"But I think that handheld mics make documentaries look like journalism"
It all depends on how you plan to shoot your doc. And how you edit it. If the interviews are used mostly for audio tracks then what you care most about is the sound quality.
The vast majority of times you set up using the G2, it will be fine. But I would have a wired back up. There are locations where there is interference.
Good wireless cost way more than good wired. A good lav cost way more than a good hand held.
I also think the lav that comes with the G2 is not good enough to use as your main mic for a doc. It does not reject clothing noise well. Best to keep its wire looped and off the clothing. It has what I would call a hollow and dull audio quality. One kit alone is $700. And one mic does not make for an interview. So now you are talking about two kits. If using two, you need to set them to different frequencies. No big deal. Nor am I arguing against buying the g2. We have 4 kits. But it would not be my first choice on a $700 budget. I’d suggest these at $200 a piece:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=...
The vast majority of times I run XLRs, I don’t bother with the gaffer tape. I threw that in only to give ideas if setting up an interview with a cooperative subject in a crowded environment. Nor does securing the wire with a piece of gaffers take a lot of time unless you are running gaffer over the full length of cable so people can step over it repeatedly.
Another thing to consider, and I’m not arguing for or against, is if you do go with the wireless kit and you are or are not mounting your camera on a tripod, figure out how you will mount your receiver to your camera. There are lots of accessories that can do this for you but give it some thought. Consider that you do want to be able to see the lcd screen in whatever position it ends up. So, for example, if you mount it horizontally on a hot shoe extender, you need to be tall enough to look down on it. Also the antennae should be aligned to each other: if your transmitter is vertical so should be your receiver.
Here’s a tutorial on how to set the basic controls for the G2
http://dvcreators.net/products/sennheiser_wireless_movieframe.htm.
Hint: pushing the on/off button quickly will take you out of the menu system.
Holding it for about 2 seconds will turn it on and off.
Tip: bring a large supply of batteries and have a way of storing them so the contacts don’t meet and they stay cool.
OSX 10.5.7; MAC Book PRO (EARLY 2008); Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30, Sony vx2000/PD170, Canon xl2; Pana, Sony, and Canon consumer cams; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.
