Filmaker Scott Eggleston has a love for low budget accessories. Eggleston is also an avid DIYer and on the video above he demonstrate a simple solution that will enable you to use your camera for a much longer time using a cheap external battery, below you will be able to find the second part with a much more intense DIY solution for an external battery with an on/off switch.
Especially when shooting video, the battery of your DSLR or mirrorless camera can drain very quickly. Sometime you do not wish to switch batteries and prefer to use a more lasting option (for example if your camera is buried inside of a rig, an external battery is much easier to swap out). Connecting your camera to the outlet or having an external battery is a better option than your regular battery.
Eggleston talks about these two options on the video above. He used a Power Adapter Coupler for Sony NEX-7 NEX-5N NEX-5C (but you can find similar devices for many other cameras).
The more interesting (and complicated) DIY part comes on part two (below). Here Eggleston demonstrates how he added an on/off switch to the battery unit so it will not drain (we still think that a better option is just to pull out the battery when you don’t need it – but if you are a DIYer in heart – this one is for you.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsjLwwi0o2U&list=UUvsCvArJ8fI73NeKAOJKbyA[/youtube]
Important: Remember – connecting a battery which is not the original one to your camera can damage your camera and potentially harm not just your gear but you as well – don’t do this if you don’t know what you are doing!
Here are the parts that you will need for the DIY hack:
- Sony f550, f970 compatible battery cradle
- eBay: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-532…
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Plate-…
- SPST (Single Position, Single Throw) Submini Toggle Switch
- https://www.radioshack.com/product/ind…
- Spring loaded cell phone holder with 1/4-20″ thread
- https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-532…
- Frugal Camera Cage
- https://filmflap.blogspot.com/2014/06/…
- External Camera Battery
- https://filmflap.blogspot.com/2014/07/…
- Review: 7″ Monitor with HDMI for $56
- https://filmflap.blogspot.com/2014/06/…
Tools:
- small Philips head screwdriver
- key card/credit card/debit card/gift card
- fingernails
- wire cutters
- wire strippers
- Soldering Iron
- Rosin Core Solder
- scrap of wire
- electrical tape
- flat head screwdriver
- #8 combination wrench
Be sure to watch Eggleston “How to Make a DIY PVC Light Stand for Under $5“. You can also check out many more interesting DIY photography projects here on LensVid.
Iddo Genuth 
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