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Battery choices


MattDavis

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I'm soon to be the proud owner of a Flyer, which will have a well-loaded Z1 on top. I shoot corporates, infomercials, training and documentary.

 

What's baked my noodle is the choice of batteries. I'm a Z1 nut - NPF-970 or Hawk Woods equivalent, job done. Now this rig asks me to choose Anton Bauer, IDX, PAG and so on. I feel totally unqualified to offer any sort of opinion.

 

How does one choose? It's only for a Z1 - heck, maybe in six months it will be a DSR-570 - next year maybe it will be an F-350. However, right now, I have camera & radio mic power sorted - I guess any extra power's for the Flyer's monitor?

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I'm soon to be the proud owner of a Flyer, which will have a well-loaded Z1 on top. I shoot corporates, infomercials, training and documentary.

 

What's baked my noodle is the choice of batteries. I'm a Z1 nut - NPF-970 or Hawk Woods equivalent, job done. Now this rig asks me to choose Anton Bauer, IDX, PAG and so on. I feel totally unqualified to offer any sort of opinion.

 

How does one choose? It's only for a Z1 - heck, maybe in six months it will be a DSR-570 - next year maybe it will be an F-350. However, right now, I have camera & radio mic power sorted - I guess any extra power's for the Flyer's monitor?

 

 

I'd say go with Anton Bauer over IDX. IDX are lightweight, but when they die, you can't get them recelled the way you can with Anton Bauer. I believe that the Dionics are slightly heavier than the IDX, but not so much that it should make a huge difference. Plus, as you graduate to larger cameras and/or Steadicam systems, most higher end video cameras are Anton Bauer ready making it a more universal battery choice. In other words, if you ever get in trouble, you're more likely able to find someone nearby with Anton Bauer than anything else.

 

I don't have experience with PAG or other. Sorry.

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Hi Matt,

 

One thing I would do for sure is to check with compatibility with your local video rental houses. I would recommend going with the most popular brand around you.

All the companies you are referring to have exceptional products and will deliver to the highest standards but to be able to get a spare charger or battery when one fails fast enough your job still remains on track is a plus. I'm from Canada and all the rental houses have Anton Bauer so I chose this system and don't regret it. These companies are big enough to always offer some innovative products and tend to offer products that will grow with your needs.

Of course , you can also check with cheaper products that are "compatible" with these names and offer what seems to be similar products but you have to be ready to be "alone": let's pretend I buy a "SWIFT" battery from china that is compatible with Anton Bauer mount. I will have to buy also the SWIFT charger since these batteries won't charge on the genuine Anton Bauer charger. The big companies make great effort to make sure only their products can be charged on their chargers...

 

I would also spend some time in the "Battery/Power" thread to see more clearly. LOTS of info on each system and people /reps to call in your area to get some more info.

 

Fly safe

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spend some time in the "Battery/Power" thread

 

Yup, will do this.

 

To all respondents - many heartfelt thanks!

 

Still a little confused - IDX seems to have a *marketing* presence. Anton Bauer seems to have a more *operating* presence. PAG seem to be a little Tesco (and there's nothing wrong with that).

 

Back to Google and the Battery/Power thread. <blush>

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spend some time in the "Battery/Power" thread

 

Yup, will do this.

 

To all respondents - many heartfelt thanks!

 

Still a little confused - IDX seems to have a *marketing* presence. Anton Bauer seems to have a more *operating* presence. PAG seem to be a little Tesco (and there's nothing wrong with that).

 

Back to Google and the Battery/Power thread. <blush>

 

I've got PAG C50 Cobalts, and they've been fine for all the Z1 music videos I've done (camera was powered from the Sony camera battery so the PAGs just powered the Flyer monitor). I think being UK based is their biggest plus for you. And I've picked up spare batteries and an AR120PLD 4-battery fast charger off E-Bay easily. Note: the C50's are physically smaller and lighter than many of the PAGs used for DigiBetas etc. They can still be used, but will mean quickly rebalancing your rig.

 

They may be a bit "Tesco", but there's nothing unprofessional about PAG's batteries and chargers. BBC news/PSC crews have used them all the time, although they also use other brands.

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I went for V-Lock on my rig because it is the system that I see most of in the UK. It is also what my camera uses.

 

I have had PAG and AB kit from hire companies, but V Lock seems the most common to me.

 

It is no longer a case of just picking a manufacturer though. Many companies make V-Lock batteries and chargers. I have IDX and Sony gear, both of which charge on an IDX charger and work fine, however the Sonys and far heavier and also lower capacity. Hawks Woods and Swit also seem to make respectable kit and there are many others out there.

 

I have always preferred V Lock, as it is so easy and quick, although I did accidentally detach a battery the other day whilst in low-mode.

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