power supply also a charger? at DVinfo.net

Leonard Levy · February 16th, 2011, 09:48 PM

I notice the F3 doesn't come with a battery, but I assume it does have an AC power supply. Is this the same as with the EX-1 doubling as a charger?

Also is the power drain the same as the EX-1?

Doug Jensen · February 16th, 2011, 10:08 PM

The F3 does not come with an AC adapter.
The power consumption of the F3 is between 18-24 watts depending on what options you have turned on. The dual-link output, running the LCD and viewfinder simultaneously, etc. all add to the power requirements.
The EX1R, on the other hand, draws about 12-13 watts.

So, the F3 uses 50%-90% more power.

Andrew Stone · February 16th, 2011, 10:13 PM

Hi Leonard,

You would have to get something like this...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/438820-REG/Switronix_SPU_4_SPU_4_Compact_Power_Supply.html

...to run it off AC power.

Leonard Levy · February 18th, 2011, 01:29 AM

They sell it without a battery or an AC adapter! Sounds ridiculous to me.
Is that normal for a higher end camera is it just Sony being Sony.
Can you use an EX-1 power supply or does it run off standard 12V 4 pin XLR?

Will my ancient AC500 do the trick then?

Alister Chapman · February 18th, 2011, 03:32 AM

It's normal for high end cameras to be supplied without any batteries and charger. Different people will want to use different power options. Many users of the F3 will probably use V-Lock or Anton Bauer. Not every one will use the BP-U60's

David C. Williams · February 18th, 2011, 04:12 AM

Indeed, anybody seen a 15mm rail mount v-lock to xlr that would suit the F3?

Jim Tittle · February 18th, 2011, 08:49 AM

Look at the AJA Ki Pro Mini website. Ki Pro rod plates ($269 for a pair),
hold a mounting plate with a V-mount attached. You could use this setup for power only, or get two mounting plates and add a Ki Pro Mini.

Ryan Hollings · February 18th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David C. Williams

Indeed, anybody seen a 15mm rail mount v-lock to xlr that would suit the F3?

I am using this:

microBalance Plus

with this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242075-REG/IDX_C_EB_XLR_C_EBXLR_V_Mount_Plate_with.html

Bruce Schultz · February 18th, 2011, 06:10 PM

[quote=Ryan Hollings;1619451]I am using this:

microBalance Plus

I really like that it holds things below the rods assembly. Do you know of a 19mm version of this?

Ola Christoffersson · February 20th, 2011, 05:15 AM

Would the charger supply enough power to power the F3? In that case all you'd have to do is replace the small plug on the charger with a large power plug for the F3.

Dave Sperling · February 20th, 2011, 09:37 AM

The BC-U1 charger I have has a listed max output of 2 amps, which makes it very close to the power draw of the F3 if you have lots of things (all your outputs) turned on -- a little too close for comfort in my thinking.

Perhaps Doug J could test it, and if I'm wrong and it works properly, Vortex Media could come up with an opposite gender cable adapter (the opposite of their current EXDC1 power cable)?

Ed Roo · February 20th, 2011, 11:43 AM

Typical battery charging current is 0.1c.
In plain English, that means 1/10th of the rated battery capacity.
For example, if a battery is rated at 1 AHr, the typical charge current would be 0.1 A (100 mA).
Hence a battery charger is a regulated device, either a constant current, constant voltage or both.
(A depleted battery will have a low voltage and draw a high current. As the battery charges, the current drawn is reduced and the voltage rises.)

A power supply will usually provide a regulate constant voltage and allow the current to float up or down depending on the demand. (The power supply will provide up to its rated output.)

Ola Christoffersson · February 20th, 2011, 01:47 PM

The BC-U1 and -U2 are not only chargers. They double as power supplies for the EX1 and EX3 so using them to power the F3 is not so far fetched in my opinion.

Leonard Levy · February 20th, 2011, 10:04 PM

Seems if it were that easy wouldn't Sony have provided it with a 4 pin . Of course never try to second guess Sony marketing.

Andrew Stone · February 21st, 2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola Christoffersson

The BC-U1 and -U2 are not only chargers. They double as power supplies for the EX1 and EX3 so using them to power the F3 is not so far fetched in my opinion.

Hi Ola, as Dave said the charger in power supply mode outputs 2 amps. That translates into 24 watts. This is what the camera draws. There is no margin so I would agree with David that it isn't suitable.

