GH4 ULTIMATE GH5 Battery Grip in Development

N

nahlene

Member
Dear fellow pros @ DVX,

My name is Chenxing and I am based in Toronto, Canada. I run a small documentary and commercial production house (our website). 1 month ago We've got an early shipping of the GH5 and tested in field. Turns out the battery performance is not as good as i hoped (4k with IBIS only last a bit more than 1 hour 20 mins in real world usage.). So 1 month later, now I am in the process of co-designing an enhanced battery grip specifically for GH5 that will be able to at least triple GH5 4k running time, AND optionally output power for more devices.

I am now working with a reputed camera power supply workshop in Beijing, China. We are half-way in the prototype making and expected to have this thing go on KICKSTARTER by the end of May and start shipping around early August.

As you can see in the pictures below, at this time we have finished the 1st prototype with Li-polymer built-in battery, which currently supplies 5500mAh (a standard Panasonic DMW-BLF19 supplies 1860mAh), our not-so-scientific first test suggests that the GH5 camera will continuously run around 9 hours with the grip (4k 422 10bit, Leica 12-60 f2.8-4, on tripod, IBIS abled but it's slacking on tripod.)

P1620263 1.jpg

But here's the fun part, in the Prototype ii, i am suggesting to implement additional power outputs on the grip. So that the grip will be able to supply 7.4 power to gh5 via dummy battery while simultaneously supply:

-DC 12v (emergency use for most LEDs and some hungrier devices such as BMDCC and BMMCC)
-DC 7.4v (most monitors, recorders, taredek wireless devices can be powered by 7.4v power)
-5v USB (emergency charging for most smartphones, most Sony α series, and some wierdo small LEDs)

I've got this idea to carry less battery and most importantly, improve the ergonomic of the whole rig (decrease the weight on the top). Essentially it's got most of benefits of using v-mount battery without the weight, size, cost and troubles.

But since this would cost a bit in R&D and implementation. I'd like to ask some questions to help us better make decisions. You opinion is deeply appreciated:

1. Do you think you would buy this battery grip with power output? If so, what do you mostly shoot?
2. Do you think the 3 power output plan meets your need? If it's too much or not enough let me know.
3. Is there any other additional function you really want to add to this battery grip?


THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. If this product could achieve reasonably well reception we will use the income to design a generic battery grip for all dslr and mirrorless video cameras that can also be used partially as a cheeseplate/halfcage (an optimized and more practical competition to Atomos PowerStation sort of...).

Lastly, if i may, I request temporarily make this thread sticky.:love4: Thank you very much.

P1620246 1.jpg
 
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Hello nahlene,

why use the dummy battery and not the dedicated power contacts under the camera?
I hope the tripod mount will be centered under the lens.
I like the idea of additional power ports, even one more usb port.
Is integrated 15mm rod-support possible?
Price should be below $ 100,--

Looking forward to your progress.
 
anti12 said:
Hello nahlene,

why use the dummy battery and not the dedicated power contacts under the camera?
I hope the tripod mount will be centered under the lens.
I like the idea of additional power ports, even one more usb port.
Is integrated 15mm rod-support possible?
Price should be below $ 100,--

Looking forward to your progress.
Click to expand...


Hi anti12,

Thanks alot for your replies.
- Direct power contact instead of dummy battery requires ordering more expensive parts and re-modding instead of using existing parts we can buy on market. So it is mostly a cost-related decision, but we will keep it in mind and try to find a cheaper way to realize it.
- The lens-center tripod mount is a good reminder, our current prototype has it at the center already, and will keep it :)
- May i know what do you mostly shoot and why you would want 2 USB ports? (just interested to find out the real user need)
- 15mm rod-support is good idea, but for this product it's hard because it's mostly plastic and rubber to keep the manufacturing cost down. But as i mentioned in the thread, if we can kickstart with this grip, we will use the income to produce a more versatile generic grip with metal frames, which will act like a half cage as well as a compact multi-output battery station below.
- The cost of making one grip now is still relatively high coz the grip is made by a DIY electronic workshop, therefore we can't compete with large brands that can mass produce. We have a hard time keeping the cost of supplies down. The upside is that we can respond to opinions like yours very fast and make adjustments within days. At this moment it's not final yet, but we are trying to keep it around $180 depending on the final specs, but would really like to know everybody's perception on the price.

Thanks again for the reply. I will keep the progress updated.
 
