Rechargeable batteries are a blessing, but when you run out of power you have to recharge. That can take time and you can miss the action. Sure, you can plug in, but you'd be tethered to that outlet, restricting your mobility. My camera doesn't come with a charger. You have to charge the battery in the camera with it powered off. That doesn't do me any good when I need to recharge and film at the same time.
It's better to have a charger and extra batteries, charged up and ready to go. I didn't have a charger before (unbelievable for a guy who covets preparation) and my batteries didn't last long, so I was frequently plugged in and/or filming in short intervals.
Recently, I found out that my friend Taky, a wedding videographer, sells high capacity batteries and quick chargers suited to my camera. I ordered two batteries and a charger from his online store. The order arrived within a few days, even with a holiday in between. My order was completed effortlessly with PayPal and sent via U.S. postal mail. I like that.
My Supplies
The batteries pack a whopping four hour life between charges, while my stock battery holds about 45 minutes. That's a huge difference. That means I can keep filming and not have to worry about missing the action. It also means less distraction: I can concentrate on cinematography, not gripping.
The Batteries
As expected, the batteries are larger than the stock batteries. Still, they're lightweight. They do protrude further out of the camera, bit that's fine. It adds a little more weight to the back of my very light camera. The stock battery is on the right in the picture.
The Charger
The charger is small enough to fit in your pocket. I wear slacks all of the time and can even put it in my pockets. If you wear cargo pants you will be able to easily pack it in one of your pockets.
It has the recessed plug, which I highly prefer. That's a major benefit, as it reduces the footprint of the unit. It also makes it more likely that you'll carry it because the prongs won't press into your skin or tear through your pants. I'm glad this feature is on here.
There's also the car charger plug. Thankfully, it's a separate piece that can just plug into the charger when needed. I keep mine in the glove box and will charge in the car.
I'm honestly pleased with my purchase. Take a look at Taky's website and see if there's anything you need. He has batteries, tapes, chargers, lights...tools that videographers need. You can find the website at http://www.lacolorshop.com
Blessings,
Scott Hampton
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