On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 18:12:19 -0500, "Stankley" <me@mine.com> wrote:

>"Neuman - Ruether" <d_ruether@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>news:3e4d0c5f.3714897@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu...

>> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:11:18 +1300, moe

>> <email_address_@_is_not_valid_.com> wrote:

>> >On Mon, 10 Feb 2003 12:29:10 -0500, "Stankley"

>> ><real@emailaddress-honest.gov> wrote:

>> >>"Stankley" <me@mine.com> wrote in message

>> >>news:gXM1a.124$Kb5.122@fe02.atl2.webusenet.com...

>> I also like the Sony 908c - but, doesn't it occur to the

>> buyers of small video cameras that some (but not all...!)

>> pick up annoying levels of camera noise with the built-in

>> mic, and that adding a relatively bulky external mic to

>> cure this problem makes the camera no longer tiny or easy

>> to pack??? Perhaps having made a selection of the camera

>> from among the many that do not have this problem would

>> have been a better aproach... (and, the 908c is essentially

>> the same mic that is built into several of these cameras).

>An interesting question. I bought the Canon ZR50 because I had a limited

>budget (< $600) and it had largely glowing reviews on many websites (I did

>my due diligence). One recurring complaint was motor-hum which some people

>seem to experience, others don't.

>

>The hum can be annoying on really quiet scenes, but is generally not too

>intrusive. What I'm looking to get a microphone for is those times when I

>really care about the sound: my son plays piano in recitals - that's one

>time when I'm anticipating wanting to use a decent mic. However, I'd hardly

>consider these mikes bulky - they'll easily slip into the side pocket on my

>bag.

>

>In hindsight, I wish I'd spent a little more (even if I did blow my budget)

>and not have this problem at all. That's why I'm not keen to spend $150 on

>the Canon mic, to give Canon more money to fix a problem that shouldn't

>exist in the first place.

The 908c is not a large mic, but it is "relatively"

large, compared with the tiny cameras it is often

needed on - and when installed, the camera does become

more awkward to deal with until the mic is removed...

(and a larger bag is needed to include it - my tiny

cameras that do not need an external mic have tiny bags

to pack them in, making them more convenient to carry).

As for the 908c for recording music, I think you will

find it quite adequate. BTW, Radio Shack carries a

foam wind screen that fits nicely over the 908c foam

screen, giving more wind protection (though the mic

becomes bulkier...).