Adding to mobile power options for filmmakers, SmallRig has announced the newest update to its popular mini V-mount line, the VB99 Pro.
For the life of me, I couldn’t tell you why, but I enjoy collecting V-mount batteries. Perhaps it's the small size. Perhaps it is the promise of being able to live a life where I never have to take a break on set to change batteries. But the idea of one large battery to rule them all has always appealed to me.
And, of course, V-mount batteries and accessories have, in fact, been, well, large. Thankfully, in recent years, manufacturers have proven that a long battery life doesn’t necessarily have to come at the expense of a large form factor. SmallRig, the company which produces everything from camera cages to video kits for cell the iPhone 15 has become one of my go-to brands for all things accessories. They create practical products at practical prices. And very few cameras in my kit don’t have at least a handful of SmallRig products attached to them at any given time. I'm actually literally waiting on the SmallRig grip for the new Nikon Zf as we speak.
About a year ago, I picked up the original VB99 Mini V-Mount Battery, and it has been a constant in my kit ever since. It’s got plenty of power and comes in a form factor small enough to fit easily into my travel plans. I have it with me on set at all times and have used it in a number of configurations. So, when they said they were coming out with a VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery, it was an easy choice to make another purchase.
The VB99 Pro, which will retail for a price of $279, adds a connection port over its predecessor. In addition to the D-tap, the Pro has outlets for 8 V and 12 V connections plus one USB-A port and two USB-C ports (an upgrade over the previous model). So, plugging in multiple accessories like an onboard monitor, follow focus, or even just a cell phone is a cinch.
Battery status and other relevant information are easily accessible through the TFT color screen on the back of the unit. The battery, which is made of aluminum alloy and fireproof PC, carries a capacity of 99.16 Wh. The battery duration will depend on what you are trying to power. But, for me, it has been a perfect solution for cinema cameras and other tools on set that draw a great deal of power, but still need to be portable.
Using a unit like this, as opposed to the built-in batteries in many units, is likely to extend your working time greatly for a far more efficient shoot. And now that companies like SmallRig are making dependable V-mount solutions in such a small package, they are a must-have for any filmmaker's kit.
