Video equipment reviewed by the Detroit Free Press visuals staff | Kathy Kieliszewski | Sept. 20, 2014

Equipment Options Model Pros Cons

Est.

PriceiPHONE HOLDERS

ALM holder & mic mCAMHolds a mic, screws into tripod and comes with a wide-

angle lens 128$

Fostex holder w/ audio

levelsAR-4i

Two powered shotgun mics with input for a wireless

w/monopod & tripod mount. Allows for setting audio

levels. Used in Asbury Park

Mics are not high-quality, but do improve audio. Does

not come with wide-angle or other lenses. 77$

AUDIOAdaptor cords for iPhone via

KVConnection.com

Adaptor Cords for

microphones into

iPhone

iPhone 1/8 inch microphone

adapter - 3.5mm 4 conductor

TRRS Male to 3.5mm

Microphone Input Jack

Allows for external microphone to be plugged in along

with headphones for monitoring

25$

Adaptor Cords for

microphones into

iPhone

iPhone 1/8-inch microphone

and headphone adapter -

3.5mm 4 conductor TRRS

Male to 3.5mm TRS Jacks

Allows for external microphone to be plugged in along

with headphones for monitoring

29$

Adaptor Cords for

microphones into

iPhone

iPhone Sennheiser wireless

mic locking mini plug adapter -

3.5mm 4 conductor TRRS

Male to Sennheiser 3.5mm

Locking mini Plug

Allows for external wireless microphones to be plugged in

31$

MICROPHONES

Sennheiser MKE400

Best sound we've heard from a shotgun for the iPhone,

and great for DSLR (digital, single-lens reflex) camera,

too. Powered and compact, has indicator light for battery.

We recommend as standard for your staff

photographers/multimedia news gathers. Might be great

for sports reporters and other high-use iPhone

videographers.

Needs adaptor cable for the iPhone, not for DSLR.

Must have a way to attach to iPhone with holder such

as Fostex or mCAM.

181$

Sennheiser

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

c/product/541886-

REG/Sennheiser_MZW400_M

ZW400_Wind_muff_and_XLR.

html

Windsock for Sennheiser mKE400. Recommend

purchase with the MKE400. Great for reducing wind

noise.

Can get in the way

38$

Rode VideoMic Pro Powered & compact with good durability & shock mounts

Not particularly easy to use. Shock mounts are easy

to fall off. Needs setup to hold in hot shoe for iPhone.

Like Fostex or mCAM. Needs adaptor cord for use

with iPhone. There is a definite art to getting the

battery in this thing. 135$

k-Tek

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

c/product/625261-

REG/K_Tek_KR_50_180_KR_

50_180_Fur_Windsock_for.ht

ml

Windsock for Rode VideoMic -- great for shooting audio in

the wind.Can get in the way

35$

Page 1 of 3

Video equipment reviewed by the Detroit Free Press visuals staff | Kathy Kieliszewski | Sept. 20, 2014

Equipment Options Model Pros Cons

Est.

Price

Rode Stereo VideoMic Powered & durable. Records stereo.Needs setup for holding in hot shoe for iPhone,

needs windsock. 187$

Rode Dead Kitten Wind Sock Windsock for Rode Stereo VideoMic Name -- dead kitten. 25$

Wired Mics

iRig

http://www.amazon.com/Multi

media-iRig-iPhone-iPod-

Touch/dp/B005PB9LEA/ref=sr

_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=13605391

98&sr=8-3&keywords=irig+mic

Good sound for interviews, look lives. Has a wire, no windscreen.

50$

Audio-Technica Wired lav micWired connection produces great audio results when

used as lapel or clip-on mic. Inexpensive.

Has a wire that can get twisted and requires a

battery. 17$

Wireless MicsWireless options are a good thing for

our sports pressers.Samson UM1 Economical option for expensive item. Durability questionable. Cumbersome to first set up.

155$

Sennheiser EW 100 ENG G3

Best sound of the group. Durable & compact, mult

box/stick mic & XLR adapters, 3.5mm native. This is what

we are including in Live Video kits.

Price.

