Batteries for H1?

[Jacques Mersereau]

Okay, the loan is secured and the time is at hand to buy an H1, BUT
I am wondering what to do in the battery department?

Opinions and experiences anyone?

PS: I don't think I can afford an AatonBauer rig right off the bat.

[Chris Hurd]

Hi Jacques,

Along with the H1, Canon introduced a couple of new batteries using graphite technology (whatever that is, I haven't researched it yet, I know I should). These batts are the BP-950G and the BP-970G. The H1 comes with one BP-950G. Believe it or not, it'll last for four or five hours. The BP-970G is good for six or seven hours. If you buy two 970G's, then you've got more than a full day of shooting between the 950 and two 970's. I don't understand the graphite thing but these batts are worth their weight in gold. Practically.

Sure you can get any number of a variety of cheap knock-off batts from third-party manufacturers, but I don't like to have a bunch of low endurance batts laying around because I can never tell which ones are charged and which aren't. Bad housekeeping on my part but it's the truth. I'd rather have three or four good ones and leave it at that.

Plus there's the Canon dual battery charger / holder, don't forget about that.

Great to see you at NAB by the way!

[Barry Gregg]

Jacques,

Chris is right, the G batteries are amazing. I purchased four 950Gs with my H1 and I have yet to use more than a second battery on an all day shoot. It's really amazing how long they last. I hang my Anton/Bauer battery on the back of the camera for better balance, but I don't use it for power.
Barry

[Jacques Mersereau]

Thanks Mr. Hurd. As always, you are very helpful. Yes, I was going
to order at least one BP-970G. Yes, Canon charges a premium, but
then again you know they'll work to factory spec :)

Do you know if the H1 runs at 7.2 volts like the other XL series of camcorder?

One very cool thing about staying with Canon, besides all the Canon lens
I already own, is all the OTHER Canon accessories like the 12v-7.2v
adapter and battery chargers will probablly still work.
That will save me lots of money and makes this upgrade less painful.

[Chris Hurd]

Hi Jacques,

The BP-950G supplies 7.4 volts, and the XL H1 draw is 7.8 watts (recording with autofocus, HD 20x L IS Lens mounted, in HD mode). I found that out by checking the nifty new 18-page brochure linked in the "sticky" post at the top of this forum, be sure to check it out!

But the answer is yes, all of your other XL bits and pieces are compatible with the H1. Although older batts will not last as long because the power draw is higher on the H1 (the XL2 draws 7.1 watts). Chargers, etc. will all work with this camera and battery.

In my opinion, the BP-970G is well worth the money Canon is charging for it.

[Robert Sanders]

BP-970G all the way. I bought two of them. Between the two it was rare that I had to use the second one. On a couple of occassions I had to switch out batteries. But that's also because I had a good AC on set who powered down inbetween setups.

I used the BP-950G that came with the camera to power the Nebtek 7" LCD monitor.

[Chris Hurd]

Robert, do you have an idea of how long the 950G will last on your Nebtek monitor? I'm thinking it has to be somewhere in the range of "all day long."

[Robert Sanders]

That's pretty accurate, Chris. I have no memory of ever changing the battery on the Nebtek during a full shoot day.

[Robert Sanders]

Also, I decided against the dual battery charger. When I found out that it only charged one battery at a time, I decided to save the cash and just buy an additional single battery charger. Between the one that came with the camera and the 2nd one, I'm set.

[Chris Hurd]

I've never been a fan of the dual battery charger, but I felt I had to point out its existence at least. My issue with the CH-910 is that it's plastic, of course, and to me it seemed as though the batts were always a little wobbly, like if you swung the camera around too fast or nudged something, they'd come flying off. There are only a couple of plastic tans holding the batts in place. Most folks I know that use the CH-910 have a big 'ol rubber band around the whole thing to help secure the batts.

[Robert Sanders]

LOL! Yeah, I've seen the same rubber band trick too! And I agree about the plastic tans.

I don't know what kind of special plastic Nebtek is using for their Canon battery adapter (which sits on the back pane of the monitor), but those darn tabs hold that battery so tightly and snug that I feel like I'm practically going to break them trying to remove the battery.

[Ken Diewert]

Chris,

I'll have to remember the rubber band...

Jacques, the dealer should throw something in on the deal. Mine threw in two of the 970's. So I bought the 910 dual charger. Mostly because it mounts on the back the throw some weight aft to better balance the camera when shoulder mounted. I find it makes a big difference in stability. I was out hiking today and didn't want to pack my tripod and was really surprised how steady she held with the extra weight.

BTW, These batteries (both the 950 and 970) are serious die-hards.

Ken.

[Charles Perkins]

does anyone have an idea of how these hold up in the cold, say around -10 to -20 degrees centigrade?

the reason i ask is becuase thats the main temperature range for what i shoot.

[Robert Sanders]

And I thought shooting at night in the San Bernardino Nation Forest at 29 degrees fahrenheit was cold!

[Ken Diewert]

Originally Posted by Charles Perkins

does anyone have an idea of how these hold up in the cold, say around -10 to -20 degrees centigrade?

the reason i ask is becuase thats the main temperature range for what i shoot.

Charles,

Never mind the batts, how does the camera handle it? Do you have an insulated cover? If so it could also fit over the 910 Charger/Holder.