The Swit/IDX battery and D-tap solution on the F3.

Duke M.

Duke M.

Veteran
On my EX1 I always used the single pole plug from IDX and Swit type batteries to power the camera, and the D-tap through an Hrose cable to power my Nanoflash.

Unfortunately the F3 doesn't have the same single pole DC power in (it uses the 4 pin XLR plug) and I was having a problem trying to figure out how to make use of both battery taps so I could power more than one item. (I'd previously seen the 4 pin XLR powered from the d-tap.)

Then I found this adapter:
http://www.abelcine.com/store/Swit-S-7210U-Pole-to-4-pin-XLR-Connector-for-Sony-F3/

Problem solved and not very expensive. I think I paid $33 and change including shipping and taxes.

With this I should be able to power the camera with the power wire out, and the Nano or other equipment with the D-tap.
 
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This is my plan as well. you can get that same adaptor from swit.us as well i think its the same price though :)
 
LeavingTheCandy said:
Swit also makes a cable that is Dtap to XLR with a femaie DTAP inline for adding another device. Just got one...very nice option.
http://www.switronix.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/PT_XF3_4d7e7fc10a8cf.jpg
Click to expand...

I always wonder about in-line plugs because they may cause voltage or amperage drops depending on if they are serial or parallel, but that's probably worth having too. (The Nano uses so little power its probably not an issue.)

B&H is out of stock:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=PT-XF3&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

And AbelCine didn't list it when I searched.

Adorama lists it though.
http://www.adorama.com/SXPTXF3.html...ping Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=gbase
 
Mwjace said:
This is my plan as well. you can get that same adaptor from swit.us as well i think its the same price though :)
Click to expand...

I ordered one a couple of weeks ago directly from www.swit.us. They were out of stock on order but shipped within a few days. I do like the the one with the inline D-Tap. I do use A/B batteries so I will be picking up that one as well. Thanks for pointing that one out LeavingTheCandy.
 
I've seen the swit 90a power an F3, and small hd for almost 5 hours straight. a little over 3 hours if you are recording the whole time. There are some debates on whether the swit batteries will last you the long haul, those are mixed reviews. they are much lighter than they look too, but bulky compared to the dionics batteries.
 
Just for everyone benefit, SWIT and SWITRONIX while making similar products, are totally different companies. SWIT is in China, they also have a US office. Switronix is NY based. Often confused as they sound so similar :). As far as the Li-Ion batteries weight, Wh/lb ratio is pretty much the same no matter who makes them, or what brand cells are inside. The case off course adds a little weight, but usually it is a minor factor.
 
Alex Dolgin also makes up a connector that is just an inch or 2 . I'm using that and its fine.

Oh..just noticed that alex already posted here. Are you still selling them Alex?
 
Off hand I would think the flexible version might stick out less and therefore be a bit safer than a small plug protruding from the end of my camera . With mine I have a little hair tie around the Switronix batt that holds the Dolgin lead and the lead from the batt. works great.= and no messy cables.
 
Remember that the XLR locks in. Besides I don't think it will stick out farther than one of the big batteries. You can run most of the day on a 92.
 
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