- What are v mount batteries and what are they used for?
- V mount battery vs gold mount
- V mount vs np-f battery
- How to choose a suitable power solution according to different situations?
What are v-mount batteries and what are they used for?
Large capacity batteries are known as v type named after the way they install by v mount or v lock. But they have common features of the large capacity and other parameters and are used for high-end equipment including camera lights, microphones, field monitors, camcorder, and other compatible devices. The mounting method that batteries utilize to connect to them is known as a "v mount."
Should I get a v-mount or gold-mount external power supply?
V-mount and gold-mount are various in the installation methods. V mount camera battery is more compatible to diverse photography devices, while the gold-mounts seem to be more sturdy.
Pros and cons of the V-mounts
Pros: V mount batteries use a mounting method that is more widely-compatible with photography rigs and camera set up. Simply slide the v-mount male connection on the back of the battery into the plate's slot to attach the v-mount battery to the camera. Because of the straightforward sliding mechanism, connection and disengagement are considerably simpler than with the gold mount.
They may also produce significant power outputs, and they can be dispersed to various devices and adjusted accordingly. For example, Moman Power 99 14.4v lithium-ion battery pack may provide the energy needed for the camera, studio lights, and even charging tiny gadgets like mobile phones or wireless microphones, as opposed to powering various equipment from diverse power sources.
Cons: V-mounts are locked up and down, while Gold-mounts are locked left and right. So sometimes if you mount a V-mount battery on a photography rig in portrait orientation, it can slip off. This is rare, but there are photographers who say they have encountered it.
Pros and cons of the Gold-mounts
Pros: Gold mount, which is called the Anton Bauer Mount as well, is frequently employed in American movies. Because it has sturdy construction and reliable performance as the v mount video battery does. It is unquestionably a sort of practical power bank for many photographic missions.
Cons: Due to its lower worldwide prevalence, it is regrettably less flexible than the v mounts. This particular mount type would be more favored in the United States. As a result, the decision would be influenced by where you were. In addition, since most manufacturers install a v-mount in its place, the gold mount might not be immediately compatible with your other accessories, such as monitors and LED lights.
V-mount batteries have wider compatibility than the Gold-mounts
All in all, if you chase broader compatibility with your devices, we recommend you choose the V-mount batteries. If you want a totally safe connection, you may consider the Gold-mounts. Depending on your budget, buying adapters to switch from gold to v mount battery could be a fine choice. The similarities and differences between these two kinds rely on you and how you want to use your battery and devices.
V mount vs NPF battery, which is better?
V mount battery is a type of external power source while NPF battery is a series of rechargeable inbuilt battery packs. Although they both belong to camera lithium batteries, there are huge differences between them, which we will discuss in detail next.
Advantages of v-mount batteries as an external power
V-mount camera battery is usually designed to have an inbuilt protection system that provides a great sense of security. It carries several hazards, including over-voltage, overheating problems, and over-current, which can harm the electronics and the battery, and bring you into great danger. Built-in protective circuitry is present in these professional ones to guard against such failures. Like the Moman Power 99S 14.8 volt battery can provide high-performance stability due to the protection system design.
In additional, v-mount enjoys a high capacity and density making it worth your investment and trust. The one packed with inbuilt rechargeable is ultra-mighty for high-drain devices like studio lights with strong lumen output. It can support several pieces of equipment at the same time, playing a strong backup role in a photography rig. Some people may wonder why the v V-mount battery is so expensive, and that’s the reason.
Merits of NP-F battery series as an inbuilt power
The NP-F battery series is produced by Sony. They are regularly ranked from 330 to 990, including ten styles. The bigger the number, the bigger the size, and capacity. The 550, 750, and 770 are the most usual types that can work with DSLR cameras, monitors, and pretty much anything else.
Though compared to the v-lock mount external battery, the NP-F series are versatile and budget, having their adaptability. When deciding which one to buy, you should primarily pay attention to the size and capacity, which are indicated by the number at the end. As the Sony NPF battery is available in sizes in a wide range, some are excellent all-ground ones being compact and lightweight, like the 550 and 770, and the 970 is the most widely used size but heavier. They have a smaller profile and enable you to travel comfortably and light, so they are a better choice if you want to make your setup as compact as possible.
V-mount power have higher capacity than the NP-F batteries
The NPF battery belongs to the type of built-in battery to plug in the camera's slot, and v-mount battery is an external power source. The former is more mini and portable, while the latter is much more strong for longer shooting works.
While there’s up to 140Wh capacity like the Moman Power 140 as a 16.8 v battery of strong output, even the biggest NPF-1000 now available on the market couldn’t surpass most v mount batteries. NP-F series is much strong than the NP-FW series, which the former is 2-4 times larger than the latter. But when comparing to v mount, there is simply no comparison.
How to choose a suitable power solution according to different situations?
Whatever you decide, be sure to take into account every other aspect as well. These aspects range from the capacity of the battery you require, and the airline rules on battery carriage, etc. We have assumed several scenarios to find the most ideal power solution for you.
Choose the strong v-mount or gold-mount external power for daylong shooting
As stated above, the capacity of v-mount and gold-mount power sources is far greater than that of NP-F or other inbuilt camera cells, and there are generally 50-500Wh capacity options available to you. If you're out on a long shoot and you're running out of wall AC power, the first thing you should consider is the capacity.
Take the NP-F batteries or v batteries under 100Wh with you on flights
Different airlines have regulations regarding power supplies. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and cells are allowed to be carried on airplanes, but there are regulations regarding quantity and size. For small ones like BMPCC 4K NPF battery, as long as the number is not exaggerated, you can bring a dozen or more within a reasonable range. But you can only take up to two v-lock and gold-mount under 100Wh to accompany you on the plane, and the rest need to follow your checked baggage.
Pack yourself a v battery with various ports for charging kinds of devices in a photography setup
V mount battery with several output interfaces is an important part of your photography kit. The Son yNP-F series or Canon LP-E series can only work for one device since they are mounted in the slot of a camera or monitor screen. A v-mount power supply or Anton Bauer gold mount battery, on the other hand, can charge multiple devices at the same time. For example, the Moman Power 140 with d-tap, BP, USB-A, and Type-C ports, can simultaneously power up your digital camera, LED light, gimbals, and others.
Conclusion
This article is only based on some people's preferences, offering specific application scenarios analysis and comparison. The type of power supply you want to buy depends on your personal needs. After all, you can just but a v mount battery adapter or other plates to suit your needs.
