I'm using Patona batteries as well and they are working without issue. They probably have a little less capacity as the original but not much less. They has chip as Mixe_C stated so battery meter in camera shows actual capacity left.
Hi durian, I don't personally know of the Kastar or Wasabi batteries you mention. Please be aware that the GH2 - although accepting third party batteries - will NOT show the battery meter if the battery doesn't have a decoding circuit inside (I own a number of chinese batteries that work but present this issue). Finally I bought a Patona (German) high quality battery that works properly and shows the meter. Here is the link: https://www.ebay.it/itm/Akku-DMW-BLC12-PREMIUM-PROFI-PATONA-fur-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ1000-DMW-BLC12-E/351101128902?hash=item51bf4210c6:g:UVIAAOSwBadTpvLh:rk:12:pf:0
Hello GH2 people. I have recently bought a used GH2 and am wondering if anyone has experience with third party BLC-12 batteries. I am looking at the Kastar 1700mAh 7.4v or Wasabi Power 1400mAh 7.2v or a genuine Panasonic 1200mAh 7.2v from Hong Kong. All these were found on Ebay. Please mention other reliable brands if I am missing something.
Hello people. Is there a way to trick a Lumix camera to show battery level on any third party batteries or when using a battery pack wired to a AC adapter ? That would be really helpful than just chasing and trying third party batteries. A future hack for the GH2 maybe ?
Thanks to answer
I used them batteries for two shoots last week and so far I'm very happy with them. One thing to keep in mind though which I learned on the shoot: When the battery indicator goes down to 1 bar, the battery will be empty faster than with the originals, at least that was my impression on the shoot. So the remaining recording time going from 1 bar to flahing red battery indicator is a lot shorter than with the originals - to be ready or in better control of the shoot change it just then. But even if you don't recognize it in time because being away from camera or else it's no big deal because the camera stops recording on it's own and saves the clip when the battery is depleting before finally shutting down, just like with the original panasonic batteries. Which is awesome! I would have lost (non-repeatable) footage of about 15 minutes if not for these awesome third party batteries! Cheers!
Thanks mate! :-)
Yes, I know this is a GH2 thread- but so many other cameras were mentioned instead and I feel already longer time bit off-community here, for I constantly shoot with my GH1s and GH2s...so I'm part of the minority meanwhile.
tetakpatak, I JUST confirmed that. I didn't mention the camera because this is a GH2 thread.
Cool, @MrZz thanks for sharing.
Can anybody confirm me that the battery indicator works also on the GH2 please?
Thanks for the heads up MrZz. I bought a couple and the battery meter works just fine.
Anyone in the USA have experience with the "Chili Power" decoded GH2 battery?
@karl Yes good idea, I completely forgot that it's a german company with a web-representation haha^^
BUT The Ebay sellers are cheaper, here's the battery on the Patona-Site: http://www.pts-trading.de/patona-premium-akku-f-panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200-lumix-dmc-g6-g5-gh2-p-3963.html
@MrZz: Thanks for the hint. They don't seem to advertise unrealistic capacities in their specs. Will try them, also for the LX100.
You wrote a link to ebay - of course Patona also has official web sites: www.patona.eu holds the home page, and www.patona.de contains their German web shop.
Hey, cool! Seems like an ok-brand! If you get them, make sure it's the "Premium series" version with the green "Patona"-print. the other version is not battery-indicator-decoded.
which of your cameras do you prefer and consider a significant upgrade over the GH2? I suggest both, right?
Great news! I already use Patona batteries for my Sony A7 and BMPCC and they are working very well. Now I'd trust them for my GH2 as well.
Guys! Great News - I recieved the aforementioned battery today and I really can't belive it but THE BATTERY INDICATOR IS WORKING!!! these batteries are 30 euros for a two-pack! single: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Patona-Premium-Akku-fur-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ200-DMC-G5-DMC-G6-DMW-BLC12-PP-/201130414166?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Akkus&hash=item2ed44e9056 two: http://www.ebay.de/itm/291178869298?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Oh and @gregsage There are external Power Banks with USB and other outlets (5-24V) and I for myself have puchased a Power Bank named tecxus TP10000 for around 50 Euros. It has 9 and 12V aswell as USB outlets and has a capacity of 10000maH - with a DC coupler (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMW-DCC8-DC-Coupler-Black/dp/B004OZQIGW) this runs my GH2 for around 8 Hours! This one here should run even longer: http://www.amazon.de/XTPower%C2%AE-MP-16000-Powerbank-externer-16000mAh/dp/B005N92WNG%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAIDVCUZG7IORP2NVA%26tag%3Dmobiler-akku-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB005N92WNG maybe this is the solution you are searching for?
another possibility:
Hey @all, I just found this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Patona-Premium-Akku-fur-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ200-DMC-G5-DMC-G6-DMW-BLC12-PP-/201130414166?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Akkus&hash=item2ed44e9056 These are probably a newer updated version of Patona DMW-blc12's ( (http://www.ebay.de/itm/351164106073?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) - which I assume since the "premium" ones were not around about half a year ago as far as i can remember) and they are supposed to have a battery indicator !
