Blackmagic Forum

Does anyone know when the BMD Pocket 4/6K Battery Grip will be available? I have been waiting for the grip to be in retailers for so long now - it's just always in pre-order. I'm waiting for its release so I can order it together with the camera. I think the battery grip is the way to go. I hope it is not another BMD product that is announce but never release.

Vello Grips (Distributed by Gradus Group) makes alternative and replacement grips for many DSLR cameras including the Panasonic GH series, Fuji XT series, Sony, Canon, and Nikon. I think they manufacture for other camera brands as well. They are much cheaper from the brand version and works just as well. Their form factor fits the respective camera model. I have a Vello Grip for my Pana GH-5 and my friend has it for his Canon 5D. It gives me over 3 hours on my GH-5 - which is not bad. The GH-5 grip was about $78, which was $200 less expensive than the original Panasonic GH-5 grip. The 5D model was around $117 if I got it right and over 50% cheaper than the one from Canon.

I'm confident that they can quickly and cheaply come up with a grip for the Pocket 4/6K. I can almost see that they can sell the grips for less than $80-$120. That's a far cry cheaper than the original BMD grip. They have the expertise, manufacturing, and distribution channels. I have contacted Gradus Group as ask if they will produce a grip for the Pocket 4K/6K. Unfortunately, they replied that they have no request for it to date so the scale to manufacture is not there.

If you are reading this post and want to get let them know that if they make a grip for the P4/6K that you will be interested, and if there is a sizable number of request for it, I think the possibility for them of manufacturing one will be there and probably faster than the BM Grip being available on the market. Email them at info@gradusgroup.com. Here is the Vello grip website if you want to see the vase array of battery grips they sell.
https://www.vellogear.com/products/Came ... 1/count/16

Possibly the end of this month (Sept).
My reason for stating this is I've had a pre-order in since June. This past week the supplier changed the status to Processing - Shipping Sept 30 - your card will be charged at that time.

Seems like the product wasn't that technically difficult to produce, but would be interesting to hear what the long delay was due too. Maybe a lack of resources to the many other great products/software they've produced in the interim?

I wish we can get an update if this is a dud or an actual availability date. I'm not buying the P6K until I know this is available.

Any update as to when this will be available? It's been on pre-order in B&H and Adorama since it was announced.

+1

Had pre-order in since June. Supplier repeatedly has said they can get no shipping updates.

Vistek told me the expected ship date is Oct 5th for my day one preorder.

Is that gets pushed back another month, I’d find it hilarious.

Chris Chiasson wrote:Vistek told me the expected ship date is Oct 5th for my day one preorder.

Is that gets pushed back another month, I’d find it hilarious.

It's Oct. 7 today. Did your order got shipped?

Something strange going on with this product. Not a difficult technical part. But its long delay and lack of info to distributors seems very odd.

Guess it's time to look at the many alternatives.

Any suggestions for a similar clean and simple solution that keeps the cam small form factor without a lot of bulk, cage requirements, cables?

Agree. Very strange. I think it is another dud - like the URSA turret.
Vello makes battery grips for most DSLR, particularly Canons and Sony with LP-E6 and NPF batteries respectively. They usually knock them out pretty fast for the DSLR. I don't know why they are not making it for the BMPCC4/6K cameras. Maybe BMD not open to giving them the wiring schematics, not enough consumer interest, etc.
Maybe it is worth knocking their door and see if they will be interested in making a battery grip for the pocket. Until then, there is no clean and portable battery solution which really sucks. I'm tired of seeing wires dangling around a camera with such a form factor.

Hopefully, they deliver on this. Addressing battery life issues in a clean, elegant way for this form factor, which they've made a major investment in, is pretty important.

Given Red's recent PR travails, I can understand why BMD are tight-lipped as a general rule. But something like this seems low risk to provide updates about, even if the news isn't good. The target date was August. Just say what the new date is or that you don't know.

Steve

I wonder if they’ve rethought their design given it is only marginally better than just carrying a couple of genuine Canon batteries and popping them in when needed. If they reconfigure with batteries that have greater capacity, maybe it will be more popular.

Although I was shocked at the size of the Sound Devices (Sony L-type) that I mount on the tiny MixPre-6 II recorder, you quickly get used to not having to fuss about batteries on set. Same logic when I bought Li-ion for the audio gear that can take them. It’s worth the peace of mind not thinking about when to replace AA batteries so you can concentrate on your actors and creative thinking on set.


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Whatever they are thinking or coming up with, they should just say something.

The Keyboard is in the same situation. You'd think a keyboard with a dial built in wouldn't be that complicated to manufacture, but here we are. lol

What about this one? Gives more juice than lp6’s. And sits wonderful under the body with an built-in 1/4 attachement for quick lock.
https://www.coreswx.com/store.coreswx/product/pb-edge/


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christermolander wrote:What about this one? Gives more juice than lp6’s. And sits wonderful under the body with an built-in 1/4 attachement for quick lock.
https://www.coreswx.com/store.coreswx/product/pb-edge/


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Thanks for the lead.
The power capacity and output options are certainly superior to the BM Grip AND at a lower price, but trying to get away from cables and keep the minimalist clean light features offered by the Pocket4k.
We have Ursa Mini Pro and other big rigs for that kind of shoot. We use the simple Pocket4k and original Pocket for quick setups.

I know what you mean. We are doing the same.
We have just preordered this one for the pockets.
https://www.soonwell.com/pre-oeder-ph70

That looks like a worthy innovation, Christer.


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Maybe they are re-engineering the Pocket with a bigger right hand grip to take L batteries and including the screen from the new Video Assist?? One can live in hope. I love my Pocket but that would make me buy another one.

