For many photographers, power is a major struggle. If you're shooting video or working in live-view, a battery charge never seems to last, so you're stuck carrying 3 or 4 batteries in your kit. X-tra battery is here to solve that problem and simplify your kit with one revolutionary accessory.
Think it’s hard to get excited about a battery? For most gear heads, power solutions and batteries have generally been the least sexy accessories there are, until now. The X-tra battery solves multiple photography headaches and even offers some solutions you didn't know you needed but soon won't be able to live without.
The X-tra looks streamlined and well designed. The main portion of battery fits nicely into the camera's battery slot while the bottom piece extends out the bottom to provide an additional gripping surface.
For starters, in terms of power capacity, the X-tra holds 3,700 mAh, which is two times the charge of Canon’s LP-E6. Previously the only option for a double capacity battery was to use two separate batteries within a battery grip, so lots of photographers will potentially be able to eliminate an additional piece of bulky equipment. The X-tra is a full-size camera battery, similar in size to the battery found in the Canon 1DX. The physical profile of the X-tra extends just beyond the bottom of the battery compartment on compatible camera models, providing a solid grip for larger hands and a comfortable, extra secure feel. Because the X-tra requires the camera’s battery door to be removed, you can quickly change out batteries with one hand without fumbling with a battery compartment door. When it is time to swap batteries, it’s a super fast and easy process. Just press up on the battery to release it and replace it with a fresh one.
The X-tra pops into place snugly and easily and releases with a single press. It feels secure and allows an amazing fast, one-handed battery swap during shoots.
Unless you have a foolproof personal battery charging system (dead batteries in a certain compartment, or if the battery cap is on its charged, etc.), it’s easy to get charged batteries mixed up with dead batteries in your bag. Anyone who has ever replaced a dying battery with a dead one (it happens to me every so often), knows it’s a pain in the butt and grinds your shoot to a halt. The X-tra was designed with that common issue in mind and features a charge level indicator to help avoid dead battery headaches. Unlike other batteries that you have to load in the camera to test, the X-tra will show you just how much juice you have left quickly and easily. With the press and hold of a button, you’ll be able to see just how much charge the X-tra still has with up to four illuminated indicators, saving you time and irritation.
For the times when you need to have your camera in constant operation beyond the life of a single battery, no matter how big its capacity, you can plug the X-tra into another source of external power via USB-C connection. Planning on shooting a 12-hour time-lapse? The X-tra has you covered with direct charging, no battery swaps necessary. Whether you plug into a wall outlet, a car charger, or another larger battery, you have the flexibility to keep shooting for long periods of time.
That pass-through charging will come in handy for photographers shooting video, time-lapse, and any other applications that require long term, continuous camera use.
The X-tra utilizes the same technology as Tesla in its batteries, so the batteries are durable and stable in any environmental condition. X-tra also features ultra-low internal resistance to secure voltage stability and excellent performance for extended continuous shooting. Thanks to an integrated microchip, the X-tra keeps track of when the battery is fully charged and will prevent overcharging, extending the life of the battery.
Power your peripheral devices with ease. Just plug any accessories you want into the USB-C port on the X-tra and you'll be able to eliminate additional power sources from your kit.
Another cool feature is the option to plug peripheral gear and accessories into the X-tra battery even while it’s in use by your camera. Using a cold-shoe LED light that requires an external power source? Plug it into the X-tra via the USB-C port and you’ll be able to power both your camera and light simultaneously. This will be a great space saver for photographers and videographers alike. Whether you’re using a powered gimbal, a microphone, or other peripheral gear, you’ll be able to provide power seamlessly as you work.
The X-tra, seen here in the fast charging case, becomes an easy power bank for phones and other accessories, so you can carry at least one less charger in your bag.
The X-tra comes with a special fast-charging case which serves two purposes. First, it allows you to charge your X-tra battery surprisingly quickly via USB-C. Second, the X-tra battery can be used as a power bank for any device when mounted in the charging case, so you can even recharge your phone on the fly.
The X-tra is currently compatible with the following cameras by Canon, Sony, and Blackmagic with planned Nikon availability coming soon:
Canon: eos R, eos R5, eos R6, 5D IV, 5D III, 5D II, 5Ds R, 5Ds, 6D, 6D II, 7D, 7D II, 90D, 80D, 70D, 60D
Sony: α7 III, α7R III, α7R IV, α7S III, α6600
Nikon: z6, z6 II, z7, z7II, Z50, D500, D600, D610, D750, D780, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, P520, P530, V1
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K/6KB
In designing the X-tra it seems like they thought of everything you could possibly want or need. Get ready to pack lighter, shoot longer, and enjoy a variety of conveniences thanks to a well designed, unparalleled piece of gear.
What do you think of the X-tra? Can you see yourself upgrading your kit to include a couple of these batteries?
Please note there have been reports of issues involving this Kickstarter project, in particular reports of unreceived payments. Please carefully consider the risks of crowdfunding before you invest.
