Power Your Camera ALL DAY with NP-F Batteries

[@Bramleyhousemedia]

I've got to thank you, because it was this video that clued me in to the idea of powering my X-T2 via NP-F batteries rather then the mini V-Mount I was planning to drop £139 on. I used a ZGcine battery plate and mounted that on a cheese plate attached to the rig via 15mm rods. Picked up an NP-F950 for £18.99. That ONE battery is the mA/h equivalent of SIX of the W126s batteries that my camera takes! The best part is my rig is entirely transferable, apart from the cage, obviously, so when I finally upgrade to the X-H2s I can power that camera the same way. The battery, cheeseplate, battery plate and rod clamp baseplate costs were still significantly cheaper then what I would have dropped on the V-Mount battery alone, and you're right; for people like myself this is by FAR the better option!

[@boahandarrowsproductions4326]

This is the camera I'm looking at powering now. I wanted to use the battery grip still. How are you connecting o the camera? Thank you.

[@Bramleyhousemedia]

@@boahandarrowsproductions4326 - I have the battery grip for my camera and I literally just use it now for charging the camera batteries. I connect my NP-F battery to my camera via dummy battery, so USB C from the Battery plate to a w126 dummy that takes the place of the regular battery. I wasn't keen on using the USB port on the camera for power since it's so stupidly fragile.

[@boahandarrowsproductions4326]

@@Bramleyhousemedia That's a good point on the USB powerside. Do you still get 30 minutes recording time with the dummy battery solution? I was also looking at the Tilta power side handle to power the camera.

[@Bramleyhousemedia]

@@boahandarrowsproductions4326 - Yeah, unfortunately that's a hard limit set in camera. From what I understand those limits are set by manufacturers because once you have a device that can record more than 30 minutes internally it becomes a video camera, and therefore is taxed differently. Having that recording limit allows them to keep the price down and differentiate between a mirrorless camera that happens to be able to record video and a full fledged cinema camera,

[@boahandarrowsproductions4326]

@@Bramleyhousemedia Thank you for the explanation. What I mean to say is, with Boost mode with the grip, you get 30 minutes of recording. Will the dummy battery default to the 15 minutes since it's not using the grip's Boost option?

[@robertdouble559]

I've used bigger pro kits with big v lock batteries a lot, in recent years I've really enjoyed stripped back kits with npf batteries. Quick tip, neewer make a version of that small rig plate that also doubles as a charger, and it's FAST. it charges a npf970 in about 3 hours instead of 8 or 9 hours.

[@Sivart321]

Do you have a link for the neewer one? I can't seem to find it.

[@GFODTTV]

Would I be able to run that on a canon t6i?

[@GFXYORROB]

Just across your channel today Christian and I too am an intermediate photo-video gear head and I really appreciate your smooth laid back approach to this topic...I was getting so focused on buying all this STUFF!!! You're absolutely right...no one cares about all the fancy equipment nowadays. I know a couple of kids who are making documentaries with nothing but iPhone 12's ...it's all in the creator behind the equipment. I've subscribed to you and look forward to possibly chatting w ya bro!

[@ChristianElia]

really appreciate the kind words man, seriously. i've gotten caught up in it like everyone else, and i still struggle sometimes but at the end of the day its absolutely more about just getting out and finding what works for you. if your client is happy, that is ALL that matters. i dont build my rigs for other videographers to critique lol. appreciate it again bro, really.

[@matthewdaniel9152]

Literally have a gig coming up where I needed to figure out how to expand the life of my camera during the gig. Thank you for the solution bro🙌🏾🐐

[@ChristianElia]

yes sir!! if you have any questions dont hesitate to call or text man i got you

[@earlgreybeard]

Thanks Christian. Very useful. I was toying with the idea of a v-mount, but for hobbyist like me it does seem to be overkill. I was able to assemble a rig like yours using gear that I already own. Amazing what you find you have when you look through the boxes 😊. The NP-F is heavy enough to balance a larger lens at the front, and provides an extra point of contact when braced against the chest. It's a win all round. All the best with the filming!

