I am shooting a wedding this coming weekend and I want to run two wireless mic recievers on my XL2 (Sennheiser G2s). I will record in 12 bit. 1 mic I can attach to the Accessory Shoe and the XLR cable in the rear left channel. The other I want to attach to the rear battery bracket where the three screw holes are and the cable into the rear right. I took the screws from my MA200 and attempted to attach the reciever using the screws but the gap for the base of the reciever is to narrow as it hits the bracket. I do not want to tape it on as I want it to fit securely to the rear bracket. Anyone had any success with this?? or have any ideas??

Thanks

Chris Day
Perth, Western Australia

I used the belt clip from the g2 on the battery adaptor bracket, and it seemed ok.You remove the shoe adaptor, and snap in the belt clip.
Bruce Yarock

Does anyone know if you can get voltage adaptors to charge canon batteries overseas? I have a pal XL2 and will need to charge the battery in Japan, so I need a plug that will fit my batttery charger and convert the voltage accordingly.
thanks in advance.

OK I decided not to delete this as I'm having difficulties.

When it comes to charging batteries do I need to be concerned about frequency? I will be staying in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka) which uses 60hz. So in addition to buying a transformer do I need a frequency converter also?

Usually transformers will convert the voltage from 220V to 110V and 50Hz to 60Hz or vice versa, as well as prrovide all the different plug adapters you'll need, wherever you're travelling. Check out the different travelling voltage converters, it is usually stated on the box. They are designed to handle whatever electrical system you throw at them.

The charger supplied in the US, the CA-920 is ¨universal" i.e. 100~240VAC 50/60 Hz. I expect the PAL units come with the same charger but a different cord with the appropriate plug for the country in which it is sold. If I'm right then all you need is the appropriate adapter. Japan is 60Hz and if I remember correctly the plugs are the same as the US.

thanks :)

Only half of Japan is 60hz (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya), that being the western half. Eastern part is 50hz (Tokyo etc)

But it seems this doesn't really matter with chargers, which is neat.

On the Anton Bauer website, it doesn't specifically recommend the ProPac batteries for the XL1. Obviously the ProPacs are different but I believe they are pretty similar to the ProFormer. The ProFormers lack a battery runtime bar I believe, but could there be any other reason they would not work with the XL1?

thanks,

Oliver

Good question. I thought we had a member here who is a representative for AB. I'll see if I can dig up his contact info and ask him to reply.

I'm using the IDX system, which fits in a similar adapter as the AB batteries.

I have lots of power, and there is even a tap to power a light or a teleprompter or even an on camera monitor

DBK

They are fine I use them on mine. Almost all of the logic series batteries are fine and the really nice part is the counterbalance they will give you. You might keep a eye open on ebay and pick up a trimpac if you get a chance; lasts longer and just a bit heavier which is almost the perfect counterbalance and the ability for a real light on the xl1s/2 with the battery plate is a big plus. Just as a further reassurance when BH sold the earlier XL1 A/b kits with charger/plate/batteries the batteries they gave were the proformer...

M

great, thanks for the feedback guys. very helpful.

Oliver Power

Anyone have any suggestions on the best power setup for the XL2 that will also help balance the camera? I'm looking for a brick type of battery that might also provide power to a light, too.

I've been to Anton's site. It's a horrible site to navigate! Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Kevin

The CH-910 might help you out. There's also a thread about it:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35622

Anton does make a Gold mount for the XL2, and people are using it. But there is a big price difference. For around $500, you can buy either:
CH-910 and ten+- hours of Power2000 batteries, or
An Anton Bauer charger

I'm not knocking AB, as I'm sure they are great and I wish I had some Dionics but you have to pay for the greatness.

I'm curious as to how much balance the Anton Bauer setups afford the XL2, bricks or regular sized.

I'm using the Anton Bauer Dionic 90 mounted to the QR-XL1C Gold Mount Plate. It is not real heavy, but it adds a nice balance to the camera. I called AB to check the compatibility of the older brick batteries and they talked me into swapping out to the Dionic series. I had to replace my older charger, but it seems to be a very nice setup.

<<<-- Originally posted by David M. Geary : I'm using the Anton Bauer Dionic 90 mounted to the QR-XL1C Gold Mount Plate. It is not real heavy, but it adds a nice balance to the camera. I called AB to check the compatibility of the older brick batteries and they talked me into swapping out to the Dionic series. I had to replace my older charger, but it seems to be a very nice setup. -->>>

With your setup, how balanced would you say it is compared to a traditional shoulder-mounted camera?

