GH2 6-7 hour shoot coming up with GH2 - 4 batteries enough?

ed_lee83

ed_lee83

Well-known member
Hi guys,
I'm about to embark on my first proper film shoot soon with about a 6-7 hour session each day.
It is also the longest time I would have ever shot in one day.
So question is, if anybody has shot this long before, is 4 batteries enough?
Also bear in mind I would have no place to recharge as we're shooting on a desolate island.
Does anybody also know if I'm plugging in an external monitor (two in fact) into the GH2, does it eat up more battery?
 
I think you'll be ok though it also depends on the temperature- it will affect your battery life. I'm not sure on the monitor- probably eats up a bit more juice than no monitor but it's not like it's USB or anything drawing power directly so probably not a big difference. How did you intend to run two monitors?

Noah
 
NoahK said:
I think you'll be ok though it also depends on the temperature- it will affect your battery life. I'm not sure on the monitor- probably eats up a bit more juice than no monitor but it's not like it's USB or anything drawing power directly so probably not a big difference. How did you intend to run two monitors?

Noah
Click to expand...
Damn, it will be HOT! The monitors will run off their own batteries too. I guess we'll see on the first day.. if they're not enough I'll have to begrudgingly buy some generic batteries.

@vas907: Thanks for the info
 
Depends on your lens... with no OIS or autofocus, my typical stock battery life is about 2 hours. With all that enabled on the kit 14-140, life shortens to about 1 hour.

Bring a charged automotive battery and a simple inverter to plug your charger into - or tote some generics as a fail-safe.
 
I think you can save power also by running an external LCD and turning off the cameras 3 inch lcd,af, and ois.. This is not confirmed but to me it makes sense.
 
ed_lee83 said:
Hi guys,
I'm about to embark on my first proper film shoot...

Also bear in mind I would have no place to recharge as we're shooting on a desolate island.
Click to expand...

For me, that combination puts the four batteries on the wrong side of borderline. A "proper" film shoot in the field with multiple personel all reliant on the operation of your camera means you need a "belt and braces" approach. Indeed, if there is a commercial element to your shoot you should seriously consider a backup camera in addition to ample power.

There have been some interesting threads here recently on adapting batteries from radio control cars for external supply to the GH2. These provide many hours of operation. All the parts should be readily available in Hong Kong.


The best of luck for your project!
 
I won't be using OIS that's for sure.
I just managed to snag a 7D as back up.
Yes I have read extensively about alternate batteries but seriously I am both ignorant and afraid to dabble with anything that has electricity!
It's a shame because I had ordered a Tekkeon battery (to use with my coupler) from USA but it won't get here in time (had to ship it to a friend in US then ship to me in Hong Kong!).

Well, we're shippin' out so here goes nothing... will report back in 2 days...
 
anyway, I'm happy to report that I made it through with only 2 batteries. Our shooting period was average 6 hours, this was with mainly using LVF and HDMI monitor plugged in. It wasn't very intense and had regular moments to briefly switch off the cam. Still, I think it's a safe bet my 4 batteries would suffice for any single day of shooting.
 
Sounds great- congrats. Yeah I have two myself and find it gets me through any normal shoot day- even moreso when I carry the charger.

Noah
 
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