5D Battery Question
 

So I'm really close now to being able to purchase a 5D, my question is, will the battery that comes with the camera be enough to handle shooting video exclusively, or do you all recommend a particular extra battery for longer shoots? Also, is there a power adapter available for the 5D so I can just plug into the wall if I'm on an indor set?

I did use the "Search" first but was unable to find the answers I needed.

Thanks for all your help,

Yes, the Canon battery will shoot video exclusively if that's what you do (it's what we do). Experience tells me to swap battery each time I swap out a full 32GB card (approx 96 mins of shooting). If you need longer, buy more batteries. I think we are up to 13 or 14 batteries now, only 3 of which are genuine Canon.

Thanks so much Dave!

What about a power adapter that plugs into a wall so you dont need any battery for long indoor shoots? Does anything like that exist for the 5D?

In my life, I have had enough trouble with AC power and audio hum that, when possible, I avoid it. In a camera where I can't monitor the audio that the camera is actually recording, that is even more true.

In the old days, a NP-1 battery would get you 20 minutes of time. These days, one of those tiny little Canon batteries will last you for an hour or more, and it's easy to charge and carry a dozen of them.

Furthermore, the 5D is complicated enough to shoot video on. I don't need one more battery door that won't shot and another cable coming from the camera.

Danny,

If you feel you need more battery power you can also add Canon's BG-E6 battery grip. It lets you run two batteries at once or run the camera on 6 AA batteries. There is also a less expensive Chinese one available.

I have one but only use it when I'm using the camera for long time laps sequences because it does make the camera more bulky.

As Mike says it's easy to carry several Canon batteries around and they are quick to change.

Mike, Don't you miss the days of running around with NP-1's jammed in your back pockets?

cheers

Morton

there is a power adapter, and I have used it. Canon labels it the AC-E6 power adapter They label the actual dummy battery that goes in the battery bay DC Coupler DR-E6. Some people are adapting that coupler to other power sources too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...tt=Canon+AC+E6

By the way, no hummm.

However, you may find it as simple and cheaper to buy batteries that are not Canon OEM. They are now available with chips that make them operate the same as Canon originals- for around $15 on ebay. Be sure to get the ones that say they act exactly like original batteries. Others are sold for even cheaper, and will work, but when you start camera with one, you have to accept it use in a query, and once running, camera will not give you a battery condition information.

Very cool and informative!

Thanks for the info everybody!

I don't miss NP-1's and I ESPECIALLY don't miss Anton Bauer bricks! Labeled "the brick" because they were the size, weight, and held approximately the same charge as a masonry brick. Ugh.

Danny, LA Color Shop is a sponsor of these forums and sells the "chipped" Canon batteries. They are more expensive than the ebay variety, but it does come with a name behind it and some support. Consider using them.

"because they were the size, weight, and held approximately the same charge as a masonry brick."

To be my funny quote of the week.....

In addition to extra batteries, I'd also recommend getting an extended battery-grip that holds two batteries. There are aftermarket grips that aren't too expensive and work as well as Canon's own -- I got a BG-E6 grip + 2 batteries on eBay for just $80 (incl. ship).

http://www.prophotographygear.com/im...Gripc5d_4.jpeg

-- peer

I have heard of mixing a info-chipped battery (either canon brand or other decoded battery) with one without info-chip will work with the battery grib. I never tried.

Canon brand LP-E6 is just way too expensive, more like a rip off. We do have the fully decoded battery that runs just like the canon battery.

LP-E6 Fully Decoded Battery for Canon 5D, 7D, 60D | L.A. Color Online

Yeah there're a lot of cheaper ones out in eBay. But there're plenty horrible stories about extra cheap generic batteries.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Here is a good deal on batteries on Amazon I have at least eight of these and rotate them with four charging four in the field. I will be getting more if I get a battery powered monitor.


No problems so far and they last and work just like the Canon batteries.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Those are the generic batteries without the info-chip. It won't report remaining battery level on LCD screen on 5D Mark II. Also can't use the canon charger too. Is that right?

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

That is totally WRONG! The battery level indicator works and they can be charged with the Canon charger.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

That's cool. There're some comments on the product page too. Are you using it with 5D Mark II ?

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Yes, I am, as well as two or three Canon batteries, the 1st AC is responsible for the batteries, changing them, recharging them. You cannot tell the difference as they swap them in and out during a shoot.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Some comments? Almost every single review there says that they do not charge in the Canon charger or communicate with the camera to show the amount of charge remaining. Bill, I don't think that you linked to the right product as there are batteries for sale on Amazon that are identical to the Canon ones but they certainly don't cost $8.66 each! e.g. these at $32.95

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Not only is that the correct one I ordered two more from them. And to the nay sayers I will pull out my Canon charger and use it! ;)

Edit: I added a photo of one of these batteries chargded in my Canon charger spend more if you wish but they do work.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Just to expand the discussion - many, many professional video battery companies have noticed the DSLR trend and are now supplying power options for the DSLR shooter.

For example, the Switronic powerbase 70 is designed to mount between the tripod and DSLR and provides WAY more power than the small internal Canon batteries along with a D-tap for small on-camera eye lights.

And even the venerable Anton Bauer folks have new DSLR friendly power solutions.

Things are changing fast. It's the way of modern life.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

I ordered two pair of Bill's batteries. I'll be the tie-breaker when they arrive. :-)

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

I want to know too!

There're generic batteries that doens't have the info chip. You can use it with 5D mark II but it won't show remaining battery level. Also, it won't be charged using the stock canon charger. Those batteries are very inexpensive. The other with the info-chip will function just like the Canon batteries.

However, that's only 5D mark II and 7D has this restriction. The original 5D (the one with 13 megapixel sensor) will take all generic batteries.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

I got two more from ebay the other day. I bought the ones that said 2 decoded batteries. These sold for a about $26.00 a pair with free shipping. (Bill's are $8 and something plus shipping each. They will charge shipping for each battery.) They charge in the Canon charger. I now have 4 chipped ( 1 canon, 3 so called decoded or chipped.) I also have 4 of the undecoded ones which I bought for about $ 6.00 each plus shipping.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

Here is an image of the display of my Canon 5D MkII I am using one of the generic batteries, oh look the battery level is displayed! As you can see in the post above it is charded by the Canon charger! Oh my! :)

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

The new batteries arrive just minutes ago, they are not the same as the ones it got before and did NOT work with the Canon charger.

They are of a different manufactiurer, and the lableing is much different. So much for a good thing. :(

Tossed one in an aftermarket charger may guess is it will not show up in the cameras display. :(

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

I have 2 of those same exact batteries that Bill ordered previously from Amazon and can confirm that they charge via Canon's charger and indicate the battery level on the 5D.

I hope if I need to get more in the future, I can get the chipped ones again.

Oh, beware of those ultra cheap LP-E6 aftermarket chargers. I've had frustrating experiences on both Amazon and eBay.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

What no photograph to prove what dolts we are for doubting you?:-) Only kidding. There are clearly two grades of 3rd-party battery. Ultra cheap that have no info chip & the more expensive but far cheaper than Canon that do have the info chip. The Amazon listing you linked to doesn't make any claim that they are chipped & all of the reviews state that they are not so I think that you just got lucky & got shipped the wrong batteries first time round.

Re: 5D Battery Question
 

For the record we just got a bunch of these because cold weather, arctic temps just eat these batteries. They cost around $12 each, charge in the Canon charger and have a battery level readout. Haven't got a chance to really assess the most important part though - performance.