3rd party LP-E6 Batteries in Pocket 4K

Well, just sight seeing I could use 6 hours, and I'm not talking unusable shots. Was good with the ambarella based cameras, I could just fill up a 32GB card and take extra batteries with me. I managed to film so much stuff of the Sydney ferries I could do a documentary with the footage, before anybody told me it wasn't legal to film on them, which I found out when filming each train station in the northern shore line and struck one where somebody had blown up a car. Amazing what you can get out of such a little thing.

So, yeah, holding onto the thing all day without much heat issue is important. Is there a hot swap dual Battery pack where as one is depleted it swaps to the other and you can swap out the discharged one? It's amazing how you don't see these sorts of things.

Art, aren't there any gimbals with a battery in the handle one could use? When I was well I used to be the gimbal, so holding onto it until a still important. I'm going be looking out for a compact fast multifocal lens with nice bokeh to keep the form factor down. One of the cheap Asian 43rds manufactures showed demo footage on a nice cheap lens (the clip was at night, city, had a bicycle in it). Maybe it was zcam, or the Yi lens. During day time you could virtually do with something like a mobile liquid lens (maybe dollers OEM cost) for a supreme light weight filming rig. Ohh, for a true micro.

I was on a job yesterday where for the first time I used the PCC4k in an actual production. Nothing fancy, just a company video where everything scene had to be done fast and inconspicuous, so available lighting only. Only the interviews have been shot on the UM46k and a Kinoflo Diva as the light source.

The included BM LP6 lastet for 28 minutes only (OIS was OFF, screen brightness to 100%) and shut off suddenly during shooting, the Canon LP-E6N lastet for around 45 minutes and had exact percentages.

Seems like the BM LP6 has varying levels of quality.

It is too bad that the BM battery has issues because it has a slightly higher power rating. That said, ask a pro Canon user and most likely they will tell you the only use then Canon battery. There is a reason for that!!!! Experience.


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Some batteries need conditioning before use. You would hope it was dibe at factory. I bought a fill in phone and had to use it quickly. Allows a trouble and short battery life.

Same issue here. I fully charged the battery that came with the P4K and got around 25 min of use. The percentage jumps randomly in large chunks. For anything serious I'm going to use DTap power.

DSTE third-party batteries worked out alright for me; oddly, they communicate metadata to the camera as to percentage remaining, whereas the generic one included with the camera does not and simply shuts down unexpectedly -- though the included one actually lasted longer despite having a lower printed mAh rating. Clearly this is all over the place, and the only sensible strategy is Pocket HD redux: having a huge pile of cheap batteries in your bag ready to switch out at half charge or so.

Meantime, the dummy battery approach is purely stopgap and lazy, compared to a direct connection through the proper albeit proprietary LEMO-like 12v port. It's just a matter of time, since the camera is just out, and the cable pack isn't shipping yet. (I'm in the camp who grumbled about the Blind Spot Power Junkie getting gobs of love, for innovating practically nothing -- as correctly noted earlier, it will fail to output enough voltage to power the 12v port.)

For the interim, I'm using a cheapo battery sled for Sony NP-F batteries that are available by the billions everywhere (no need for anything by Ikan, etc.) -- but that's implicitly risky as it's an insecure barrel connection, and as you're using a dummy battery, there's nothing to fall back on with an accidental disconnect, so your shot is toast. Only sensible if you're locked down and immobile.

Far out. We had a photographer at a meeting tonight and I've never seen a photographer with so many big belt packs on, he looked like a policeman who had his packs sprayed with pepper spray on some Spanish cartoon. He undobuedly had some other gear in a heap somewhere too. Makes you wonder how compact this camera is going turn out even when not doing fiction.

A thread with nothing but direct reports of performance by brand would be dandy, since this one has already succumbed to speculation and fantasy.

I've seen one anecdotal report to stay away from Wasabi ($11!). And according to above, DSTE (also fairly cheap) does work but with even shorter life than the BMD version.

Do we have anything else? There are lots of others to go through, from $14-$46....

Yes Wayne, we've used belt-clips (lead acid) back in the DV/HDV days. Those things were so heavy, you could hardly take two steps before de-stabilizing the camera. And even after you took them off, you'd walk funny for a little while. LOL! But I'm kinda leaning towards the same approach; though with portable clips, and with the camera mounted on a gimble, and tethered by a battery dummy, connected to the belt clip. If the dummy cable is long enough, I can get away with un-balancing the whole setup. Just a thought.

