Don't plan an extensive GH2 shoot until you can get batteries/AC cord

Patrick Janka · January 8th, 2011, 11:22 PM

Ah, so it's like something in the shape of the battery, and the cable runs out the side? I gotcha. Cool.

Brian Luce · January 9th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Campbell

"Where's the jack?"

I believe that if you open the battery compartment, there is a small square, rubber piece that pulls out, and the AC cord runs into the battery compartment.

This is correct.

James Campbell · January 10th, 2011, 04:31 PM

If you purchase the DMW-AC8, make sure you also purchase the DMW-DCC8. Someone on this forum already pointed this out, but I had purchased the AC8 via Japan, and it looked like on eBay that the AC8 includes everything, but it doesn't. The DCC8 is the portion that contains the cord going into the GH2 and the "battery" portion.

Jim Forrest · January 10th, 2011, 04:59 PM

Batteries available. See 'Batteries for GH2' post

Brian Luce · January 11th, 2011, 11:10 PM

And since today I paid full retail ($70) for a battery, it follows that three hours later you can get them here Video Direct: Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Battery Pack for Panasonic Lumix DMW-GH2 for $45.

Jim Forrest · January 12th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Ouch! Me too, what a Panasonic markup.

Evan Lloyd · January 12th, 2011, 11:48 AM

I'm so glad I've been following this post. It just saved me $40. Thanks guys! That said, $9.95 to ship a battery seems a bit steep to me, but after having this camera for a month without a spare battery, I'll take it.

Evan

Brian Luce · January 12th, 2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan Lloyd

I'm so glad I've been following this post. It just saved me $40. Thanks guys! That said, $9.95 to ship a battery seems a bit steep to me, but after having this camera for a month without a spare battery, I'll take it.

Evan

I think Panasonic Parts is charging me $14.95 for shipping.

Jim Snow · January 12th, 2011, 08:19 PM

It's pretty typical for manufacturers to charge high prices for direct sales of their products and accessories. If they don't, their distributors and dealers would first shoot them and then dump them. That's a pretty fundamental law of the jungle. How would you feel if you were a dealer for a manufacturer and your customers were haranguing you by telling you they can buy a product for only $X from the manufacturer? Marketing 101 - Don't under price your dealers at retail for your products; it will kill you if you do.

Mike Paterson · January 13th, 2011, 02:49 AM

For those that have got batteries, how long does a battery last when shooting video?

Brian Luce · January 13th, 2011, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Paterson

For those that have got batteries, how long does a battery last when shooting video?

Usually about 90 minutes for me.

Evan Lloyd · January 13th, 2011, 01:30 PM

Same here. 90 minutes, sometimes more depending on how I shoot.

Evan Lloyd · January 23rd, 2011, 12:15 AM

So against the advice of this thread, I shot two sessions in one day, on one battery. I have a couple of spare batteries on the way. Unlucky for me, Fedex tracking says they will arrive on Monday. Oh well.

Session #1
I shot a Save the Date Engagement video. This session was planned for weeks and was my priority for the day. The session lasted 3 hours and I was able to get about an hour and a half of footage off of my battery. Honestly, I never dipped below two bars, so the battery exceeded my expectations. The session ended at 1pm.

Session #2
At 2pm I had to be at a dance studio to shoot some dance lessons taught by a former world champion ballroom dancer. I had the battery charging in the car in between session, and once I got to the gig, I threw the charger on the wall and stated shooting with my Canon HV30 (B-Cam). Twenty minutes later, the little LED light turned off on the charger and I was back in business. I shot 3 lessons, 45 minutes each, on one charge. Again it exceeded my expectations. I left the HV30 on a tripod for the wide shot, and I threw the GH2 on a Merlin and flew it for three hours. The good news is, I now have a very in depth knowledge of how to fly the GH2 on a Merlin. The bad news is, my back is killing me.

I'm happy to say I pulled off the day, with fairly little stress. I was super anal about only using the LCD when I "needed" to. It's not a fun way to shoot, but it worked out in the end. I'll be very happy when the spare batteries come in. Shooting with only one is not fun.

I'm loving the GH2. It has been nothing but good times since I bought it. I have no regrets. I can't wait to buy another one and retire the HV30.

