power at DVinfo.net

Leonard Levy · March 26th, 2011, 02:00 AM

what are you guys doing for AC and DC power on this thing.
I was going to use a BC-2U and Swit EX-L96 batts , but then thought hey maybe I should just get a $50 power supply and one of Dolgin's chargers. Even the 2 unit charger wouldn't cost much more than the Sony and give me more and probably faster charging power. His 4 unit chargers would be of course be even faster battery readiness.

How fast is the Sony charger?

How many batteries are you guys finding you need to get through a day with the F3 ?

Lenny

Alister Chapman · March 26th, 2011, 03:01 AM

The Sony charger is not fast. It takes about 3 - 4 hours to charge a BP-U60. One BP-U60 lasts about 2 hours, the swit is similar, so you really want 4 or 5 for a full day. I'm sorting out a V-Lock adapter as this will be better suited to powering both the camera and accessories like monitors and off board recorders.
Using the swits you will need a EX power to 4 pin XLR adapter cable.

Nate Weaver · March 26th, 2011, 03:34 AM

I'm getting by without drama doing full days on 3 BP-U60s, and a BC-1 charger, as long as I put the first battery discharged on charge soon after it comes off the camera.

If I was away from AC power this setup would not work, of course. Or I literally had to stay rolling for 8 hours straight.

Also getting somewhat more than 2 hours on a battery.

For me (just me), I can't bring myself to tack on a VLock somewhere. 2+ hours on a battery is a beautiful thing, to keep this thing light and fast to work with. If I need accy power I'll figure something else out.

Alister Chapman · March 26th, 2011, 03:38 AM

Guess my BP-U60's are getting a little old now, had them a couple of years.

Chris Medico · March 26th, 2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

The Sony charger is not fast. It takes about 3 - 4 hours to charge a BP-U60. One BP-U60 lasts about 2 hours, the swit is similar, so you really want 4 or 5 for a full day. I'm sorting out a V-Lock adapter as this will be better suited to powering both the camera and accessories like monitors and off board recorders.
Using the swits you will need a EX power to 4 pin XLR adapter cable.

Hey Alister,

Would you mind providing a link to a power cable like that? I've found one that would work using the D-Tap connector to XLR but I've not found one that would use the EX1 pigtail on the battery.

Aaron Newsome · March 26th, 2011, 10:56 AM

I don't have any Sony batteries. The camera doesn't come with any. I've got 10 Anton bauers though and that's how I've been powering the F3. It lasts quite a few hours on an Anton Bauer.

Leonard Levy · March 26th, 2011, 11:20 AM

Alex Dolgin just started making a cable for EX charger or swit batts to 12pin .
Right now its 6" but I'm going to check for him if that is ideal
Off hand I'm thinking maybe shorter is better because if I use swit batts and the Sony charger I could keep the pigtail on all the time.
Wary of getting a separate 4pin 12V charger ibecause there might be a tendancy for the 12V pigtail adapter get lost on me when switching to batts. - That's an argument for staying with the Sony batts though. However I like the Dtap idea and have never liked the separate Anton Bauer route as it's always seemed heavy and unwieldy on the EX's. Maybe I should think that one through though, it is a clear solution.

Wasn't there a way to adapt the external dionix type batts to the EX battery connection?. Does that work with the F3? I don't want to have to use rails when handheld.

As you can see I'm thinking aloud here and going in circles. I'll iron it out.

What are you guys using for an AC adapter?
I could use the same kind of Marshall type 12V 5Amp adapter I use for my BTLH80. Around $50 -$80 I think

Suggestions welcome.

Aaron what size are your Anton Bauers and how are they attached?

Andrew Stone · March 26th, 2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

Guess my BP-U60's are getting a little old now, had them a couple of years.

After 2 years, I have found, the batteries generally start to degrade whether they are NiCad or Lithium Ion. The degradation scale is also logarithmic, at least in my experience. My batteries from my EX3 are now 2.5 years old and are showing signs of deterioration.

