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Shoot Review: Anton Bauer Elipz

Jan 1, 2007 12:02 PM, Reviewer: Tom Patrick McAuliffe

New system enhances handheld HDV and DV camera performance.

Video cameras have gotten more versatile and a lot smarter, but sometimes manufacturers forget the little things. Couldn't your shooting be more comfortable or effective? Anton Bauer, the well-known maker of batteries, 6V and 12V power systems, and lighting gear, has created a series of products aimed at DV and HDV shooters, collectively known as the Elipz system. It's the first time Anton Bauer has offered products for smaller cameras that use 7.2V power sources.

The model family includes the Elipz 10K battery and charger, Egripz camera handle, and the Elightz articulating on-camera light. Computer-aided design has improved the quality of today's optional camera accessories, and these are no exception. But, as inexpensive as they are, will they still do the job? I used Anton Bauer's new Elipz system over a two-week period to shoot stock footage of Hawaii's north shore, the surfing mecca of the world. I tried two different cameras with the three products: a Sony DCR-VX2000 DV camcorder and a Sony HDR-HC3 HDV camera.

Power to the shooter

Anton Bauer's batteries are practically the de facto standard for ENG shooting. The Elipz 10K battery is professional power at about one-third the price of similar solutions — yet it yields two to five times the power that standard camera batteries provide. I was able to run my cameras for almost eight hours with this 7.2V lithium ion battery, depending on how much I used the light, zoom, etc. If you want to run the light and a nice 5"×9" LCD viewfinder or any other portable electric device, the Elipz battery will have enough of a kick (at average 30W rated power) to make it happen.

To my knowledge, the Elipz battery system is the only single-camera battery system able to power a true 6V light and other accessories. I liked the oval PowerPlug connector to the battery itself and to the charger. It's very secure and reinforced where cord stress is bound to occur. These connectors are good only with the Elipz, though, so there's no mixing and matching. LED lights indicate the status of the battery and charger. After a day's shooting and a little post-shoot viewing via a Video Walkman MiniDV player, I was able to recharge the battery to 100 percent in about 6.5 hours. Pretty good and on par with other power solutions I've used.

According to Anton Bauer, this is the first battery that acts as a base for the camera, and the company offers various optional attachments so you can use it with almost any handheld camera. I really like the concept of using the Elipz battery as a base. With both cameras' fold-out LCDs, it was a perfect balance on top of my Sachtler fluid-head tripod using a standard threaded tripod mount. It helped to anchor the tripod somewhat and make the pans even smoother. When it came time to separate the camera from the battery, I simply used the convenient quick-release lever.

As much as I enjoyed the battery, I still have aspirations for more from all portable power sources: longer use times and quicker recharge times, with inter-device compatibility and maybe even solar recharging ability. Considering recent advances in battery technology, we might soon see new portable power solutions for video that are currently unimaginable. Until then, I'll take an Elipz battery.

Get a grip

Let's talk ergonomics. In my opinion, there's a trade-off to consider when one compares over-the-shoulder cameras to smaller DV and HDV handheld units. While you get more portability and a lighter weight, the controls on handheld models are sometimes difficult to access, and quite simply, the cameras are hard to hold. Shaky footage is one of the big “little things” that separates good footage from amateurish video clips, and it's hard to avoid when you can't get a grip on the camera.

A standalone device, the Anton Bauer Egripz is a two-handle camera grip that hooks up to a 1/4in. tripod mount and works with any handheld camera. The Egripz is constructed with two handles screwed into a center piece, which mounts to the bottom of your camera and is held together with a heavy-duty O-ring. Weighing a minuscule 12oz., the grip is made with a rubber-like, flexible polymer with venting that helps keep it soft to the touch and reduces hand sweat during long, hot shoots.

The handles bend, but only so much. The Egripz seems to want to go to a horizontal orientation at either side of the camera, or to a vertical one directly beneath the camera. I wish it were a single piece, and perhaps a little more flexible. I also found it difficult to use when the Elipz battery is attached to the camera.

But one thing is certain: These two handles are better than anything the camera offers. With the Egripz, I was able to achieve moves that I would not have been able to do otherwise. For example, I could do overhead shots and hold the camera with one hand while holding onto a pole with the other and leaning out over a fence. At the end of the day, my wrist didn't hurt as much as when I used the camera alone. That alone is worth the price of the Anton Bauer Egripz. If you have a DV or HDV camera and don't want to buy a more expensive camera stabilization system, this is better than nothing at a price any shooter can afford.

Shine your light

At one time or another on almost every shoot, you need some extra light. And when it comes to a fast-paced, point-and-shoot environment, a good on-camera light is an important tool. The Anton Bauer Elightz is a 6V on-camera light made of a lightweight, hard-impact polycarbonate. With its two-section articulating arm, which reaches a length of 5in. when fully extended, you can position the light a number of different ways. The 5.5oz. unit also folds in on itself so that it can remain on the camera unobtrusively.

The Elightz comes with a 10W tungsten bulb and a gel kit for color effects. You can also get a 5W or 15W bulb for the unit; while the light was bright with a 10W bulb, I'd go for the 15W option. For power, users can select whatever cable they need for their particular camera, or use the Elightz with the Elipz battery. There's also a handy rocker switch on the back of the unit so you can easily turn it on and off.

I really enjoyed using the light, and wondered why I didn't already have one. When doing head-and-shoulder shots, I softened fine details to help people look their best by attaching a diffusion filter to the light — a little detail that makes a big impact. On another shoot for a music video, the light was perfect for providing some raw, bright illumination to simulate news footage. From its feather-like weight to the even illumination it provides, the Anton Bauer Elightz is a cost-effective light that every handheld shooter should consider.

Three-part harmony

Of course, these are not the only options available for customizing your handheld camera. There are tons of other accessories out there, but the Elipz system is easy to use and makes for a better and more comfortable shoot. Each component of the Anton Bauer system extends your camera's flexibility to help you capture outstanding video. The Elipz battery system provides all-day power, the Egripz offers improved handheld stabilization, and the Elightz shines bright light with hot-shoe convenience. The new Anton Bauer Elipz camera accessories provide a perfect balance between value and function. Together or separately, these tools will help you make better videos — and that's not a little thing at all.

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bottomline

Company: Anton Bauer
Shelton, Conn.; (800) 422-3473
www.antonbauer.com

Product: Elipz system

Assets: Low cost compared to other products, full day of power, lightweight hot-shoe light.

Caveats: Grip is not as flexible as it could be.

Demographic: Handheld shooters looking to extend their camera's capabilities.

PRICE: $299 (ELIPZ BATTERY PACKAGE); $129 (EGRIPZ); $149 (ELIGHTZ)

© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.