser mic instead of a shotgun mic? As in would a handheld mic pick up more unwanted (ambient) sounds than a shotgun mic, and could accessories like a windscreen be bought to change a handheld mic into an improvised shotgun mic? Finally, if so, what inexpensive handheld condenser mic would you suggest?

 

[toasterphantom]

Audio is one of the most important things in a film. It can look pretty, but if it sounds like crap, no one will be interested. You'll want to go with a book mic for that one. The handheld just isn't going to get what you need.

Since you specified low budget, here is my advice. It's worked on my low budget projects. Get the rode videomic, and the vc1 extension cable. Then get a mop pole. The videomic is a cheap shotgun mic, and with the mop/broom pole and extension cable, it'll be a boom mic. It'll have decent quality for low price.

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic-Directional-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0007U9SOC

http://www.amazon.com/Rode-VC1-Extension-Cable/dp/B0010CP5DY/ref=pd_sim_MI_6

 

[pro_av_guy]

Here's some things to consider. A shotgun microphone is preferable in film making because of its ability to be mobile and out of the frame. So a hand held condenser qualifies for one of the benefits in its mobility. As far as pick up pattern, you can purchase a condenser ( losing the term hand held ) that would have a similar pattern as a shotgun. But can you get enough gain while keeping the microphone out of the frame? That depends allot on the recording path and device. The use of a good preamp will allow for the needed gain. The trick will be to EQ the microphone for a natural sound given such a condenser would lack gain at low frequency's. The EQ would be best done upon after the capture or in production. The microphones ability to provide enough natural sound to work with is a big consideration.
One must also consider the scope of the project and importantly the system that will reproduce the program. If the playback is going to be on a PC or typical TV sound system, I'd question the cost effectiveness of the expense for a high quality shotgun.

Have a look at these guys.

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/private_microphones_wired_evo600_009895
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/5ba440a1ecab4982/index.html