On-camera EVF power? at DVinfo.net

Will Thompson · September 16th, 2012, 01:59 PM

Is there a way to get DC power to an EVF without an Anton Bauer-type battery? If there were a way to tap power directly from the camera that would be ideal, but it doesn't appear to be possible. I have looked for something that goes in between the battery and the camera to siphon power, but I don't think anyone makes one. I have heard of NP-F970-style batteries with a tap on the back, but I can't find them anywhere.

The idea is simply to have one battery/battery type and one charger type for a lightweight rig and less anxiety in tiny-crew ENG shooting situations. Any similar solutions out there?

Cees van Kempen · September 17th, 2012, 12:49 AM

The NP-F style battery with tap on the back that I use is the Swit S-8972. I use it to power my camera and nanoflash.

S-8972 DV Battery with DC Output for Sony NP-F970/770

Will Thompson · September 17th, 2012, 09:18 AM

Thanks Cees. These are priced the same as retail NP-F970s, so it's not a bad option at all.

In the product description it says that it has an LED battery level indicator. Can I assume this implies that it does not supply InfoLithium data to the camera?

Cees van Kempen · September 18th, 2012, 12:14 AM

On my FS700 it does supply information to the camera. However it is not as accurate as with original batteries. It remains on 100% for quite a while and then goes down a bit faster. It gives a reasonable indication however.

Steve Game · September 18th, 2012, 01:21 AM

Surely it doesn't actually supply 'information' to the camera in the same sense as a genuine Sony Infolithium as it doesn't have the datalink. More likely that the camera senses the voltage coming in which holds up until just before the end-point drop.

Will Thompson · September 18th, 2012, 12:34 PM

Cees, as long as it doesn't catch me off guard I think it would be fine. How much time is typically left when the camera starts to drop percentage?

Cees van Kempen · September 18th, 2012, 01:06 PM

I think that when the battery is still around 75% full the indication in camera starts to go down from 100%. Then I think the battery goes dead when the indication on the camera is somewhere between 10-30%. I haven't checked that properly, I useally switch batteries, when the indiaction reaches around 30%. So I never get surprised.

The led indication on the batteries does not really help you much more. It goes from four leds down to zero leds indicating the status of the battery, but each of my battery is still about half full when the leds give no indication any more. So I trust on the indication in the camera. And since there is an indication going down from 100% to at least 30% I have a reasonable indication that it will not suddenly die unexpected.

September 16th, 2012, 01:59 PM	#1
Will Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 75	On-camera EVF power? Is there a way to get DC power to an EVF without an Anton Bauer-type battery? If there were a way to tap power directly from the camera that would be ideal, but it doesn't appear to be possible. I have looked for something that goes in between the battery and the camera to siphon power, but I don't think anyone makes one. I have heard of NP-F970-style batteries with a tap on the back, but I can't find them anywhere. The idea is simply to have one battery/battery type and one charger type for a lightweight rig and less anxiety in tiny-crew ENG shooting situations. Any similar solutions out there?

September 17th, 2012, 12:49 AM	#2
Cees van Kempen Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands Posts: 455	Re: On-camera EVF power? The NP-F style battery with tap on the back that I use is the Swit S-8972. I use it to power my camera and nanoflash. S-8972 DV Battery with DC Output for Sony NP-F970/770

September 17th, 2012, 09:18 AM	#3
Will Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 75	Re: On-camera EVF power? Thanks Cees. These are priced the same as retail NP-F970s, so it's not a bad option at all. In the product description it says that it has an LED battery level indicator. Can I assume this implies that it does not supply InfoLithium data to the camera? Last edited by Will Thompson; September 17th, 2012 at 09:58 AM. Reason: added question

September 18th, 2012, 12:14 AM	#4
Cees van Kempen Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands Posts: 455	Re: On-camera EVF power? On my FS700 it does supply information to the camera. However it is not as accurate as with original batteries. It remains on 100% for quite a while and then goes down a bit faster. It gives a reasonable indication however.

September 18th, 2012, 01:21 AM	#5
Steve Game Major Player Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London, UK Posts: 353	Re: On-camera EVF power? Surely it doesn't actually supply 'information' to the camera in the same sense as a genuine Sony Infolithium as it doesn't have the datalink. More likely that the camera senses the voltage coming in which holds up until just before the end-point drop.

September 18th, 2012, 12:34 PM	#6
Will Thompson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 75	Re: On-camera EVF power? Cees, as long as it doesn't catch me off guard I think it would be fine. How much time is typically left when the camera starts to drop percentage?

September 18th, 2012, 01:06 PM	#7
Cees van Kempen Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands Posts: 455	Re: On-camera EVF power? I think that when the battery is still around 75% full the indication in camera starts to go down from 100%. Then I think the battery goes dead when the indication on the camera is somewhere between 10-30%. I haven't checked that properly, I useally switch batteries, when the indiaction reaches around 30%. So I never get surprised. The led indication on the batteries does not really help you much more. It goes from four leds down to zero leds indicating the status of the battery, but each of my battery is still about half full when the leds give no indication any more. So I trust on the indication in the camera. And since there is an indication going down from 100% to at least 30% I have a reasonable indication that it will not suddenly die unexpected.