Why I LOVE NP Batteries for video lights and photography

NP-F batteries are my favorite all purpose batteries for portable small LED and COB video lights for video and photography lighting. They are the smallest, most portable, lightweight, versatile batteries for video lights like LED panel lights for video and photography or anyone using a camera for shooting product shots, doing zoom calls or vlogging in a small studio while on a budget. They are cheap and powerful and run for hours. Even the tiny NP-F550 NP550 NP 550 battery with 2200 mAh can run a small panel LED light for up to 2 hours. A 3300 mAh version can run the same LED light for 3 hours. You don't even need an NP750 or NP970 or NP950. Even a small NP550 can power an LED COB light like a Zhiyun X100 or Yodoblo 100 also known as the Yidoblo ZC-100bi. If you travel or hike a lot, consider these portable lightweight cheap batteries than can fit in your pocket. Enjoy this exciting journey into the world of cheap affordable classic NP batteries to help light up your world!
Jupio ProLine NP-F550 3350 mAh High Performance Battery amzn.to/3UL9cKa
SMALLRIG NP-F550 Battery 3500mAh Replacement Battery for Sony NP-F550 F570 F750 F770 F950 F960 F970, USB-C Fast Charging Rechargeable Camera Battery for Monitors, LED Video Lights, Camcorders amzn.to/4arWIwT
JYJZPB 2 Pack NP-F550 Batteries and Dual Charger Compatible for Sony NP F970 F750 F770 F960 F550 F530 F570 CCD-SC55 TR516 TR716 TR818 TR910 TR917 Video Light and More, 2900mAh amzn.to/4aqEeg9
Neewer Dimmable 176 LED Video Light on Camera LED Panel with 2200mAh Li-ion Battery and Charger for Canon, Nikon, Samsung, Olympus and Other Digital SLR Cameras for Photo Studio Video Photography amzn.to/3K9Y30x
VILTROX VL-200T Bi-Color Dimmable LED Video Light with Remote Wireless Control,Ultra Thin 3300-5600K CRI95+ Studio Photography Panel for Photography TikTok KZbin Twitch Live Streaming Zoom Meeting amzn.to/4bmYJLR
ZC-100BI 100W COB Video Light with Bowens Mount,10000Lux/m 2700K-7500K Bi-Color Camera Light with 10 Scenario Simulations Control Continuous Lighting for Photography (ZC-100bi Black) amzn.to/4btKRje
ULANZI NP-F Battery Adapter Plate with D-TAP/Type-C/USB-A Output, 22W Fast Charger with Indicator for Sony NP-F550 F570 F750 F770 F930 F950 F960 F970 FM50 FM500H QM71 QM91 QM71D QM91D amzn.to/3QSpP5n
Subscribe and tell your friends about MarkusPix.
Who am I • Who am I
The Hollywood Movie I made • The Hollywood Movie I ...
Behind the scenes of my movie • Hollywood Tricks and P...
DVD of the movie I made www.markusprod...
The Book Dreamchaser (behind the scenes of the making of the movie To the Ends of Time) www.markusprod...
My 1994 movie "To the Ends of Time" streaming on Amazon www.markusprod...
Our Health channel is www.thehealthyl...​
The Markus and Cara Instagram page is / markusandcara​
Cara's personal Instagram is / iamcarabrotman​
See photoshoot images of Cara at www.shortsillus...​

[@markattardo]

Great info! Those look like 18650 cells. It's amazing how much energy potential there is in them. Cordless tools, ebikes and electric cars are some common applications. When they stop working it can be caused by one (or more) cell in a pack that has been drained too low. When that happens, the BMS (battery management system) will stop the pack from working. The BMS is also typically responsible for balancing the cell voltage to avoid large voltage mismatch which can lead to fire if a cell is overcharged or drained too low. It also monitors temperature in some applications. I've always attempted to store packs that won't be used for months with half a charge. I try to remember to check battery levels every few months and partial charge if needed. My oldest Lithium tool battery is about 17 years old.

[@benbishop1131]

This is a solid promotion for NP batteries. I've just begun my use of these and they are great for video monitors and lights.