[@focusproaudiovisual]

I want to see your rig setup with all the gear you put in. Great video christian. Thanks

[@ChristianElia]

i’ve updated the rig a bit so i’m due for a new video. still using this battery setup when i do rig it though. thanks for checking it out!

[@BrainDeadProductions_]

Nice video dude, I appreciate the info! I would've loved to see just a little more b-roll of maybe different methods or positions to mount the smallrig mount, the process of you actually mounting it, and maybe some quick clips of you using it out in the real world. This is just to add some more spice to the vudeo, but other than that, footage and info is great, ty 💙

[@aurimasurb]

Hey! I'm just looking for that small cheese plate. Its so fit for NP-F. Where I can find that plate?

[@arielkarluforonda2985]

How did you mount it vertically @2:59 ?

[@truthfulproductions]

Everything looking crispy and creamy maneeeee. That intro is crazy

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate the love bro!

[@emilanwander8016]

Awesome video! Just subscribed mate! Do you have a recommendation for a cable to power the atomos ninja v with the smallrig battery plate?

[@driny3387]

Be You Be Kind. Thanks for this idea

[@brentwestbrook]

Good review though I've only just found your 2 year old video. I have the problem with access to the internal battery using Smallrig mounts and rods. Far easier to use a NPF adapter with the camera's DC input.

[@orgoremedia]

Nice to meet you, intermediate Joe, I’m intermediate Joe, too.

[@umbertodellanno-videomaker]

Hi Cristiano, do you happen to know if this configuration can also work for Lumix GH6? A thousand thanks Umberto

[@kevinlynch8614]

I like this video and the options you present, I just wonder, with the advent of mini V mount batteries like the Andycine 95s, and the price point they come in at, one might as well just go for the V mount option these days. I can totally understand your position if you're talking about the difference between having a full sized brick of a V mount vs an NP-F790 sitting on your rig, it feels to me like the industry has responded to this with the introduction of mini V mounts. What say ye?

[@ChristianElia]

at this point nearly 2 years later i agree with you. many more affordable V mount options on the market than there were when i made this. i use 99wh batteries on my rigs almost exclusively now

[@filipkevely]

Subscribed and here is the reason why if you are interested: I am in the middle of extensive camera gear research and while I do not subscribe to 90% of channels I encounter I feel that we are on the similar power level in general. Hence, I appreciate an alternative view of the battery issue: V mounts are not what I necessary want to spend my initial budget on and maybe it really is not necessary.

[@ChristianElia]

thanks so much for the sub! appreciate it!

[@Forkit956]

Just what I needed to watch, thanks man

[@ChristianElia]

i love to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@jagmeetsinghkalsi7760]

great video, one question, should i use the official dummy battery or will a third party will work fine.

[@miatatude5362]

Extremely insightfull, wayyyy cheaper than buying 5 batteries for my a6300 and probably still running on lower time + a cool battery setup looks better on a rig ;)

[@ChristianElia]

so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! i’ve come to love this setup

[@erickgarza5423]

I got the FX30 with the Kondor Blue D-Tap to NPFZ100 with the Andycine BP-NPF and a NPF970 and Im getting barely 60min of recording. Battery percentage drops about 1%/min and when it reaches 40-30 it just start to go crazy. Turn the camera off, back on its 20, connect the battery to charge for 5 minutes put it back on camera 50% remaining, after 5 minutes 10% remaining, turn the camera of, try to turn it on it won't. I don't know why but my FZ100 2280mah battery last longer than a 970 with 6600mah of "juice"... Faulty battery? Faulty FX30? Faulty Plate/Adapter? Faulty Dummy battery? 🤔🤷‍♂

[@stylez914]

Love the content, subbed. I like the talking head aesthetic but would love broll of the rig.

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate the feedback! could definitely use some more b-roll. i'll keep that in mind for sure

[@daksTon2525]

Do you ever have problems with the smallrig plate? I'm having a low voltage problem with the plate, it is providing 11.3 volts instead of 12V and my camera is turning off a lot. Do you have this problem?

[@DefenseandSecurityTV]

This is really useful! I’m coming from an AF100 system and I’ve got a bunch of extra batteries. Do they make this for the VW-VBG6 too?

