Power for the GH2 at DVinfo.net

Matthew Roddy · April 18th, 2012, 10:44 AM

I have a Redrock rails cage and use it for my "higher end" (meaning non-personal) shoots. Basically beefing up the camera, adding a mattebox and cage to add a bit of functionality and glam to the camera.
I'll be adding either a Tascam or Zoom to the rig as well as a SmallHD 4" monitor. I currently have 18in rails, which are WAY too long, so I'd like to power the whole cage with an Anton Bauer (I already have a few Dionics) Gold Mount.

(Actually, I'd like to lay it flat, rather than up or down, since this is not a hand-held rig)
This will create a reason the rails extend so far back as well as balance the camera, which is currently front-heavy since the only thing on the rails is the mattebox and camera.
My questions is this: How can I get power from the AB mount to my GH2 and Zoom (or Tascam)? Is there an affordable power-converter box that has variable power output that can drive the GH2 and external audio?
If only I could have spent a few days at NAB, I might be able to find out myself and report back here... but... alas, I'm stuck here at work.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!!!

Ben Giles · April 18th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Hacksaw.

Cut the rails.

Carry some spare GH2 batteries and AAs for the Tascam/Zoom.

Problem solved... ?

Jeff Harper · April 18th, 2012, 10:55 PM

The Anton thingy may not work if you can't find an adapter for the GH2, but the MyPowerAll can work to power the GH2 for 8 hours or so. I have one like new if you want to buy it make me an offer. I've never used it.

You could also buy a GH2 battery grip to power your cam with two batteries, which is very nice, and affordable also. Search this forum for battery grip and you'll see the link. 2.5 hour or so is better than nothing.

Hope you find a solution.

Matthew Roddy · April 20th, 2012, 12:22 PM

Thanks Jeff.

Part of my goal was to implement my existing AB batteries, so buying your MyPowerAll is not the direction I was hoping to head, but I appreciate the potential solution.

Was just hoping for a single power solution to drive the whole rig. Thought that would be slick and keep me from having to own multiple styles of multiple batteries.

Right now I'm looking at combining these items:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/761050-REG/Panasonic_DMW_DCC8_DMW_DCC8_DC_Coupler_for.htmlwith this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741389-REG/Anton_Bauer_QR_DSLR_QR_DSLR_Gold_Mount.htmlon top of this:
Redrock Micro - microPod accessory plate
It's a bit expensive, but putting this on my rig would, in theory, be a life-long solution to any camera I put up there.
So...I'm trying to think of this as an investment.
Think-think-think...

Alex Dolgin · May 22nd, 2012, 06:46 AM

Mathew, in case you you have not found your solution yet, we make the DC converter configured specifically for G2 power requirements. Power Lumix
GH2-SL DC Converter [GH2-SL-DC] - $149.95 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Solutions
Low profile at only .6" will take any DC voltage in (12V-25V) while powering the GH2 at 8.9V. Also a slightly bigger XLR4 version of it DC Converter GH2 [DC-8.4-GH2] - $169.95 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Solutions has 2 input jacks - XLR4 and 2.1mm - connected so you could tap to the input power source while powering the GH2 camera.
HTH

Matthew Roddy · June 1st, 2012, 04:52 PM

Thanks very much, Alex.

Your product looks good, but not quite what I am specifically looking for.
Since cameras come and go, but rails and rigs are "forever," what I was hoping for was/is a variable power supply with multiple outputs.

If I'm permitted to post a link here, this is what I was hoping for:
powerPack for Canon EOS C300 to power camera & accessories from a battery source | mobile power distribution
but about half the cost. Maybe 2/3s the cost? Basically $300 or less (in case you're planning something ;-)
This will power just about any camera and have enough left over to power a monitor or two as well as, say, a remote follow focus (as RR advertises so soundly currently) or an external audio capturing system - or just about anything.
If I'm reading your specs correctly, you'd very comfortably power the GH2, but that's about it with that model.

Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

April 18th, 2012, 10:44 AM	#1
Matthew Roddy Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca Posts: 307	Power for the GH2 I have a Redrock rails cage and use it for my "higher end" (meaning non-personal) shoots. Basically beefing up the camera, adding a mattebox and cage to add a bit of functionality and glam to the camera. I'll be adding either a Tascam or Zoom to the rig as well as a SmallHD 4" monitor. I currently have 18in rails, which are WAY too long, so I'd like to power the whole cage with an Anton Bauer (I already have a few Dionics) Gold Mount. (Actually, I'd like to lay it flat, rather than up or down, since this is not a hand-held rig) This will create a reason the rails extend so far back as well as balance the camera, which is currently front-heavy since the only thing on the rails is the mattebox and camera. My questions is this: How can I get power from the AB mount to my GH2 and Zoom (or Tascam)? Is there an affordable power-converter box that has variable power output that can drive the GH2 and external audio? If only I could have spent a few days at NAB, I might be able to find out myself and report back here... but... alas, I'm stuck here at work. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!!!

April 18th, 2012, 04:54 PM	#2
Ben Giles Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: UK Posts: 145	Re: Power for the GH2 Hacksaw. Cut the rails. Carry some spare GH2 batteries and AAs for the Tascam/Zoom. Problem solved... ? __________________ www.bengiles.co.uk www.matobo.co.uk

April 18th, 2012, 10:55 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Power for the GH2 The Anton thingy may not work if you can't find an adapter for the GH2, but the MyPowerAll can work to power the GH2 for 8 hours or so. I have one like new if you want to buy it make me an offer. I've never used it. You could also buy a GH2 battery grip to power your cam with two batteries, which is very nice, and affordable also. Search this forum for battery grip and you'll see the link. 2.5 hour or so is better than nothing. Hope you find a solution.

April 20th, 2012, 12:22 PM	#4
Matthew Roddy Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca Posts: 307	Re: Power for the GH2 Thanks Jeff. Part of my goal was to implement my existing AB batteries, so buying your MyPowerAll is not the direction I was hoping to head, but I appreciate the potential solution. Was just hoping for a single power solution to drive the whole rig. Thought that would be slick and keep me from having to own multiple styles of multiple batteries. Right now I'm looking at combining these items: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/761050-REG/Panasonic_DMW_DCC8_DMW_DCC8_DC_Coupler_for.htmlwith this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741389-REG/Anton_Bauer_QR_DSLR_QR_DSLR_Gold_Mount.htmlon top of this: Redrock Micro - microPod accessory plate It's a bit expensive, but putting this on my rig would, in theory, be a life-long solution to any camera I put up there. So...I'm trying to think of this as an investment. Think-think-think...

May 22nd, 2012, 06:46 AM	#5
Alex Dolgin Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lexington, Ma Posts: 286	Re: Power for the GH2 Mathew, in case you you have not found your solution yet, we make the DC converter configured specifically for G2 power requirements. Power Lumix GH2-SL DC Converter [GH2-SL-DC] - $149.95 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Solutions Low profile at only .6" will take any DC voltage in (12V-25V) while powering the GH2 at 8.9V. Also a slightly bigger XLR4 version of it DC Converter GH2 [DC-8.4-GH2] - $169.95 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Solutions has 2 input jacks - XLR4 and 2.1mm - connected so you could tap to the input power source while powering the GH2 camera. HTH __________________ Alex Dolgin Dolgin Engineering Camera DC Power accessories, Fast 4 position Battery Charger http://www.dolgin.net

June 1st, 2012, 04:52 PM	#6
Matthew Roddy Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca Posts: 307	Re: Power for the GH2 Thanks very much, Alex. Your product looks good, but not quite what I am specifically looking for. Since cameras come and go, but rails and rigs are "forever," what I was hoping for was/is a variable power supply with multiple outputs. If I'm permitted to post a link here, this is what I was hoping for: powerPack for Canon EOS C300 to power camera & accessories from a battery source \| mobile power distribution but about half the cost. Maybe 2/3s the cost? Basically $300 or less (in case you're planning something ;-) This will power just about any camera and have enough left over to power a monitor or two as well as, say, a remote follow focus (as RR advertises so soundly currently) or an external audio capturing system - or just about anything. If I'm reading your specs correctly, you'd very comfortably power the GH2, but that's about it with that model. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.