[@graxxor]

Hear hear! I was give two Sony branded ones plus a charger for free when I bought a second hand monitor last month. Very satisfied over all.

[@MileyonDisney]

c o o l. Great to finally see what's inside one of those.

[@ArminHirmer]

Tinkus (tinkering Markus) in action. I love it :)

[@gregelgie]

Love the NP batteries. It’s nice when you can standardize on one format. Thanks for great content!

[@BrandonLuckain]

One thing I love about your channel - despite keeping relatively up to date with trends, I always learn something new.

[@camerachris]

I have a no-brand large NP from 2003 and this thing still holds a full charge

[@Nietzsche_K_Gote]

I love it everytime I see you upload

[@jeffsav]

Markus, I have to tell you thank you so much for your great videos. I have learned so much from you and follow your advice. I recently got two Sony CX405's and a Panasonic VX891 as a result of your reviews. I am not sorry I purchased either one. I love them both and they are great! I also have the Panasonic X1500 and am switching from the small Point and shot cameras such as the Canon G7X Mark 2, Sony ZV-1 and Sony A5100 to the Camcorder format for video. You're right, the Camcorder does not overheat. That's important in the state I live in (Florida) just like your state. You are right about the NP batteries as they are powerhouses. They look to contain the 18650 Lithium Ion Batteries. They are easily replaceable with the Solder iron and a small spot welder. Thanks again Markus and I once again appreciate all that you do. You're a good guy!

[@realnikonlover6207]

Fantastic explanation and demonstration Markus. Light, economical and effective. Check! This is valuable info for a wedding I am shooting next month. Thanks to you and Cara.

[@Jwitherow1964]

Yahoo. Well know I know Markus! Thanks you again. Amazon here I come. I order 13 of the lights from the light video.2 weeks ago. Keep it up.

[@osvaldoverduzco3900]

I got a camera monitor and a video light last year. The monitor has a NP battery slot on the back, a 12-18V DC input and a 12V output. The battery had a DC out as well. With the use of an NP-FW50 dummy battery adapter for my camera, and a single NP-F960, I can power the monitor, the video light, and the camera. When I need longer battery life, I power the light with a separate NPF-550, which adds a marginal amount of weight to my setup. I did not know how versatile NP-F batteries were.

[@AhpgZfoc4s]

Thanks to you, I will definitely standardize on NP for accessories. You do a valuable service sharing your hard earned experience and extensive testing with us. Looks like 18650s inside those packs.

[@MavricSaid]

i love you and your channel. your real mate, one day i want to be like you experimenting and having fun and living a good life

[@mamadoudabo4058]

Merci pour l'exhibition et la présentation des batteries NP - F 970 , depuis Kenieba - Mali

[@DesertPunks]

I just found this channel and I find your approach to things really inspiring haha. I just started shooting slide film and I feel that I'm paying way more attention to exposure and composition because of it.

[@edasher1009]

Ohms Law. Learn It. Know It. Live It. Great presentation!

[@MarkusPix]

Wow, flashback to the 70s. Ahh the smell of solder

[@graxxor]

First vid of yours I've watched. Love your enthusiast's energy and no bullshit approach!!! I got two Sony branded NP batteries and a charger thrown in with a second hand 6" HD HDMI monitor I bought on Yahoo last month. I was concerned with the monitor's battery life since the thing is bright enough to run in daylight and the batteries are so small and light but needn't have worried. At the end of my shoot, my monitor still had about 50% charge left. I was really surprised at just how damn cheap the batteries are, as well when I looked them up.

[@WineWorldTV]

I love my 970s with the NEEWER 176 lights! We had a huge winter storm in Texas a few years ago. I ran two of those lights with the 970s (I happened to have charged them before the storm) for days and we only needed about 10% light at night. They'll run for hours and I usually don't need to run them beyond 50-60%.

[@marmaladesunrise]

Markus, I love your practicality. Interesting show.

