FS7: Westside A V is developing a Shoulder system etc for the F7s

olof

olof

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I have a FS7 that should get here soon. And I have already had a few requests for a better shoulder pad/battery system from current clients.

I also plan to make an adapter to move the handle closer to the centerline of the camera. I will of course also offer a system for IDX/AB style bricks. I will also be stocking the Swit batteries for the FS7. There will also be a 15mm rail kit and monitor/Odyssey recorder mounting system, both on top of the camera and in the back for balance.

My kit will be available in December, I will post photos here soon.

I am also developing an A7s kit. I see the FS7 and A7s as a perfect A B kit for my style/client shooting needs, they compliment each other perfectly. I have the new 28-135 lens on order as well, this seems to be a very nice solution for R&G style shooting with this and the A7s. My old A B kit was the FS700 and C100 combo, I liked it a lot, but this new combo is both smaller and lighter and the low light capability of the A7s is incredible. I am making an external battery kit for the A7s that uses Sony L style batteries and is located on a removable shoulder brace.

I am really looking forward to this new cam.
 
Fyi, the current SWIT battery doesn't natively power the FS7. And if it's the battery that doesn't have a DC plug on it (the one that only has a D-tap), the battery slot on the FS7 is so deep that I think you'll have an issue getting a d-tap plugged in.
 
jshbckr said:
Fyi, the current SWIT battery doesn't natively power the FS7. And if it's the battery that doesn't have a DC plug on it (the one that only has a D-tap), the battery slot on the FS7 is so deep that I think you'll have an issue getting a d-tap plugged in.
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Thanks for the reminder.

I am aware of the Swit battery situation. Swit is coming out with a new chipped battery for the FS7 soon. I will be stocking those. Personally I still have an EX3 and lots of the old Swit Batteries with the EJIJ or whatever the barrel connector is called. I also make D-tap to the barrel connector, I have to check when I get the FS7 that there is room to plug a D-tap into the Swit while in the FS7. I have inquiries if this works. If it does not I may make a custom "low profile" D-tap cable that will fit with the current Swits.

I will post here as soon as I know more.

I can't personally guarantee when the new Swits come out but my supplier says soon, I know this can be a dangerous statement on these boards.
 
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Hey Olof,

Is there a way to make an adapter so you can use BP-U60s or 90s to power the back extension unit and attach the BP-U where the V-Mount would go? That would be nice so we don't have to manage 2 different types of batteries (BP-U and V-Mounts) for the same camera.

i know another company makes something like this, but you specialize in Sony stuff so I know you would give it a more customized touch.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Hey Olof,

Is there a way to make an adapter so you can use BP-U60s or 90s to power the back extension unit and attach the BP-U where the V-Mount would go? That would be nice so we don't have to manage 2 different types of batteries (BP-U and V-Mounts) for the same camera.

i know another company makes something like this, but you specialize in Sony stuff so I know you would give it a more customized touch.
Click to expand...

Yes that can easily be done. I have BPU60/90 plates and they can be mounted anywhere. I did this earlier for the EX1 where we used any BPU battery, I still have some that are 90's pretty big and as much power as a small IDX.

Another nice thing about the BPU batteries is now that the Odyssey 7Q uses 18 watts when recording 4KRAW->UHD Prores, they don't cause a screen dimming like L series or any 7.4v batteries, and they last a long time. I think BPU style batteries will have a big comeback. As I mentioned earlier Swit is working on a chip for theirs to work in the FS7. The L series batteries was a very poor choice in the FS700 IMHO, I am glad Sony rectified this in the FS7, 12-17v is much more professional and gives you many more choices. Swit makes some really great Vlock batteries I actually like better than the Sonys and IDXs. The Batteries have a D-tap built in, so it gives you one more D-tap than the standard one on the plate -- nice.
 
olof said:
Yes that can easily be done. I have BPU60/90 plates and they can be mounted anywhere. I did this earlier for the EX1 where we used any BPU battery, I still have some that are 90's pretty big and as much power as a small IDX.
Click to expand...

That would be fantastic for those who don't already own V-Mount batteries.

Would your BPU plate have a v-mount adapter so it could mount to where it would the V-Mount battery would go? I'm assuming you BPU plate would have a power cable out, that plugs into the 4-DC on the Back Unit and powers the camera correct?

I noticed on the Back Unit, there's a 4-pin Hirose DC OUT. Can this be used to power things like the 7Q? I'm probably going to be using the 7Q a lot still as a monitor and to record Pro-Res 4K (which the FS7 cannot do).

Thanks Olof, exciting stuff.
 
gene_can_sing said:
That would be fantastic for those who don't already own V-Mount batteries.

Would your BPU plate have a v-mount adapter so it could mount to where it would the V-Mount battery would go? I'm assuming you BPU plate would have a power cable out, that plugs into the 4-DC on the Back Unit and powers the camera correct?