A thread with nothing but direct reports of performance by brand would be dandy, since this one has already succumbed to speculation and fantasy.

The camera is just beginning to come out, so I doubt you'd find many reports of performance, until after a little while.

Well, just sight seeing I could use 6 hours... Is there a hot swap dual Battery pack where as one is depleted it swaps to the other and you can swap out the discharged one? It's amazing how you don't see these sorts of things.

Yes, I noticed one when I was searching IndiPro i believe. I posted the Dual NP-F970 that output regulated 12VDC as that’s my favourite, but there was a dual that was 7.2VDC using the Sony NP-F970. Anytime you could pull the depleted one, while the camera runs off the other charged one, and replace with a fully charged battery.

I think that’s a great option with the dummy battery connection for the Canon LP-E6 connector now that we’ve heard those 2-pin connectors aren’t yet widely available which is my preferred choice. Somebody at BMD needs to be red-faced over that oversight. We all understand the difficulties building a camera, but difficulty coordinating with a manufacturer to ensure the right cables are ready?

Yes Wayne, we've used belt-clips (lead acid) back in the DV/HDV days. Those things were so heavy, you could hardly take two steps before de-stabilizing the camera. And even after you took them off, you'd walk funny for a little while. LOL!

I know. I think most were equipment packs. This guy was going for the full fat controller donut ring all around him look, like a disjointed floatation ring.

I tried a new STK battery and it worked. Although, it gave percentages even, they weren't correct. The Blackmagic battery I tested first got 52 minutes just screwing around with the screen at 50% and recording once in a while to an SD card. Then I tried the STK and got around 35 minutes. Not sure of the exact time.

I should mention that about 5 minutes before the BM battery gave out, the lens and camera stopped communicating and remained that way during STK test, so I don't know if the lack of electricity between the two affected the result.

By the way, is there something I can try to bring the lens back to life. I'll try to clean the contacts. Anything else? Both are brand new.

best 3rd party batteries i ever seen and used:

LP-E6:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

LP-E6N:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

NP-F970:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

V-mount:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

Rick thanks. 'Huston, we have solutions'.

best 3rd party batteries i ever seen and used:

LP-E6:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

LP-E6N:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

NP-F970:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

V-mount:
https://patona.de/kamera/premium-akkus/ ... patona?c=8

Thanks. Did you try the LP-E6 on the Pocket 4K ?

While i don’t have a Pocket 4K yet, I can second Patona as one of he best brands for replacement batteries. I use their NP series on several devices and two Vmount ones on our UM46P without any problem.

I tried a new STK battery and it worked. Although, it gave percentages even, they weren't correct. The Blackmagic battery I tested first got 52 minutes just screwing around with the screen at 50% and recording once in a while to an SD card. Then I tried the STK and got around 35 minutes. Not sure of the exact time.

How did you charge the STK battery? There are reports that it won't fully charge in a Canon or similar charger, as opposed to the STK charger, thanks to greater capacity. No idea whether this is accurate.

Yes, the OEM Canon Charger does not like third party batteries, including the ones BM ships with their cameras. I got two,of these with the Micro Cameras, and they do not hold their charge very well. Yiu have to recharge them in a their party charger just before using them.

I have tried the Watson bsttereis, they are OK, but I get the best performance and running times with the OEM Canon Battery.
Cheers

How did you charge the STK battery? There are reports that it won't fully charge in a Canon or similar charger, as opposed to the STK charger, thanks to greater capacity. No idea whether this is accurate.

I used an STK charger. Wish STK made a dual charger. Do you know if there's a dual charger thay works well with these? Also, STK batteries are 3 for 2 on amazon now.

Also, STK batteries are 3 for 2 on amazon now.

[edit]

Also, STK batteries are 3 for 2 on amazon now.

You're confused with some other brand.

Nope. He's correct. I put 3 in the cart, and I got a discount of $13.99, which is the cost of 1.

I did not report on any sales at Amazon -- that's somebody else -- but anecdotally, this is what we have so far:

-- Canon. Lasts longer (10-20%?) than BMD, provides accurate power readings.

-- BMD. Inaccurate power reading, may get up to 50 minutes with the screen at 50% and on and off recording. Others reports indicate about half that with screen at 100%, and abrupt shut-offs.

