oh, came across your video & u make me thinking of buying one ... But I also watched some other review videos, saying people could charge & record video at the same time while using Sony A7iii, A6400, 6500 . They said they could just plugin the external power bank to the usb charging port of the camera and record 4K for long long time, so why should people buy this product? Isn't it this product is for older model camera?
I certainly don't want anyone spending money they shouldn't...I'd have to see these videos, but I have the Sony a6400 as well and have tried it with just the battery alone...what happens is that the battery doesn't charge, but rather it just discharges slower. So, you might get some benefit with just the battery, but I have several of these battery packs and never seem to get them to actually charge the camera. The iFootage essentially regulates the power output from the battery and adjusts the consumption based on the demands the camera is putting on it. So it also conserves the battery pack from draining too fast. Again, I'd have to see these videos, but I'd question the likelihood of this working.
@@KevinRossRN OH, many thanks for your reply! I just searched "sony a6400 external battery" on youtube & find several videos showing people directly connect power bank to a Sony A6500, A7s ...etc. Actually, I myself wander whether their setup are working or would get overheat... maybe depends on output of the power bank. Anyway, I think it's worth buying one of this device, well, after reading your advise.
So I just ran another test...and I did search some of these videos, but some of them are videos I already saw, which was the reason why I tested their recommendations first before buying the iFootage. My additional test both last night and this morning: I used two different battery packs that I have. One of them does have a quick charge capability. What I found was that regardless of the battery pack I used, the Sony battery in the camera still discharged, slower, but it still discharged. I also attempted to charge the camera while it was on, but not filming, and it still discharged. And as far as charging the camera while it's off with these batteries....it's very, very slow. The issue is that the USB port on these cameras just doesn't manage the power input very well to juice up the camera, hence the need for that dummy battery. Most professionals (that I know) will use a dummy battery connected to a variety of power options. The iFootage isn't the only solution, but it is one of the most compact and portable solutions that I am aware of. Like I said, I certainly don't want anyone to spend money they don't need to, but I've used this setup so many times both personally and professionally and it hasn't let me down yet. I'd be curious to see if your experience is different if by chance you have a battery pack that you can connect to the camera and see if it works. That's certainly something you could do is purchase the battery pack first and try it before purchasing the iFootage.
Hi Kevin, do you know if this solution prevents the overheating issue that the 6500 has? Or does the dummy battery still heat up and cause overheating? Thanks
Hey Kevin, So I’m looking to do video podcasting solely with the camera. I think the a6400 provides better value for me than the 6600 outside of the battery life. My content shouldn’t be longer than 1.5 hrs. I don’t think the 6400 gets this in 4K. If I added this set up, it appears that it would interfere with the flip screen that I would use to help frame my shot. Is this so?! Any additional suggestions?! I just don’t see the need for the 6600 just for extended battery life when I will be in studio primarily. Thanks for your time bud.
This shouldn't interfere with the flip up screen. I use it all the time in my studio so I don't have to be plugged into the wall, however you could also do this...get a wall plug if you're only in the studio. I just like the mobility factor of it. And yes, the 6400 would be a better budget choice for your needs.
@@KevinRossRN ohhh the ifootage digital battery is already the dummy battery?haha..yes, I did check the links already but didn't know that was it that you called the dummy battery 😂 thank you :) Planning to buy the Sony a6500 but need to be prepared with the battery life..
No issues with stills. We ended up using this solution for a week long shoot a couple of weeks ago and a business conference this past weekend. My business partner was shooting photography with it almost exclusively.
Agree that there are some power saving options you can implement. Airplane mode being one of them, however it does depend on your filming style/use case. As an example today, I had it in airplane mode, shooting on a Sony OEM battery in 4K and did quite a bit of stopping/starting with the recording and could barely get 45 minutes total. For us (our agency) when we're run/gun filming for certain events, doing multiple (sometimes extended) interviews, stopping and starting recording, stills, working on a gimbal, etc. we just appreciate having the extended battery life for that style. We just got back from a weekend event in Vegas where all of these above scenarios occurred and we never ran out of juice. Again, you just have to assess your specific needs/use case. Appreciate your input.
![Sony A6500 Hacks, Tips, & Features [Get more out of your Camera!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/98FK9q7BHkw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Sony A6500 Hacks, Tips, & Features [Get more out of your Camera!]](/img/tr.png)
Awesome review! Can't wait to test this setup on my camera next week - we're going to have so much footage 😬
Yeah, I think this is going to work out just fine for ya 😉
this is an awesome work around, thanks!
Awesome! Glad you found it helpful.
oh, came across your video & u make me thinking of buying one ... But I also watched some other review videos, saying people could charge & record video at the same time while using Sony A7iii, A6400, 6500 . They said they could just plugin the external power bank to the usb charging port of the camera and record 4K for long long time, so why should people buy this product? Isn't it this product is for older model camera?
