[Keith.]

"henrytj" wrote in message
...
I have been helping on some no-budget movie projects. Although, like
everyone else, I would love to do camera, DP, ect. But the audio seems
rather open. Some of the productions that I have helped with use the
on camera mic. So I have gotten together with some friends and we have
put together a kit (shotgut mic, painter pole converted to a boom
pole, a lavaliere mic. I am considering getting a Zoom H4 to add to
the kit for recording when I can't be cabled to the camera (like in a
shot with a moving camera.) Yes, I read that the H4, and other under
$1000 recorders have noise problems, but still this must be better
that using the on camera mic. Also the H4 looks to be on clearance
sale ($219 at B&H) as the next model seems to be out (H4N).

Anyway, anyone have experience using the Zoom H4 for low budget movie
work that they would like to provide?

Thank you,
Henry

The pre-amp is noisy on the H4 but if you can supply a regulated 9v or strap
a battery pack to the input it does help.

Be very careful of wind noise,it is extraordinarly sensitive.I did not like
the foam and made my own wind socks out of remnant teddy bear fur.

The controls are a bit off a fiddle but you do get used to them and if you
are careful (not pass it around too often) I guess it will last.

"I guess" because I recently sold mine after 3yrs of use. It was still
working well,had not fallen apart, but there are better units available now.

Keith.