Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Does anyone know of an external mic that "actually", or at least brings to an acceptable level, the clicking of the autofocus in videos?
Thanks...

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Sorry, I forgot got to include I'm using a Nikon D500...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Videographer friends of mine seem to lean towards Rode microphones.
--Bob

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Leveraging Canon's leadership in video / cinema cameras, consider too STM lenses - lenses that feature STM are smooth, fast and almost silent – ideal when the lens is used on an EOS camera to shoot video. The built-in microphone is less likely to pick up lens motor noise, while an external mic will do an even better job. STM: STepper Motor.

The Rode mics place the external mic pick-up 'above and away' from the camera. The Rode VIDEOMIC-R is a modest expense for a condenser shotgun microphone designed for use with consumer video cameras (DSLR) and a valid option is not interested in Canon STM technology.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You'll want a mic that is directional, unidirectional or a shotgun (a more narrowly focused unidirectional type), not cardiod, omnidirectional or bidirectional. How much you'll want to spend will dictate other factors like frequency response, isolation (non axis sounds), gain, sound balance, etc. Typically the more you spend the better it is.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Have you considered the newer "P" optics for Nikon Mondolinni?
AF-P Nikkor lenses use stepper motors to focus the lens giving virtually instant autofocus, and pretty much completely silent. Mondolinni it's not the mic it's more likely the AF system that matters here.

Thus an AF-P pared with a Rode microphones on a bungee cradle would be an option.
I used the AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR Nikkor at 694 grams (w/ 67mm NC Filter) Min focus 3.9 feet
and the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Dx VR Nikkor at 205 grams; (w/55 mm NC filter) Min focus 0.8 feet
I sometimes have to double check to see if the lens actually focused! They are that quick and silent!

btw, the FX version of the 70-300mm is vastly superior than the DX version... I have both.

Now if you're serious about video the D500 may not be an optimum choice...
I'm only the messenger here... Maybe look to the newer Mirrorless Nikon bodies instead.
Or better yet a dedicated video camera with parfocal video lens optics.
You might try assisting commercial videographers to see how they work their magic.
There are compelling reasons that commercial videographers pony up for the aforementioned.

The Nikon D500 is an epic sport/wildlife crop body albeit video may not be among it's forte.

Hope this helps Mondolinni...
Please stay safe

banjoboy Loc: Austin, TX

Cardioid mics are unidirectional.

redlegfrog

No matter the equipment you use, the closer you place your Mic to the sound source the lower the input volume you need. The lower the input on the mic, the less OTHER stuff will show up in your signal.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If lenses have VR image stabilization, that also might cause some noise that's picked up on the audio track. Easy to test by temporarily turning it off.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thanks Folks for your input and advice...much appreciated.

Mozengrazen Loc: Ilion, NY

Make sure the auto level control is off and adjust the recording level manually.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Copy That…Thanks! I did have it on auto.