I am a big fan of the SWIT batteries because the have the D-Tap connector on them. Very useful if you are a nanoFlash user or are powering an eye light. However the Sony batteries are good when you want to have a real handle on the amount of battery time remaining. If I have a big lens on the front, the Anton/V-locks on the back of a shoulder rig are essential for counterbalance. All different tools to get the job done.

Dave Sperling · March 26th, 2011, 11:52 AM

Leonard,
There are a variety of styles of AntonBauer - 4pinXLR adapters. My favorite happens to be one with belt loops, some rubber padding and a 6' cable. It's pretty comfortable wearing it with Dionic90 or Hytron50 batteries, but can become tiresome with the weight of a Hytron140.
I originally got several of these adapters in various styles to power 1x1 sized LED lights (from FloLight, with 4pin XLR inputs) for portable use, but have used them to power a wide variety of monitors and cameras when necessary. The adapter also has a PowerTap plug.
For most purposes I'd still go with an on-board BPU60, but since I'll typically have some A-B batteries with me anyhow, these can provide additional (or with a Hytron140 much longer run time) power when needed.

Bruce Schultz · March 26th, 2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Medico

Hey Alister,

Would you mind providing a link to a power cable like that? I've found one that would work using the D-Tap connector to XLR but I've not found one that would use the EX1 pigtail on the battery.

I've got a couple of these; (second product down)
Product Listing Power Sources

plug your Swit pigtail cable in and keep the D-Tap connector open for powering things like Nano Flash or monitors.

Chris Medico · March 26th, 2011, 12:09 PM

Perfect Bruce, Thanks!

Philipp Eierund · March 26th, 2011, 05:46 PM

Im using an IDX battery plate with a regulated 12V d-tap as well as one unregulated d-tap. From there I'm running a d-tap to XLR cable to my F3 and Aja KI Pro Mini.

I also got a Switronix GPTS V-Mount Hot Swap Adapter so that I can connect two V-lock batteries at the same time. This allows me to switch batteries without needing to power down my entire system. I also provides another d-tap so I could hook up my monitor to the set-up as well.

Aaron Newsome · March 26th, 2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

Aaron what size are your Anton Bauers and how are they attached?

Dionic-90 is the size. I have a Anton Bauer plate that simply has a 6 inch pigtail and a 4-pin XLR that plugs right into the F3. The plate itself has a big slab of velcro on the bottom that I installed myself. It's very sturdy. It also has a D-tap on the plate that I power my lightpanels mini light with. Works pretty well.

Brian Lai · March 27th, 2011, 01:15 AM

Jeff Cree at Burbank Band Pro mentioned the camera will draw around 18-20 V once dual link and S Log becomes engaged - a lot more than what the Sony charger putting out 12V is capable of. Does anyone know what maximum voltage the camera will take before frying? Like plugging in a 24V for instance?

Jim Tittle · March 27th, 2011, 07:53 AM

That seems odd to me. Usually, when a device needs more power, it draws more current (amps), not volts.

March 26th, 2011, 02:00 AM	#1
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	power what are you guys doing for AC and DC power on this thing. I was going to use a BC-2U and Swit EX-L96 batts , but then thought hey maybe I should just get a $50 power supply and one of Dolgin's chargers. Even the 2 unit charger wouldn't cost much more than the Sony and give me more and probably faster charging power. His 4 unit chargers would be of course be even faster battery readiness. How fast is the Sony charger? How many batteries are you guys finding you need to get through a day with the F3 ? Lenny

March 26th, 2011, 03:01 AM	#2
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: power The Sony charger is not fast. It takes about 3 - 4 hours to charge a BP-U60. One BP-U60 lasts about 2 hours, the swit is similar, so you really want 4 or 5 for a full day. I'm sorting out a V-Lock adapter as this will be better suited to powering both the camera and accessories like monitors and off board recorders. Using the swits you will need a EX power to 4 pin XLR adapter cable. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

