Batteries for XDCam EX

Brian Cassar · August 30th, 2007, 11:45 PM

At the moment I'm using a PAG 12V light with a 20W lamp connected with a D-Tap to my shoulder mounted Sony DSR-300 (and very conveniently switches on and off with the trigger button). Since the EX might not be as low light as the DSR-300 I'm anticipating that I might be using a 35W lamp. I've done some more research and I think I shall be buying the Hark-Woods VL-CF2 and modify it to attach to the tripod screw at the bottom of the camera. I shall then use my existing 105W/hr batteries. By this way I shall have about 3 hours of portable light (if I use a 35W lamp) whilst I would be adding just 1Kg extra to the camera. Since this 1 Kg is evenly spread at the bottom it should not be much of a problem......I hope!

Brian

Scott Keyworth · August 31st, 2007, 07:27 AM

But how will you mount your camera to the tripod??

Brian Cassar · August 31st, 2007, 09:41 AM

Good question. Since I do a lot of event videos and loads of weddings, I do not need a tripod. If I do need to do tripod work then most probably the on-camera light would not be necessary as I would be depending on the available light, hence I can remove the V-plate from underneath the camera. This set-up would be needed when filming weddings/events in dim light conditions and where one needs to be hand held to be as candid as possible.

Mike Williams · August 31st, 2007, 10:06 AM

Switches on and off when you hit start/stop?

Very nice. Will put that on my wish list for the holidays :)

Mike

Bob Grant · August 31st, 2007, 06:16 PM

Hm,
if I get the camera it'll get rails and a matte box, so, longer rails (or Zacuto's system) and a AB battery out the back will be very cool indeed. Their big bricks should run the camera and a Z90 Zylight for a very long time.

Guy Barwood · September 2nd, 2007, 03:26 AM

I hang a V-Mount adaptor for a HD100 off the back of my little JVC 301 (smaller than a PD170) without any problem. In fact the added length lets you rest the battery against your sholder as you hand hold for extended times which helps a lot.

IDX need to make this same adaptor for this camera but it should be cheaper as it would only be a physical adaptor, no voltage changes required (the above needs to convert 14.4 to 7.2v).

Although I bet Sony have some electronics in the new batteries the camera won't work without which any adaptor will need to trick the camera into thinking it it is a genuine Sony battery......

My long term solution would be to get a the lowest capacity cheapest battery for this camera (or an old one with dying cells) and hack it to a V-Mount plate.

If the run time on these new batteries is good it may not be a problem though. Lets see (roughly):

10W @ 14.4v = .7A (700mA) current draw
3800mAH / 700 = 5.4 hours

Even if we get a good 4 hours off a single battery we arn't doing too bad (unless the batteries are US$400 each....). I am sure the camera will come with a charger so you won't have to buy one of those.

Scott Keyworth · September 6th, 2007, 08:49 AM

According to the .pdf file the PMW-EX1 comes with the BP-U30 battery which will only run the camera 2 hours. The BP-U60 sold separably.

The .pdf is to big to attach. Here is a link.
http://www.sony.com.au/objects/PDF/PDWEX1_Brochure.pdf

Scott Keyworth

August 30th, 2007, 11:45 PM	#16
Brian Cassar Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 306	Mike At the moment I'm using a PAG 12V light with a 20W lamp connected with a D-Tap to my shoulder mounted Sony DSR-300 (and very conveniently switches on and off with the trigger button). Since the EX might not be as low light as the DSR-300 I'm anticipating that I might be using a 35W lamp. I've done some more research and I think I shall be buying the Hark-Woods VL-CF2 and modify it to attach to the tripod screw at the bottom of the camera. I shall then use my existing 105W/hr batteries. By this way I shall have about 3 hours of portable light (if I use a 35W lamp) whilst I would be adding just 1Kg extra to the camera. Since this 1 Kg is evenly spread at the bottom it should not be much of a problem......I hope! Brian

August 31st, 2007, 10:06 AM	#19
Mike Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USVI Posts: 232	What Switches on and off when you hit start/stop? Very nice. Will put that on my wish list for the holidays :) Mike

September 6th, 2007, 08:49 AM	#22
Scott Keyworth Anton/Bauer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 35	BP-U60 Does not come In box According to the .pdf file the PMW-EX1 comes with the BP-U30 battery which will only run the camera 2 hours. The BP-U60 sold separably. The .pdf is to big to attach. Here is a link. http://www.sony.com.au/objects/PDF/PDWEX1_Brochure.pdf Scott Keyworth

August 31st, 2007, 07:27 AM	#17
Scott Keyworth Anton/Bauer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 35	But how will you mount your camera to the tripod??

August 31st, 2007, 09:41 AM	#18
Brian Cassar Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 306	Good question. Since I do a lot of event videos and loads of weddings, I do not need a tripod. If I do need to do tripod work then most probably the on-camera light would not be necessary as I would be depending on the available light, hence I can remove the V-plate from underneath the camera. This set-up would be needed when filming weddings/events in dim light conditions and where one needs to be hand held to be as candid as possible.

August 31st, 2007, 06:16 PM	#20
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	Hm, if I get the camera it'll get rails and a matte box, so, longer rails (or Zacuto's system) and a AB battery out the back will be very cool indeed. Their big bricks should run the camera and a Z90 Zylight for a very long time.

September 2nd, 2007, 03:26 AM	#21
Guy Barwood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 423	I hang a V-Mount adaptor for a HD100 off the back of my little JVC 301 (smaller than a PD170) without any problem. In fact the added length lets you rest the battery against your sholder as you hand hold for extended times which helps a lot. IDX need to make this same adaptor for this camera but it should be cheaper as it would only be a physical adaptor, no voltage changes required (the above needs to convert 14.4 to 7.2v). Although I bet Sony have some electronics in the new batteries the camera won't work without which any adaptor will need to trick the camera into thinking it it is a genuine Sony battery...... My long term solution would be to get a the lowest capacity cheapest battery for this camera (or an old one with dying cells) and hack it to a V-Mount plate. If the run time on these new batteries is good it may not be a problem though. Lets see (roughly): 10W @ 14.4v = .7A (700mA) current draw 3800mAH / 700 = 5.4 hours Even if we get a good 4 hours off a single battery we arn't doing too bad (unless the batteries are US$400 each....). I am sure the camera will come with a charger so you won't have to buy one of those.