The ECM-719 is a "good" starter mic as you can go mic-in on your minidisc-recorder (in case you got one HAHA) without a batterybox.
Even at loud rock shows it won´t distort when mic-in is set to -20db.
I´ve been using this mic until 2004 with minidisc recorders mic-in.
Of course more expensive mics sound better and got a wider frequency range 20-20.000 Hz.
Sony ECM-719 => 100-15.000 Hz.
ECM-719+ ie. MZ-RH1(HI-MD recorder) is an easy PLUG+RECORD setup without tons of cables and additional bboxes or preamps.
On
dimeadozen.org you can search for "ecm-719" or "ecm-ds70p" and listen to samples.