Q:

What is a good cardioid mic for video?

I am going to be recording audio-for-video on the field and I am trying to figure out what type of mic to use. We are also on an extremely tight budget, so I am looking for something under $200. I think we also need a mic fish pole, so I need one that will mount on a fish pole. Any suggestions?

A:

Option 1: Rode Videomic (with booming kit) $169. Basic, very cheap, will do the job for an amateur project. Connects to DSLR with the 1/8" cable.
Option 2: Azden SGM-1X $150. Basic mic once again. Apparently performs better than the video mic. XLR output. Boom not included.
Option 3: Audio-Technica AT897 $260. Shotgun polar patter (very directional). XLR output with 1/8" connector. Boom not included.
You can read up on all the specs if you follow those links. You can find many tests of these products online, just search for it in google. 
How you use the microphone is more important than the type of microphone. A professional with the cheapest mic will record better audio then an amateur with the best mic. It'd definitely be worth your while to research booming techniques. 

