V-mount vs. Gold mount...?

[Michael Suchar]

Can someone clarify the advantages / disadvantages to these two types of mounts. It seems to me that both are "industry" standards. So, other than the inflated costs of these two types of mounts and batteries, why would you not want to use them? Personally, I like the cordless tool battery option.

I looked but did not see anything on this topic; if I missed it, my apologies.

Michael

[Charles King]

I think the Anton Bauer is more popular and have been around for ages. So they are pretty much high inthe industry standard. But of course you have other brands that are trying to reach the top by means of other methods. Now, my knowledge is not all that good, but hopefully someone will explain this better. But again, I can only summize that the real reason is these are professional items and circle the professional arena more than the commercial sector. It's not like you can go into Wallmarks and purchase six of any of these babies... Just a thought.

[Tim Le]

The Gold Mount was invented by Anton Bauer and I think the V-Mount was invented by Sony. I don't think there is any technical advantage of one over the other. Mechanically, the difference is the Gold Mount uses three studs and the mounting action is horizontal (you slide it horizontally and it clicks into place). The release lever is on the top of the mount. The V-Mount uses a wedge and it works vertically by sliding the battery down to engage. The release lever is on the side.

The reason you'd pick one over the other mainly has to do with what brand of batteries you want to use and what is more common in your area. In the US, A/B batteries are more common but it seems like V-mounts are just as common now. You can buy aftermarket batteries in either type.

I think I would go with one of these pro mounts as opposed to a modified consumer power tool mount because it's just more tidy and feels more secure. By using an industry standard it's also nice to be using what everyone else is using (in case you run into a problem). But if your budget is small then you have to do with what you've got.

[Michael Suchar]

Charles, Tim, thanks for the replies. I suppose it would be best to go with an A/B or V mount in the event you need to "borrow" a batt from someone, assuming that is your at a shoot where there are other "professionals" not that I would be. I have another idea for batteries which may work; once I get some adaptors built I'll test and let ya know how it goes.

[Tom Frisch]

Just worked on a shoot with an experienced DP from LA, so I was able to pick his brain a bit.  We were using AB Dionic 90s on a Panasonic HDX-900.  They don't last all that long, and he said "I'd much rather carry 2 big batteries than  12 smaller batteries all day".

He said there is pretty much no difference between the Anton Bauer and the IDX V-lock systems, but if he were purchasing one he'd definitely go with IDX as they have stackable models which are great for cold weather shooting- where you can double the capcity of your battery just by stacking them.

Also on this shoot, the audio guy was using LiPo 9v batteries- he said  last a long time (like lithium vs alkaline atteries) , and can be recharged 200 times without loss of capacity, and they weigh 1/2 a normal battery.  The down side?  they are $18 a piece!
He had another system where he used an NP style battery to power all of his devices at once.

-Tom