2010Batteries/Power forum
Comparing V-Mount and Anton Bauer battery mounts for camera rigs
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- V-Mount batteries can detach unexpectedly on some camera models, particularly when the rig is inverted or experiences low-level impacts, though this problem varies significantly depending on the specific battery plate and camera model.
- Anton Bauer mounts feel more secure and rigid than V-Mount, though V-Mount offers faster one-handed removal and installation.
- V-Mount batteries are generally lighter and cheaper than comparable Anton Bauer options, with two PowerCubes providing more capacity in less weight than a single Hytron 140.
- Anton Bauer batteries are more common in broadcast and film production, while V-Mount adoption increased in motion picture work following RED camera adoption of that standard.
- RED cameras have particular issues with V-Mount battery retention and typically require an additional strap to secure the battery during handheld or steadicam work.
- Sony cameras experience fewer V-Mount retention problems compared to RED cameras.
- Using an adapter allows operators to switch between mount types, enabling them to use production-supplied batteries regardless of which system their own rig uses.
Depends on
- Reports of V-Mount retention issues are anecdotal and appear to vary by specific equipment combinations rather than representing a universal problem.
- The choice between systems often depends on local production standards and the existing camera packages an operator owns.
- One participant's experience with multiple battery drop incidents occurred with new equipment where the root cause was never definitively identified.
- Weight and power comparisons are based on specific battery models from 2010 and may not reflect current product options.