Lyle most folk would use an SM57/58 or similar spec mic for mostly live work.
These mics by industry standards are not cheap they are top of the range in their own particular area of the field. Mics can cost a few bucks to a few thousand it is all down to preference, budget, application, taste and if for vocals the kind of voice or perhaps genre.
What is used in a studio or for specialised applications is a whole different ball game.
Liken it to guitars. Guitarists all have their own particular fav makes and models.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is what makes us all unique.
I once tried a really good quality condenser mic for live work. I do not know why but I just did not like the sound. I also tried a really cheap karaoke mic which actually sounded quite good till it fell apart.