Batteries for GH-1

[Tim Joy]

So are the ebay Hong-Kong cheapos any good?

[Jackson Miller]

1) They have those already?

2) Are they ever good? no, not really. Too risky.

I think some third party batteries are okay but if it is under half the price than you know the quality will suck. I would try to get a third party batt from a reputable company.


On a side note, does anybody know how much time the standard battery gives you with the lcd on? Are their any higher capacity batteries out there or do the standard ones last long enough?

[SonicStates]

I haven't timed per se, but the standard lasts pretty well. I have been running with lcd screen on brightest as the intelligent eco function just annoys me. That coupled with the fact that it takes 2 hours to fully recharge...grab 2 or 3 and you'll be set

[DonalDuc]

I think 3rd party batteries often come out of the same (chinese) machine - no camera manufacturer produces batteries.
Why pay € 90 for an original Lumix battery if you get for same price 12 Chinese batteries http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif They don't explode and
burn your house.

A "high" camera price nobody forces to buy expensive (not worth) batteries. $ 10 are enough http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I'm using instead original Canon inkjet cartridges for € 13.99 "nonames" for € 0.60 (or DIY refill for € 0.30 -
refilled within 1 minute) - same quality. Instead Canon batteries for € 70 such for € 4.99 .. with golden contacts
... original have tinned contacts.

http://666kb.com/i/b9ga06r9flbijaxaf.jpg

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=g1+battery+lumix&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=g1+battery&_osacat=0

[SonicStates]

I hadn't even priced the batteries yet but I wouldn't be surprised. If the Chinese (or whichever) batteries work and have a good track record, sure.

EDIT: Thanks for the link BTW

[Jackson Miller]

I think 3rd party batteries often come out of the same (chinese) machine - no camera manufacturer produces batteries.
Why pay € 90 for an original Lumix battery if you get for same price 12 Chinese batteries http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif They don't explode and
burn your house.

A "high" camera price nobody forces to buy expensive (not worth) batteries. $ 10 are enough http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I'm using instead original Canon inkjet cartridges for € 13.99 "nonames" for € 0.60 (or DIY refill for € 0.30 -
refilled within 1 minute) - same quality. Instead Canon batteries for € 70 such for € 4.99 .. with golden contacts
... original have tinned contacts.

http://666kb.com/i/b9ga06r9flbijaxaf.jpg

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=g1+battery+lumix&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=g1+battery&_osacat=0

Trust me. Some of them are crappy. Some are not. Do your research, but there are DEFINITELY some batteries that suck, and those mainly come out of china. I am sure some good ones come out of china too. But bad ones can cause complications. I used a chinese one for my HF10 and my camera could not read it to see how much battery time was left. That was really annoying. I have heard of some worse problems. I guess I would rather just have dependable batteries. Also, if there is a big enough fluctuation or the battery fails/becomes unhooked while you are recording, the file can be/will be lost depending on the camera.

Anyways, take the DVXuser batteries for example. I would have no problem ordering one of those because I know they are quality batteries. They are something like 1/2-1/3 the cost of panasonics batteries. So if someone finds a GH-1 third party battery that is of thast quality then I think that would be great. Just be careful.

[Jackson Miller]

Oh, can someone make an estimate about the batteries please? About how long they last? I just wanna get an idea of how many I need.

Thanks.

[DonalDuc]

It's hard to say ... depending on manufacturer. My Canon's (original 1100 mAh, 3rd party 1250 mAh) last long enough :-)

Trust me. Some of them are crappy. Some are not.

hehe, for a twelfth of price you can try some of them :-)))))

[QTI]

I just bought one yesterday at HK$150, about US$20. Will see how it goes. I was told the batteries are assembled in China, but the cell of the one I bought was made in Japan (as the device is pretty complicated blah blah...). Who knows.

An original Panny battery costs HK$680, so I guess not much harm trying. But I do agree better be careful. I wouldn't put the battery on the charger before I go to bed. :)

[paulgandersman]

im thinking about buying one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DMW-BLB13-Battery-Charger-for-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G1_W0QQitemZ360153560240QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBatteri es_Chargers?hash=item53dad334b0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

doesn't seem like a bad idea to have another battery and another charger running, not a bad price either. (i've already ordered another $70 battery from panasonic. so with this ebay puppy i'll have 3 and two chargers!)

