This post is a work in progress… Coming from the Sony FS5 I can sort of continue with several of the powering solutions I’m used to. It’s the same BP-U battery and some of the known companies have updated or made brand new solutions for the Sony FX6. Here are some of my personal favorites and some favorites of colleagues and fellow FX6’ers… Links in the descriptions are direct links to purchase the different products. Here we go!
For new Sony FX6 users…
1) The original Sony Charger BC-CU1 which comes with the FX6 DOES NOT charge 3rd party batteries!!!
2) There is talk about using older 3rd party BP-U batteries with newer Sony cameras. Apparently some cameras have died. Read more here on Alister Chapmans blog. — Please note: I have personally never had any problems with my SWIT batteries…
Regular BP-U batteries?
If you want to go lightweight, use regular BP-U batteries. I hardly ever use the supplied Sony BP-U30 battery, simply because it is too small. Not long-lasting enough. I got myself 2 x SWIT LB-SU98 batteries with one 70W, 6A D-Tap input/output, and one USB5V/2A output. The Swit batteries can be charged via D-Tap which is pretty cool.
🛒 cvp.com
Hawk-Woods solutions
On my FS5 I used the VLM-FS5 which I got from cvp.com in the UK. Hawk-Woods also makes one for the FX6 and it’s called VLM-FX6. The VLM-FX6, like the FS5 brother, sits firmly in the regular battery slot and supplies the FX6 19.5 volts through the same power jack as the supplied Sony power adapter/charger you got with the camera. It comes with 2x Power-con (D-Tap) outputs are also provided, which are regulated to 12 volts. The total power available for the FS5 and further accessories are 6A overall.
🛒 cvp.com or for the FS5 VLM-FS5
Hawk-Woods also makes a series of nano v-lock batteries. I have the 98wh VL-M98 you can take on an airplane, as well as a smaller one called VL-M50 and VL-M150. They all come with an extra D-Tap on the battery itself.
Prefer rod-mounted battery adapters?
Hawk-Woods – If you prefer to use a bigger V-Lock you can get the rod mounted Hawk-Woods VLM-FX9 which was originally meant for the FX9, but can also be used with the FX6.Users have the benefit of 4x Power-con (D-Tap) outputs 11 – 17 volts allowing further equipment/accessories to be powered. 1x 5V 2A USB is also available for powering or charging accessories such as mobile phones. Power is provided via a 20cm DC jack cable via the FX6/FX9’s DC Input which is regulated to 19.5v.
A low voltage warning LED is also situated at the top of the fitting, this is to combat the camera as it will only ever see the 19.5v in the viewfinder. So no warning would be given when the battery is low. The LED will flash at 11.5v, giving you a decent warning to make a change. 🛒 VLM-FX9
Tilta V-mount
Smallrig has a similar one – the V Mount Battery Adapter Plate with Dual 15mm Rod Clamp 3058 which is the one I use right now.
Came-TV – Adjustable V-Mount Battery Plate For Sony FX6 allows you to attach V-Mount batteries to your Sony FX6. The plate includes DC 19.5V output. I really like the looks of it. It includes the power cable and also works as a u-shaped top plate which is cool and will minimize the strain on the mounting holes in the FX6 body. I have asked them for a unit. Would love to test it.
🛒 Amazon
Battery Chargers for Hawk-Woods or SWIT
Some people like to go with the original chargers for their batteries and some don’t. Both Hawk-Woods and SWIT make their own charger line and have several different chargers for each type. I have collected some here:
Dual SWIT charger for LB-SU98 via DTAP. This will also charge SWIT V-Locks with DTAP input.
Single Hawk-Woods charger for the VL-M series. This will also charge other V-Lock batteries.
🛒 cvp.com
Dual Hawk-Woods charger for the VL-M series. This will also charge other V-Lock batteries.
🛒 cvp.com
Other chargers for your batteries
If you want a cheaper alternative to the brand name chargers there are several out there. I have been running one of these. It comes with one set of plates but additional can be bought to suit your needs. These chargers come with a regular Mickey Mouse power input and a charger for charging in your car. They also have a single USB output, which is pretty nice.
D-TAP POWER CABLES
Below you will find a selection of D-Tap power cables from various manufacturers starting at around 40£/55USD. They are all originally for the Sony FX9, but since the FX9 and FX6, both have a 19.5 volt DC input they should work perfectly.
SMALLRIG 19.5V Regulated D-Tap Power Cable
SmallRig Sony FX9 19.5V output D-Tap power cable 2932 is designed for the external V-mount battery for FX9. The FX6 uses the same The D-Tap interface of the cable can adapt to V-mount battery, and the DC interface at the other end can adapt to the body of Sony FX9. It allows to power SONY FX9 by using a V-mount battery. The maximum length of the cable is 400mm. When the D-Tap interface is inserted in a wrong way, the light turns red for warning to protect the camera from damage.
SHAPE FX9 D-TAP CABLE
SHAPE FX9PC (FX9-PC) 19.5V Output D-Tap Power Cable For Sony FX9. The SHAPE 19.5V output D-Tap power cable for Sony FX9 regulates the voltage from a D-Tap source to the proper 19.5V required to power an FX9 camera. This allows you to power your camera using any V-mount or Gold mount battery with a D-Tap plug.
Shape 19.5 volt D-Tap cable: 🛒 cvp.com
SHAPE FX9 D-TAP CABLE
Power-con (M) – 45cm – Sony Jack (19.5v Regulated). The PC-29 is a cable that is specifically for Sony cameras requiring 19.5v DC input. The cameras that this will power are as follows: Sony FX6 + FX9
Hawk-Woods PC-29 power cable: 🛒 cvp.com
This post is a Work in progress…
I will keep adding to this blogpost as I go along with the Sony FX6. So come back once in a while. If you have any tips you think I should include, please use the contact form below. Thanks in advance.
