Anton Bauer Adaptor - For What It's Worth - works well
 

Had to expedite an order from B&H to have it arrive last Friday after Thanksgiving for a weekend rental. Showed up fine, easy to install, and doesn't seem to slip (you kind of expect it to - funky looking design compared to other mounts - but it's what they had to do to hit those recessed pins).

So far a nice solution - far better than the stock batt. I only had one Hytron 50 around and sent a Hytron 100 as well. Got them through the shoot. The Hytron 50 is a nice fit for it. Will look for a couple of Dionic 90's next year for similar size and greater output.

Just an FYI - well worth the couple of bucks ($180 I think).

Best regards,
Shawn

I've also been very happy with my AB mount. I'm using Swit 88Whr batteries and getting at least 5 hours per battery in the cold.
Someone else was asking me for info on Swit batteries, so here it is:

The ones I use are the S-8080A for Anton Bauer Gold Mount.
http://www.swit-battery.com/new/engl...D=200492133432

If you prefer the IDX V-Mount mount, they also make 88Whr V-Mount versions: http://www.swit-battery.com/new/engl...=2004829204324

They also make bigger batteries (7~8 hours?): 126Whr: http://www.swit-battery.com/new/engl...D=200492142823

190Whr (up to 11 hours?): http://www.swit-battery.com/new/engl...D=200492145235

The HD100 draws 17W of power, so divide the Whr rating by 17 and you should get an approximate runtime in ideal conditions.

This is the charger I have. Charges 2 batteries simultaneously!
http://www.swit-battery.com/new/engl...D=200492164948

I had never heard of Swit until my dealer directed me to their website. I must say I am very happy with the quality, and the overall cost was much lower than with AB batteries.

Where to buy?
 

Tim, thank you for the tip on Swit batteries. I can't find a US dealer for the product. Do you have the name of a online store that carries these batteries?

TIA

--
Paolo

I don't buy anything through online dealers, so no I don't know. I use my local JVC dealer, who also happens to be a dealer for Sony, Swit, Anton Bauer, Focus, Cavision, Avid, etc.
However, if you prefer and online dealer, you can check out some of the sponsors of dvinfo like B&H or EVS. They are reputable and endorsed by dvinfo so you should receive good service.
http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/index.php
I haven't searched any of their sites for 3rd party AB mount batteries yet.

Online/BM dealers
 

I live in Santa Cruz and there are no dealers around here that carry professional video equipment. Closed source is San Jose so the Web is convenient for me.
B&H doesn't carry those batteries and I could not find any other on-line source.

Thanks anyway. BTW, could you confirm or not that your HD100 has "play" in the iris ring? I'm trying to decide if I need to contact JVC for this.

Take care.

--
Paolo

Most lenses of this design have a little 'play' in the iris ring. My 2/3" Fujinon lens had it and the one on the HD100 has it too. It's not a lot, just a little 'wiggle', maybe a 1/4 or less of an f-stop.

Perfect! Thank you vey much, now I feel better :)

--
Paolo

It looks like Global Media Pro has some cheap AB Gold Mount batteries, but I've never used them and they're not a sponsor of dvinfo, so I'm not sure what they are like as a retailer. Maybe someone else has used these batteries and can advise you. http://globalmediapro.com/do/category/batteries

BTW, as Jiri pointed out, a little play in the iris ring is normal, but shouldn't be enough to actually change the iris. Do you see an exposure change?

I'm going to buying some of these very soon. I'll be sure to report back when I get them.

Thanks and thanks. No, I don't get any exposure change. I thought it was normal but I have no previous experience with camcorders of this level so I had no reference point :)

--
Paolo

I have one Swit 8080 and have been using it for some time and have nothing but priase for it. However the Global Media batteries are about 60% the cost of the Swit (here) and apparently just as good if not better. A collegue claims the GM batteries are rebadges Sony BP-GL batteries. If so, you can't go wrong with them. My next V-Mount will definely be a GM.

PS: The Varizoom batteries are just rebadged Swit. Even the model numbers are the same.

Look at the Globalmedia V-Mount charger
http://globalmediapro.com/do/product/1414

4 simultaneous charging ports, AC Adaptor for only AU$510

FYI.