[@Brenhere08]

I ❤ your videos man. Yes the NPs are amazing. Like the AAs or 9 volts of the video world. Greetings from Ireland 🥸

[@frankluo230]

Thanks Markus! Your passion is much appreciated. Not all NP battery plates are created equal though, some drain the battery on it quite quickly which can be annoying. I bought andycine one has two 8.4V round DC ports but only one of them can power the camera dummy battery the other one wouldn't. Some newer NP batteries have their own USB port built in. Most of NP batteries from yesteryear do not support any fast charging. NPF970 takes 8hr to charge

[@krzeszewski]

great stuff... as always !

[@johnsaucerhunter]

Got introduced to the NP batteries back in the day with my Sony Camcorders (way back when). Enjoyed your science and information with the realities of the use of these batteries Mr. Markus.

[@christopherdunn317]

I can confirm this ! i have been using mp battery's very reliable and last like 20 years for my old cameras i did have one crap out when it was new but thats the only one !

[@nicksavage4763]

Nobody Else Bringing This Information to Light😎 Helpful to know✅

[@georgehenry3384]

More awesome info! Thanks! Your passion comes through!

[@johnvanduren4806]

As always, learned something new once again. Thank you!

[@knoptop]

I've always loved these batteries. I've recently started using some super useful NP-F batteries with a USB connection in them! They can be charged directly (with usb cord) or used as a usb power bank for other devices.

[@MarkusPix]

Yes the Smallrig 550 I showed in this video has that

[@berryvaniersel5306]

I was waiting for the word 'clunky' and it came😂

[@JerryCastaldo_NYC]

Excellent info!

[@DavidSenteno]

Taking a drink every time I here NP.....

[@Castielj]

Markus I couldn’t agree more with you about NP batteries. I still remember when Sony debuted NP series batteries in their new Digital 8 camcorders in the late 1990s. The NP series I believe is the first lithium ion battery used in camcorders. I still have a dozen of them from 25 years ago, and almost all of them still work ! My only complaint is that I think the NP550 has an almost perfect form factor to use in Sony DSLR cameras. Sony however decided to come out with their M series batteries for DSLRs and that forced me to buy new batteries. Ugh !

[@Jeremy_Akes]

This is cool but isn’t 1.3 stops the equivalent of going from about a 300w light to a 700w light? That’s a big difference. I know you’re saying it doesn’t add that much light but a lot of people pay much more to go from a smaller to bigger light for those kinds of gains, myself included. Thanks for all you do, most of my gear is purchased based on your ideas.

[@EricMoore790]

Make a low budget film Markus! You are a good filmmaker!

[@nicksavage4763]

Na, just the Pinball Guy 😎

[@olafschermann1592]

I also love those flat led panels. Because they are a larger lightsource, kinda mini softbox

[@MarkusPix]

Yes!

[@Richard8209]

Very useful video, love your channel.

[@sbcinema]

They also fit in my old camcorder (this should be used again for modern cameras, one battery for all devices).

[@rhykko77]

Pure usefull GOLD ! Thanks !

[@MarkusPix]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Helderhugo]

I use NPs too.

[@garrrbarr]

you're a smart guy

[@BoReynolds]

🙄 Yesterday I found a like new Amaran 200d at a pawn shop for $100 but it has to be plugged in.......Damn.......So I ordered the Ulanzi L023 40 w after watching this cuz I have a bunch of NP batts. Great video! Dang, that one doesn't either! I'm having a rough start to day of photo/video.

[@JoshyDaMan08]

Yep, there are tons of NP-F type batteries but be careful when you buying from... There is maybe knock-off but it's also hazard if you don't know what they put in or incompatible in the charger they would eventually caught on fire. Some interested in NP-F may uses (2) 18650 type batteries in the series circuit made up 7.4 volts (sample of NP-F550) which is popular for tactical LED flashlight or other devices. In the video, he shown when he took apart which is 18650 batteries what inside the cases. If parallel circuit batteries made up of capacity which is stacking up each others. NEVER attempting a short circuit across the terminals, I means NEVER do that, it could sparks and catch of fire even explode if being charged up. Words of cautions. 🔋

[@AlexanderSuppermann]

Fun fact: Sony always wanted to make proprietary thing which everyone will use. They did it❤ Ironically no one use original battery made by Sony

[@johnrako]

Do you have a huge charging station? Do you have a schedule for charging batteries that are less often used?

