The BEST GH5 (or GH4/GH3) V-Mount Powered Setup

[@nikhelmi9773]

Nice setup! It’s so compact and looks powerful enough! Thumbs up for u!

[@ScottDumas]

Thanks so much! Bebob is also coming out with a micro plate specifically to take advantage of the smaller size like this and I think it will take this setup another step up.

[@TonyRush21]

I have a very important question to which I am trying to obtain an answer to. I keep hearing from time to time that powering the GH5 via D-Tap will fry the camera. What's your say on the matter?

[@sifren2491]

Hey Scott, on the smallrig v mount plate, there are those 2 longer vertical oval shaped holes for mounting the v mount vertically?.(like the way you normally mount a v mount sliding it down on a cinema camera.) Do those holes line up with the rod attachment holes? You didn't show a vertical arrangement (only horizontal and fully flat) and I'm curious if that is possible with that specific plate and that specific rod mount piece. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@ScottDumas]

Hi! To be 100% honest since this was so long ago, I can't quite remember but I think it *should* be possible to mount it vertically too. The main problem is that the battery then sticks out quite far below the body and rest of the setup and it was kind of an awkward fit.

[@sifren2491]

@@ScottDumas I see, no worries. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I might just buy them and return if it doesn't work out correctly.

[@ScottDumas]

@@sifren2491 Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I'd check but I'm not sure of where the rod mount clamp has gotten to haha. It's originally supposed to mount that was so I would imagine it should be ok. Hope it works out

[@pjotterboeters8865]

Wich powercable do i need?

[@thewrightvisuals]

Love the rig! I have been trying to do something like this for awhile now. However, before I buy that battery, I also need to buy the charger. Since it's designed for EU outlets, is there a specific type of US wall adapter I would need to handle the voltage from the charger? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks!

[@actioncollectibles5826]

Hi Scott, wanted to ask, if using a dtap to dc in cable instead of a dummy battery, do you leave the camera battery in or out when using the v mount battery?

[@ScottDumas]

+actioncollectibles I think it might depend on the camera. I’ve heard of some having issues when you do that but others are ok. I believe the BMPCC4K has some issues with that, for example

[@actioncollectibles5826]

@@ScottDumasI see. Will try it without when i get a v mount battery. Appreciate the reply. And great videos by the way. Liking your setup on the GH5.

[@BernardoSeguraSilva]

Hi! great video thanks. I have a doubt: the Bebop battery its 14.4V and gh4 needs about 7.4V. How can you connect the bebop battery directly considering the voltage difference? Thanks!

[@ScottDumas]

Hi! The adapter is a regulated adapter so it is camera specific and delivers the correct amount of power from the battery.

[@BernardoSeguraSilva]

@@ScottDumas thanks!

[@AlexPower]

Hey,nice video!Good solution for some who's on the go;how much extra hours it gives you?

[@ScottDumas]

Thanks so much! :) With the 45Wh it should give around 3-4x the standard battery, easily several hours if the battery is fully charged :) 98Wh would probably run you for a full day of shooting in most cases and 150Wh would be overkill for powering only the camera but you definitely wouldn't have to worry about it dying haha.

[@AlexPower]

I'm getting myself one,thanks again for the tip!

[@ScottDumas]

My pleasure! Hope you enjoy :)

[@ScottBell]

slick setup, nice vid.

[@ScottDumas]

Thanks so much :)

[@andyf7103]

be very careful when buying the dummy battery, buy one that converts the v-lock battery voltage to 7.2v which is the same as GH5 batteries, otherwise your GH5 WILL BE FRIED ! that’s a lesson I learned the hard way...

[@ScottDumas]

For sure- Gyro-vu have always worked very well for me, but that conversion is definitely important!

[@King12Daniel]

Great video, thank you! Are you saying that it's not possible to screw the v-lock plate to the bottom of the camera (e.g. BMPCC4K) when using a Small Rig cage so that the battery is right underneath the camera? I'd be grateful for a reply :)

[@ScottDumas]

You know what? I honestly hadn't thought of that haha. I'll check it out and let you know :)

[@King12Daniel]

@@ScottDumas Cool, thank you. My idea right now is to go with NP-F970 replica batteries and a mount on the camera. I hope that will work out.

[@ScottDumas]

By the way, I'm not sure specifically about the size/shape of the BMPCC4K but it is possible to mount the plate under the camera... there are tons of screw holes in it so you should be able to find a few ways to line it up depending on how you want it to fit.

[@King12Daniel]

@@ScottDumas Ok, cool, thank you for the information :)

[@MrMilanina]

Is it possible to connect the cable in a wrong polarity so it burns the camera or the cable is made in way you cannot plug it in wrongly?

