More details: http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/3197/at875r-mic-phantom-powered-directly-by-the-gh2#Item_7

Audio samples: http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/3197/at875r-mic-phantom-powered-directly-by-the-gh2#Item_11

Which phantom powered mics will operate on such a low voltage? Electret condenser mics (i.e. permanently charged) are good candidates. You'll also want a mic with high sensitivity, to give a high SNR given the noise of the GH2's pre-amps and the quantization noise of 16-bit samples. I speculate that mics that can operate on a low-voltage battery are good candidates. But ultimately you'll have to test the mic to see how well it works. Here's more info: http://recording.org/pro-audio-gear/30016-phantom-power-is-a-mystery.html

How do you wire the mic cable? From my testing, the AT875R can be wired with XLR pin 3 unconnected, or shorted to pin 1, which apparently means it is impedance balanced. Here are wiring references:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/site/4ffc7039c199613a/index.html/index.html#unbalancedinput http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/discuss/feedback/newsletter/2008/05/2/helpful-how-tos-how-properly-connect-balanced-outputs-unbalanced-input

You must lose something by operating the mic under spec, right? Generally speaking, the max sound pressure level before distortion will be reduced somewhat, and the sensitivity will be reduced a tiny bit. Judging by the specs of other Audio-Technica shotgun mics that can operate on phantom power or from a 1.5-V battery, the max SPL is reduced by about 10 dB. Even with that reduction, the max SPL is still quite high - so high that if you are in that environment, you better be wearing earplugs. I tested some loud sounds, and I was getting distortion inside the GH2 with the mic level setting set to 1 (the lowest gain setting) before I got any distortion from the mic.

Of course the weak point in any GH2 mic connection is the 2.5-mm jack. I got the highest quality cable with a right-angle connector that I could find, and made my cable just the right length to keep it secure and out of the way. The link is unbalanced, so to minimize interference, use a shielded cable and keep it short.

The GH2's lack of real-time audio monitoring prevents the use of the mic port for any application in which the audio is critical. But you can work around the lack of monitoring to a certain extent. Plug the mic into something that does allow monitoring (e.g. the Zoom H1), and do some walk-around tests to identify problems. I found and eliminated noise coming from my shock mount, cable, and XLR connector. You can also record a short test video and play it back and listen through the GH2's terrible, tiny speaker before shooting.

The shock mount configuration in my photos is intended to have a very low profile. A more standard configuration would put the shock mount higher and allow for the use of wide-angle lenses. But in my configuration the mic is out of the view of all of my lenses, including the Lumix 20-mm. I swapped and reconfigured the elastic bands to improve the isolation and give a slight upward tilt that keeps the mic out of the lens's view.

With the GH2 mic level set to 4 (the highest gain setting), speaking in a normal voice from about 3 feet in front of the mic puts the meter at 7 bars, just into the red.

Compared to the MKE-400, the AT875R has better rejection of off-axis sounds, and the shock mount I'm using performs much, much better than the one built into the MKE-400. I might have been satisfied with the MKE-400, except for its shock mount. Every time my finger touched the camera, you could hear it in the recording.

Where to get mike:

• http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-Gradient-Shotgun-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000BQ79W0/
• http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Audio-Technica%20AT875R&_sacat=0&_clu=2&_fcid=168&_localstpos&_stpos&gbr=1

I took the info from nofilmschool.com:

• 1000fps in 4k (4096×2160) for ~5 seconds (64gb internal memory) / 3.2 minutes @ 24fps
• Uncompressed RAW on CineMag IV cards, with optional compressed ‘industry standard codec’ (TBA)
• Super 35 CMOS Sensor size, 4096×2304 (16:9)
• 12+ stops of Dynamic Range
• Optional 1920×1080 shooting mode in 23.976 with a Super 16mm sensor crop (up to 2,000 frames per second)
• Lens mounts come in PL, PV, Nikon F/G & Canon EF
• Weighs in at 13 lbs
• $140,000 with a 2 Terabyte CineMag
• Expected to be delivered by October, from AbelCine

• 4K usual (like OSMO) camera, 1080p120
• 4 additional cameras
• Ultrasonic height metering
• Focus on additional sensors to avoid bumping into things
• $1,399 price

Info and order at http://store.dji.com/product/phantom-4

Drone info and available at buy at

http://store.dji.com/product/phantom-4-pro#/

PR

November 15, 2016 – DJI, the world leader in unmanned aerial technology, Tuesday introduced two new drones that raise the bar for professional imaging: Inspire 2, the best ready-to-fly platform for high-end film and video creators, and Phantom 4 Pro, the smartest and most creative flying camera of its size.