March 26th, 2011, 03:34 AM	#3
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Re: power I'm getting by without drama doing full days on 3 BP-U60s, and a BC-1 charger, as long as I put the first battery discharged on charge soon after it comes off the camera. If I was away from AC power this setup would not work, of course. Or I literally had to stay rolling for 8 hours straight. Also getting somewhat more than 2 hours on a battery. For me (just me), I can't bring myself to tack on a VLock somewhere. 2+ hours on a battery is a beautiful thing, to keep this thing light and fast to work with. If I need accy power I'll figure something else out. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

March 26th, 2011, 03:38 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: power Guess my BP-U60's are getting a little old now, had them a couple of years. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

March 26th, 2011, 10:56 AM	#6
Aaron Newsome Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 590	Re: power I don't have any Sony batteries. The camera doesn't come with any. I've got 10 Anton bauers though and that's how I've been powering the F3. It lasts quite a few hours on an Anton Bauer.

March 26th, 2011, 11:20 AM	#7
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: power Alex Dolgin just started making a cable for EX charger or swit batts to 12pin . Right now its 6" but I'm going to check for him if that is ideal Off hand I'm thinking maybe shorter is better because if I use swit batts and the Sony charger I could keep the pigtail on all the time. Wary of getting a separate 4pin 12V charger ibecause there might be a tendancy for the 12V pigtail adapter get lost on me when switching to batts. - That's an argument for staying with the Sony batts though. However I like the Dtap idea and have never liked the separate Anton Bauer route as it's always seemed heavy and unwieldy on the EX's. Maybe I should think that one through though, it is a clear solution. Wasn't there a way to adapt the external dionix type batts to the EX battery connection?. Does that work with the F3? I don't want to have to use rails when handheld. As you can see I'm thinking aloud here and going in circles. I'll iron it out. What are you guys using for an AC adapter? I could use the same kind of Marshall type 12V 5Amp adapter I use for my BTLH80. Around $50 -$80 I think Suggestions welcome. Aaron what size are your Anton Bauers and how are they attached?

March 26th, 2011, 11:52 AM	#9
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: power Leonard, There are a variety of styles of AntonBauer - 4pinXLR adapters. My favorite happens to be one with belt loops, some rubber padding and a 6' cable. It's pretty comfortable wearing it with Dionic90 or Hytron50 batteries, but can become tiresome with the weight of a Hytron140. I originally got several of these adapters in various styles to power 1x1 sized LED lights (from FloLight, with 4pin XLR inputs) for portable use, but have used them to power a wide variety of monitors and cameras when necessary. The adapter also has a PowerTap plug. For most purposes I'd still go with an on-board BPU60, but since I'll typically have some A-B batteries with me anyhow, these can provide additional (or with a Hytron140 much longer run time) power when needed.

March 26th, 2011, 12:09 PM	#11
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: power Perfect Bruce, Thanks! __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

March 26th, 2011, 05:46 PM	#12
Philipp Eierund New Boot Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 23	Re: power Im using an IDX battery plate with a regulated 12V d-tap as well as one unregulated d-tap. From there I'm running a d-tap to XLR cable to my F3 and Aja KI Pro Mini. I also got a Switronix GPTS V-Mount Hot Swap Adapter so that I can connect two V-lock batteries at the same time. This allows me to switch batteries without needing to power down my entire system. I also provides another d-tap so I could hook up my monitor to the set-up as well.

March 27th, 2011, 01:15 AM	#14
Brian Lai Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 61	Re: power Jeff Cree at Burbank Band Pro mentioned the camera will draw around 18-20 V once dual link and S Log becomes engaged - a lot more than what the Sony charger putting out 12V is capable of. Does anyone know what maximum voltage the camera will take before frying? Like plugging in a 24V for instance?

March 27th, 2011, 07:53 AM	#15
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	Re: power That seems odd to me. Usually, when a device needs more power, it draws more current (amps), not volts.