[@ScottDumas]

The D-Tap cable is curved on one side so it only fits in the battery the "right" way. Bebob actually has a "twist d-tap" port though, made specifically so you can plug the cable in facing either direction without any problems :)

[@johnpaulirvine5845]

Hi Scott - what happens with the battery compartment lid? How does the dummy battery cable come through?

[@ScottDumas]

There's a little flap that lifts up on the side of it and the cable goes right through there when you close the battery door :)

[@johnpaulirvine5845]

@@ScottDumas Thanks Scott - yes, I just discovered it - how clever!

[@butaleo]

I fried my gh5 with Vmount

[@Sambalfootball]

Eey. Is it possible to use v-mount battery for the Panasonic G80/85?

[@ScottDumas]

So long as you have the appropriate d-tap to dummy battery cable it should work as far as I know

[@DianeyDarker]

Do you think the GH5 can tolerate a 14.4 Volts? Because the battery is just 7.2 Volts. Will it deteriorate the circuitry in the long run?

[@ScottDumas]

Do you mean by taking power from the D-Tap? It's using a regulated d-tap to dummy battery cable, so it won't be getting 14.4v, only the appropriate amount

[@DianeyDarker]

@@ScottDumas Thanks for clearing that up, I'm just concerned about unethical manufacturing of dummy batteries. I'm afraid some shoddy manufacturer will make a Dummy battery to D-tap and doesn't have the circuitry to regulate the V-mount battery to the camera.

[@ScottDumas]

@@DianeyDarker As long as you get it from a trusted brand you should be ok. I went with GyroVu and I've heard they have a good and trusted reputation, it's worked well for me so far. Companies like Wooden Camera create good cables too and they're very well known.

[@larsosejohansen]

Dianey Darker This answer is really late, but no, giving it double of what it wants is not good. Its like too much pressure in a waterline, and in stead of water leaking you can get overheating, fire and the camera shortcutting.

[@saschaschwarztv]

Hey Scott. I would love to buy the gyrovu adapter but I am so suspicious ... other adapters of this kind ahve a little box in the middle which I suppose contains a currency converter. Could you please confirm this adapter has not harmed your Gh5 (yet) :-)

[@ScottDumas]

Hi! I'm guessing those electronics are housed inside the dummy battery because it's been no problem whatsoever :) yet ;) I haven't heard of other people having any problems with GyroVu either so hopefully it should be ok :)

[@vintagetelecinediy3537]

@@ScottDumas Can you verify the voltage on the dummy battery. I would like to integrate this battery on my BMMCC. Nice set-up without the need of the very expensive V-mount adapters( wich have all the electronics on board)

[@ScottDumas]

@@vintagetelecinediy3537 I actually don't have this on hand anymore but if you go for GyroVu or another brand, they should have those specs listed either way. Sorry can't help more

[@_cameraboy]

Is there an Anton Bauer Battery version?

[@ScottDumas]

Unfortunately I don't think so, at least not one this simple

[@samallam874]

excellent work :)

[@ScottDumas]

Thanks so much :)

[@JamesVancePresents]

Will this work on the Panasonic G85?

[@ScottDumas]

The adapter dummy battery will be different from the GH4/5, but if you can get the correct adapter I don't see why not :)

[@prettyfooty39]

what length are the rods

[@ScottDumas]

To be totally honest this was too long ago and I have a whole mess of rods so I can't really remember. In any case, the length you should use will just depend on you- for example, the size of the case you plan to fit the rig into or the length of the lens you plan to use... those things will dictate what is necessary and in most cases you probably don't want to use much more than what is necessary. Hope that helps!

[@prettyfooty39]

@@ScottDumas dude why is building out a rig so fun.

[@ScottDumas]

Haha it's a conspiracy to get us to spend more money ;)

[@rubenfernandezn]

I see no reason to use V-mounts if you are not using accesories like an EVF or external recorder. The GH5 allready has good battery life to deal with the hassle just to power the camera.

[@ScottDumas]

It's been very useful having it on a tripod at an event or wedding when I need it there for a few hours and I'm running around handheld doing a bunch of other stuff and don't have time to keep checking the battery life/replacing the battery. It's also one less thing to think about when shooting on a hectic shoot for anything from a documentary to commercials when solo shooting and when you're forgetful like me and tend to not notice when the battery is low. Also just don't have to worry about wasting battery during a shoot as you take time to set up, check exposure/framing, adjust stuff, move to another location or angle, get things set again, do a few takes etc. I guess the bottom line for me is just one less thing to think about is a very welcome thing indeed. I totally get it's not necessary for everyone though, so I thought this was a decent compromise.

[@rapbisnar]

Scott Dumas this is definitely catered for some niches. Looks great

[@pirukapekka]

it makes this little cam much bulkier:)as mentioned, user may need long run , but if u kit contains other items and cameras then finally you need extra transport guy..:)