GH5 GH5/GH4 external battery solution?
- Thread starter buggz
- Start date
Batutta
Major Contributor
There was a post about using a lithium power bank with a dummy battery adapter a while back. Biggest drawback is the camera shuts down abruptly when losing power, potentially corrupting data. The panasonic battery lets the camera shut down properly to preserve what was shot.
smallHD has a new 5inch monitor coming out in June called the Focus that can also power a camera thru a dedicated power cable using the Sony Battery that also powers the monitor
http://store.smallhd.com/products/focus/focus-micro-hdmi-monitor
http://store.smallhd.com/products/focus/focus-micro-hdmi-monitor
ozmorphasis
Well-known member
I recently shot some training sessions in a corporate environment and because I had the new Mixpre3 mounted directly beneath my camera, changing batteries became a problem.
I used this:
https://www.amazon.com/Gonine-DMW-DCC12-PANASONIC-DMC-GH3K-DMC-GH4K/dp/B01EI2S6OC
$23.66 for the dummy and AC adapter. Not a bad deal. I also use it with a powerbank and it works great. Having said that, this was a very stable, locked off scenario, so the chance of disconnecting was slim. I'd be more nervous about using this in a more dynamic environment. As Batutta said, if it disconnects, you're screwed.
I used this:
https://www.amazon.com/Gonine-DMW-DCC12-PANASONIC-DMC-GH3K-DMC-GH4K/dp/B01EI2S6OC
$23.66 for the dummy and AC adapter. Not a bad deal. I also use it with a powerbank and it works great. Having said that, this was a very stable, locked off scenario, so the chance of disconnecting was slim. I'd be more nervous about using this in a more dynamic environment. As Batutta said, if it disconnects, you're screwed.
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Yes...I'm looking for an adapter to use with a Vmount Battery...used by itself, popping another battery in is easy, but rigged with a Shogun in a cage, you have two power hungry pieces of gear...if anyone has used the GH5 with an adapter and Dtap, the info would be welcome...thought about the Atomos Power Station, but some reviews claimed it was not reliable...A simple Vmount Battery and adapter seems perfect for a day on sticks.
I use the Atomos Power Station. Works well for me as I am always on a tripod. It has worked reliably for me and the batteries last a very long time. The battery fit is critical and it is easy to miss align them in the holder. Once I figured that out it has been very good.
adolgin
DVXuser Sponsor
We offer several options for GH family, just recently got a confirmation on GH5 being compatible.
Also at B&H
Also at B&H
Last edited:
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Are you using it with the GH5 and an external recorder/monitor?...my need would be 80 percent tripod, but occasionally the rig would come off the VCT-14 plate and on the shoulder...are the batteries susceptible to being jarred loose under those conditions, or would you say the system is rugged enough for production work...I don't mind using gaffers tape...also are you using the "video" or the "photo" version of the Power Station?
In my case it is just the GH5. The unit is the video version with lots of plugs for cameras in a nice case. The batteries need to really "click" into the holder and it is easy to not quite get them seated. Once in they are solid. Took me a few times to get the hang of clicking into the base. I have mine on a clamp to the tripod but it is intended to be mounted to a camera or cage. Batteries last a long time as they are several times the size of the stock GH5 batteries as they are Sony L-series type batteries. After 3 hours hardly 1/2 of one of the batteries was used up.
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Thanks!...when I was contemplating this as a solution, I considered mounting it on a railblock off short rails on the back of a Zacuto Universal Baseplate...though I don't quite like the mount on the Powerstation, I feel it can easily be modified...it also has the added benifit of obscuring the camera LCD less than a Vmount will...still waiting to hear back from Panasonic re the Vmount/adapter solution...the "old tech" on the Vmount still seems like a more robust solution....anyway...all feedback much appreciated!
Edit: how long have you been using the Powerstation?
tired
Well-known member
This was always a problem for me with GH2's and external batteries but I think I've found a solution for the Gh4/5. I use a battery grip pack to ensure I don't run out, I can hot swap the 2nd battery and so I should be able to use a dummy adapter instead and power that - if the external power supply runs out the camera still has the original panasonic battery which should have sufficient power to shut down properly - that's the theory anyway.
The Atomos Power station has 2 batteries that are about 8 times the size of the Panasonic battery and can be changed as they run down . Has LED indication of power level on both batteries too. You could potentially run days between swapping batteries and SD cards !!! If you are really paranoid about loosing data then record to an external recorder as well. It is a reason I record shows with 4 cameras.
GH battery to DTap from Switronix- http://www.coreswx.com/product/ptc-gh4/
I used an Anton Bauer 120 watt to power my GH3 for a time lapse with this. The cam could have gone for a few days. Pretty amazing. Gotta love Panasonic for keeping the same battery through three GH cameras now.
Switronix has all sorts of cool power solutions.
I used an Anton Bauer 120 watt to power my GH3 for a time lapse with this. The cam could have gone for a few days. Pretty amazing. Gotta love Panasonic for keeping the same battery through three GH cameras now.
Switronix has all sorts of cool power solutions.
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Have you, or do you know of anyone who's used this on the GH5 yet....same battery but very different cameras. For me this seems like the most foolproof solution.
fboonzaier
Well-known member
Thanks for confirming...I have the Lanparte pinch too. Read of an incident with a Switronix adapter frying inside a Sony A7 something...luckily it did not brick the camera...I found and decided to opt for an adapter where the regulator is midway between the Dummy and the Dtap:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1061949-REG/indipro_tools_pt92gh_power_tap_regulation_28.html
buggz
Active member
Many good options here.
Anyone familiar with the following?
https://www.tethertools.com/product/case-relay-power-bundle/
Anyone familiar with the following?
https://www.tethertools.com/product/case-relay-power-bundle/