Hey, I'm in the market for a shotgun mic with decent quality and an affordable price (under $100). I've heard about the Audio Technica ATR-55, and I think I can get it for about $50. I'm just looking for something that will give me decent sound quality and can work at the end of a boom pole. Any of you ever use the ATR-55? What do you think of it? Any mic's that you think are better in the same price range (50-100)?

Thanks in advance!

Ha. I used that ATR-55 for a long time with my other camera. It was a great little diddy. Served me well--you'll like it. Has great headroom, sensitive but doesn't distort easily.

I should also point out the Azden SGM that's under $100, I use that at school and get great results also. I was amazed at how well it picked up everything even when the mic position looked like it wouldn't work. Sorry to give you pluses for each model

RODE NTG-2.

I got it and love it. A couple tv stations arround the place are replacing their sennheisers with them in their News Departments.

hey funkbomb, is that the SGM-X or SGM-1X

I don't know--go to http://www.indierentals.com and whatever one is under $100 is the one I'm referring to.

It's the normal X one, funkbomb.

SO, I wonder if the difference from X to 1X warrants the $50 or so?

I was looking for a Sub $200 Microphone for a film next month and those microphones both seem fairly appealing

UPDATE: The primary difference seems to be that the X version has a mini-to-mini connection, whereas the 1 Version has an XLR type connection, longer battery life, and somewhat improved sound.

Seems like for simplicities sake the X version at $99.95 is the better buy.

I'd get the more expensive one. These mics last a while and I'd bet you'll be kicking yourself in the pants if a while down the road you regret not investing the extra money. I'd say the camera and the microphone are the two things in a setup you should splurge on.