Batteries for XL2

Lou Bruno · July 29th, 2006, 05:57 AM

I come from the video world of very heavy cameras. I find my new XL-2 is front heavy. I purchased the ANTON BAUER plate and saved money by buying the new SWITRONIX 130W battery. I can power my Sachtler light and camera for hours on end now and have a proper balance of the camera.

Jarrod Whaley · July 29th, 2006, 02:09 PM

I really don't mean to be combative when I say this, but it just doesn't make sense to me to spend $1000 on a battery system if your main reason for buying it is to balance the camera. If that's all you want, then mount a salvaged construction brick on the shoulder rest for free. It may not be as pretty, but your video will look the same either way, and that seems like the important thing to me.

While so many people seem to be very happy with the Anton Bauer setup, I just can't see why it's a justifiable expense. Generic BP-945's are dirt cheap and plentiful. Yes, it's easy to migrate your AB setup to another camera later. But it's also just as easy to buy Anton Bauers when you actually do get a new camera and stick to the $20 batts while they still work. You're only going to end up spending maybe $40 or $60 that way, and you can put off the expensive purchase of schmancy batteries until you really need them--and quite possibly, you never will.

Finally, I just want to add that I'm not trying to argue with those who've bought the AB's and are happy with them. If you're happy, then that's what matters. I'm just reiterating my opinion here for the possible benefit of those who are currently making this decision. That opinion being, in summary, that you'll be more than fine with $20 knock-offs. You'll need to change batteries more often, but you'll also save a boatload of money that can be spent on more essential things.

Greg Boston · July 29th, 2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrod Whaley

I really don't mean to be combative when I say this, but it just doesn't make sense to me to spend $1000 on a battery system if your main reason for buying it is to balance the camera. If that's all you want, then mount a salvaged construction brick on the shoulder rest for free. It may not be as pretty, but your video will look the same either way, and that seems like the important thing to me.

While so many people seem to be very happy with the Anton Bauer setup, I just can't see why it's a justifiable expense. Generic BP-945's are dirt cheap and plentiful. Yes, it's easy to migrate your AB setup to another camera later. But it's also just as easy to buy Anton Bauers when you actually do get a new camera and stick to the $20 batts while they still work. You're only going to end up spending maybe $40 or $60 that way, and you can put off the expensive purchase of schmancy batteries until you really need them--and quite possibly, you never will.

Finally, I just want to add that I'm not trying to argue with those who've bought the AB's and are happy with them. If you're happy, then that's what matters. I'm just reiterating my opinion here for the possible benefit of those who are currently making this decision. That opinion being, in summary, that you'll be more than fine with $20 knock-offs. You'll need to change batteries more often, but you'll also save a boatload of money that can be spent on more essential things.

Duly noted. And for the record, I didn't buy a 'brand new' AB system for my XL2. I saved a boatload of money by using our classifieds and buying from a fellow DVINFO member. A win-win situation IMO.

If you don't need them, fine. It all depends on the type of work you do with your camera. But I factored 'camera balance' in my decision as just one of the benefits of the AB system. Interoperability and compatibllity with other equipment was another factor. Migration was yet another factor. Integrity and reliability another factor.

It's good to have choices.

-gb-

Marc Gaudet · September 23rd, 2006, 03:38 PM

thx chris wow there some who really takes the extra time in life and i would say you get rewarded after a while thx alot nice article

Allen McLaughlin · September 24th, 2006, 04:34 AM

I bought three of these cheap clones and I'm lucky if I use two on a normal day's shooting...

http://www.cheap-camcorder-batteries...non-bp-945.htm

Richard Alvarez · September 24th, 2006, 06:54 AM

I've worked with AB in the professional world of ENG, and I love 'em.

I own an Xl2 for my work, and made my decision to go with the 910 dual pack and cheap 945's for power for EXACTLY the reasons Jarrod outlined. At the time, I couldn't afford to buy into an AB system, and didn't see myself needing it for a while. (Still don't. When I freelance for TV stations, they supply the gear.)

