Sony just started shipping the first batch of the FX9 cameras this past week, and third party accessory manufacturers are also releasing their new products for the latest full-frame Sony FX9 camera. British battery and camera accessories maker Hawk-Woods have been making top quality gear and high capacity batteries for all sorts of cameras for quite some time now, so it makes perfect sense they’d be one of the first to jump on the FX9 and make it more usable on set.
The Sony FX9, much like the FS7 and FS7 II before it, shares for the most part, the same camera body design, and as such, one of the biggest shortcoming of the FS7-style becomes apparent – to get full functionality, including timecode, Genlock, Raw, and also use a V-mount battery – FS7 owners had to get the bulky and expensive XDCA-FS7 add-on. The box attaches to the back of the camera, and although it helps with balancing the rig on the operator’s shoulder when using longer lenses, the added bulk at the back of the rig can often get frustrating and tiresome.
Images by Hawk-Woods
With the FX9’s design, things are improved a bit – Timecode and Genlock ports are now included in the back of the FX9, making the new dedicated XDCA-FX9 largely irrelevant (unless you want to use the upcoming Raw output and also use a V-mount battery). That’s where Hawk-Woods comes in with their new VLM-FX9 accessory.
The VLM-FX9 slots in the BPU battery slot and features a direct V-Lok fitting for Sony’s FX9 camera allowing the user to use higher powered V-Lok batteries rather than BPU batteries which are the standard battery for the FX9 camera.
The adaptor attaches via the lock in mechanism in the FX9’s battery compartment and with an additional attachment point on the top of the camera body (where the XDCA would normally also attach) to secure it in place.
The VLM-FX9 also features 2 x Power-con (D-Tap) outputs rated at 11-17 volts to power additional accessories. The accessory also features a 5V 2A USB for charging accessories such as mobile phones. Power to the camera provided via a short DC jack cable, which plugs into the FX9’s DC Input.
The Hawk-Woods VLM-FX9 is priced at around £245 + VAT and is shipping now.
Sony VENICE owner/operators and rental houses, who would like to expand the camera’s battery and output capabilities should take a look at another Hawk-Woods battery plate – namely the VL-SV1. This plate is dedicated for the VENICE and its R7 raw recorder, giving users extra D-tap and other outputs.
The VL-SV1 features a new 100% lock-in system, which eliminates and fitment issues with the adaptor or battery lifting of the Sonys Venice/R7 V-Mount fitting under minimal pressure, providing peace of mind that continuous power is provided to the camera.
Hawk-Woods VENICE VL-SV1 Plate I/O:
- 2 x D-Tap outputs (11-17v)
- 1 x Lemo 2-Pin (11-17v)
- 2 x RS Fischer 3-Pin (24v) (Start/Start enabled)
- 1 x Lemo 5-Pin (for use with wooden cameras D-box Start/Stop enabled)
The Hawk-Woods LV-SV1 battery plate also offers a dual input system to satisfy the demanding power requirements of the Venice, this allows the user to be able to automatically hot swap between a large capacity floor battery or the V-Lok battery fitted to the SV1.
The VL-SV1 is priced at £420 + VAT and is available from Hawk-Woods authorised dealers. Explore new products from Hawk-Woods here.
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