15mm rod-support is a good idea, which will act like a half cage as well as a compact multi-output battery station below
 
- 100% agree that tripod mount should be centered under lens
- Make sure you replicate the tripod mount on the bottom at the same position
- Sounds like this will not replicate buttons for portrait shooting like the factory model?
- <$200 seems like a fair price

I think product would be appealing to a lot of people, but for me personally, I'm not sure I would feel the need for this as when the camera is not in a full rig, swapping batteries is a cinch. When it is in a full rig, this is a less then idea form-factor.

My dream device would be designed into a form fitting cage with integrated rod supports, nato rails, could shoe mount, etc.
 
And while we are talking tripod screw holes, how about a second one aligned in the lens direction to mount to normal plates etc, so that there is no rotational torsion? That would be awesome :)

Interesting idea anyway, although I am not your target market since I prefer using a cage system (currently 8Sinn's cage). Rod support threads would be a big help too.

Cheers!

Paul :)
 
Please keep in mind that 15mm rod specifications for the 15mmLWS system are 85mm from rod center the center of lens, you grip is already at or close it being too tall.
 
joe12south said:
- 100% agree that tripod mount should be centered under lens
- Make sure you replicate the tripod mount on the bottom at the same position
- Sounds like this will not replicate buttons for portrait shooting like the factory model?
- <$200 seems like a fair price

I think product would be appealing to a lot of people, but for me personally, I'm not sure I would feel the need for this as when the camera is not in a full rig, swapping batteries is a cinch. When it is in a full rig, this is a less then idea form-factor.

My dream device would be designed into a form fitting cage with integrated rod supports, nato rails, could shoe mount, etc.
Click to expand...

Hi Joe, thanks for your feedback. No the portrait button is not going to work. We made the prototype based on a used nikon grip thus the button you see in the picture. This device is made for video folks so i guess portrait button is not really needed by most.

You are right, we were planning to make a compact generic grip/cameraBase as an All-in-one solution (half-cage/cameraPower/other device power supply) in the next iteration, sort of like a more ergonomical, economical and versatile competition to the cumbersome and expensive A*mos PowerStation, we were putting it towards the next iteration coz that's really gonna cost to mill the aluminium frame and (we are planning) to put a LED display on it.

However, based on the feedbacks i am collecting now, we might as well just skip the GH5 specific grip and work on the cage/powerstation solution directly. I will talk to the workshop soon and see if we can 3d-print a frame for prototyping for the time being.
 
Greg_E said:
Please keep in mind that 15mm rod specifications for the 15mmLWS system are 85mm from rod center the center of lens, you grip is already at or close it being too tall.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for pointing that out Greg, i never realized this spec limit, i will definitely keep it in mind.
 
Not to highjack the thread, but for rig use, we make several adapters for GH4 - they allow for common DV batteries to be adapted for GH long lasting power. We did not test them with the new GH5 yet, but if Panasonic kept the same power scheme as with the previous models, it should work. The trick Panasonic used starting with GH2, external power sources have to be above 8.4V not to be rejected by the camera. We have a voltage converter built in so DV voltage is boosted to that acceptable voltage. Again, sorry for introducing a different product to the thread, it does not really compete with the grip solution, but helps with stationary use. http://www.dolgin.net/zen_dolgin/in...ath=18&zenid=d0badb69d473ec2f6b0fbcca13f43605
 
I'd be interested in something with a power INPUT. I know it sounds weird but hear me out. I do lots of corporate events where we'll set up a room with full lighting for interviews and between interviews we'll go out and get b-roll. If your grip had an power input I could just pop the power cable on when I'm stationary doing interviews, and remove it when I go out to do b-roll. Bonus points if it could charge the batteries when plugged in.

I've shot with a few ENG type cameras that can switch from battery to power outlet seamlessly and it's handy. It also gives you some redundancy; if you're plugged into the wall and the power cable gets unplugged the camera could just seamlessly switch to battery power. I think folks doing long events would find this particularly useful.

Even without the input functionality I think this is a great idea and would be interested.
 
Chmiola said:
I've shot with a few ENG type cameras that can switch from battery to power outlet seamlessly and it's handy. It also gives you some redundancy; if you're plugged into the wall and the power cable gets unplugged the camera could just seamlessly switch to battery power. I think folks doing long events would find this particularly useful.

Even without the input functionality I think this is a great idea and would be interested.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Chmiola, i'd be keep it in note when i meet the workshop engineer this weekend.
 
Thanks for everybody's valuable suggestions and opinions, i will be meeting with the lead designer again this weekend and update our progress afterward. You guys have been great :)
 
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