[timbook2]

does anybody know if a battery grip exists for the GH1 ?

[Jason Ramsey]

So, would you guys be interested in a dvxuser battery for the gh1?

Just checking as we're about to refresh our stock and are considering adding some others to our product line that may fill a need amongst our members.

We'd probably be looking at a 1300mah GH1 compatible battery carrying probably a one year warranty and running under 30 bucks.... *maybe* 28-29 bucks or something like that. This is all just ballpark, but thought I would throw it out there, and if there is interest, we may start offering gh1 batteries as well..

later,
Jason

[Mike@AF]

If I do get a GH1 (right now I'm about 70% sure I will) I'd buy at least 2.

[Jackson Miller]

So, would you guys be interested in a dvxuser battery for the gh1?

Just checking as we're about to refresh our stock and are considering adding some others to our product line that may fill a need amongst our members.

We'd probably be looking at a 1300mah GH1 compatible battery carrying probably a one year warranty and running under 30 bucks.... *maybe* 28-29 bucks or something like that. This is all just ballpark, but thought I would throw it out there, and if there is interest, we may start offering gh1 batteries as well..

later,
Jason

Oh definitely. Two for me.

[Final Design Studios]

If you can get around this...then hell yeah I'll buy a couple.

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/info/dsc_battery.html

[Ben_B]

Ok first of all I like their bsing about why it is "for your safety..." hahahaha...for panasonic's safety. Whatever if they bundle that firmware update with improvements to video codec I'll get it, else why even bother?

[tonydvcoste]

i will buy two batteries from dvxuser for sure, until then i'm very hesitant to buy from a chinese company. also, panasonic is trying to drive more business to themselves, i'm sickened because my GH1 might show up tomorrow so i had to go buy a class 6 card, unfortunately it was my only choice but to get a panasonic one, at a local big box store, 150 bucks for 16gb, a card that will do the same job just as well costs 50 bucks online. panasonic makes a killing off these cards, bastards!

[Mike@AF]

So, would you guys be interested in a dvxuser battery for the gh1?

Just checking as we're about to refresh our stock and are considering adding some others to our product line that may fill a need amongst our members.

We'd probably be looking at a 1300mah GH1 compatible battery carrying probably a one year warranty and running under 30 bucks.... *maybe* 28-29 bucks or something like that. This is all just ballpark, but thought I would throw it out there, and if there is interest, we may start offering gh1 batteries as well..

So is this going to happen? I just put a GH1 on order at both Amazon and Adorama and wondering if I should order extra batteries now or wait for DVXuser branded? Would like to support the forum by buying them here if I can.

[Jason Ramsey]

we're getting some more batteries and bringing them back online soon, but the gh1 battery was kind of just a thought.

That link provided above though kinda makes it discouraging...

Later,
Jason

[adolgin]

Jason it is for "protection of our customers" ;-)
It used to be Sony was only one who cared...

[Tim Joy]

I have one hong kong $12 battery and one 'from-the-US, cells made in japan' $25 battery waiting for mondays delivery of the cam. Will report after being the guinea pig.

[Jason Ramsey]

Jason it is for "protection of our customers" ;-)
It used to be Sony was only one who cared...

:)

Later,
Jason

[Bishaway]

Hi guys

I am looking to buy genuine battery from B&H but realised the US model number is DMW-BLB13 whilst the Europe and Australian is DMW-BLB13E. After asking the question B&H recon that it may be different ampage which Pana doesn't recomend in risk of buring out the camera.

Has any EU or OZ buyers bought the Non *E model for their PAL cameras?

I did see that all the 3rd party suppliers say their batt is compatible with both models but then you can only use theirs if the firmware isn't 1.1.

[yslee]

Have you checked the difference? My DMW-BLB13E is 7.2v at 1250mAh.

[Bishaway]

yeah the specs are identical, and even the AU Pana site says the model is DMW-BLB13 not DMW-BLB13E so Pana has some explaining to do.