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I'd want to test the ergonomics of this before deciding.
Alas this article is a bit light on the details - feels like a cut and paste of a press release.
How many recycles? (And perforce curve over age / use).
How fast is the recharge time?
How long do they hold charge?
Affected by cold?
What about transport by air - regulations?
Charging technology unique to this battery or would other batteries of similar type use same chargers?
How secure is the latching mechanism?
How durable against shock, dropping?
What about weather selling wit the door off and this battery inserted?
Costs?
Cost of charger?
Website for manufacturer?
Warranty of batteries?
Warranty implications for camera?
Same tech coming for regular size batteries? (For those who actually like having a grip)
Answer me these and I'll see if I'm interested.
Ah... just noticed... This is a sponsored post. Lack info and big-hype make more sense now... :)
It's F-Stoppers, so ....
Looks like this is an underfunded Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/x-tra/the-camera-battery-re-invente...
Their kick-starter web page states that the Z50 is not supported (no EN-EL25 compatibility.) That differs from the list of supported cameras in this article.
If you are refering to the A6600, that camera takes the Z100. I think the article is correct.
Reads almost word for word from the kickstarter campaign.
The campaign quoted the article... a lot haha.
An extra LP-E6NH is 80 grams. How heavy is this miracle battery? I bet it's like 120-140g, so saving like 20-40 grams and losing weather sealing in a $4k camera? No thank you ;)
As mentioned above, this article is very light on pertinent details.
Did you even use the batteries?
Hi Jordana, thanks for the article. Regarding "charged batteries mixed with dead batteries" I have a simple solution: Use small rubber bands that you wrap around each charged battery to distinguish the full ones from the dead ones. It is fool proof and works great.
Nice tip, thanks.
Canon includes a yellow plastic cover with LP-E6(N). There is a little battery shaped cutout on the bottom of the cover which shows a bit of the battery label. Clip the cover on so the blue shows = charged battery. Flip it around to show the grey part of the label = dead battery.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
I always just did yellow cap on for charged and the two separated for empty. That also incentivized me to get the empty battery out of my bag to charge again.
Lithium batteries have a lot of power.. It is important to keep the terminals covered, so storing them without the yellow clip on is dangerous. My son threw an unprotected battery in his pocket with his car keys that shorted and almost burned his leg before he got the battery out.
Danger!! Even a "dead" lithium battery has power and they have very low internal resistance. Also, every camera battery I have ever seen has the contacts close together. Let a piece of metal touch those contacts and you risk a fire. Never transport a lithium battery without some sort of container--either it's cap or inside a device. The airline rule against uncontained lithium batteries exists for a very good reason!
Great idea! I use little Red and Green cloth eyeglasses bags to keep my batteries in while they sit in my backpack. I hate having things making noise when I walk around. But I didn't have a solution for the batteries sitting on the gear tower. Thanks :)
I have a similar system involving two pockets.
From looking at the kickstarter, this appears to be a custom battery sized case to hold a couple of Panasonic vape batteries to power your camera with.
"vape" makes it sound ugly but, yes you are correct, they are essentially the same lithium 18650 cells used in things like the Tesla Power Wall and NiteCore flash lights. And your Ross/Anchor power bank. Their use is a plus point not a negative.
Yeah, they might be the Panasonic 18650s or some other generic brand of the 18650s. I doubt their quality as I use them in my flashlights and while they are powerful, they at random times go dead as a doornail. Very unreliable and I can't ever use something like that on a paid shoot. Now if they were using official Panasonics then I might be more interested.
Umm, my R6 works just fine with power bank 10Ah where the price is amazingly cheaper than this shit and goes directly to the R6 USB C port without protruding things with bull shit feature as an extended grip. What's the point of this shit? Another useless kick starter gimmick for money?
Edit: I love it when I make a right call. Why is this scam articles still here??
My canon m6 markii will not charge from a power bank, so some of us might have a use for this. The ones canon screwed that is.
You will need a PD power bank (usb c to usb c). It only recharge when it's off but will slow drain your battery when it's on. Buy brands like Anker will give you a good charge. Or some other Chinese PD powerbank which works for me.
A single battery with charger will be $150, a little pricey for me even if they have twice the power of the OEM battery. I personally would not want the battery to extend past the grip but wish them luck. The kickstarter of $10K seems a bit strange, small change for starting a new endeavor like this.
In the end they still use usb c cable in which eos R has a connector for it and power banks was available since ages ago.
Just a slight gripe, when quoting battery capacity, quote it in Watt Hours not Amp Hours... You cannot compare one battery Ah against another without stating the nominal voltage. Take 2 batteries that are 3000mAh one is 3.7v and the other is 7.4v.. one is 11.1Wh and the other is 22.2Wh and twice the capacity...
Actually a serious and important gripe
You can simply attach an external battery with USBC on a Fujifilm XT3...
Done ✅
Also Confirmed with my eos R6 and cheap shit Chinese power bank with cheap shit usb c cable