I noticed on the Back Unit, there's a 4-pin Hirose DC OUT. Can this be used to power things like the 7Q? I'm probably going to be using the 7Q a lot still as a monitor and to record Pro-Res 4K (which the FS7 cannot do).

Thanks Olof, exciting stuff.
Click to expand...

I could certainly make a BPU mount that attaches and powers through the Vmount, these are just simple connections no electronics. The question is how much demand is there for an adapter like that. I can do a custom one any time. This would be the cleanest way to use BPU batteries for sure.

The FS7 back extension, I never remember the name, also has a 4 pin XLR power in so you can input power there or at the Vmount.
 
olof said:
I could certainly make a BPU mount that attaches and powers through the Vmount, these are just simple connections no electronics. The question is how much demand is there for an adapter like that. I can do a custom one any time. This would be the cleanest way to use BPU batteries for sure.

The FS7 back extension, I never remember the name, also has a 4 pin XLR power in so you can input power there or at the Vmount.
Click to expand...

I definitely order a custom one from you. Hopefully it won't be crazy expensive. Seem like people who don't own V-Mount batteries would want something like this as it would be nice to just have 1 set of batteries. It would be a bit annoying to have to use different batteries if you want the small configuration, then have to switch to V-Mount for the larger, back attachment configuration, especially if you are traveling. Too much stuff to carry with 2 different kind of batteries and chargers.

EDIT-------

Also Olof, what would be cleaner? To have your BPU adapter going into the V-Mount power source or the 4 pin? If it goes into the V-Mount, would that be a direct interface? Or would that still require a cable to be plugged in? A direct interface would be great to have 1 less cable.
 
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Alex Dolgin already makes an adapter for BPU to V mount though I don't think it actually powers through the V mount.
Instead he offers 2 pigtails with any connector you like.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Hey Olof,

Is there a way to make an adapter so you can use BP-U60s or 90s to power the back extension unit and attach the BP-U where the V-Mount would go? That would be nice so we don't have to manage 2 different types of batteries (BP-U and V-Mounts) for the same camera.

i know another company makes something like this, but you specialize in Sony stuff so I know you would give it a more customized touch.
Click to expand...


Hi Gene,
Hawkwood in UK had already made BPU to V lock adapter (VL-BP1) using one BPU battery, and (VL-BPU) which take 3 BPU batteries.

(VL-BP1)
http://www.hawkwoods.com/products/d...mToSlide=1&asi=BP-75U&asi2=VL-DC5&asi3=BP-2X2
(VL-BPU)
http://www.hawkwoods.com/products/d...&mainMenuItemToSlide=1&asi=bp-60u&asi2=bp-2x2
 
Lucas Kao said:
Hi Gene,
Hawkwood in UK had already made BPU to V lock adapter (VL-BP1) using one BPU battery, and (VL-BPU) which take 3 BPU batteries.

(VL-BP1)
http://www.hawkwoods.com/products/d...mToSlide=1&asi=BP-75U&asi2=VL-DC5&asi3=BP-2X2
(VL-BPU)
http://www.hawkwoods.com/products/d...&mainMenuItemToSlide=1&asi=bp-60u&asi2=bp-2x2
Click to expand...
Both of those are pretty nice looking. The small one would be nice for lightweight travel. The second plate would be good for people who want to just have longer run time and the counterbalance weight.
 
gene_can_sing said:
I've been trying to find dealers in the USA, but not sure who sells Hawk-Woods. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Drop Hawkwood an enquiry on the itemat the bottom of the page of each item. You can order directly from them through e-mail, they made me a sony battery adapters for blackmagic pocket cinema camera before, I am sure they also ship international. Drop them an e-mail, its a small but highly respectable company in UK, nice people too.

Or you can buy it on CVP online, which they will order from hawkwood, CVP ship globally.
http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/hawk-woods_vl-bp1
http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/hawk-woods_vl-bpu
 
I haven't had any experience with v-mount batteries. Could I please ask what the advantage is of using a BPU battery on a v-mount such as the Fs7 extension unit. I'm guessing it's more affordable? But do the V-Mount batteries typically last longer?

Also, I'm not entirely sure what the posters mean by a D-Tap, but from what I gather, a D-Tap allows you to funnel part of the battery power into another device? If so, would it be possible to run the camera and an external monitor/recorder like the Odyssey or Shogun off one BPU battery?
 
Soldier said:
I haven't had any experience with v-mount batteries. Could I please ask what the advantage is of using a BPU battery on a v-mount such as the Fs7 extension unit. I'm guessing it's more affordable? But do the V-Mount batteries typically last longer?

Also, I'm not entirely sure what the posters mean by a D-Tap, but from what I gather, a D-Tap allows you to funnel part of the battery power into another device? If so, would it be possible to run the camera and an external monitor/recorder like the Odyssey or Shogun off one BPU battery?
Click to expand...

V-mount and Gold Mount batteries are the old big broadcast camera standard. They are bigger and the connection is more rugged than the plastic BPU mount. There are many different size batteries available, most much bigger capacity than BPU batteries.

