burkphoto wrote:
The absolute most important thing you can do to maximize sound quality is to get the microphone between six inches and three feet of your subject. A $30 mic at one foot sounds 100 percent better than a $300 mic at ten feet. (1/D^2)
Well said, and the most common rookie mistake. An expensive shotgun will not magically overcome a large distance to the subject. The main thing these mics do is minimize off axis sound. One other thing to consider. You will need a wind shield or "dead cat" for your mic. Otherwise wind noise will be a problem.