[@ChristianElia]

thanks for watching! in theory this should work with any camera that they make a dummy battery to DC cable for, not positive if they make a dummy battery for that model

[@HewAndAwe]

I just wish you had talked about using said small rig battery plate to USB-C!

[@ChristianElia]

i went into detail about it at 3:40 ! probably would have gone that route if i didn’t already have the dummy battery

[@kellcoleStyleEnt]

Now will this work with the canon R10 camera

[@TutuOnTheBeach]

Very informative and straight to the point. Glad I have found your page. Cheers 🙌🏽

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate the kind words, thanks so much!

[@MarcJWebbMusic]

what have you used to mount the battery vertically? Shame you didn't cover the mounting plate bit. great video none the less

[@ChristianElia]

thanks! this was video was more centered around the power delivery method than the rig itself, but looking back, it wouldve been nice to mention. it's just a simple plate like you would use to mount anything else with. i searched "camera rig plate" on amazon and all types of options come up. i ordered a smaller one since the battery plate is pretty small

[@Turko_Films]

how long does a gh6 last using the smallrig and a newweer np-f 970 with a dummy battery?

[@arturrossi5144]

What's this piece that you use to attach the np plate to the railblock?

[@TonyRush21]

decent video with very good info. All this time I've been thinking about using NPF batteries to power my camera and I've been pondering on how to set it up. You didn't really mention in detail how you mount the Np-F plate behind your camera but just by looking at it, I am assuming you use a rail block attached to a 15mm small rig cheese plate mounted on 15mm rods, to which you connect the battery. I never thought of that. Now I know exactly what to do. Thanks man.

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate you watching! i use this set up a lot more since creating this video. it has come in vey clutch many times. i try not to fluff my videos up too much as i have a habit of doing sometimes. if people are clicking on this, i'm sort of assuming they know how to mount it (which may be wrong of me). mounting spots are such a personal thing too, there are several different ways to do it. but definitely noting that i may need to be more specific in future videos. thanks for the feedback man!

[@ChristianElia]

also, you're right about the mounting solution. just a small cheese plate i ordered on amazon and screwed onto a rail mount i already had. it keeps the traditional look and feel of one of the popular spots to put a V-mount battery but with a lot less weight and a lot more cash in your pocket lol

[@calebgrenier6197]

Nice vid man! Would you trust plugging the dummy battery directly via the dtap? thx im kinda scared

[@ChristianElia]

thank you! and as long as the dtap/cable is supplying the right voltage to the camera. thats really all there is to worry about when using external batteries to my knowledge. this plate has a 12V side and a 7.4V side and the 7.4V side is what goes to my camera. not sure what your setup is or what voltage it can handle but hope that helps.

[@Tricklarock]

Definitely pay attention to voltage!!! It can mess up your cam if it's wrong. Sometimes it will work, but will eventually mess things up!

[@WideAngleLuis]

I know you said the dummy battery dc cord will be different for every camera but I'm having a hard time finding the name of that same one you have. I only find the male to female ones I can't find the male to male but one end being smaller connecting to the dummy battery and the thicker one connecting to the battery plate. Or I get the ones with the USB connection on the other end. Do you know the mm sizes or at least point me into a direction you got yours but it looks like yours is the exact one I need.

[@ChristianElia]

if you use the A7s iii or any other sony with the same battery, here is the direct link to mine. it is also in the description of the video if you can’t click it here! www.amazon.com/dp/B07D72CL1Z?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_CVNYG4AJPWJ57G1DD5TN

[@omega_filmz]

Hey bro I have been breaking my head all weekend trying different v mount batteries and failing but this video came in clutch! One question though, what mount did you use when you put the battery in the back? Besides the rod mount, I like the look of it

[@ChristianElia]

thanks for watching dude! i bought this cheese plate from Niceyrig and attached it to a rod mount i already had and then put it on the rails NICEYRIG Switching Plate Camera Cheese Easy Plate Applicable Railblocks, Dovetails, Short Rods a.co/d/j12VD1t

[@jamescohen]

So I bought the pro-smallrig plate which is about $75.00 Cdn with tax. It looks great. Do you know if this will power the dummy battery for the Sigma Fp? Which is what I hope to use it for. Thank you for your video. It was an exact answer to the problem I have, possibly. Although its for another type of camera. But if it works for the Sigma, that would be a huge help for when I am asked to film speakers and speeches where there are no plugs.