It depends on the lens - the 16x manual is heavy compared to the 3x lens. With the adapter and the AB battery, the camera is very stable and the balance is improved over the factory setup, however I would not say it is better than an ENG style shoulder mount camera. Since you can move the viewfinder forward now, it does allow you fine tune the camera's balance. The biggest improvement with the AB batteries is the amount of recording time it gives you. I have yet to deplete them while shooting, so I do not know how much run time I can get, but the AB website says you can get 11 1/4hrs runtime. That's huge.

With some additional machining, you could make something like the Anton Bauer Stasis (where the battery is extended back and down the user's shoulder) which would help tremendously to balance the system for handheld use.

First off: I might change over to IDX batteries because they offer even more running time and they are more common in the TV world I shoot in (Belgium).

I use the AB Hytron 50s (2 of them) with my XL2. Im very happy with them. Balance did improve a lot, as does the running time. Balance is still not what it could be, compared with Sony ENG cameras I'm used to, but it's closer than anything in this range. But what it really does is add 'inertia'. This means, when you do quick pans or dutch moves on the shoulder, the added weight of the camera helps you do this because it 'works against you'. This really sounds strange, but once you feel the difference between a heavy camera on the shoulder, and a much lighter one, you'll know what I mean.

And most of all: running time. I have also an Ultralight 2 from AB, fed from the same batteries. No extra batteries or cables to feed both camera and light, a great combo! I can say I get almost 6 hours out one battery. That's without using the light. When I use the light a lot (doing interviews and such in ENG situations), I can go for about 2-3 hours (with a 25W light). With another battery at hand, this is more than sufficient.

And to give a 'sneek peek behind the scens of the pros' ;-) , I can tell you, almost no modern TV crew (with DigiBeta, BetaSX, DVCAM, DVCPro, ...) hase more than two batteries with them: one on the camera, one in the backpack, and a charger in the car (on 12V). That's all.

I also plan to get me a CitiDisk DV harddisk recorder, which can also be fed from the same AB batteries: camera, light and harddisk from one battery. You only need a mounting plate from the manufacturer of the CitiDisk, Shining Technologies.

Greetz and best off luck! I would recommend them!

We have an AB setup for our XL2 and it was one of the necessary purchases for us. I can't recommend it enough. Beyond the obvious advantages of runtime and camera weight, there are other marked advantages on the set:

- ability to visually check batteries actual level
- compatibility with other production equipment (monitors, steadicams, jib) which commonly use AB batteries
- using the charger, check batteries condition
- durability!

As for the weight and balance question, we're using Hytron 50s, and them combined with the 16x manual lens is a easily usable setup on the shoulder, whereas I would consider the 16x manual with standard Canon batteries, pretty much unusable or at least difficult, on the shoulder.

I do also recommend IDX, my old ENG package had IDXs and I loved them. But we went with AB because its more of a standard on sets, therefore you can swap or use your batteries with any other gear you rent (at least here in the Los Angeles area).

good luck!

Oliver

Thanks for all the replies. Is it safe to say that the balance with AB batteries is markedly better than a "normal" XL2 setup? Are you still using your arm to support most of the camera's weight?

Yes on both questions!

Balance is (much) better, but your arm still takes most of the weight.

To give you an idea: I can easily shoot all day with this setup and I'm not a powerlifter.

What about with a brick? I'm assuming that would do more for balance than a smaller sized AB battery...?

I used AB Gold Mount and Dionic 90 on my XL2. Balance is pretty good too. I second all the above comments about 11 hours runtime and advantage of AB. You also can use AB video light simultaneously with the Dionic 90 powering both the camera and 25 watts bulb at the same time.

Also, you can also achieve the same relative effect if you use Canon's CH910E and 2 Canon LiOn batteries (the big ones). This setup also gives you an advantage that AB can't - namely, operate from mains - by plugging the power cord into CH910E charger. However, the AB video light can't be used in this config. You win some, lose some.

TS

I may be mistaken, but I don't think you can power the camera from mains with the CH-910. I have this setup and I use it on my backup XL1s, my memory tells me it is powered via battery only. It does do a nice job with the big Lion's and you can pick up generics (6000ma) from B&H for approx. $60-$80 ea. The charger runs $140 so you can get the same backup time for around $300 which is $150 cheaper than the AB battery alone. One drawback is the mount design is basically a clip on and it does rattle a little if moved.

You are right. The mains is only for charging - I didn't know that until your post - and that prompted me to test it out. Which means, even with batteries in place, if mains power is supplied, the camera don't get power at all. To feed the camera, you have to turn off the mains supply. Yeeps!