I have one 930 (That's what came with the camera, right?) and four 945's. I've shot all day, and not run out of power. The great thing about the 910 is that it charges two batteries. So overnite, I set two batts on it, one in the charger that shipped with the cam, and I'm good to go. And yes, the weight of the 910 and the dual 945's is great balance. I also use the FU-1000 viewfinder, but I use the manual 16x lens.

Like the man said, choice is good.

Richard Day · December 22nd, 2006, 08:24 AM

I am a new XL2 owner and have a question about the CH-910 Dual Battery Charger...do I understand it right that this charger holds 2 BP-930 batteries and will mount to the bracket that was supplied with the camera? The bracket mounts on the back part of the XL2.

Thanks,

Richard

Chris Hurd · December 22nd, 2006, 09:35 AM

Hi Richard, yes that's correct, and it holds any two BP-9xx batteries in any combination. You could have two BP-945's, one 945 and one 930, etc.

Richard Day · December 22nd, 2006, 09:44 AM

Thanks Chris, I thought so...but wanted to make sure.

Happy Holidays!

Richard

Eb Samba · December 22nd, 2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Day

the CH-910 Dual Battery Charger...do I understand it right that this charger holds 2 BP-930 batteries and will mount to the bracket that was supplied with the camera? The bracket mounts on the back part of the XL2.

Yes
The CH-910 holds two battery packs and can charge them one after the other. Once the batteries are charged, the CH-910, with batteries in place, can be simply attached to the bracket(which is mounted to the back of the XL2) and then connected directly to your XL2. This will give you twice the recording time of just one battery. It can be used with any combination of Canon BP-900 series Lithium-Ion batteries.

Keep in mind, it makes the Camera a little heavy, but you will get use to the weight. The extra weight at the back will help balance the weight of the camera. With the 20X lens attached, the frontend of the xl2 is the heaviest part of the camcorder. The extra weight at the back will be a counter-balance.

Brandon Katcher · December 22nd, 2006, 05:16 PM

Does anyone have a picture of the dual battery on their camera?
Thanks,
Brandon

Owen Hughes · April 26th, 2007, 05:32 AM

I recently worked on a gig using the XL-H1 and this camera had a v-lock type battery on the back and despite making the camera heavier, it made the long shoot easier as it was balanced better on my shoulder.

I'm now looking into getting such a battery for my XL2, does anybody have any suggestions of good buys for such an item

Cheers in advance

Owen

Owen Hughes · May 2nd, 2007, 08:33 AM

Nobody know of anything then?

Graham Risdon · May 5th, 2007, 03:04 AM

Hi Owen

I use IDX v-locks on my Sony kit (DSR-450 etc.). They do 2 versions, the more expensive allow batteries to be piggy-backed for longer duration. Take a look at http://www.idxtek.com/

Alternatively, Hawk-Woods are a UK company taht are cheaper and make lots of bits - power taps etc for v-locks. See them at http://www.hawkwoods.com/

Hope this helps

Graham

Owen Hughes · May 6th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Thanks Graham.

I've looked at the IDX systems before and they seem to suite my requirements the most. Bit pricey for me at the moment but I guess it'll go on the wishlist with a whole host of other things.

I guess I could just strap a brick to the back with some gaff in the meantime

Thanks again,

Owen

July 29th, 2006, 05:57 AM	#136
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	I come from the video world of very heavy cameras. I find my new XL-2 is front heavy. I purchased the ANTON BAUER plate and saved money by buying the new SWITRONIX 130W battery. I can power my Sachtler light and camera for hours on end now and have a proper balance of the camera. __________________ Lou Bruno

July 29th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#137
Jarrod Whaley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: chattanooga, tn Posts: 721	I really don't mean to be combative when I say this, but it just doesn't make sense to me to spend $1000 on a battery system if your main reason for buying it is to balance the camera. If that's all you want, then mount a salvaged construction brick on the shoulder rest for free. It may not be as pretty, but your video will look the same either way, and that seems like the important thing to me. While so many people seem to be very happy with the Anton Bauer setup, I just can't see why it's a justifiable expense. Generic BP-945's are dirt cheap and plentiful. Yes, it's easy to migrate your AB setup to another camera later. But it's also just as easy to buy Anton Bauers when you actually do get a new camera and stick to the $20 batts while they still work. You're only going to end up spending maybe $40 or $60 that way, and you can put off the expensive purchase of schmancy batteries until you really need them--and quite possibly, you never will. Finally, I just want to add that I'm not trying to argue with those who've bought the AB's and are happy with them. If you're happy, then that's what matters. I'm just reiterating my opinion here for the possible benefit of those who are currently making this decision. That opinion being, in summary, that you'll be more than fine with $20 knock-offs. You'll need to change batteries more often, but you'll also save a boatload of money that can be spent on more essential things. __________________ -->jarrod whaley. www.oakstreetfilms.com

