I'm wondering if I'm tied down to using only the Sony V lock batteries or can I use some other brand?
Currently I'm using the Sony BP-GL95.

Thanks

You can use any brand of V-Lock batteries. I've had good results with Swit, IDX and Global Media Pro Batteries.

One small point is that XDCAM Disc cameras have a high momentary power spike at the start of writing clips. Because of this it is advisable to use medium to large capacity Li-Ion batteries or a high current battery chemistry such as Ni-MH. This stops you getting premature low battery warnings and short battery life with batteries that can't deliver the current spike as they get close to being flat.

I would suggest a 90Wh or 6Ah battery as a minimum.

I'm using chinese brand Dynacore. Works very well and is quite cheap.

dynacore-china (http://www.dynacore-battery.com/)

I have Swit and some other Chinese batteries. The swit I have do not talk to the camera and give you proper readings and battery level warnings. One of my Chinese batteries does but the other does not.

Also with one of the Chinese batteries the camera will not run with a power supply attached.

So test the batteries before you buy to ensure they give you what you want/need as in battery level in camera etc.

Cheers, Tim.

Tim Bradley Cameraman Director of Photography in Sydney (http://www.mindseye.net.au)

I've had good luck with the IDX batteries.

My swits give me accurate battery meter readings once I change the battery type to the correct one in the menu.

Which ones are the best for price and battery endurance?

I like the Global Media Pro Li160s. They are around £160 GBP and are 160WH. If you don't want Chinese then IDX are good but more money.

Hi Alister,
I have been looking at the Global Media batteries and have two questions.
Do these fit in the Sony charger?
Also, how many hours do you get with the Global Media Pro Li160s.
Here in Australia the Sonys are around $850 and you get around 2 1/2 hours out of them.

Cheers

The Global Media Batts are fine with Sony chargers. The 160's give a little over 2 hours on a PDW-700 depending on what you have enabled, they would last a fair bit longer on a F350. They also have a D-Tap socket which is handy for powering other 12v devices.

Just to add to the other good replies, if you really see something in the AB mount style that you like, AB sells an adapter to use their batteries on the V Mount. I've been using that for the last 3 years with no problems. My decision was based on the fact that I already owned a few AB batteries when I got the F350.

-gb-

Hi Greg,
I'm confused about the AB mount or batteries you have mentioned.
Can you point me to a link on these.

Thanks

Hi Greg,
I'm confused about the AB mount or batteries you have mentioned.
Can you point me to a link on these.

Thanks

AB is Anton Bauer. Cameras at this level use one of two battery mount systems. The Sony V-Mount, or Anton Bauer's Gold Mound (sometimes generically called 3 stud mount). Using a $149 adapter plate will let you use the Gold Mount batteries. Have a look at the AB website to see what I mean.

-gb-

Oh, Anton Bauer of course.

Thanks

I'm trying to work out the life of a battery when fully charged.
Does anyone know to work this out?

This is for the Globalmedia Pro V batteries.
Voltage : 14.4 V
Capacity : 190 Wh
Power limit : 90 W

This is for the Sony BP GL95
Maximum voltage DC 16.8V
Nominal voltage DC 14.4V
Capacity 95Wh

Thanks

The watt hour rating of a battery indicates how many watts it can deliver for one hour. If your camera draws 30 watts (1/3 of 90), a 90WH battery should give you approximately 3 hours, assuming a brand new battery is being used. Run times will decrease of course during the life of the battery.

-gb-

My swits give me accurate battery meter readings once I change the battery type to the correct one in the menu.

Hi Alister,

Can you let me know which setting work for your Swit batteries?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Tim.