671$

Sennheiser EW 112-p G3Best sound of the group. Same as above minus the

adaptorsLacks XLR capability

528$

Sony UWP-V6 Durable metal chassis, multbox/stick mic adaptors

Not recommended. We recommend the Sennheiser

over this if you are spending in this price range. XLR

native better for conventional video cameras.615$

Sony UWP-V1 Same as UWP-V6 minus the adaptorsNot recommended. We recommend the Sennheiser

over this mic if you are spending in this price range.453$

SPECIALTY AUDIO

Sennheiser ME66/K6

Powered & sensitive, highly directional mic, It's like a long

lens but a microphone. Useful for specialists and for your

best, most complex audio situations, and packages.

Works well to get great audio to match GoPro or Drone

video.

Requires mounting kit/parts. Use limited to specialty

situations. Do also purchase a windsock to go with

this microphone. NOT generally for iPhone

460$

Rycote Softie windscreen A must have for the ME66K6 mic NOT generally for iPhone 110$

Sennheiser

ME66/K6 - Shotgun

Condenser Microphone Basic

Kit - Includes: ME66/K6

Shotgun Microphone,

Universal Shock Mount,

Rycote Softie, K-Tek

Boompole, Universal Hand

Grip, Right Angled XLR

Cables

This kit gives you everything. Powered & sensitive, highly

directional mic, It's like a long lens but a microphone.

Useful for specialists and for your best, most complex

audio situations, and packages. Works well to get great

audio to match GoPro or Drone video. We recommend

one to three of these depending on your site's needs.

Price.

699$

iPHONE LENS ADAPTORS

olloclip 3-in-1 lens system Two wide-angle & one macro lens in a single housing. No telephoto option. 52$

cellphone shophttp://www.cellphoneshop.net/t

elephoto.htmlMagnifies for iPhone.

Fuzzy on the edges, but still better than virtual

electronic zoom. 17$

iPHONE TRIPOD MOUNTS

See also iPhone Holders under

AUDIO.iStabilizer

http://www.istabilizer.com/stor

e/mount-xl.htmlQuick to use, light, adjusts to 5 or 4s.

Does not hold other accessories, like light or

microphone. We do NOT recommend the iStabilizer

tripods, too loose.

Page 2 of 3

Video equipment reviewed by the Detroit Free Press visuals staff | Kathy Kieliszewski | Sept. 20, 2014

Equipment Options Model Pros Cons

Est.

Price

Jobyhttp://joby.com/smartphones/gr

iptight-mount/Quick to use, light, adjusts to 5 or 4s.

Does not hold other accessories, like light or

microphone. We do NOT recommend the iStabilizer

tripods, too loose. 20$

Gary Fong Tripod adapterQuick & easy to mount on iPhone. Provides tripod screw

mount.Does not come with a microphone.

15$

Watershot Underwater housing Great for rain, extra durable case, has tripod mount. May hinder access to some phone functions. 53$

Joby GripTight MountUniversal tripod mount for iPhone allows phone to attach

to any tripod. 13$

Dot Line iPhone kit w/LED lightIncludes handle grip and powerful light for iPhone/tripod

mountable.Does not come with external mic, no hot-shoe mount.

60$

Stellar Lighting Smartphone lighting kitTripod mountable lighting kit for phones with bracket/hot-

shoe mount for ALMs.This is primarily a big LED light, so no mics, etc.

45$

Manfrotto

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

c/product/755488-

REG/Manfrotto_MK393_H_Ph

oto_Movie_Kit_Aluminum_4.ht

ml

Cheaper. but is less stable and less durable. NOT

recommended for DSLR.

Manfrotto 700RC2/055XDBPurchase as kit has fluid head, lightweight and sturdy.

Goes to 70"

Probably still too lightweight for heavier cameras. Not

recommended for DSLR. 192$

Manfrotto Mvh502A/546 TripodAll-around heavy-duty tripod to 66" and doesn't weigh too

much 404$

Manfrotto MVH502A/MVT502AM Less expensive version of the above, different stand 338$

Bescor TH-770 Durable, steady video-camera tripod.Mechanism in the head goes bad after extended

heavy use. 106$

OTHER STABILITY TOOLS

IMAK Non-skid beanbagAs a quick way to steady a camera or lens, a simple bean

bag is often the way.This should not be considered a tripod substitute.

21$

Page 3 of 3