Looks like my AB Dionic 90 and Gold Mount adaptor is now going in for good - 90 AH versus 6 AH for Canon LiON is a vast difference in power.

On a different note - I noticed the battery consumption is a lot higher if you turn off and on the camera while shooting versus leaving it on in between scenes - provided it don't exceed 5 minutes (camera turned off itself automatically once on 5 minutes idle time).

TS

I found out about the mains the hard way, but I have never had time to test it to make sure it was not just my charger. I was planning on shooting a wedding for my wife's cousin in a very remote town in Rajasthan, India. I did not have time to recharge my batteries the night before, so I packed the CH-910 and a voltage adapter and planned on using an available extension cord. I could not get it to work, and only had enough battery power for about 1hr (approx. 12 hrs short of the weddings duration) I felt bad at first, but I had a much better time at the wedding with my camera in it's bag. When I got back from India, my first purchase was the Anton Bauer Dionic 90 and a new Titan charger.

Titan charger - did you get the dual slot version or single slot? The single slot is interesting - because you can actually power up the camera from AC - or so, that's what the brochure says.

I use dual Dionic 90 batteries and one dual 2722 charger. And the QR-XL-1C adaptor for Gold Mount. Looks like (thanks to you and this post) my CH910E is going to be out of camera "for good". Can now dedicate the Canon LiON batteries to power my LCD panel :-).

TS

It was a toss up, but I went with the Titan twin. Your correct, the Titan 70 will also power via mains which was very tempting. I also have an AB Proformer battery that I use to power my 7" Panasonic LCD via an AB Gold Mount adapter so I went with the Twin. If I used one of the Nebtek adapters to power my LCD with the Canon batteries I may have opted for the Titan 70 (which is actually cheaper). I use the CH-910 and two BP-945's with my XL1s now and I leave the AB Dionic 90 mounted to the QR-XL-1C on my XL2.

I have a shoot in the remote mountains for 7 days. Has any body used these solar cell mats for recharging your batteries. Wilderness areas frown on small generators.. I have found a company called Brunton that sell such an item. just wonder what input was out their... also we will be on horses, weight is a problem.

For long trips, I normally take my portable battery supply that you could buy at any Auto Part or RV place. I paid about $200 for it and it comes with 2 power plugs and a 12V outlet as well. You just charge it before your trip. When your canon batteries are low, just plug them in and charge them up (it's silent). You'll have to test it if you are going for 7 days to see if it will last that long.

See my post in the following threads which points to 3 threads
here on DVi that discussed this before:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37956

Anyone know if the Canon BP-945 batteries are interchangable with the DVX100 batteries?? I noticed they are both 7.2v. Thanks.

Sorry, absolutely not, Jim. Each manufacturer uses a proprietary form factor and a unique footprint. Different models of one series can be used... such as the BP-915, BP-930 and BP-945 for the Canon. But Panasonic batts will not fit a Canon cam, and vice versa (this goes for Sony & JVC too).

Yeah, I guess I had some early morning wishful thinking. I don't know what got into me, I should have known better. :-)

I've heard warnings from other XL2 users about using 3rd party batteries with the camera: in that in may 'damage' the camera.

Does anyone have experience using batteries made by companies other than Canon? Do you have sources or have you heard stories about the do's and don'ts regarding battery purchase?

I found a 'Canon BP-945 (equivalent)' made by HiCapacity Power Products for US$44.95. It comes with a 1year warranty. Any words in response?

Stefan

I've been using "Power2000 for Canon BP-945" since I got the XL2 and have not had any problems with them. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if autopsy showed that these use the same cells as the Canon packs. There are relatively few cell manufacturers.

I've read through a lot of the posts on the MiniDV tape situation and the relationships of the different tapes to manufacturers, to the camera, the cameras heads etc. I am VERY new to digital video and am very interested to dive into educating myself about the different inter-related factors- Battery Power being a very basic foundation. Does anyone have a direction to point me in to learn about Batteries? different manufactures, cross-compatability?

In related news, trans fat may kill you ;-)

Seriously though, what kind of damage are we talking about? I think we would hear about it a bit more if this was a serious concern with the XL2. And 3rd party vendors probably know better than to make your camera explode when using their products. Not a very good way to stay in business.

Been using several Power-2000 myself for a few months now. Flawless operation of both the batteries and the camera, not a glitch to be found. Well except for the tapes, but that belongs in an other forum.