I mentioned above that Switronic sells a power adapter which B&H sells for just under $100 USD. It is rated at 5 amps so you could safely throw 50 to 70 watts of stuff at it which should cover off accessories including an eye light on the camera.

February 16th, 2011, 09:48 PM	#1
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	power supply also a charger? I notice the F3 doesn't come with a battery, but I assume it does have an AC power supply. Is this the same as with the EX-1 doubling as a charger? Also is the power drain the same as the EX-1?

February 16th, 2011, 10:08 PM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	The F3 does not come with an AC adapter. The power consumption of the F3 is between 18-24 watts depending on what options you have turned on. The dual-link output, running the LCD and viewfinder simultaneously, etc. all add to the power requirements. The EX1R, on the other hand, draws about 12-13 watts. So, the F3 uses 50%-90% more power. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

February 18th, 2011, 01:29 AM	#4
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	They sell it without a battery or an AC adapter! Sounds ridiculous to me. Is that normal for a higher end camera is it just Sony being Sony. Can you use an EX-1 power supply or does it run off standard 12V 4 pin XLR? Will my ancient AC500 do the trick then? Last edited by Leonard Levy; February 18th, 2011 at 02:02 AM.

February 18th, 2011, 03:32 AM	#5
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	It's normal for high end cameras to be supplied without any batteries and charger. Different people will want to use different power options. Many users of the F3 will probably use V-Lock or Anton Bauer. Not every one will use the BP-U60's __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

February 18th, 2011, 04:12 AM	#6
David C. Williams Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: melb.vic.au Posts: 447	Indeed, anybody seen a 15mm rail mount v-lock to xlr that would suit the F3? __________________ www.davidwilliams.com.au

February 16th, 2011, 10:13 PM	#3
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Hi Leonard, You would have to get something like this... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/438820-REG/Switronix_SPU_4_SPU_4_Compact_Power_Supply.html ...to run it off AC power.

February 18th, 2011, 08:49 AM	#7
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	Look at the AJA Ki Pro Mini website. Ki Pro rod plates ($269 for a pair), hold a mounting plate with a V-mount attached. You could use this setup for power only, or get two mounting plates and add a Ki Pro Mini.

February 18th, 2011, 06:10 PM	#9
Bruce Schultz Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Malibu, CA Posts: 480	[quote=Ryan Hollings;1619451]I am using this: microBalance Plus I really like that it holds things below the rods assembly. Do you know of a 19mm version of this?

February 20th, 2011, 05:15 AM	#10
Ola Christoffersson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 462	Would the charger supply enough power to power the F3? In that case all you'd have to do is replace the small plug on the charger with a large power plug for the F3. __________________ Ola Christoffersson, Kamrat produktion, Stockholm - Sweden www.kamrat.tv

February 20th, 2011, 09:37 AM	#11
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	The BC-U1 charger I have has a listed max output of 2 amps, which makes it very close to the power draw of the F3 if you have lots of things (all your outputs) turned on -- a little too close for comfort in my thinking. Perhaps Doug J could test it, and if I'm wrong and it works properly, Vortex Media could come up with an opposite gender cable adapter (the opposite of their current EXDC1 power cable)?

February 20th, 2011, 11:43 AM	#12
Ed Roo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Columbus USA Posts: 312	Typical battery charging current is 0.1c. In plain English, that means 1/10th of the rated battery capacity. For example, if a battery is rated at 1 AHr, the typical charge current would be 0.1 A (100 mA). Hence a battery charger is a regulated device, either a constant current, constant voltage or both. (A depleted battery will have a low voltage and draw a high current. As the battery charges, the current drawn is reduced and the voltage rises.) A power supply will usually provide a regulate constant voltage and allow the current to float up or down depending on the demand. (The power supply will provide up to its rated output.)

February 20th, 2011, 01:47 PM	#13
Ola Christoffersson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 462	The BC-U1 and -U2 are not only chargers. They double as power supplies for the EX1 and EX3 so using them to power the F3 is not so far fetched in my opinion. __________________ Ola Christoffersson, Kamrat produktion, Stockholm - Sweden www.kamrat.tv

February 20th, 2011, 10:04 PM	#14
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: power supply also a charger? Seems if it were that easy wouldn't Sony have provided it with a 4 pin . Of course never try to second guess Sony marketing.