Wireless mic Sennheiser G4 - Sony UWP

[newfoundmass]

11 hours ago, IronFilm said:

That's true for non-professionals at sound, those who are not full time working in the sound department. 

They are the wireless of choice by those who are not specialists in this field. 

They're used by wedding videographers, camera ops, and shooting preditors, etc 

They get rented out by photography rental houses, or general videography rental houses, and such. They're not the primary rental of any specialist production sound rental houses. 

I thought it is important to make this distinction very clear, Sennheiser G3/G4 are chosen by people who are not knowledgeable about sound and don't need to rely upon it as their primary income. 

It's like asking a MUA about the best ring light, rather than a Gaffer. 

I know over a dozen video professionals that work full time that use Sennheiser G3 or G4 systems every day. I think they'd disagree with you re: whether they're professional pieces of equipment. 

Do major films and television commonly use them? No. But only a fraction of the users on this board fall into that category and those that do aren't going to be asking this question in the first place. When someone does it's safe to assume they're indie filmmakers/documentarians/event videographers looking for gear that will work for that purpose and fit their budget. 

When your focus is sound and that's what you do professionally you work with better equipment and have higher standards. The thing is, those are specialized needs that most people can't afford or simply don't need. When I shoot an interview I don't need a sound specialist with thousands and thousands of dollars of sound equipment. A $500 wireless system with a $200 lav is more than enough, and frankly maybe overkill, for something that will air on the local news or be on the internet. 

Not everything that doesn't meet your standards can be considered trash. The G3 and G4 are great systems, used the world over by professionals every day. I think the OP will be very happy with them should be choose them over the Sony and vice versa. 

[independent]

Lectros and Zaxcom are industry standards for bigger productions. But the OP was asking about Sony UWP vs Sennheiser G3/G4. 

For that class of gear, the Sennheiser is much more" pro" than the Sonys in terms of adoption, availability, and actual use in the industry. 

Go call the rental houses in New York City. I guarantee you that all of them rent out the Sennheisers along with Lectros and Zaxcoms. Ask them whether the Sennheiser or Sony is more "pro," and most will tell you they don't carry the Sonys. That should tell you something.

That's not to say the Sonys are bad! Just be careful listening to some poster on the internet who culls info from jwsoundgroup.net and goes around on other forums as some self-styled expert. 

 

[Aquilasfx]

it seems sometimes that iron is a Sony ambassador for how it push hard toward Sony in every forum or YouTube video... and this is very strange..

[IronFilm]

18 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I know over a dozen video professionals that work full time that use Sennheiser G3 or G4 systems every day.

Thank you, you made my earlier point that I've been repeatedly saying.
Video professionals. 
Not audio professionals.

Or in other words, you're taking your recommendations for audio from people who don't place a #1 priority on audio. 

This is very much like going onto graphic design forums and asking for advice on cameras, and being recommended a Canon 5Dmk3 or mk4 (or a T2i at the lower budget end). 

Are they still "capable cameras" which can get the job done? Yes, of course they are. 

Are they in most cases a good recommendation in 2021? Hell no!! 

They're an outdated sub optimal choice. 

Same is true of the G3/G4/416/etc, yet people keep on parroting recommendations (just like is happening in this thread) without any wider and deeper understanding of the context they have against the current competition. Just like people who brought a 5Dmk4 for filming with because their friend used a 5Dmk3 for years and recommended it to them. (you know many of those people existed for 5D buyers!)

18 hours ago, independent said:

Lectros and Zaxcom are industry standards for bigger productions.

And Audio Ltd. And Wisycom. And Shure. And Q5X. And....

18 hours ago, independent said:

That's not to say the Sonys are bad! Just be careful listening to some poster on the internet who culls info from jwsoundgroup.net and goes around on other forums as some self-styled expert. 

You do realize it is my full time job (when we're not in lockdowns... gah) I have working in the sound departments on film/tv sets? I live, dream, and breath this every moment. 

13 hours ago, Aquilasfx said:

it seems sometimes that iron is a Sony ambassador for how it push hard toward Sony in every forum or YouTube video... and this is very strange..

I've got exactly ZERO connection to Sony whatsoever (aside from owning Sony cameras/lenses/wireless, all of which I purchased with my own money). I've never even ever communicated with anybody from Sony even once! (aside from when I rang them up once to find out the costs in NZ to do the 4K upgrade for a FS700)

I've laid out my reasons earlier in this thread as to why I see Sony UWP-D21 as the best sub US$1K buy for new wireless. (address those, rather than ad hominems)

With Lectro 200 series (or with a bit of luck, 400 series) as the best sub $1K buy if going secondhand. 

While Deity Connect Wireless being the best choice at the level below, if you're forced to look for a wireless for roughly half the cost of a Sennheiser G4. However, if you're going this dirt cheap I'd be starting to suggest you consider wired lavs instead (or perhaps maybe even the new bodypack recorders that hit the market recently).