Sometimes I wonder just how much of these warnings is reality based and how much is brand originated and perpetrated myths. Like in typical fashion, the vendor stating in the manual something along the lines of "make sure to only use our accessories to insure optimum performance" (yeah right).

Weren't there some 3rd party cheap-o cell phone batteries that actually did cause problems...fires, or battery explosions that injured people? Hence the big push to use only name-brand batteries, at least for cell phones.

I also do not recall ever hearing such problems related to video cameras, but maybe that is part of the reason (excuse?) manufacturers have for recommending only their own batteries? From their point of view, why should the camera company have to spend its warranty department dollars if someone else's battery broke the camera?

That said, I agree with David that at least the major, known battery companies seem to put out good, problem-free products (but read your camera warranty before deciding on 3rd party stuff!). I've used Lenmar batteries on a number of my consumer electronic devices without the slightest problems -- often a higher capacity for less price than OEM. But I'd be reluctant to do so if I knew that it would void my warranty.

Pete, you're absolutetly right about the cell phones:

Worldwide a number of cells exploded in 2003, a great many of them Nokia phones. According to Nokia, third-party or counterfeit batteries were to blame: in each and every exploding phone case it investigated, the battery in question proved not to be original to the unit and not to have included industry-standard safety measures. It also found the vast majority of short circuits that led to these explosions were caused by the units' having undergone traumatic events (such as being dropped) which jeopardized the integrity of poorly-manufactured batteries.


I have used a Power 2000 for both my XL1 and now my XL2 and I have had no problems. Then again I haven't been dropping my camera or battery on the ground either. :-)

Warranty issues and reputation should indeed be the only thing holding you back from a specific 3rd party vendor.

An other way to insure you're not using a piece of junk to power your $5000 camera is to buy from reputable sellers. Stores like B&H or ZGC will stand behind their products and not offer some cheap junk just to make a few more bucks in profit. That's a proven selection method to avoid lemon companies.

And of course, there's the user reviews. I've taken a habit to always google a few reviews on any new gear I buy, just to double check and make sure there is no known problems with the brand I'm considering.

I have a XL2 but without any light until now.I am planning to buy a Cosmolight rubino powered from a operator battery belt but I am confused with the connections:how do I connect the XL2 to the battery belt?or do you know a recommended battery belt for the XL2 and a on-camera light?

I believe most people just invest in a couple of high capacity batteries for
the XL2 (you can buy a cheaper brand like Lenmar) where you will get 1 - 2
hours of recording time at least.

There is also a dual battery holder for the Canon that allows you to mount
two such camera's on the camera (and provides a bit of weight at the back
to better balance the camera out) and I believe you can switch one battery
on the fly (leaving the other operating the camera), but I COULD be wrong
on that!!!

I don't know anything about the battery belt, but there may only be one connection on the belt. This may be for your light. The XL2 needs 7.2V, so whatever you plug into it, had better be transformed down to that voltage. Your battery belt may be a higher wattage, so be sure to read the instructions before plugging in.

There's the Canon Dual Battery holder and lots of 7.2V batteries. Or you can use Anton Bauer 14V batteries. They make an adapter that goes on the back of the XL2, so it powers the camera and has a "Power Tap" which is an additional power socket that will power any 12V light or other accessory. It is powered by Anton Bauer batteries. The adapter steps the voltage down to 7.2V for the XL2.

Hi Lutz,

I use the Pag C6 light which comes with a separate battery and you can sling over your shoulder. I only really use it for emergencies and things like a wedding first dance or messages to camera and it's great, a real lifesaver. The C6 also just slips onto the hotshoe on your XL2.

Good luck.

Hello all!
I have eco charge batteries for my Tascam DAT machine (6 hours of juice). They have 4 pin XLR connectors on them. Is there a way to connect them to and use them with the XL2? What connectors / cables do I need?

Thanks so much!
Tracy Graziano

The XL2 will need about 7.2 volts (if I remember correctly). I doubt your
setup will power the XL2 for very long. Compare the descriptions on the
batteries. The volts and amperes are what matters.

Thanks Rob. The batteries are:
Power 12 Volt, 7.2 A/h

I was just thinking that I aleady own these batteries and that they would be nice because I could keep them in my coat when shooting in really cold weather. (I film wildlife.)

Speaking of cold weather, does anyone know of a XL2 jacket that works ok? I've sown my own camo-cover for the camera, so maybe I could just make something that's insulated with pockets for those little hand warmer packets? What does everyone think?

I'm not an electrician, so if someone wants to educate me as to why these batteries wouldn't work, I'm all ears.

Suggestions for connections would be very helpful.