I use two Dionic Anton Bauer batteries (last about 5-6 hours).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I connect to my HD100U with the ANTON BAUER QRJVC7/14HDV BRACKET.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I charge using the Anton bauer Quad2702.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Now, by doing some research I ended up probably saving over $200 compared to B&H prices.

I haven't done any major lengthy shoots yet so I am not sure how long it will last, but I was told it could power the camera for at LEAST 5 hours. I eventually will get additionall two batteries to be safe. Charging seems smooth like a baby's butt.

Anyone using the PAG battery solution and adapter? I have a PAG battery kit, already and read an announcement of a hd100u kit, but i'm not sure whether to use the AB-pag batteries with the A-B mount or wait for the PAG branded power adapter.

http://www.pagusa.com/jvchd100c.htm

I'm using their 95wH batteries with an AB mount - and their two channel simultaenous charger - works well. No fuel readout, but I don't think anybody has that working, even with the Dionics. Easily did a 3 hour concert on 1 battery and still not discharged.

I've bought from GMP twice with no complaints (batteries and charger, DSR1500AP) although I believe you are better ordering only in stock items. Makes sense for me being located in NZ the freight is cheaper.

I would also highly recommend B&H although I don't know what batts they carry.

Help me understand guys...

I never really understood the advantage of spending big bucks for Anto Bauer batteries for a camera that didn't come standard for them. Why pay for adapters and expensive batteries and chargers and all that....when you can simply use the battery system the camera comes with and if need-be simply buy larger replacement batteries for less?

- ShannonRawls.com

Because of the inconvenience of powering down and swapping batteries every 45 minutes during a shoot, not to mention the extra weight moves the centre of gravity back to the shoulder - resulting in steadier hand-held shots.

So don't use 45 minute batteries. Use 3 & 4 hour batteries readily available for $15. Powering down is what we all have to do regardless of the battery type so I still don't see the main advantage. The only plus (if you call it that) is the weight distribution, but for $400-600 bucks, that's an awfully expensive paper weight.

- Shannon

Do you have a model number for these batteries? And have you actually used them on the camera for 3 hours?

I know of no JVC style batteries that would last 3 or 4 hours - let alone for $15.

The battery that ships with the JVC HD100 is a 2800mAh battery. The HD100 draws 17W.

So 2800mAh = 2.8Ah

Wh = Ah x Voltage, therefore the JVC BN-V428U is a 20.1Wh battery. (2.8Ah x 7.2v)

Divide 20.1Wh by 17W and the camera should run for 1.18 hours (just over an hour.) That is probably a fair estimate, but in reality the voltage drops below 7v after about 45 to 55 minutes.

In contrast, my 88Wh AB batteries will run for over 5 hours (88Wh divided by 17W)

If you could find a JVC style battery that lasted 3 hours on this camera, it would need to be 51Wh, or over 7000 mAh.

I believe that the BN-V428U is the largest battery JVC sells (2800mAh) and they sell it for $89.99.
http://www.jvcservice.com/store/Prod...?part=BN-V428U

Now you may be confused my marketing statements claiming 4 hours of operation time - but keep in mind they are given a best-case scenario using a little handycam. Just look at the fine print that says "Naturally, depending on your model, feature usage, etc will affect power consumption and battery life."
Maybe you could find OEM third party batteries that are larger, but you will need 7000+mAh battery 3 hours of run-time.

I absolutely do:
http://www.power101.com/item.htm?id=60010 BP-945 for the XL series. I have 4 of these for my XL1s, and just ordered 3 more for my XL-H1. On my XL1s they each last "AT LEAST" 3 hours of continuous operation.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NP-F960-F950-F93...QQcmdZViewItem for Sony. This is an ebay link, because power101 has sold out because they are cheaper (about $16 bucks each), but I have bought 4 of these from powere101 for my Z1U and they each last "AT LEAST" 3 hours as well. (more like 4-5 hours of normal use)

For JVC...I can't answer...because my DV500 uses an NP style battery. On the HD100 it's obviously different. If nobody makes a high MaH battery for the JVC, then I can understand you guys' frustration and see why you're forced to buy Anton Bauer stuff. For Sony & Canon (who both have AB adapters) it makes no sense to me.

- ShannonRawls.com