“Professional filmmakers and photographers always push to create images that have never been seen before, and DJI never stops trying to give them the tools to achieve their vision,” said DJI CEO and Founder Frank Wang. “Our newest flight platforms and stabilized aerial cameras are smarter, faster and more powerful than ever before. We can’t wait to see how creators use Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro to capture dazzling images.”

Professional Imaging

Phantom 4 Pro offers a powerful imaging system for professional photo and video creators as well as non-professionals who demand excellence from the camera and platform they use to pursue their creative visions. The camera now packs a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor, and almost 12 stops of dynamic range bring out levels of detail and low-light performance unprecedented in a flying camera of this size. Its mechanical shutter eliminates rolling shutter distortion in fast-moving scenes. Phantom 4 Pro can capture slow-motion 4K video up to 60 fps at a maximum bitrate of 100 mbps. In addition, the Phantom 4 Pro offers H.265 video compression, which substantially improves video quality at the same bitrate.

Reliable with Enhanced FlightAutonomy System

Phantom 4 Pro builds on DJI’s original obstacle avoidance system with FlightAutonomy – three sets of visual systems that build a 3D map of obstacles in front, behind and below the aircraft, as well as infrared sensing systems on both sides. FlightAutonomy can position, navigate and plan routes for Phantom 4 Pro, enabling it to avoid obstacles in a sensing range up to 98 feet at front and rear, even in complex 3D environments. When returning to home and tapping to initiate auto takeoff or landing, the Landing Protection function is able to detect and help avoid landing on uneven ground or water. Phantom 4 Pro has high-performance battery technology that provides up to 30 minutes of flight time. The Phantom 4 Pro flies at 31 mph in P mode with obstacle avoidance in effect, and has a 45 mph top speed in sport mode.

Professional Control with New Remote Controller

Phantom 4 Pro’s revolutionary new compact remote controller comes with an optional high luminance display, providing a clear and vivid live HD view from the main camera as well as essential telemetry data, even in direct sunlight. The aircraft will automatically choose between 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz once powering on to gain a clear signal in areas with high radio interference. The new controller has a built-in GPS, compass, Micro-SD card slot and HDMI port.

Intelligent Flight

New intelligent flight modes make Phantom 4 Pro the smartest flying camera of its size, opening new vistas for creators, such as the new Draw Mode that allows operators to draw lines on the controller display and direct the Phantom 4 Pro to fly that route.

ActiveTrack recognizes common subjects such as people and bikes, then follows them from any angle while maintaining camera focus, and includes three new modes – New Circle, Profile and Spotlight.

Narrow sensing enhances obstacle avoidance sensitivity so the aircraft can fly through complex environments like narrow doorways. TapFly now works backwards and comes with a new Free mode that allows a pilot to set the direction of flight, turn the Phantom 4 Pro or tilt the gimbal without changing the direction of flight. With the new AR Route feature, operators will be able to tell the flight route on the screen.

As an additional safety feature, within a minute of losing GPS signal, the aircraft will automatically return to the last connected position and hover there precisely to wait for the pilot’s command. With the enhanced return to home function, the aircraft knows where it should be going from up to 984 feet away and avoids obstacles along the route.

Price and Availability

Phantom 4 Pro’s U.S. retail price is $1,499 with a standard controller. The Phantom 4 Pro, which includes a Phantom 4 Pro aircraft, and a high luminance display remote controller, will be available at $1,799. Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro are immediately available for pre-order at dji.com/phantom-4-pro and DJI flagship stores in Shenzhen, Seoul and Hong Kong. These products will begin shipping one week after launch.

