FS7: 3rd party batteries

E

Erik Wittbusch

Well-known member
Hi,

the FS7 uses the latest Sony technology to exclude "wrong" batterie use.
Therefore 3rd party batteries don't work when attached to the batterie slot.
You have to use the DC in with a D-Tap from the battery.

I want to use 3rd party batteries with separate outputs for external display
and/or wireless receiver. I already have 1 BP-U30 and one BP-U60 from
Sony but need at least 2-3 more BP-U60 sized batteries.

Has anybody had success using any 3rd party battery?

THX
 
I've emailed Hawk-Woods about their Sony-type batteries. Will post the reply when it arrives.

Would be great to have a 'confirmed working' list :)
 
For what it's worth I went through several battery issues with my PMW300K1 which uses the same new battery tech. Alex Dolgin sells a 3rd party battery that works and has a D tap. He is a longtime member and sponsor and stands behind what he sells.
 
They're apparently discontinued, but the SWIT S-8U62 batteries work by using a tail to attach to the DC in. I know because I've personally tested.
 
I'd want to see more reviews before purchasing, but the following review on the Watson BPU60 clone on B & H for $149 looks promising:

Good off brand option


badge_vp_en_US.gif



Seems to hold a charge just as long as the Sony brand BP-U60, has the same power indicators & is recognized by my camera without fault. This Watson alternative seems to be just as good as the on brand Sony but with a much better price point.

 
The one Alex sells and works is a Swit 8U63. It has a d-tap and works in the battery slot.no DC cable required. Don't buy the IKAN! It does not work. You should have a Swit dealer in the UK or EU.
 
I apologize Ben! My understanding was it was supposed to work with all the PMW cameras. Sony does it again! So sorry I should have checked.
 
BrianMurphy said:
For what it's worth I went through several battery issues with my PMW300K1 which uses the same new battery tech. Alex Dolgin sells a 3rd party battery that works and has a D tap. He is a longtime member and sponsor and stands behind what he sells.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the plug Brian, normally I would suggest one of the models made by SWIT due to their great engineering and support. But unfortunately I just received a note from them that their S-8U63 does not work with the new FS7 camera. Knowing SWIT, they will get it solved, and I will be the first to know.
P.S As Ben Scott mentioned, US mail does not accept Li-Ion batteries for Intl. Shipping for a while now. Using Fedex/UPS makes it very very expensive.
 
BrianMurphy said:
I apologize Ben! My understanding was it was supposed to work with all the PMW cameras. Sony does it again! So sorry I should have checked.
Click to expand...
What everyone needs to understand is the following:
1. Official Sony batteries are a profit center for Sony.
2. The Sony batteries do not just provide power - they also have a microchip that communicates with the camera.
3. Sony intentionally has the cameras reject batteries that don't provide this proprietary communication to the camera.
4. Some battery manufacturers have successfully emulated this communication.
5. In response, Sony has clearly found ways to detect this emulation and disable it.

In net total - I suggest not trusting third party batteries that promise battery port power. Even if they work today there is no guarantee that they will not be disabled by future firmware. Furthermore, as the camera is still in an early firmware state, I doubt any of us can afford to not update our firmware when they are made available.

Battery options that use the DC in will be far more reliable.
 
The DC cable in option in my case did not work. I am sure Alex could say why but the short version i believe is precise voltage. The stupidity is that with all we connect and attach to our cameras a SONY V-lock or AB Gold is a much better option. I follow this because moving forward my FS100 with its easy to power options will soon be retired perhaps for a F7.
 
BrianMurphy said:
The DC cable in option in my case did not work. I am sure Alex could say why but the short version i believe is precise voltage. The stupidity is that with all we connect and attach to our cameras a SONY V-lock or AB Gold is a much better option. I follow this because moving forward my FS100 with its easy to power options will soon be retired perhaps for a F7.
Click to expand...

I'd love to hear more about this. Power in ports are for unregulated 12v, which can be as high as 16volt. The camera should not reject a DC in power source that is operating between 11v-16v.
 
So Brian and I exchanged PMs. I want to clarify for readers of this thread that Brian is speaking specifically of an experience on the PMW-300, not the FS7. The PMW-300 apparently has a limit on it's DC in port, rejecting any inputs over 12.5volts. That means it requires a *regulated* 12volt power supply. The FS7 however will accept unregulated 12volt power via it's DC in port. It's a key difference.
 
My apologies again if I caused some confusion. I was under the impression that the whole Sony PMW line using BP-U## batteries was affected by the same issue described above. It seems not.I have since found an adapter for V-Lock batteries from DM Accessories that has a regulator built into a battery plate.
 
1 - Everything Viddovation says above:)
Ever have a problem using a Sony L battery in some devices? Sony has a few times changed little details about the grooves in the housing so they can't be used in all devices. Is this intentional ? - I don't know but I have a lot of even original Sony L batts marked - "Don't use with alfatron", "don't use with Samurai…." "Don't use with x light" etc

2- I have 7 Swit & Switronics batts with the pigtail. They work great on my F3 and EX-1 and I have seen a pic of someone using them on an FS7 . Also the FS7 Manual shows a menu item for aligning with battery voltage .

3 - The Pigtail is a PLUS. I prefer it to a Sony batt. - I have adapters that go to DC 2.2mm and 4 pin XLR for the pigtail so I can power all kinds of cameras. monitors, recorders, LED's etc. Plus you get a P-tap. Very versatile.

4. The Swit etc batts are electrically the same as a V mount and for $60+ Dolgin will sell you a V mount adapter that I use on lots of stuff including my 1x1 LED's. A Dolgin adapter + a pigtail BPU60/90 becomes aa great V mount that for some reason are available much cheaper on the web.

There's a lot to like.

Lenny
 
Lenilenapi said:
1 - Everything Viddovation says above:)
Ever have a problem using a Sony L battery in some devices? Sony has a few times changed little details about the grooves in the housing so they can't be used in all devices. Is this intentional ? - I don't know but I have a lot of even original Sony L batts marked - "Don't use with alfatron", "don't use with Samurai…." "Don't use with x light" etc

2- I have 7 Swit & Switronics batts with the pigtail. They work great on my F3 and EX-1 and I have seen a pic of someone using them on an FS7 . Also the FS7 Manual shows a menu item for aligning with battery voltage .

3 - The Pigtail is a PLUS. I prefer it to a Sony batt. - I have adapters that go to DC 2.2mm and 4 pin XLR for the pigtail so I can power all kinds of cameras. monitors, recorders, LED's etc. Plus you get a P-tap. Very versatile.

4. The Swit etc batts are electrically the same as a V mount and for $60+ Dolgin will sell you a V mount adapter that I use on lots of stuff including my 1x1 LED's. A Dolgin adapter + a pigtail BPU60/90 becomes aa great V mount that for some reason are available much cheaper on the web.

There's a lot to like.

Lenny
Click to expand...

Totally. I was really bummed when the SWIT batteries I bought didn't work in the camera. I would prefer to have the batteries work natively (not just use the D-tap or DC plug) because I want to use those to power other things, such as EVF, monitor, etc.

If SWIT makes new chipped batteries with D-tap and USB, I'll buy them in a heartbeat.
 
Josh,
Maybe i'm missing something , but I don't understand the big deal about getting chipped batteries. Just get a pig tail battery with D tap then D tap, then just get D tap cable out for your other items, you can get them split 2 3 or even 4 ways. Your using the same amount of battery power. Its just one extra wire and more ultimate flexibility.
 
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