Any word on the street if this mic is ever going to happen ? it's been rumored since 2008.
With the release of the MKH 8060 and 8070 shotguns, the figure-8 mic is the only one missing from the family.
Actually, the 8030 is
not the only missing head. The sub-cardioid (wide cardioid) is also missing - and there really really need a diffuse-field omni (or a screw-on diffuse-field module) for the system.
I have been banging on at Sennheiser since the system came out that an 8030 fig-8 head was needed.
All I can suggest is that anyone who wants an 8030 should send an e-mail (or letter, or whatever) to Sennheiser. Either send it to your local Sennheiser main agent and ask that it be forwarded to the Product Manager in Germany or write to Germany direct.
If anyone sends me a PM I will send it on as I do know the Product Manager.
The 8030
is planned for the system - I managed to get this confirmation a year ago, but I don't know of any date yet.
The more people ask for it, the sooner it is likely to come.
Also - make sure you ask Sennheiser every time you see them at a trade show (EG: AES in London at the end of this week) that you want an 8030 and ask when it's coming.
In the meantime - the Neumann KK 120 with the KM-A or KM-D is the same colour and I know several people who have gone down this route.
Also Ambient in Germany have bought out a small fig-8 and a special cable that would go with the MKH 8000 series very well I think.
I hope this helps.
PS - I have copy/pasted your post into an e-mail to the Product Manager in Germany