O.T. Camera batteries

[John Rofrano]

IMHO, batteries are one area where you definitely get what you pay for and sometimes you don’t even get that! How often do you buy batteries? It doesn’t pay to skimp. Just buy “real” Sony batteries from Sony. That’s what I do. Anything from China is usually cheap junk. China has a huge problem with counterfeits. I would stay away but that’s just me.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Stephen Mann]

I have had nothing but regret from using knockoff batteries. When they work, the displayed battery life is hugely optimistic.

Most Sony gear will not run on the cheap knockoffs. Sony cameras communicate with the battery to determine its legacy, temperature and charge level. If the camera can’t determine the battery manufacturer, it will not function. (Speaking from experience.)

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Nigel O’neill]

I use after market Sony batteries (purchased in 2007) which are all still in use, bar one (was inherited as a second hand unit with an Ikan screen). Occasionally the Infolithium chip fails to communicate with the battery and the camera does not recognise it. All I do is reseat the battery. This happens to me on genuine Sony batteries just as often, so go figure.

The battery remaining time of after market batteries is usually ‘optimistic’ as Steven puts it, so you need to be careful. I regularly check and charge my batteries and they last.

I do buy from reputable local dealers who offer 6 month warranties, and will still be in business next week :-). Their batteries are not the ridiculously low priced units offered on line for less than $20, but are usually a quarter of the price of the genuines. They are better quality.

As Stephen says, newer cameras seem to be less tolerable to knock-offs. IMHO after market batteries seem to be OK for older camera models.

Genuine batteries from Sony are way over-priced, but you need to weigh up the risks of using after market batteries. If your shoot is paying big dollars, always carry your genuine battery with you just in case.

My system specs: Intel i7 970, 12GB RAM, ASUS P6T, Vegas Pro 10e (x32/x64), Windows 7 x64 Ultimate, Vegas Production Assistant 1.0, VASST Ultimate S Pro 4.1, Neat Video Pro 2.6

[Ted Snow]

Thanks a bunch guys. I will definitely go ahead and buy the genuine Sony batteries.

I’m seriously thinking about getting the Sony HVR-Z7U HD camera. It uses the same batteries…so I could use them with both cameras.

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