[@ChristianElia]

sorry for the late response! just now seeing this. did a quick google search and didn’t see any dummy batteries for the model that the Fp takes. can the Fp be powered any other way? i know my sony can also be powered via USB-C so i could also buy a USB-C to DC cable to power this rig. not sure if the sigma Fp has USB-C or any other ways to power it but if so then it’s definitely possible

[@JamesCohenCaravan]

@@ChristianElia Yes I have been operating my Fp with this method for a while now. The Smallrig plate, to a cable that fits the 7.4V output, then a small adapter plug which comes in a kit of them for about $7.00 into the dummy battery for a Sigma Fp, which also is the dummy for some models of Panasonic Lumix cameras, which has its own short cable you connect to the back end of adapter plug. I put tape around the connectors, but its only 3. The two cables with one adapter plug between them. Works like a dream. Have not had to change batteries on a shoot since.

[@ChristianElia]

@@JamesCohenCaravan excellent! amazing to hear

[@kerrymuir9891]

great video!

[@ChristianElia]

thank you!

[@TheShockwave44]

2:56 What's that cheese plate?

[@nyambe]

Can it feed an atomos ninja v?

[@GeloOfficialPR]

Hi , a friend told me that i could damage my monitor or my camera by powering the monitor and the camera with the same battery , since it might create a loop through the hdmi, is this real? Im scared now😮

[@ChristianElia]

dummy batteries can definitely cause issues sometimes, but as long as you are getting something from a reputable brand you should be fine. also make sure you are using the correct cables with the correct voltage. you should only run into issues if you are trying to use too much voltage into your power inputs

[@MrCruz-oc8jx]

Hello, I would like to know what backplate did you use to mount your np-f battery.

[@ChristianElia]

it’s the smallrig npf battery plate, i linked it in the description!

[@MrCruz-oc8jx]

@@ChristianElia I refer to the one that holds the battery plate with has the rods whole.

[@AZzackP]

Yeah, the cheese plate.. can’t find it anywhere

[@ErreDP]

You're the guy!

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate you!!

[@danangelohilao2058]

just found your channel! keep it up

[@ChristianElia]

glad to have ya here! thanks for the kind words

[@HEsounds]

great vid

[@imjusmoody180]

What adapter did you use to put it on the back of the camera

[@ChristianElia]

just a generic cheese plate mounted on the rods behind the camera. the cheese plate is full of 1/4 inch holes that the plate screws right into. that’s how i use it most of the time when i’m going handheld with it.

[@imjusmoody180]

@@ChristianElia thanks a lot 🙏🏽

[@hiselectmedia]

Good video. Thanks. Subbed.

[@ChristianElia]

appreciate it so much, thanks for watching!

[@OSKVIDCreativemedia]

My npf plate died after 2 years of usage . Cable just doesnt work anymore Everybody who does read this buy one with power on and off switch. Otherwise it will be pain to take out to dont loose energy from npf batteries

[@mammutfilmes2859]

For blackmagic this batterie give only 1 hour.... i prefer use baseus power bank 65w.... its more cheap than buy 10 batteries NP

[@ChristianElia]

i made this video a while ago and i have moved to a V-mount system now that i really enjoy. There have been some very nice and affordable compact v-mount battery options that have come on the market in the past year or so. i've been using the Moman 99wh batteries that i bought for $125 each. I do still think this NPF solution is good for people that have mirrorless cameras and are experimenting with longer battery life.

[@nikinthemud]

I have the same tower!

[@ChristianElia]

nice!! i’ve really enjoyed it. looks super cool

[@nikinthemud]

@@ChristianElia holy shit and your last name is almost the same as mine!

[@mgwenaproductions]

Nice

[@MrPixelMonster]

Use a V mount wtf

[@cloudbase7799]

Deck the halls with boughs of folly, troll-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la 🤭