power supply also a charger?
 

I notice the F3 doesn't come with a battery, but I assume it does have an AC power supply. Is this the same as with the EX-1 doubling as a charger?

Also is the power drain the same as the EX-1?

The F3 does not come with an AC adapter.
The power consumption of the F3 is between 18-24 watts depending on what options you have turned on. The dual-link output, running the LCD and viewfinder simultaneously, etc. all add to the power requirements.
The EX1R, on the other hand, draws about 12-13 watts.

So, the F3 uses 50%-90% more power.

Hi Leonard,

You would have to get something like this...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/438820-REG/Switronix_SPU_4_SPU_4_Compact_Power_Supply.html

...to run it off AC power.

They sell it without a battery or an AC adapter! Sounds ridiculous to me.
Is that normal for a higher end camera is it just Sony being Sony.
Can you use an EX-1 power supply or does it run off standard 12V 4 pin XLR?

Will my ancient AC500 do the trick then?

It's normal for high end cameras to be supplied without any batteries and charger. Different people will want to use different power options. Many users of the F3 will probably use V-Lock or Anton Bauer. Not every one will use the BP-U60's

Indeed, anybody seen a 15mm rail mount v-lock to xlr that would suit the F3?

Look at the AJA Ki Pro Mini website. Ki Pro rod plates ($269 for a pair),
hold a mounting plate with a V-mount attached. You could use this setup for power only, or get two mounting plates and add a Ki Pro Mini.

I am using this:

microBalance Plus

with this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242075-REG/IDX_C_EB_XLR_C_EBXLR_V_Mount_Plate_with.html

[quote=Ryan Hollings;1619451]I am using this:

microBalance Plus


I really like that it holds things below the rods assembly. Do you know of a 19mm version of this?

Would the charger supply enough power to power the F3? In that case all you'd have to do is replace the small plug on the charger with a large power plug for the F3.

The BC-U1 charger I have has a listed max output of 2 amps, which makes it very close to the power draw of the F3 if you have lots of things (all your outputs) turned on -- a little too close for comfort in my thinking.

Perhaps Doug J could test it, and if I'm wrong and it works properly, Vortex Media could come up with an opposite gender cable adapter (the opposite of their current EXDC1 power cable)?

Typical battery charging current is 0.1c.
In plain English, that means 1/10th of the rated battery capacity.
For example, if a battery is rated at 1 AHr, the typical charge current would be 0.1 A (100 mA).
Hence a battery charger is a regulated device, either a constant current, constant voltage or both.
(A depleted battery will have a low voltage and draw a high current. As the battery charges, the current drawn is reduced and the voltage rises.)

A power supply will usually provide a regulate constant voltage and allow the current to float up or down depending on the demand. (The power supply will provide up to its rated output.)

The BC-U1 and -U2 are not only chargers. They double as power supplies for the EX1 and EX3 so using them to power the F3 is not so far fetched in my opinion.

Re: power supply also a charger?
 

Seems if it were that easy wouldn't Sony have provided it with a 4 pin . Of course never try to second guess Sony marketing.

Re: power supply also a charger?
 

Hi Ola, as Dave said the charger in power supply mode outputs 2 amps. That translates into 24 watts. This is what the camera draws. There is no margin so I would agree with David that it isn't suitable.

I mentioned above that Switronic sells a power adapter which B&H sells for just under $100 USD. It is rated at 5 amps so you could safely throw 50 to 70 watts of stuff at it which should cover off accessories including an eye light on the camera.