FX3/FX30: extra power for sony fx30

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stefanocps

Well-known member
Hello i am looking for a solution to have extra power for my camera. I want to stay light and small, and of course with a couple of eyes to the wallet. Sony battery is expensive..and i am looking for something else

Thanks for help
 
A heap of suggestions in this video. Most of it pretty good. Be aware of dummy batteries though, as not all are regulated. Personally, I will never use a dummy battery. I now know of two cases where regulated, yes take note, REGULATED dummy batteries failed and went high voltage and in both cases totally fried the main boards in the cameras. Expensive!

I'm totally happy to use the external USB-C port that Sony equipped all these later cameras with for both charging and powering the camera. All the USB-C port equipped Sony A and FX cams can be powered by a certified PD power supply. They must be PD rated. You MUST also use a high speed rated USB-C cable. Sony recommends a 65 watt 9 volt 3 amp PD power supply. When powering via the USB-C port you have to have a battery in the camera otherwise it won't work. I've run like this on multiple occasions for up to five hours off a 9 volt 3 amp PD supply. You will also find using a 65 watt 9 volt 3 amp PD supply that it will provide sufficient power to run the camera and keep the battery fully charged.

Other than my feelings re dummy batteries, the video poster makes some decent recommendations on alternative battery sources and mounting solutions.

Chris Young

 
The smallest and lightest solution is to buy more camera batteries. Sometimes people want to avoid the most obvious solution.

I built up a rig with a v-mount with the idea to power both my monitor and camera but it couldn't supply enough each with voltage. I ended up using a small NPL to run the monitor and dummy battery to v-mount for the camera. I used a SmallRig 50 because it size and weight not blocking the back of the camera. Only downside they don't have great capacity. The downsides of dummy batteries are: if their is a disruption of power the camera will shutdown, it's not regulated although never had a problem but I used SmallRig with barrel port with the reduced voltage not a d-tap. Of course you have the battery compartment door open...

I didn't use the usb-c port because cables are thicker and get in the way of the flip out screen. The usb-c is easy to pull out/damage but again your call.

No matter what you choose it will be a trade off.
 
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Peter C. said:
The smallest and lightest solution is to buy more camera batteries. Sometimes people want to avoid the most obvious solution.
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That is exactly right. Unless you have to power extra accessories or something hanging off the camera, the best thing is just have more regular batteries.
 
Doug Jensen said:
That is exactly right. Unless you have to power extra accessories or something hanging off the camera, the best thing is just have more regular batteries.
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yes i know..that's why i said sony batteries are expensive...i would certainly go for a couple of batteries, but the total is not cheap. Because for what i have read 3rd party batteries have some problems with fx30..right?

for what i can undesrtand the other best option, for sure cheaper (and with the avdantage of much more power on time and no need to switch off the camera), is a pb. but it might get heavy and someway bulky
I woul never use any option that requires the battery door to stay open though
 
As always these topics the op don't tell us actually why you need and detail of the type of job.

Are you annoyed with swapping batteries or trying to save money?

I have used 3rd party batteries. The downside they often have around 15-20% less capcity and after a few years of use can loose more capacity than an oem. But for backups or occasionally use for long jobs they're fine. In generally the problem with camera batteries and their capacity is that you often can use it to zero, usually at 25% you'll need to change. Also the battery gauge isn't precise. They can suddenly drop off at the end.
V-mount rig will cost $300+
 
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Peter C. said:
As always these topics the op don't tell us actually why you need and detail of the type of job.

Are you simply annoyed with swapping batteries or is this I'm trying to save money?

I have used 3rd party batteries. The downside they often have around 15-20% and after a few years of use can loose more capacity. But it they are backups for occasionally long jobs then fine. In generally the problem with camera batteries and their capacity is that you often can use it to zero, usually at 25% you'll need to change. Also the battery gauge is always accurate. They can suddenly drop off at the end.

As far as price consider:
$100 Vmount battery
$ vmount charger
$90 Camera rig
$40 v mount battery holder
$50 cables adapters

Let's call that $300+
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i did not say the usage, but you are not reading my points
I haven't asked an uninterruptible usage for hours, as it is not what i use it for normally, and i haven't mentioned infact..it is easy
I would use more batteries, but sony batteries are really expensive, and for what i know 3rd part batteries have some problems.
I know what 3rd part batteries have normally as trouble, compared to original. But for FX30 it seems a bit worst, with warning message and no more indicator of remaining battery. This is the real point that makes me hesitant in buying a 3rd part battery. Money is a point on which i have focused and 3rd part vs original is something to think about.
SInce sony batteries are so expensive i try to consider other solution, like pd, which is small and not so heavy (other point i have focused on). Then , pd also give the benefit for a very long usage without switching off. But i consider it just a benefit to consider in a solution that is cheap and (maybe?) acceptable in terms of bulky/heavy point
These are the points i have focuse don, and are stated very clearly

p.s. vmount has the opposite features to the one si am looking for (price, bulky,weight)
 
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Doug Jensen said:
You don't have to buy Sony batteries, but you need to go with a reputable brand such such as SmallRig, Manfrotto, etc. and not some fly by night off-brand. I use these SmallRig batteries with my A1 and I have no complaints. They would also work with the FX30.

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they work , but i know they have problem with level indicator, those 3rd part (they say) are not giving the percentage of battery
 
stefanocps said:
they work , but i know they have problem with level indicator, those 3rd part (they say) are not giving the percentage of battery
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Actually, I have to correct my post from last night. I'm at NAB and I don't have my A1 or the batteries with me. So, I checked my B&H order history this morning, and the 3rd party batteries I bought are Watson not SmallRig. Watson is a B&H brand. I've had two of these batteries for more than three years and they work just as well as the Sony battery that came with the camera, including giving me an accurate reading of the remaining capacity.

 
I agree I’ve used Watson too they’re not inexpensive but strike a good balance. Good advice
 
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unfortunately i am in europe and it will get complicated to buy in B&H. But if batteries like smallrig or K&F does not have any issue with reading level they are good solution
 
Doug Jensen said:
Actually, I have to correct my post from last night. I'm at NAB and I don't have my A1 or the batteries with me. So, I checked my B&H order history this morning, and the 3rd party batteries I bought are Watson not SmallRig. Watson is a B&H brand. I've had two of these batteries for more than three years and they work just as well as the Sony battery that came with the camera, including giving me an accurate reading of the remaining capacity.

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anyway in the b&H site in the review field for this camera, one person complain about battery percentage gone away since last firmware update last january. it was on fx3...but it must be the same.SO percentage is there or not?
 
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