Now that DSLRs are going video, good sound is something we need to be able to produce.

I am doing video and photos for a friends birthday party. It will be in the basement of our local, about 100 people. Important is the musicians (guitarists) and karaoke <pity me here>.

I am looking at the H4N microphone, and have read some reviews. It seems like a good choice.

http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/h4n/

But before I drop the $340 on the package, I would like to hear about any experiences.

I am using a Nikon D800.

Thanks!

I was looking at getting one of those a few years ago, so when I was at the Broadcast Video Expo I got to try it out properly with my own headphones (BeyerDynamic DT250 and DT100), and my own mics (Sennheiser K6/ME-66, Rode NTG-1, Rode NT1-a), using the built in mics, as well as a bunch of other equipment at the expo and compare it side by side with similar devices.

In the end, I went for the Tascam DR-100 instead.  It was the same price at the time, but much better quality (noticeably better), analogue input recording dials (much easier to adjust as you record than digital up/down buttons), cleaner sound.

The DR-100 also has an extra battery compartment for a pair of AA batteries.  So, if your LiIon battery is running out, it'll temporarily run on the AA batteries while you swap out the LiIon for continuous recording.

No regrets.

Thank you.

Their new model. the DR-100 MKII, looks even better