Safest way to power externally a 6700

Hi there:

I am new to this breed of Sony cameras, my last experience was with Panasonic (no overheating and very friendly with external power), previously it was all camcorders since the BETACAM era.

Many of you out there should have a lot of experience on the matter and that is why I am asking what is the best/safest way to power externally a 6700. I found three ways to do it, and they are here below.

1- NP bat feeding a dummy battery

2- Powerbank PD feeding a dummy battery

3- Power bank directly into USB-C of the camera with battery inside

Thanks in advance

Prof Carlo Ferraro
Sony 6700, 11mm f1.8, 18-105, 200-600


1- NP bat feeding a dummy battery


2- Powerbank PD feeding a dummy battery


3- Power bank directly into USB-C of the camera with battery inside

i just use power bank with battery inside, the battery in the camera doesnt drain.

Sometimes I need to leave the camera filming for 5 hrs, with fan.

The battery does not drain but the current passes thru the battery, not a good fit for me, perhaps for 1-2 hrs continuosly or for half a day recording and stopping.. it mght be safe.

Got a response grom Sony though.

ferrarofilms said:

The battery does not drain but the current passes thru the battery, not a good fit for me, perhaps for 1-2 hrs continuosly or for half a day recording and stopping.. it mght be safe.

Got a response grom Sony though.

Click to expand...

That's a good point, and one I'm glad someone answered before it occurred to me to ask. A dummy battery would be better as long as everything is stationary and unlikely to accidentally get unplugged. If the external power doesn't bypass the battery, that means the battery is continuously being drained and charged at the same time, which not only generates heat, it will also wear out the battery quicker. If you're moving about though, and you might accidentally pull the plug, you'll want that battery in there so the camera doesn't turn off. It sounds like this camera doesn't have a passthrough power mode, like some other devices do (certain cell phones, laptops).

Spot on..

Sony’s response is: dummy battery, with NP or power bank, If you are moving, the best is a battery, less stuff, same with a monitor.

Thanks

Planterz said:

ferrarofilms said:

The battery does not drain but the current passes thru the battery, not a good fit for me, perhaps for 1-2 hrs continuosly or for half a day recording and stopping.. it mght be safe.

Got a response grom Sony though.

Click to expand...

That's a good point, and one I'm glad someone answered before it occurred to me to ask. A dummy battery would be better as long as everything is stationary and unlikely to accidentally get unplugged. If the external power doesn't bypass the battery, that means the battery is continuously being drained and charged at the same time, which not only generates heat, it will also wear out the battery quicker. If you're moving about though, and you might accidentally pull the plug, you'll want that battery in there so the camera doesn't turn off. It sounds like this camera doesn't have a passthrough power mode, like some other devices do (certain cell phones, laptops).

Click to expand...

all our cars use power and charge at the same time. and so do our homes using solar power, the camera is generating the majority of heat not the battery when connected to the usbc port. in fact i tested the battery and camera with a IR thermonitor the other day shooting 4k 30 for 1 hour the battery read 26c and the camera 34c its a long way from 85c that electronic componends can run.

4K30 is one thing and 4k100 (pal) another story . Most of the time I film on daylight for slowmo (light permitted, max 500 iso)

I can later use Topaz to slow it down all to 1:8, pretty decent, btw.

Your decision Mate. 50+ years doing this has cost me a few mistakes on the way. If you do not get smarter when getting old, you are just getting old. I tell it to myself from time to time.

Cheers

A74Me said:

all our cars use power and charge at the same time. and so do our homes using solar power, the camera is generating the majority of heat not the battery when connected to the usbc port.

Click to expand...

And the batteries all wear out when you use them.

A74Me said:

in fact i tested the battery and camera with a IR thermonitor the other day shooting 4k 30 for 1 hour the battery read 26c and the camera 34c its a long way from 85c that electronic componends can run.

Click to expand...

While charging at the same time?

Planterz said:

A74Me said:

all our cars use power and charge at the same time. and so do our homes using solar power, the camera is generating the majority of heat not the battery when connected to the usbc port.

Click to expand...

And the batteries all wear out when you use them.

Planterz said:

in fact i tested the battery and camera with a IR thermonitor the other day shooting 4k 30 for 1 hour the battery read 26c and the camera 34c its a long way from 85c that electronic componends can run.

Click to expand...

While charging at the same time?

Click to expand...

no

ferrarofilms said:

4K30 is one thing and 4k100 (pal) another story . Most of the time I film on daylight for slowmo (light permitted, max 500 iso)

I can later use Topaz to slow it down all to 1:8, pretty decent, btw.

Your decision Mate. 50+ years doing this has cost me a few mistakes on the way. If you do not get smarter when getting old, you are just getting old. I tell it to myself from time to time.

Cheers

Click to expand...

im sitting here using my laptop with the charger plugged in. maybe i should have bought a dummy battery

ferrarofilms said:

Hi there:

I am new to this breed of Sony cameras, my last experience was with Panasonic (no overheating and very friendly with external power), previously it was all camcorders since the BETACAM era.

Many of you out there should have a lot of experience on the matter and that is why I am asking what is the best/safest way to power externally a 6700. I found three ways to do it, and they are here below.

1- NP bat feeding a dummy battery

2- Powerbank PD feeding a dummy battery

3- Power bank directly into USB-C of the camera with battery inside

Thanks in advance

Prof Carlo Ferraro
Sony 6700, 11mm f1.8, 18-105, 200-600

Click to expand...

I suggest using a good power bank directly to the USB-C port in the a6700. Yes the current flows through the battery, but it is trickle charging and the battery compartment doesn’t overheat. I use a power bank to keep the a6700 running and keep a Ulanzi fan powered. I’ve monitored the a6700 with a infrared thermometer while shooting 4K 60p without the fan attached and the hot spot is on the back of the camera where the LCD snaps into place. The battery compartment doesn’t get hot. The camera sensor is at the back and that is what heats up, not the battery. With my a6700 I can shoot 4K 24p or 30p without a fan and have no overheating even after 6 hours in 90° F temperatures at night outdoors. 4K 60p will overheat though without a fan, but is okay with a fan.

Dummy batteries can be an issue. Sony made ones are safe, but cheap Chinese models have been known to destroy cameras. If it isn’t Sony’s dummy battery I wouldn’t use it.