Today we are taking a look at 7 different was to power your camera and other devices on your rig! Below you can watch the video overview and find all the gear mentioned.
1. Gold Mount And V-Mount Batteries
I mainly use Comor batteries as they are affordable and offer lots of power. You can find Comer v-mount batteries here on Amazon.
2. V-Mount Plates
Gold mount or V-mount plates allow you to power multiple devices off of a single battery.
Here are a few models I really like that won’t cost an arm or a leg:
Tilta V-Mount Baseplate
This special plate is available on Amazon or eBay and has several very special features. Most v-mount plates use 15mm rods to attach to rigs and cameras. This v-mount plate on the other hand, lets you mount a camera directly above the v-mount battery. This eliminates the need for a 15mm rig and keeps everything nice and compact.
Soonwell V-Mount Plate
This is by far the best budget option for v-mount batteries that I know of. I have a few of the plates and use them all the time here in the studio. The plate is very simple but works great when mounted to a 15mm rod rig. It also comes with several cables and adapters so you’re ready to rock right out of the box. You can find the Soonwell v-mount plate here on Amazon.
Fotga V-Mount Plate
The Fotga v-mount plate option is similar to the Soonwell but has a few extra features. Just like the Soonwell, you will find several power output options on the side. What makes this plate special is the power inputs. You can plug this entire plate into an AC outlet and skip the v-mount battery all together! This is great for people who need to power a camera and several devices all at once from an AC power source. Need to go mobile? No problem, just remove the AC adapter and slap a v-mount battery on your rig. This plate also has an input for charging batteries if you want to do so while the battery is in use. You can find the Fotga V Mount Plate here on Amazon.
The above plates are the models I’ve used in the past but there are tons of options out there to consider. Here is a massive list of v-mount plates on Amazon.
3. NP-F Battery Plates
NP-F plates are by far my favorite way to power a camera and monitor or other accessories. Think of these as mini v-mount plates. Below you will find several NP-F plate options that I’ve used and love.
Ansso Battery Plates
The Ansso battery plates are incredible for powering multiple devices. I have several and love these things! You can find them here on Amazon.
Power Junkie Battery Plate
Similar to the Anssso plates, the Power Junkie has a DC output and two USB outputs. What makes the Power Junkie special is the USB charging input on the side. This allows you to charge batteries right from your rig!
You can find the Power Junkie here on Amazon.
Tilta F970 Battery Plate
This is a new plate to me but I really dig it. Simply put, the Tilta NP-F plate is a fully metal version of the Ansso plates above. You get two DC outputs with one 12v for use with monitors and one 7.2v for cameras. In short, I prefer this plate because it lets you use any dummy battery or battery coupler to power you camera. Unfortunately you will have to pick up a battery adapter for use with your camera separately.
You can find the Tilta F970 Battery Plate on Amazon or eBay.
Tilta F970 Battery Baseplate
This plate is similar to the last, but can be mounted underneath your camera! So clever! You can pick one up on Amazon or eBay.
4. USB Power
If you’re camera has a USB input and can accept power, you can just use a simple USB cable. If you want to completely power your camera off of 5v, you’ll most likely need an adapter like the following units. While there are several USB power options out there, I’ve found the most reliable and affordable option is the iFootage Electric Ray. For around $50 you can’t beat this thing. The iFootage USB adapter is available here on Amazon.
There are other USB cables and adapters available for less but I wouldn’t personally trust them very much.
5. Battery Grip
Battery grips are a great way to increase battery capacity on your camera without spending a ton. They also give you a larger grip and make changing batteries much easier since the battery door is re-located to the side of the camera.
Here is a list of Camera battery grips on Amazon.
I’ve purchase several cheap battery grips and love them! Just read the reviews to find one you can trust.
I’ve had good results with Meike, Neewer, DSTE and others in the past.
6. Camera Monitors
If you like using monitors with your cameras, you might consider picking one up that can power your camera. Here is a list of my current favorite monitors that will power your camera via a DC output cable:
- SmallHD Focus
- AndyCine A6 on Amazon
- Fotga A50 Monitor on Amazon
- Battery that allows you to power your camera from any Monitor can be found here on Amazon
7. Camera AC Adapter
Last but not least, if you want reliable power from an AC outlet, you can easily find adapter cables online. Just search for “Your Camera Model AC power adapter” and you should find what you’re looking for!
Conclusion
Hopefully this list of 7 alternative power options gives you a few ideas or tips to get more power out of your rig. If you have any other suggestions for power please let me know.
Happy filming!
DISCLAIMERS
Some of these links have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
No gear was supplied to me for this video.
The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.