Take care
Evan

Brian Luce · January 23rd, 2011, 12:44 AM

Though I have a spare, I shot for 2 hours straight on one battery today and still had a bar left. And the LCD was on the whole time.

Jonathan Plotkin · February 1st, 2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

And since today I paid full retail ($70) for a battery, it follows that three hours later you can get them here Video Direct: Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Battery Pack for Panasonic Lumix DMW-GH2 for $45.

These guys are currently out of stock. Anyone find an alternate discounted source with stock??

January 13th, 2011, 02:49 AM	#25
Mike Paterson Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 99	For those that have got batteries, how long does a battery last when shooting video? __________________ www.pfilm.co.uk

January 8th, 2011, 11:22 PM	#16
Patrick Janka Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 623	Ah, so it's like something in the shape of the battery, and the cable runs out the side? I gotcha. Cool.

January 10th, 2011, 04:31 PM	#18
James Campbell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cheshire, CT Posts: 110	If you purchase the DMW-AC8, make sure you also purchase the DMW-DCC8. Someone on this forum already pointed this out, but I had purchased the AC8 via Japan, and it looked like on eBay that the AC8 includes everything, but it doesn't. The DCC8 is the portion that contains the cord going into the GH2 and the "battery" portion.

January 10th, 2011, 04:59 PM	#19
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Batteries available. See 'Batteries for GH2' post

January 11th, 2011, 11:10 PM	#20
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	And since today I paid full retail ($70) for a battery, it follows that three hours later you can get them here Video Direct: Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Battery Pack for Panasonic Lumix DMW-GH2 for $45.

January 12th, 2011, 08:06 AM	#21
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Ouch! Me too, what a Panasonic markup.

January 12th, 2011, 11:48 AM	#22
Evan Lloyd Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fresno Posts: 111	I'm so glad I've been following this post. It just saved me $40. Thanks guys! That said, $9.95 to ship a battery seems a bit steep to me, but after having this camera for a month without a spare battery, I'll take it. Evan

January 12th, 2011, 08:19 PM	#24
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	It's pretty typical for manufacturers to charge high prices for direct sales of their products and accessories. If they don't, their distributors and dealers would first shoot them and then dump them. That's a pretty fundamental law of the jungle. How would you feel if you were a dealer for a manufacturer and your customers were haranguing you by telling you they can buy a product for only $X from the manufacturer? Marketing 101 - Don't under price your dealers at retail for your products; it will kill you if you do.

January 13th, 2011, 01:30 PM	#27
Evan Lloyd Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fresno Posts: 111	Same here. 90 minutes, sometimes more depending on how I shoot.

January 23rd, 2011, 12:15 AM	#28
Evan Lloyd Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fresno Posts: 111	So against the advice of this thread, I shot two sessions in one day, on one battery. I have a couple of spare batteries on the way. Unlucky for me, Fedex tracking says they will arrive on Monday. Oh well. Session #1 I shot a Save the Date Engagement video. This session was planned for weeks and was my priority for the day. The session lasted 3 hours and I was able to get about an hour and a half of footage off of my battery. Honestly, I never dipped below two bars, so the battery exceeded my expectations. The session ended at 1pm. Session #2 At 2pm I had to be at a dance studio to shoot some dance lessons taught by a former world champion ballroom dancer. I had the battery charging in the car in between session, and once I got to the gig, I threw the charger on the wall and stated shooting with my Canon HV30 (B-Cam). Twenty minutes later, the little LED light turned off on the charger and I was back in business. I shot 3 lessons, 45 minutes each, on one charge. Again it exceeded my expectations. I left the HV30 on a tripod for the wide shot, and I threw the GH2 on a Merlin and flew it for three hours. The good news is, I now have a very in depth knowledge of how to fly the GH2 on a Merlin. The bad news is, my back is killing me. I'm happy to say I pulled off the day, with fairly little stress. I was super anal about only using the LCD when I "needed" to. It's not a fun way to shoot, but it worked out in the end. I'll be very happy when the spare batteries come in. Shooting with only one is not fun. I'm loving the GH2. It has been nothing but good times since I bought it. I have no regrets. I can't wait to buy another one and retire the HV30. Take care Evan

January 23rd, 2011, 12:44 AM	#29
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Though I have a spare, I shot for 2 hours straight on one battery today and still had a bar left. And the LCD was on the whole time.