[@toruisalive5499]

Never thought about the amount of batteries Markus must own. Maybe it's a good thing his studio is stored in an actual bunker....

[@IMadnss]

Yes

[@cacervantes68]

the batteries inside are Size 18650 pretty much the most common cell size for electronics ever. laptops, electric bikes, even the Testla battery packs are made of 18650 cells

[@mohammedsaqallah32]

Take a look at the synco pg99 if can run most of the lights while looking like a handle

[@MarkusPix]

Yes I have one, I can't use those because they make the stand top heavy and I use really lightweight stands. I'm making a video on handle batteries next week

[@mohammedsaqallah32]

@@MarkusPix looking forward...I wanted to ask you to make a video about all the gear someone could use if you only had a type c charger ...no npf ...no AA batteries...no AC power ...what lights what triggers what monitors can you take

[@DAVE_WHITE]

you have to watch what brand you buy, My rotolight neo 3 uses a NP battery but they want like 70$ for a "official" replacements, I bought 2 aftermarket batteries and they do not even last 13 minutes the rotolight battery lasts 45 minutes per charge..

[@MarkusPix]

look at the mAh on the back and then be sure to buy ones that have the same power rating, no matter the brand

[@DAVE_WHITE]

@@MarkusPix Yes, the brands I got were not what you recommended in your video.

[@daveinportland]

Up next MarkusPix investigates…

[@olafschermann1592]

Those are 18650 battery cells. (3,7V. 2000mAh - 3.500mAh)

[@yummyteeth7021]

Yeah but can it do a blurry background with RGB lights?

[@MarkusPix]

You betcha!!!

[@wEBMedPL]

Could you compare shadowy/darker outdoors like kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2LWpXyer9Cbb6M or recording with sun from behind/shade and filling in the light with YIDOBLO on NP-F batteries? It should still allow for much more light, while retaining low weight. I am considering switching my big ~1.5kg (6 pounds) flat LED panels working on NP-F in favor of 2x YIDOBLO on lightstand. Of course due to weight when going for a hike with them. It should decrease total needed weight by around 2.5kg (5 pounds). Switching my stands to MT-49 already saved me nearly 3kg (6 pounds). Backpack and gear directly camera-related also weighs, haha!

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIe8dKGne86kmqM might want to watch the whole video for lots of choices

[@wEBMedPL]

@@MarkusPix Ha, thanks! I always do, watched that particular 3 times before ordering that Newell 176S, now thinking about another one :)

[@lerssilarsson6414]

Aren't Apple folks adapted to... adapters? So why not another USB-cable?

[@nicksavage4763]

Already Explained

[@lerssilarsson6414]

@@nicksavage4763 A GoPro needs a powerbank & USB-cable too.

[@Jaydoublyou]

v mount has its place when you want to run more than one thing off of a single battery

[@MarkusPix]

yes

[@schizolab]

If one of those batteries catch on fire it's going to be really bad. I store my batteries separately around things that won't catch big fire.

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaeZqoernLt0rqc

[@schizolab]

@@MarkusPix I'm afraid that is not the case. The Lithium Polymer battery cell pack is sealed in a vacuum bag. And if the bag leaks air, lithium reacts with oxygen and catches fire. Some cheap e-bikes burst into fire even if there's no short or puncture.

[@trym2121]

Man, you roasted that zhiyun to ash. Previous videos, it burn to crisp. Now, it's just ash

[@MarkusPix]

The light itself is great, its the battery setup that's frustrating

[@Photobuffeddy1314]

Hmm 🤔

[@EugeneMaynard]

👍🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@goldenchannels6337]

looks kinda like ahhS thats why you love them

[@MarkusPix]

Alamo Heights High School ?

[@goldenchannels6337]

@@MarkusPix no you naughty vamp... ml china. i love ahhs and I made an attempt of joking.

[@Jwitherow1964]

I have GAS

[@MarkusPix]

Ginger helps.

[@GuiFan]

Need to attach NP-F battery plate to molus x100 somehow. How to do it?