Decoded battery indicator!? I gotta check this out and I will order one and let everybody know about the results. Cheers!
I've read a few pages here, so sorry if I've missed answer, but looking to put together rig with GH2, Tascam DR60-D, Rode NTG1 where it's all attached. Mic requires phantom. Both audio recorder and camera will be mainly used in studio, but would like ability to rig up some sort of basic steadicam that includes longer lasting battery that feeds everything. Has anyone worked it out for the camera and Tascam yet? I'm assuming I can then feed the mic from the Tascam.
Here is a genuine GH2 battery It doesn't ship to the rest of Europe unfortunately http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMW-BLC12E-Battery-Lumix-GH2/dp/B0046Y0VY6/ref=sr_1_4?m=A1R3AWOLJXYSY7&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1389615079&sr=1-4
hi again, here is an update from one of the ebay battery sellers regarding the 1600mAh battery for GH2.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281059186517&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
Dear glenpinn,
Hello, thank you very much for your massage, it is half coded battery , can not show battery level on LCD ,
and it can be charge in your original charger
Best wishes, jane
hi everyone, i am after extended batteries for my sons GH2 and found an alternative option to the Grip with 2 internal batteries.
firstly, i live in australia so i can share with you a very trusted battery supplier that i have dealt with for several years, and all batteries i have bought from this place have worked flawlessly, and all work in original chargers, and all batteries have shown the meter on the cameras i have used them in.
i should note that this store offers an option to buy a single battery, multiple batteries, and includes options to buy a charger with the batteries for just a few $$$ more, and i always suggest to people who buy these batteries to buy a charger as well, just in case for some reason these batteries wont charge in the original panasonic charger.
http://aubattery.net/panasonic/blc12.html
ALSO, please seriously look into one of these following products, they are tried and tested, but one problem is that it has to be carried in a belt, pocket, or velcro tape it to your tripod/shouldermount etc
this first unit is good because it includes everything needed for use with the GH2 out of the box, and you will get 10 hours shooting using this 8500mAh power pack, and this device can also be used to recharge your batteries and phones on site if you dont use it on the actual camera.
please watch the video in the ebay link, and this one ships from usa international via ups for $26usd, cheaper than other stores, so i would choose this one if i was to buy one.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181127703010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
this one is 20,000mAh (ships from usa but their postage is expensive to australia) and can last 25 hours, but even better is you have a power pack that can be used to charge multiple devices on a shoot without using mains power.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281028105712?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
this one is 12,000mAh can do 16+ hours video shoot
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141004452445?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
this one from Amazon is good, 14,000mAh unit, but you must buy the ac/dc adaptor plug to connect it to the camera battery socket.
http://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Anker-14400mAh-Portable-External/dp/B005NGLTZQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_6
these may not suit most people, but i personally dont like the battery grip, nor do i trust many battery sellers and these seem to be a reasonable alternative.
Im tryin to find some cheaper batteries that are lumix and have the batt bar indicator.
DMW-BCG10PP
I found someone selling 3 of those brand Lumix DMW-BCG10PP batteries and charger for $20, I noticed my gh2 battery is DMW-BLC12PP
would that battery work with my gh2?
thanks so much!
I found this ORIGINAL battery for 27 € on ebay.
But now comes the suspicious twist: All Informations given are confusing. In the Item description it says:
Panasonic DMW-BLC12 ID Secured Battery for GH2 series cameras and contains special technology which means that third party manufacturers cannot copy them. Panasonic DMW-BLC12 ID Secured Battery for GH2 series cameras will not let you down.
But if you read the next line it says:
Panasonic DMW-BLC12E Lion Battery Pack Specifications: Compatible with: G1, GH1, G2, G10
So is this an old Gh1 battery? Anyone bought one of these?
For the record, I am Chinese yet i don't trust anything that the Chinese in China roll out for sale on a grand scale.
I bought a couple of third party batteries that were rated higher than the stock one, and popped them in the cam and timed the recording until they croaked. None of them lasted as long as the stock battery. If you buy one, test it and post the results. Miss the GH1 battery......
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