i think the ADK Hamburg, and then the Vienna, is one of the best low budget values in med. condenser mics around
 
i have a hamburg, and use it all the time, for just about anything.
 
 
a used KSM44, will take you very far

Paul P
 
 
What, no recommendations for the Bee ?
 
 
 

Afraid of getting stung.

For ribbon I picked up one of the stupid deal of the day - MXL 144 (or 44 - it is the same mic).  If you want a guitar cab mic it is perfect.  Works great in a small dampened (sound, not water-wise) room.  I'm sure you could spend more, but I don't think it will get you much more.  Worked OK as an drum overhead/FOK, too.  Not to keen about it on vocals, but I haven't messed around w/ it much.
 
Last week or two I got a CAD Trion 8000 tube mic for $200 at B&H.  When I first fooled around w/ it I thought it, in technical terms, sucked.  I am refining my opinion.  You just have to work it pretty hard to get a good sound - it is sensitive and temperamental, but can have quite a quite sharp and defined sound.  I was hoping for smooth, but it is useful.  For the money worth having since I don't have any other Chinese capsule units here at home.
 
Then there are Oktavas (the other mics I have at home) which are always good to have.  You can find them cheap on ebay - the 219 or 319 LDC.
 
@

Some of the cheapo MXL mics get some love from the music store reviews like this one:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/condenser-microphones/mxl-990-condenser-microphone-with-shockmount?rNtt=mxl%20microphones&index=4
 
There are lots of options.  One of the best is put some talent in front of the mic!

TremoJem
I already have to AKG C4000B large diaphragm mics that we use for overhead mics on the kit.

I also have that same microphone.  I posed a similar question recently (just a bit down on the page).
 
Here's the thread.  The microphone I settled on, which is a CAD, is a great option for you to look at.  Toward the bottom of the thread you'll see where I zoomed in on that particular model.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com...category-m3194727.aspx