-- Wasabi
-- STK
--DSTE

All of the above: about 1/3 the price of the BMD battery (and 1/5th of the Canon OEM), but substantially shorter life than the BMD battery (60%?), and inaccurate power readings.

No reports for batteries priced in the $25 and $46 range, which includes Swit, Watson, and Green Extreme in the U.S.

Reports on European brands in this price range also pending.

I did not report on any sales at Amazon -- that's somebody else -- but anecdotally, this is what we have so far:

-- Canon. Lasts longer (10-20%?) than BMD, provides accurate power readings.

-- BMD. Inaccurate power reading, may get up to 50 minutes with the screen at 50% and on and off recording. Others reports indicate about half that with screen at 100%, and abrupt shut-offs.

-- Wasabi
-- STK
--DSTE

All of the above: about 1/3 the price of the BMD battery (and 1/5th of the Canon OEM), but substantially shorter life than the BMD battery (60%?), and inaccurate power readings.

No reports for batteries priced in the $25 and $46 range, which includes Stit, Watson, and Green Extreme in the U.S.

Reports on European brands in this price range also pending.

Great compilation, John. I had seen good reviews for Wasabi and STK and decided to buy a couple STKs. Interestingly enough, I have 4 of the BMD batteries that I purchased when I got my Video Assist 4K. They don't last a long time with the VA, but when I use them in my Canon 5D Mark III, they seem to last quite awhile. Definitely up there with the Canon OEM battery, but I'm guessing that the Pocket 4K draws much more power and that likely, the more expensive batteries like the Canon OEM can handle the bigger draw compared to the cheaper batteries. Just my guess.

Nope. He's correct. I put 3 in the cart, and I got a discount of $13.99, which is the cost of 1.

Sorry, my bad, I got confused by the Amazon listing and see that it works FWIW.

Nope. He's correct. I put 3 in the cart, and I got a discount of $13.99, which is the cost of 1.

Sorry, my bad, I got confused by the Amazon listing and see that it works FWIW.

All good my friend.

DSTE third-party batteries worked out alright for me; oddly, they communicate metadata to the camera as to percentage remaining, whereas the generic one included with the camera does not and simply shuts down unexpectedly -- though the included one actually lasted longer despite having a lower printed mAh rating.

How long did the DSTE batteries last, on average?

I've started a Google sheet to track options here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

I'll endeavor to keep it as up to date as possible.

I've started a Google sheet to track options here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

I'll endeavor to keep it as up to date as possible.

Awesome job, Joe!

DSTE third-party batteries worked out alright for me; oddly, they communicate metadata to the camera as to percentage remaining, whereas the generic one included with the camera does not and simply shuts down unexpectedly -- though the included one actually lasted longer despite having a lower printed mAh rating.

How long did the DSTE batteries last, on average?

That's something I'm just awful at, without spending time on tests -- I've only run-and-gunned with constant on/off, start/stop activity that doesn't offer any measure of battery performance. But I got a Spidey-sense that the DSTEs lasted about 3/4 as long as the slightly better generic that came with the camera, even though that generic was more flawed in terms of reporting power remaining.

I've started a Google sheet to track options here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

I'll endeavor to keep it as up to date as possible.

Awesome job, Joe!

Thanks for it spread sheet. The Watson battery would be a good addition.

Also note that an important factor for any battery is the “long term life” of the battery. This is harder to quantitate but it’s something people discover after a year or so. Perhaps this could be added to the table over time.


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Being on a gimble, which I believe most people will be using their cameras, will certainly require the trusty old LPE6. Because of weight issues mostly associated with handheld gimble use, you want to go as light weight as possible. You also may be doing short takes and as such frequent battery change. My two cents.

Worth noting that more and more gimbals can power the camera and/or other accessories. If you don't already own a gimbal, worth considering one with this capability.

...The Watson battery would be a good addition...

Has anyone reported results? If so, I missed it.

I think they were mentioned but no results yes. B&H often includes them in bonus deals so they are quite widely used.


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Has anyone tried Hahnel or Jupio? Are these even a thing outside odd the Netherlands? They're huge here.

So I've been using a Juicebox battery with my original pocket camera, so I just picked up this USB to LP-E6 dummy battery.