September 24th, 2006, 04:34 AM	#140
Allen McLaughlin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Paisley, Scotland UK Posts: 99	I bought three of these cheap clones and I'm lucky if I use two on a normal day's shooting... http://www.cheap-camcorder-batteries...non-bp-945.htm __________________ http://www.myspace.com/theeejit

December 22nd, 2006, 08:24 AM	#142
Richard Day New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alma, IL Posts: 17	Dual Battery Charger I am a new XL2 owner and have a question about the CH-910 Dual Battery Charger...do I understand it right that this charger holds 2 BP-930 batteries and will mount to the bracket that was supplied with the camera? The bracket mounts on the back part of the XL2. Thanks, Richard

December 22nd, 2006, 09:35 AM	#143
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Hi Richard, yes that's correct, and it holds any two BP-9xx batteries in any combination. You could have two BP-945's, one 945 and one 930, etc. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 23rd, 2006, 03:38 PM	#139
Marc Gaudet New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: moncton nb canada Posts: 20	thx chris wow there some who really takes the extra time in life and i would say you get rewarded after a while thx alot nice article

September 24th, 2006, 06:54 AM	#141
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I've worked with AB in the professional world of ENG, and I love 'em. I own an Xl2 for my work, and made my decision to go with the 910 dual pack and cheap 945's for power for EXACTLY the reasons Jarrod outlined. At the time, I couldn't afford to buy into an AB system, and didn't see myself needing it for a while. (Still don't. When I freelance for TV stations, they supply the gear.) I have one 930 (That's what came with the camera, right?) and four 945's. I've shot all day, and not run out of power. The great thing about the 910 is that it charges two batteries. So overnite, I set two batts on it, one in the charger that shipped with the cam, and I'm good to go. And yes, the weight of the 910 and the dual 945's is great balance. I also use the FU-1000 viewfinder, but I use the manual 16x lens. Like the man said, choice is good.

December 22nd, 2006, 09:44 AM	#144
Richard Day New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alma, IL Posts: 17	Dual Battery Charger Thanks Chris, I thought so...but wanted to make sure. Happy Holidays! Richard

December 22nd, 2006, 05:16 PM	#146
Brandon Katcher Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 55	Does anyone have a picture of the dual battery on their camera? Thanks, Brandon

April 26th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#147
Owen Hughes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Posts: 41	V-lock type batteries I recently worked on a gig using the XL-H1 and this camera had a v-lock type battery on the back and despite making the camera heavier, it made the long shoot easier as it was balanced better on my shoulder. I'm now looking into getting such a battery for my XL2, does anybody have any suggestions of good buys for such an item Cheers in advance Owen

May 2nd, 2007, 08:33 AM	#148
Owen Hughes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Posts: 41	Nobody know of anything then?

May 5th, 2007, 03:04 AM	#149
Graham Risdon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 192	Hi Owen I use IDX v-locks on my Sony kit (DSR-450 etc.). They do 2 versions, the more expensive allow batteries to be piggy-backed for longer duration. Take a look at http://www.idxtek.com/ Alternatively, Hawk-Woods are a UK company taht are cheaper and make lots of bits - power taps etc for v-locks. See them at http://www.hawkwoods.com/ Hope this helps Graham

May 6th, 2007, 02:34 PM	#150
Owen Hughes Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK Posts: 41	brick? Thanks Graham. I've looked at the IDX systems before and they seem to suite my requirements the most. Bit pricey for me at the moment but I guess it'll go on the wishlist with a whole host of other things. I guess I could just strap a brick to the back with some gaff in the meantime Thanks again, Owen