my pmw-300
 

well got my pmw-300 nice camera

1. First suprise my Switronix series 7 ex-l96 batteries dont work with the pmw-300 as they did with my ex3.
you get a high voltage warning and the camera shuts down.

2, mounting a long tripod plate covers the shoulder pad release.

the menu is a little different so Im going thru it, more to come

Re: my pmw-300
 

Really? Does it work leaving the pigtail in the battery? Are you using the pigtail to power it? Try using it like it was a PMW-200. (Hopefully you have one of the updated EX96 batteries)

I guess Sony limited the DC IN to 12V if that is the case. They still limit the DC in to curb third-party manufacturers. Not what we want to see, the EX1 and EX3 accepted battery level 16.1V of a fully charged battery through the DC IN port so I'm willing to bet either it's an artificial limit (if you look under the camera, if it still says 10.5V-17V, it's an artificial limit) or the camera has separate DC IN and Battery power converters.

Look under the camera at the DC voltage specs.

Re: my pmw-300
 

When using the battery with out pigtail you get a battery error warning. I played with voltage settings with no luck. I think Switronix "updated" version that it suppose to support use with pmw-100 and pmw-200 will work , Im going to try and find out tomorrow if anyone is open, but it sucks.

Re: my pmw-300
 

What does the bottom of the camera say? 10.5V-17V or something different?

Sucks that you do have the non-updated version of the Switronix battery. If the updated version works, may want to reserve the old one for the EX3 only, or sell it if you're planning to move exclusively to the 300.

Again, Bravo on Sony for re-introducing the DC IN port being outside the battery compartment, but it sucks if they artificially limit it or limit it by electrical design. The artificial limit can be easily bypassed by a Sony firmware update, but a electrical design limit would mean you will have to use the PMW-200 method again, with the DC port only being able to be used by a wall power source.

Re: my pmw-300
 

the bottom says battery 11-17v, i really need a dtap to power my camera light.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Can you take a picture of that sticker minus the serial number?

It may be an artificial limit. Sony should fix this with a firmware update unless they're doing it on purpose. If the bottom indicates that voltage range, there should be no reason the DC IN should be limited.

For now, it looks like you need to treat it like a PMW-200. The DC IN only works for the BC-U1 output of 12V.

I would really want to put shame on Sony if they're still crippling the DC IN after moving it out of the battery compartment.

If the updated Switronix battery won't work with the pigtail plugged into the battery, it's most likely that the battery manufacturers must regulate the pigtail output to 12V in a newer "PMW-300 compatible" battery.

Re: my pmw-300
 

I spoke with BH photo and they say the updated series7 switronix batteries will work with the pmw-300 so I ordered a couple and well see.

Re: my pmw-300
 

I'm assuming it'll work via the "leaving the pigtail in" method. With a PMW-200, you don't need to unplug the pigtail.

Such a shame that Sony decided to limit the DC IN to 12V, thus barring any use of Anton Bauers or V-locks without power regulation at 12V. Basically, you'd need a Hawk-Woods EX3 adapter to use V-mount, which is no longer in production and hard to get outside of the UK.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Another thing that is baffling to me is the shoulder pad release. It is on the bottom of the camera next to your three mounting holes, when you put a tripod plate on (im using a short manfrotto plate) it covers the release. so you have to have the pad extened all the time or take of the plate to get to it.Im really dont know what Sony is thinking,And how much more effort would it have been to have a xlr or other connector for a shotgun mic to be connected with out taking up your xlrs ans take advantage of 4 channel audio with a good mic.

I think i will get a VOCAS shoulder kit which will solve my issues.

I will get new batteries in 2 days and will let you know.

Re: my pmw-300
 

well I got my Switronix ex-l96ud " updated " Batterys thath BH told me support the pmw-300, well They dont work , Im charging one now to test again but this is really annoying.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Was hard to read without punctuation, only just now picked up that it didn't work.

Try the Dolgin EX-V-LH plate with the Switronix battery, (make sure to ask that it regulates the voltage to exactly 12V) and if that doesn't work, may as well complain to Switronix and SWIT to work on it.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Went to my local dealer today that had a PMW-300 in the showroom, and the newest SWIT batteries work on the PMW-300 (S-8U63, the BP-U60 replacement battery from SWIT.)

Switronix batteries will not work until Switronix figures out how to fool the camera into thinking it's a battery without the use of pigtails. (Which SWIT has managed to do)

If you desperately need D-tap, these batteries are pretty much the only choice right now.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Hi Brent,

I've read that the body on the PMW-300 is made of Magnesium, is this true? It still looks like the standard Sony plastic on the photos.

Re: my pmw-300
 

it doesnt feel like plastic.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Great so it is magnesium then, thanks.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Bumping this thread to say that if you REALLY want to use your Switronix 96wh on the PMW-300, Hawk-Woods has a regulated battery plate in the form of the HB-C1 power adapter for BP-U batteries. Leave your pigtail in on your 96wh (or older SWIT S-U8U62) battery and connect the output of this thing to the DC-IN of your 300 and you should be set to go. If you leave a real BP-U60 in the camera, it gets even better, as you can hot-swap your Switronix batteries without powering down the camera.

HB-C1 /HBC1 Hot-Bloc Power Adaptor / Hot-Shoe System

Re: my pmw-300
 

How would you mount this on a PMW-300? Can it somehow fit on the shoulder extender?

Re: my pmw-300
 

you wont need this Switronix will shortly have a l96 battery that works directly with the pmw-300 no adapters or need to plug into power port

Re: my pmw-300
 

The Switronix battery I just bought which B&H called the updated version EX-L96UD will not work. See my thread. Nothing over 13 volts will work with the PMW300. So if you know different then please tell me where you read or heard that Switronics has a battery that will work. I wrote about this in another thread.

