GEAR. BATTERIES
Batteries are the practical lifeblood of filmmaking, subject to just as much exciting technological advancement as any camera, lens or light. Yes, it’s time to talk power! WORDS. Lee Renwick IMAGES. Various CHARGED UP
I n an industry of constant innovation, some developments are bound to be left wanting well-deserved praise – not least when it comes to any tool not firmly in the spotlight. Refined sensors, data-driven optics and transformative LED volumes are undeniably exciting, but what of the humble battery? When we last took the lay of the land eight months ago, battery manufacturers were focusing on output, size and connectivity. In the time since, little has changed as far as priorities are concerned. These boundaries have, however, been pushed further than ever with a suite of new products. There’s also the green initiative to consider, which is becoming more ingrained in every area of the industry with each passing day. ONE FOR ALL One recent and significant development in the battery world came by way of Bebob – the B-Mount. Managing director Michael Erkelenz explains.
“We developed B-Mount as a universal 24v industry standard for cameras and lights. The technical data has been shared openly, enabling all manufacturers to develop B-Mount products and thus spread the standard. We see B-Mount as the future of power supply on-set. The more manufacturers that work with it, the better for customers,” he states. A few years in, specific figures are yet to be gauged, but uptake is widespread. “On our side, demand is huge – boosted most recently by the successful launch of the Arri Alexa 35, for which our batteries are the perfect solution in terms of performance,” Erkelenz continues. “This year, we will introduce a lot of new B-Mount adapters and several new products for our range of ultra-compact Micro batteries, both for V-Mount and Gold Mount. Users of the Sony Venice 2, for
“We see B-Mount as the future of power supply on-set. The more manufacturers that work with it, the better for customers”
WATTS UP As cameras get more power-hungry, battery technology needs to rise to the challenge
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