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Your cart is empty.4.6 out of 5 stars
- #187 in Camcorder Batteries
Product Description
SciFiPainter/Ohmverse
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2025
I got two external batteries of this type from SmallRig at the same time, of differing designs. This one I think is meant to be used with cameras specifically in mind, so that is how I tested it. In this case with an OM1ii. I charged both up, and set about doing my normal filming. Then reset and do it again. Here are my thoughts:- for me, the price point and battery capacity just don't match up. Setting aside the build design, a battery pack of this capacity in a standard usb c configuration, which works with pretty much most modern cameras, and almost all of the ones produced in the past say five years or so, can be had for less than $10...so the question becomes is this roughly 15 times better?- I both love and hate the design. Love it on a video tripod or in a rig build. Hate it for handheld with just the camera, it makes the camera really odd to hold, and I'm far more comfortable shooting without it, which means the footage will be better. Overall I think the design holds it back a little. Too bulky in the wrong ways.- takes too long to attach...going through the body of the battery pack blind to screw it on a plate is...a baffling choice. It's nice that one is adjust so that it works with most plates and not just specific SmallRig plates...but it just isn't convenient and can really slow down a shoot if you have to change it out.- when filming a few hours a day with my setup, I'd run through my battery by itself in about 90-120 minutes depending, and have to recharge. With this battery pack, I did all my filming, it charged my camera battery back up all the way, and still had on average around 20-30% juice left in the battery pack...so the capacity feels about where it should be. Overall, it is basically replacing two camera batteries for me. So is it worth three times the money of three camera batteries?- constantly drains battery while plugged in, even when not charging the item attached.Overall, while I do appreciate it, it is built well, easy to use, charges fast, is a great design for tripod or rig use...I wouldn't personally get it again. To many inconveniences to make it worth the price point for me. Some shooters may find this to be a fantastic addition to their kit, as it is VERY capable...but it slows down my specific workflow so isn't what I am looking for, especially at the price point.
Neodymium Bean
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025
Works well and is a neat way to get more power to your system. We currently use V99 batteries attached to vmount clamps that clip to the side of our tripod. The only issue with that is you have to use longer wiring if you plan on doing larger movements such as dramatic pans, etc. This Smallrig does mount in a great spot underneath the camera so this wouldn't have the same issue. And yes you obviously can mount the Smallrig anywhere else also, just like we could mount our batteries on the camera if we wanted to to fix this, but hear me out :).Price wise the Smallrig makes sense as it's priced between their v50 and v99 batteries. Even with the custom design this has, there isn't a crazy price premium you are paying for it.Performance wise, this battery added about an extra 6~7 hours of running when attached directly to the A7S3 which is awesome. It works like a standard battery and can power multiple devices at the same time.I like this, but I'm also slightly annoyed by it because the total cost to make it effective in our system is pricier than getting a simple vmount clamp and a third party v99 battery which has more capacity. Yes you can directly attach this to a camera, but it make it truly usable we would need to put a plate on the bottom of the battery, then a receiver plate on top to make it easy to use. This is an us problem though, and not a problem with the device.This would provide a very awesome solution for Astrophotographers, though the lack of a USB-A means you have to get a converter for most warming wraps on the market.
BHGemini
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025
First, if you are someone who needs a way to go from tripod to handheld, get a folding V-mount half cage and a V-mount battery with multiple outputs. This is great for mounting a camera on your tripod, powering and leaving it on the tripod.Pros:Has two D-tap, two USB C ports, and a DC port. It will power most of your devices for a shoot , excluding higher watt lights.Has multiple places top and bottom to connect your camera, plate, and quick release plates. Including farther to the side so the camera overhangs the battery and you can get to the battery or SD slot. I used a quick release plate and would swap in a battery and then quickly take it off if needed.The screen is on the side so you can see it without sticking your head in the shot.Cons:The mention attaching this directly to the camera. If you do that, just leave the camera mounted to this all day. It unwieldy for run and gun.Carefully plan out where the camera and plate need to be before tightening down. You don't want to eyeball it, secure everything and then realize it is one hole spacing off from being perfect. No strs removed, since that was a me thing..
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