Mine you I’d rather have the micro camera updated with the 4k sensor and an L battery on the back, preferably with SDI instead of HDMI. Such a nice form factor and that would be perfect for so many applications - use which ever monitor you prefer.

Yeah, I'm kind of lacking the interest of it. I thought it would be the accessory that every P4K and P6K owner will definitely get their hands on. But with the delay, other options are getting to be more interesting now because there is an immediate need.

Well it's almost Nov and BM distributors are still in the dark as to when this product announced 7 months ago will be available. B&H seemed to indicate they rec'ed a "Limited Supply". Has anyone used the BM battery grip yet?

christermolander wrote:What about this one? Gives more juice than lp6’s. And sits wonderful under the body with an built-in 1/4 attachement for quick lock.
https://www.coreswx.com/store.coreswx/product/pb-edge/

I bought my BMP6K at Adorama last week on sale for $2450 and it included this battery for free (a $239 value).

Thats awesome. What do you think of it? What about the total size?

It's the size of a V-mount battery and can be mounted on a v-mount plate on one side, and on the other side is a 1/4-20 screw that you can mount to the base of the camera. It's about 1lb. in weight and bulky if I just want to use the camera for a walk-about. I wouldn't use it that way. It will be fine on sticks or with a rig. I have not let it completely drain off the camera but I would think you'll get about 1.5-2 hours of use time.

IMO, for walk-about/run-n-gun, a battery grip is still the ideal choice. But I can't complaint if it comes with the camera for free.

christermolander wrote:And sits wonderful under the body…

You are certainly stretching the meaning of the word 'wonderful' to its absolute limit in this case.

When you look at a battery grip is shall be near impossible to see where the camera ends and the grip starts. Even BMD's own grip is just 'OK'.

Well. A batterygrip is about the same size. And gives less than half of the power. And cost about the same. But has not the same colour. And no BM logo.

christermolander wrote:Well.

Admittedly, I'm being a bit of a jerk about it. But I much prefer the 'grip' style where the lines flow seamlessly, which aids handling of the camera and improves the ergnonomics. In addition, on a grip I expect extended functionality of a few additional buttons and dial.

You are correct in that a dedicated V-Mount style brick would offer more power, but it's simply too clunky for me. But if the solution you linked to works for people (it's been around for a while), then I'm genuinely happy for them.

AndreeMarkefors wrote:

christermolander wrote:And sits wonderful under the body…

You are certainly stretching the meaning of the word 'wonderful' to its absolute limit in this case.

When you look at a battery grip is shall be near impossible to see where the camera ends and the grip starts. Even BMD's own grip is just 'OK'.

True. You are much better with a Tilta cage and the amazing NP970 side handle. Looks great and it takes a T5 too!

So circling back to the original post, is the Pocket 4/6K battery grip every going to materialize? Anyone from BMD reading this can provide the customer base some insight? Just don't leave us dangling again this time - like you did on the URSA Turret.

I have actually good information from Blackmagic and the Australian distributor. The Grip should be available very very soon. Few days or very short weeks.

i saw it at last Aprils NAB, maybe available by 2020???

Now that we know firmware 6.6 supports the BMD Battery Grip, this may be the culprit for the delay. Hence, will they be making the grip available now?

That is my guess also Ellory.
Cheers

I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

sselcuk wrote:I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

Can you elaborate?

sselcuk wrote:I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

Precisely which batteries are you using? Genuine Canon EP-6LN?

rick.lang wrote:

sselcuk wrote:I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

Precisely which batteries are you using? Genuine Canon EP-6LN?

The grip uses two low capacity Sony-type L batteries.

Thanks, Rob; my mistake.

Ellory Yu wrote:Now that we know firmware 6.6 supports the BMD Battery Grip, this may be the culprit for the delay. Hence, will they be making the grip available now?

Have you ordered and received the battery grip? If so, how's the performance?

JordanWright wrote:

sselcuk wrote:I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

Can you elaborate?

I purchased two brand new original sony NP-F570 batteries. Fully charged them and started to shoot HD 24 FPS in Prores LT. It was a 90 minutes event and the camera turned of before the event finished.

I am using a BMPCC4K which has the latest firmware.

Also another problem is that right after a couple of minutes the battery symbol turned to red which is awkward.

rick.lang wrote:

sselcuk wrote:I have been using the Pocket4K Battery grip since one month and the performance is a total disappointment

Precisely which batteries are you using? Genuine Canon EP-6LN?

I am using original Sony NP-F570 batteries. I also tried replacement batteries but the same result.

I get 2 hours! I’ts a perfect add to this Pocket 6K camera. I use the DSTE brand, you can buy this on Amazon. They are around 20 euro for a set of 2 batteries and a charger! I have 12 batteries now so I shoot 12 hours. + the camera is still a “pocket”, no bulky V-mount. Works perfect on my glidecam.

Is using the US$245 grip plus a couple of 2200mAh batteries, taking into account the cost, weight, bulk and runtime, a meaningful improvement over using Canon LP-E6N batteries?

If I’m a bit skeptical, it’s partly because I use Sony L batteries for other other purposes and 2200mAh capacity would be worthless except for use with my Pocket 4K. Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems like a lot of money and added bulk for little gain.

Are you guys getting percentage readouts on each of the batteries?

JordanWright wrote:Are you guys getting percentage readouts on each of the batteries?

I get the exact voltage of each battery.

JordanWright wrote:Are you guys getting percentage readouts on each of the batteries?

No, I don't.

By any chance anyone here has seen a cage for the P4/6K with the battery grip?