I certainly don't want anyone spending money they shouldn't...I'd have to see these videos, but I have the Sony a6400 as well and have tried it with just the battery alone...what happens is that the battery doesn't charge, but rather it just discharges slower. So, you might get some benefit with just the battery, but I have several of these battery packs and never seem to get them to actually charge the camera.
The iFootage essentially regulates the power output from the battery and adjusts the consumption based on the demands the camera is putting on it. So it also conserves the battery pack from draining too fast.
Again, I'd have to see these videos, but I'd question the likelihood of this working.
@@KevinRossRN OH, many thanks for your reply! I just searched "sony a6400 external battery" on youtube & find several videos showing people directly connect power bank to a Sony A6500, A7s ...etc. Actually, I myself wander whether their setup are working or would get overheat... maybe depends on output of the power bank. Anyway, I think it's worth buying one of this device, well, after reading your advise.
So I just ran another test...and I did search some of these videos, but some of them are videos I already saw, which was the reason why I tested their recommendations first before buying the iFootage.
My additional test both last night and this morning: I used two different battery packs that I have. One of them does have a quick charge capability.
What I found was that regardless of the battery pack I used, the Sony battery in the camera still discharged, slower, but it still discharged. I also attempted to charge the camera while it was on, but not filming, and it still discharged. And as far as charging the camera while it's off with these batteries....it's very, very slow.
The issue is that the USB port on these cameras just doesn't manage the power input very well to juice up the camera, hence the need for that dummy battery. Most professionals (that I know) will use a dummy battery connected to a variety of power options. The iFootage isn't the only solution, but it is one of the most compact and portable solutions that I am aware of.
Like I said, I certainly don't want anyone to spend money they don't need to, but I've used this setup so many times both personally and professionally and it hasn't let me down yet. I'd be curious to see if your experience is different if by chance you have a battery pack that you can connect to the camera and see if it works. That's certainly something you could do is purchase the battery pack first and try it before purchasing the iFootage.
Your videos are great and underrated. You deserve more views and subscribers. Reminds me of me. 😅
Much appreciated brother. 👊 Keep rocking faces.
Hi Kevin. Thanks for the video. Do we have an alternative power bank to Jackery? Can I buy any brand with 12000 mah spec?
Of course! Many of the other power banks with those specs will work 👍
Awesome man Thank a lot
Sure thing. Hope it helps. Are you currently a Sony user?
Hi Kevin, do you know if this solution prevents the overheating issue that the 6500 has? Or does the dummy battery still heat up and cause overheating? Thanks
The dummy battery doesn’t heat up like an actual battery does. I have run this set up for hours and there hasn’t been an issue.
@@KevinRossRN Thanks
You bet.
Hey Kevin,
So I’m looking to do video podcasting solely with the camera. I think the a6400 provides better value for me than the 6600 outside of the battery life. My content shouldn’t be longer than 1.5 hrs. I don’t think the 6400 gets this in 4K. If I added this set up, it appears that it would interfere with the flip screen that I would use to help frame my shot. Is this so?!
Any additional suggestions?! I just don’t see the need for the 6600 just for extended battery life when I will be in studio primarily. Thanks for your time bud.
This shouldn't interfere with the flip up screen. I use it all the time in my studio so I don't have to be plugged into the wall, however you could also do this...get a wall plug if you're only in the studio. I just like the mobility factor of it. And yes, the 6400 would be a better budget choice for your needs.
hold up what mic were you using in this video??
At the time it was likely the Rode Videomicro.
Hi Kevin! Where did you buy your dummy battery and strap? :)
awesome tips by the way! :)
Thanks! The strap comes with the iFootage hardware and the dummy battery was purchased separately on Amazon...it's linked in the description.
@@KevinRossRN ohhh the ifootage digital battery is already the dummy battery?haha..yes, I did check the links already but didn't know that was it that you called the dummy battery 😂 thank you :)
Planning to buy the Sony a6500 but need to be prepared with the battery life..
@@hannahjoyg yeah, so the strap comes with the ifootage component/regulator, however the dummy battery is separate, but obviously necessary.
@@KevinRossRN thanks so much :)
Nice. Does this have issues with stills?
No issues with stills. We ended up using this solution for a week long shoot a couple of weeks ago and a business conference this past weekend. My business partner was shooting photography with it almost exclusively.
Nice! Thanks Man. maybe will go with this set-up. been looking for something like this without issues. Thanks Again.
@@cirun4y I think you'll really like it. Best of luck with your decision.
When i turn airplane mode on i got at least 2 hours on a battery
Agree that there are some power saving options you can implement. Airplane mode being one of them, however it does depend on your filming style/use case. As an example today, I had it in airplane mode, shooting on a Sony OEM battery in 4K and did quite a bit of stopping/starting with the recording and could barely get 45 minutes total.
For us (our agency) when we're run/gun filming for certain events, doing multiple (sometimes extended) interviews, stopping and starting recording, stills, working on a gimbal, etc. we just appreciate having the extended battery life for that style.
We just got back from a weekend event in Vegas where all of these above scenarios occurred and we never ran out of juice.
Again, you just have to assess your specific needs/use case. Appreciate your input.