So to sum it up "brick" batteries and their mounts are more rugged and have in general larger capacity. Most plates and brick batteries have a 55w fuse/circuit interrupter, so you can figure how much power you can draw. Some bricks can deliver more watts.

A D-tap is an industry standard plug/jack used on brick battery plates to power additional items. They are rugged long lasting connectors, that are pretty big but last basically forever.

D-tap.jpg
 
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gene_can_sing said:
I definitely order a custom one from you. Hopefully it won't be crazy expensive. Seem like people who don't own V-Mount batteries would want something like this as it would be nice to just have 1 set of batteries. It would be a bit annoying to have to use different batteries if you want the small configuration, then have to switch to V-Mount for the larger, back attachment configuration, especially if you are traveling. Too much stuff to carry with 2 different kind of batteries and chargers.

EDIT-------



Also Olof, what would be cleaner? To have your BPU adapter going into the V-Mount power source or the 4 pin? If it goes into the V-Mount, would that be a direct interface? Or would that still require a cable to be plugged in? A direct interface would be great to have 1 less cable.
Click to expand...


I would make mine a direct interface, like you say Gene, cleaner. I will look into this and come up with a price. Seems there is quite a bit of interest, and that makes sense.

More on this soon.

Thanks for the feedback. Any other suggestions are welcome as I am designing the kit.
 
olof said:
Another nice thing about the BPU batteries is now that the Odyssey 7Q uses 18 watts when recording 4KRAW->UHD Prores, they don't cause a screen dimming like L series or any 7.4v batteries, and they last a long time. I think BPU style batteries will have a big comeback. As I mentioned earlier Swit is working on a chip for theirs to work in the FS7. The L series batteries was a very poor choice in the FS700 IMHO, I am glad Sony rectified this in the FS7, 12-17v is much more professional and gives you many more choices. Swit makes some really great Vlock batteries I actually like better than the Sonys and IDXs. The Batteries have a D-tap built in, so it gives you one more D-tap than the standard one on the plate -- nice.
Click to expand...

Hi Olof,

With your BPU to V-Mount adapter, do you think a Swit BPU 60 or BPU 90 can power the camera, the back attachment and the 7Q for any decent duration of time? It would be awesome to not have a separate battery for the 7Q.
 
gene_can_sing said:
Hi Olof,

With your BPU to V-Mount adapter, do you think a Swit BPU 60 or BPU 90 can power the camera, the back attachment and the 7Q for any decent duration of time? It would be awesome to not have a separate battery for the 7Q.
Click to expand...

I don't know exactly how much the FS7 and back use in watts. But the O7Q uses up to 18w. The FS7 manual says 19w power draw at 4K. Lets assume the FS7 combo uses 35w (just a guess). That means about 55w for both so a new 60w/h battery should last about 1 hr. and a 90w/h 1 ½ hrs.

Once batteries age you get less out of them. And over discharging even just once can seriously cut capacity.

These estimates are probably pessimistic, as you are not recording full time, so wattage will be lower, just monitoring.

Also manufacturers tend to overstate battery capacity. As you get close to max draw the battery heats up and internal resistance goes up and this causes higher current draw, and I don't know the max watt draw on BPU batteries, they may wary from Sony to Swit or whatever, but I bet 35 w is getting close as full size bricks typically are 55w max draw.

It is easy to figure watts once you have specs (and I don't) but real world tests are the real proof. Like here in cold NH battery capacity is cut in half outside in the cold unless you tape hand warmers to your batteries.

Gene I hope this helps answer the question a bit anyway. I think it will work but not get you long battery life.
 
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Well I just unpacked the FS7.

First observation, nice size, pretty comfortable handle, Swit batteries work but don't fit the Sony clips, my Swits are a year or so old. New ones may fit, I think I heard they do. Easy fix, just added bit if velcro in the side of the Swit and it stays in by friction fine, the power from the chord works fine.

Menus are very deep, and a bit sluggish I must say. I am sure I will used to that. The internal codec at 4K is very nice, I just shot some with 12DB gain to see if recording works and how the card reader and FCPX handles the Ultra HD. I am impressed the video is clean and very sharp. I am using my 24-70 f4 FF Zies/Sony I bought for the A7s. FCPX imported fine and plays back w/o rendering no DFs. I play back full screen both at 100% and then at 200%, very clean. I have a TOL current MBP with a 1TB SSD, I am sure this is why.

Ergonomically, it needs work, the shoulder pad is sort of a joke really, I don't like the clumsy way the handle and the EVF moves. The EVF is pretty nice though, I was able to focus easily using red peaking. The QR for the sticks gets in the way of the shoulder pad. But it is lightyears ahead of the FS700 in the ergo department.

I am already thinking of a comfortable shoulder pad with a place for batteries in the back of the cam even w/o the extension unit. I will definitely come up with a longer rod for the EVF, this is very easy. I will be thinking hard about the handle and arm, this can definitely be improved on.

I will post as I develop the kit. More soon...
 
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