I've just tested it out on my Canon 60d, and it works fine for the short duration I used it. However, I see the input on the USB side of the cable is 5v, and it converts to 7.2-7.4, which is in line with the LP-E6 needs. However, the Juicebox is a 12v supply. Is there any danger to using this with the BMPCC4K in theory?

So I've been using a Juicebox battery with my original pocket camera, so I just picked up this USB to LP-E6 dummy battery.

I've just tested it out on my Canon 60d, and it works fine for the short duration I used it. However, I see the input on the USB side of the cable is 5v, and it converts to 7.2-7.4, which is in line with the LP-E6 needs. However, the Juicebox is a 12v supply. Is there any danger to using this with the BMPCC4K in theory?

If you're going out from the USB port on the battery to the camera, then I think the USB standard limits the output to 5v.

I tried a dummy battery with several power banks, including good Anker and Ravpower units. No go. The Anker got BM to start up but then the camera shut down. Similar dummy with Anker works fine with my Nikon D5200 and older Panasonic consumer 4K. Run all day.

For my Australian friends:

I can confirm that LP-E6 2000mAh batteries from betterbatt.com.au behave the same as Canon originals including % remaining readout.

So I've been using a Juicebox battery with my original pocket camera, so I just picked up this USB to LP-E6 dummy battery.

I've just tested it out on my Canon 60d, and it works fine for the short duration I used it. However, I see the input on the USB side of the cable is 5v, and it converts to 7.2-7.4, which is in line with the LP-E6 needs. However, the Juicebox is a 12v supply. Is there any danger to using this with the BMPCC4K in theory?

Why not just use it via the camera's 12v port? That's what I'm planning to do.

For my Australian friends:

I can confirm that LP-E6 2000mAh batteries from betterbatt.com.au behave the same as Canon originals including % remaining readout.

Great news how did they go for run time? Also i can only find 1600mah ones could you link to the product page? thank you!

Great news how did they go for run time? Also i can only find 1600mah ones could you link to the product page? thank you!

Haven't done extensive testing but seem to have similar runtime as the included Blackmagic.

Yes, I noticed that too. The picture shows 1600mAh but the battery I received is rated at 2000mAh. I emailed them about it.

So I've been using a Juicebox battery with my original pocket camera, so I just picked up this USB to LP-E6 dummy battery.

I've just tested it out on my Canon 60d, and it works fine for the short duration I used it. However, I see the input on the USB side of the cable is 5v, and it converts to 7.2-7.4, which is in line with the LP-E6 needs. However, the Juicebox is a 12v supply. Is there any danger to using this with the BMPCC4K in theory?

Why not just use it via the camera's 12v port? That's what I'm planning to do.

Is someone selling a 12v male DC to 2-pin locking cable? I’ll probably pick one of those up as well.

After it took DHL four days to deliver inside Berlin, my Canon-branded LP-E6 got stuck after 25 mins of use.

Any advice how to get that thing out? Besides returning the cam and turn my back to BM?

Is someone selling a 12v male DC to 2-pin locking cable? I’ll probably pick one of those up as well.

Right here, e.g.: https://bhpho.to/2Advj3y (expecting availability in two weeks)

After it took DHL four days to deliver inside Berlin, my Canon-branded LP-E6 got stuck after 25 mins of use.

Any advice how to get that thing out? Besides returning the cam and turn my back to BM?

I actually ran into this too, with a dummy battery. Frankly led to some prying out with a screwdriver, which wasn't exactly confident and resulted in a tiny plastic fragment chipping off. But, once free, shine a light into the compartment and make sure there isn't some debris down there (maybe in the first place) causing obstruction/getting stuck.

Joe posted this custom cable from Wooden Camera recently. It may be expensive but if you need it ‘now’ it’s going to arrive before BMD’s cheaper bundle.

https://www.woodencamera.com/d-tap-to-b ... 264100.htm



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Seems like there may be a tolerance issue with the battery compartment design/manufacture.
I got a new battery stuck during a shoot on Sunday.

Less than ideal conditions - wilderness, mountain bike scenes, perfect light.
My assistant handed me the trusy multi-tool from the bag and I had to pry it out standing on a rock ledge.
I really didn't have time to worry about the camera - I would have gaffer taped a new battery in if necessary.

It survived but there are way too many stories in a very short time of this problem.

Regarding a D-tap solution.
If you're using the 8Sinn cage, there's a real problem accessing the power input if you're running XLR audio.