This is me attempting story-driven filmmaking for the first time, as previously I've mostly done landscape and travel content (a seen on www.eaglewoodfilms.com). Shot on the trusty Sony A6500 and Phantom 4 Pro for aerials. Did all the shooting, editing, grading and sound design myself.

Comments? Feedback? Fire away!

Thanks

When I connect these mics to XLR ports with Rode's XLR adapter, there's an annoying signal sound, it's not hiss/humm, something else. When I use the 3.5 connection on the X/Y adapter of H6 with plugin power, this noise is still there.

ATR3350 has its own battery, so I don't think it's about phantom power (however I shut the power down). Also I realized when I touch the USB connection of H6 at right with my finger, the noise reduces (really weird). Same happens when I touch to the metal plate on the front face of the device as well. Somehow, my hand is stopping the noise.

When I connect these mics to Zoom H1, there's no noise. I contacted with Zoom product service, had a reply to my email, then they stopped talking with me. "Kind reminders" didn't work.

My only options for now are these devices and for a long time I'll not be able to afford a wireless transmitter. Here you can find a sound record demonstrating my problem, sorry for my weak English and moaning voice :) http://1drv.ms/1PWQCIh

Any solutions?

So in the mean time we have been posting a few behind the scenes vids. In case you would all like to check it out.

PETROL The Series DAY 13 - Testing a Phantom 4k with a Lambo Gallardo Spyder

IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4264080/combined

http://store.dji.com/product/phantom-2-h4-3d?position=1

http://www.dji-innovations.com/products/phantom/overview/

Update many months later :)

Aerial done with Phantom, DIY gimbal and vibration mount and GP3

Timelapse GH3 and DIY slider and few GH2 shots.

The sound of this little jewel, built in the well renowned german/austrian AKG house, is superb - very natural and clean, voices sound warm. It has a particular strong directional characteristic/off-axis rejection and wide frequency range. It supports very strong signals as much as it picks up clearly sounds and voices coming from the distance. Reading the reviews you can see how versatil this microphone is http://www.proaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=3480.

It is very small, 137mm x 9mm, size of a pencil, is very light, perfect for using on any small hybrid or DSLR cameras.

Talking to the AKG tecnicians in Austria, they had their doubts whether it would work with such a low (2.5V) "power supply" of the GH2. Normally it works with 9-52V. But: it did work (Thanks Mr. Amon for your advise).

Connection is: red to "tip" and "ring" and white and ground to "sleeve". Basically the same way as described in @balazers topic. You have to cut off the 48V phantom power plug previously.

The microphone shock mount on the photo, was custom built out of a stainless steel tube, with my local boat-welder in my Marina and a few rubber bands.

The lack of any existing 2.5mm stereo plug in an angled version (I only found crap), made me change the "interor" of an angled 3.5mm plug and substitute it with the interior part of a normal metal 2.5mm plug. Works fine. No need of annoying 3.5/2.5 adapters.

For my purposes this is a very satisfying setup. With the great picture quality of the GH2, using balazers stable cake settings (thanks @Vitaly and @balazer), now I finally found a very small high end on-camera microphone with a wonderful sound quality, no need of any further batteries or power supply, and the whole thing still keeps this small, flexible, moving character which I love to work with.

The AKG C747 is not cheap, the actual version MK II costs around 500€ or more, but the previous version, which is basically the same microphone (a part from a filter and a few other things), you can find it used for around approx 300€, add approx 30€ for the Windscreen.

Would love to hear your opinions about it.

EDIT: Cheap deal on AKG C747 on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150918575896?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649#ht_1249wt_1219

• 1920 x 1200 resolution at 1,380 fps
• 1152 x 1152 square resolution at 2,250 fps
• Throughput 3.2 Gpx/s
• Minimum exposure: 1μs
• ISO: 8600T Mono; 1100T Color
• Compatible with the Phantom RCU for un-tethered recording
• HD-SDI output for improved video workflow and monitoring

http://www.visionresearch.com/Products/High-Speed-Cameras/Phantom-Miro-M320S/