5D2 external mic input

[Phil Balsdon]

Zoom H4n appears to be prefered (I use one). Its not expensive and its very light weight which makes it easily mountable to the camera hot shoe. You can take a feed out from the phones / line output using a padded mini jack to mini jack cable into the camera. You’ll need a dual adaptor so you can monitor the audio with headphones as well.

I use Plural Eyes in Final Cut for syncing in post but find it useful to also put a clapper on the head of the record, if only for identification purposes.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Bob Dix]

In 18 months of using a Rode Stereo Video Mic on this camera the only hiss was from the Imagestablizer when it was not fully pluggedinti the body port of the camera

Freelance Imaging & Video
AUSTRALIA

[Andrea Cavazzuti]

I fully beleive that. The camera is designed to use that kind of external mics. Since I’m using a completely different audio gear, I need to record audio separately. When I plug in my wireless receiver or the mixer, I definetely get a very strong background hiss throughout the footage.

I’m not an audio expert. Any further suggestions are welcome before I buy a recording device.

[Andrea Cavazzuti]

I’ve read a lot of comments and even gave a look to the manual of the Zoom H4N. I may have overlooked something since it’s still no clear to me whether, when using the XLR inputs, is possible to choose MIC or LINE input mode. It seems that phatom power is always applied or not to both inputs. Since I’m using a mixer, I need LINE input most of the time.

Does anyone know of any other small but better recorders (more expensive of course) to use with the 5DII ?

[Matt Davis]

The Zoom H4n doesn’t do Line Input out of the box. You’ll need to purchase a -20dB or -30dB pad – mine are just XLR barrels.