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Which Batteries to buy - AB or V-Lock


Nic Owens

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Hi everyone,

I've taken the backing plate off one of my steadicam batteries so I could use the v-lock batteries that we use on the cameras. The job has another couple of months to go, then I'll need to invest in some of my own. Just need some advice on which way to go, AB or V-lock.

Most cameras I work with are v-lock, so it's convenient to go that way, but I hear AB's are great.

Any real world advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Nic

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Hi everyone,

I've taken the backing plate off one of my steadicam batteries so I could use the v-lock batteries that we use on the cameras. The job has another couple of months to go, then I'll need to invest in some of my own. Just need some advice on which way to go, AB or V-lock.

Most cameras I work with are v-lock, so it's convenient to go that way, but I hear AB's are great.

Any real world advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Nic

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Sorry above, hit the wrong button.

 

Hey Nic,

 

Regarding battery decisions, the best Steadicam batteries for film or digital cameras are the high draw Lithium Ion batteries. That gives you two options, Tiffen Powercubes (V Lock) or Anton Bauer Dionic HC. Both will work great for any film camera, as well as the highest draw digital cameras like Genesis & F35.

 

For me, the decision was easy. I already owned 3 Anton Bauer chargers, so Dionic HC's make sense, because I don't have to invest in both batteries and chargers, only replacement batteries. If you don't already own chargers, then you can go either way.

 

Also, what battery mounts do you own for your sled? Even though all my batteries are Anton Bauer, I also own V Mount battery mounts for my sled. That way, on Panavision digital jobs, I can use their Powercube batteries.

 

Another consideration is availability of using other batteries. If you live in the US, then Anton Bauer is the most common battery, and having those mounts can save you in an emergency, or simply allow you to use a camera rental houses batteries instead of your own. I do that all the time, and my batteries last forever because I only use them on film jobs.

 

If you want to consider Anton Bauer Dionic HC's, contact Paul Dudeck at Anton Bauer. Search this forum, and you'll find a recent post where Paul is selling slightly used Dionic HC's at a discounted price. Paul's very helpful to the Steadicam community.

 

Good luck,

Mark

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Sorry above, hit the wrong button.

 

Hey Nic,

 

Regarding battery decisions, the best Steadicam batteries for film or digital cameras are the high draw Lithium Ion batteries. That gives you two options, Tiffen Powercubes (V Lock) or Anton Bauer Dionic HC. Both will work great for any film camera, as well as the highest draw digital cameras like Genesis & F35.

 

For me, the decision was easy. I already owned 3 Anton Bauer chargers, so Dionic HC's make sense, because I don't have to invest in both batteries and chargers, only replacement batteries. If you don't already own chargers, then you can go either way.

 

Also, what battery mounts do you own for your sled? Even though all my batteries are Anton Bauer, I also own V Mount battery mounts for my sled. That way, on Panavision digital jobs, I can use their Powercube batteries.

 

Another consideration is availability of using other batteries. If you live in the US, then Anton Bauer is the most common battery, and having those mounts can save you in an emergency, or simply allow you to use a camera rental houses batteries instead of your own. I do that all the time, and my batteries last forever because I only use them on film jobs.

 

If you want to consider Anton Bauer Dionic HC's, contact Paul Dudeck at Anton Bauer. Search this forum, and you'll find a recent post where Paul is selling slightly used Dionic HC's at a discounted price. Paul's very helpful to the Steadicam community.

 

Good luck,

Mark

 

thanks for the reply Mark. I've got an old Master series so I've got the backing plate mounted to a v-lock backing plate. I don't have an AB mount, as I mostly work in TV in sydney where the cameras are mostly sony HD's with v-lock mounts. What you said about the rental houses makes a whole lot of sense, and I hadn't thought of that. Most everything here is v-lock in that regard, so I think you have given me my answer!

Thanks again for the advice, now to get to buying them!

Cheers,

Nic

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  • 1 month later...

This is the closest topic to my question, and I really need an answer.

 

Are the AB batteries and V batteries powering the steadicam or the camera or both?

I'm very confused on how this all works and need a good explanation. Also if I buy the Flyer le complete package,

does it come with the batteries that I need to power the camera, or the steadicam or both?

Also, would the Flyer LE work with Canon Xl-H1s? If not whay not?

 

Thanks, best regards,

 

-Trenton Hoshiko

 

Youtube.com/masterofthefreeworld

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