Re: my pmw-300
 

yes I know, I went threw the same situation I bought the updated batteries and they didnt work, There was a workaround with a custom voltage regulator. Anyways IM Beta testing a l96 switronix battery that they Switronix sent me, it works really well, gives you a minutes reading in your viewfinder and doesnt need to be plugges into the power port on camera, and has a dtap. I dont know when it will be released to public

Brent

Re: my pmw-300
 

Thanks Brent! I am sitting here waiting for the pre-paid label for shipping to arrive from B&H so send back the UD version. I was about to pull the trigger on two Sony batteries but will wait a couple weeks and see if the one you are testing is released. I too have begun building a "Buck" unit to work with my V-lock batteries using the rail plate. I think its excellent that Switronix are working on one and it does not surprise me that Ikan are doing nothing.
Please keep us posted and thanks again for the update. I still think it is inexcusable that B&H and makers don't update their catalogue listings to make people aware or at the very least in B&H's case their staff.

Re: my pmw-300
 

I spoke with Vinny from Swiftronix today about their battery and the issues that many might be dealing with at B&H and other Swiftronix dealers. First and foremost Vinny told me that B&H were aware of the issue with the PMW 300 K1 and their battery. B&H had been informed that the battery they were selling the EX-L96UD would not work with the PMW300K1. He also said that Swiftronix are working on a new version of the batter that is in Beta testing right now that does work. This has been confirmed by Brent who is a member of DVInfo.net and that they hope to have the battery on the market in the next month to six weeks. It is said to give accurate readings on the in camera display as well as not require the use of the external pigtail and comes with a D tap connector for accessories.
Can't wait for it!
Done with this thread I hope!

Re: my pmw-300
 

i HATE PEOPLE WHO SAY I TOLD YOU SO





I told u so

hahahahahahhaha

Re: my pmw-300
 

So I picked up two batteries over the weekend for my PMW300. I got them from DOLGIN Engineering.
Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Products
Alex Dolgin replied to one of my many goup posts with a fix for the problem. He sells batteries that work perfectly with the PMW300 K1. They are 63Wh batteries with not only a D-Tap power outlet but also a USB out. This means I can run my PMW300, Zylight and HDMI transmitter all off one battery.
Dolgin's reputation and products along with anything he reps or sells is nothing less than top notch. I am so freaking happy to have great batteries that display on my viewfinder and work with my camera. So for those of you looking check out his website. I will be ordering more soon.
Brian

Re: my pmw-300
 

Is it this particular battery?

S-8U63 for Sony PMW-100/200/300 cameras [S-8U63] - $205.00 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Products

Re: my pmw-300
 

Yes that is the battery. Works wonderfully and I am surprised how little power the PMW300 consumes or how long this lasts whichever you wish.
Cheers

Re: my pmw-300
 

It's been a while, and I have not heard of anything from Switronix regarding their coded 96wh BP-U battery.

In the meantime, my EX-L96UD just died. (see my other thread on it) I really wish I could exchange one for the other.

Re: my pmw-300
 

On a side note, the S-8U63 battery is $205USD, versus $300-ish for the Sony -60 model over here. Looks attractive until you realise that the cheapest shipping is $67 and even then you still have currency conversion to go ... bringing it to $294AUD.

I think I might just buy the official Sony battery and be done with it. (sigh)

Andrew

Re: my pmw-300
 

I kind of got lucky and had a trip to China (where they manufacture the SWIT batteries) and got it for $130 (USD) with no import fees. Just charged it and it works great. It basically fools the camera into thinking it's a BP-U60, unlike the Switronix which only fools the camera into thinking the battery is the DC IN.

Hope Switronix really can follow this up, cause my EX-L96UD definitely needs replacing. I may just sell my RMA to somebody to get the new Switronix.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Back on the coded 96wh battery topic, I still have not seen any news so now I have doubts on whether it will release. It may be this recent problem with the EX-L96UDs that may have delayed the release of this next one.

Would be nice to hear official word on an estimated release date.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Well, it's September and Switronix is still silent.

Losing hope we'll ever see this supposed battery and that Brent may be the only person in the world to own such a battery.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Closing in on 2 NABs passed and nothing.

Buy a bunch of SWIT S-8U63s people and move on, people. Switronix has made the coded 96wh battery vaporware.

Re: my pmw-300
 

SWIT has their version of 96 WH in the works, will post when have delivery information.

Re: my pmw-300
 

The Chinese SWIT? If they make a 96wh that would be the one to get since the USA Switronix has failed us.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Correct, SWIT, not related to Switronics of NY.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Closing in on a year since I've had my SWIT S-8U63 and it hasn't failed yet. Hoping for the best that SWIT of Nanjing can make a 96wh battery that lasts just as long as the 8U63s.

Re: my pmw-300
 

SWIT is introducing a bigger brother to their S-8U63 battery, it is 86wh capacity, the same size and weight as S-8U63. D-tap/USB. Will be shipping later this Spring.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Very nice! I'll be getting the 93 to future proof myself in the short term while selling my Switronix & Swit S-8U62 to finally rid myself of pigtails. I did jump the gun and bought a 63 before they updated them for the later cameras, but you can never catch up if Sony decides to keep changing the protocol.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Hey guys I made a little custom voltage regulator with one of these:

12v regulator

I replaced the in and out on the regulator with MJ204 bits and just attach it with velcro onto the back of my aftermarket batteries. I have been running it for 6 months and it works a treat.

Re: my pmw-300
 

Can I run a 100watt halogen camera light off the D-tap? :)

I can dream can't I!?

Paul