One of the most frustrating things about the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is how fast it runs out of power when using the included battery – they literally run less than 30 minutes of shooting time.
At first, I ordered a bunch of compatible batteries from Patona, but it gets so annoying when you have to change batteries every 25 minutes on a shoot, plus I really wanted to be able to record for a longer period of time, for example a live concert in one take.
So I decided to order this cheap Chinese battery as some users reported it worked fine with their BMPCC, but in my case the battery died within half an hour of usage. Wow! I sent the battery back, but the company claimed they never received my package, so it was a big hassle to get the refund at all.
Second try, I found this battery mounting plate to use with my Sony NP-F970 type batteries. Despite their claim that it works flawlessly with BMPCC, it didn’t work at all with any of my four F970 batteries, not even an original one from Sony. Same story, eventually got the refund, but now I really needed a solution that works – and quick.
Finally I ordered the Anker 2nd Generation Astro Pro2 20000mAh battery and got it within a few days from Germany. In order to be able to use it with BMPCC, you just need to purchase one of the following:
- 2.5mm x 0.7mm Male Plug to 5.5mm x 2.1mm Female Jack DC Power Adapter
- 5.5×2.1mm Female to 2.5×0.7mm Male DC Power Jack Cable
A sigh of relief – this solution works very well with my Blackmagic camera! I love that you’re able to see exactly the percentage of power left, and I’ve never used more than 50% of its power, even if the shoot lasted for hours.
If you decide to purchase either the battery, cable, adapter or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, please use the affiliate links below – it doesn’t cost you anything to use these links, but it helps support this site and any future tests/tutorials. Thanks!
Affiliate link – Anker Astro Pro2 20000mAh battery – Amazon USA / Amazon Germany
Affiliate link – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera – Amazon USA / Amazon Germany
Affiliate link – power adapter – Amazon USA
Affiliate link – power adapter cable – Amazon USA
Thanks for the tips! Just curious: the Anker power supply seems a little bulky. How do you carry it while using your camera?
I simply use the supplied soft bag and hang it on my tripod. For handheld stuff I just use the standard BMPCC battery.
I think using velcro on Anker battery would be even better, but this solution works well enough for me!
This item doesn’t seem to be available anywhere online at this time.
Do you know if Anker has since released an updated product that is capable of doing the same?
Yeah im having a hard time finding it too, also didn’t find any other one with a 9V/12V Multi-Voltage Port, i guess thats the most important part. =S
If anyone finds another charger with a 9V/12V Multi-Voltage Port please post a link!
For those that might be interested in updated links to what MAY work (I’ll be buying these towards the end of the month)… the first link is for a 5v/9v/12v 20,000mah battery and the second is for a cord from USB to DC 2.5 x 0.7mm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IN9DGBO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1AG8QUFZ7ERVV&coliid=I3VMGYW5BU9GC8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UMWV4JC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1AG8QUFZ7ERVV&coliid=IGVG4WLTXWH6Y&psc=1
Did you try this combo? How did it work?
please tell us if u had any luck
Would this work with a Lumix G7? Thanks