So I have seen a few modded pits and pieces but wondered if anyone had considered using a UBEC?

Most cameras use the 7.2v Li-Ion type cells. 7.2v UBECs are plentiful and reliable in the RC hobby field (I use a 5v UBEC to power an arduino nano and 2 stepper motors with no problems).

UBECs are highly efficient compared to their linear regulator counterparts. The sciencey bit is here if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgXP4__GjSo

I thought of buying one other those 3rd party DSLR grips with the 8x AA battery holder. Soldering up the connections and drilling a small hole to pass the UBEC wires through and solder to the linked up AA battery holder.

Anyone had any experience with this?

Also LiPos are cheap....like dirt cheap. You can pick up 10Ah at 12ish volts for around £50...

I've been using the 7.2v lithium batteries for RC cars to power my cameras for all night shooting for several years. They are great! There is no lossy voltage conversion and the chargers for these batteries can charge them in minutes. (Faster than it takes to download the flash memory card to the computer)

Sciencelookers - a question re the LiPo batteries - what capacity batteries have you been using for all night shoots? I've found there are a ton available, even saw a 10,000 mAh battery but the hobby shop guy said those batteries have been burning out RC cars, so won't be touching them for the camera.

There are tons online like the below. Just wondering if you've found some to be of no use, or better than others? Thanks!

http://hobbyking.com.au/hobbyking/store/__52407__turnigy_4400mah_2s_7_4v_60c_hardcase_pack_au_warehouse_.html

Tenergy 7.4v 5200mah Li-Polymer Battery. If you get one with more mah's it will last longer before needing a charge.

The only reason I did not pick up LiPOs are because of the fire hazard.
They need to be watched while charging and stored properly.

If you do a lot of all day / night shoots I suppose it'd be worth it, but if you only do occasional shoots, battery grip lasts for a fairly long time, probably around 12 hours at 30s intervals. Or you can do the Sony NP-F route which is also lithium based.

They are light, small, and efficient, but the whole charging aspect is just too much of a hassle.

Thanks. I'm trying to build up as many power options as possible, as I'm planning a week trip away shooting where I may well be away from civilisation, and power, for days at a time.

Just ordered an after market battery grip and extra batteries, 12v - 7.4v converter battery coupler so I can power the camera off the 12v TB3 SLA, and a standard battery coupler so I can power the camera from any other 7.4v source (in this case the LiPos).

I read a little about the fire hazard, but the apparently short charge time and cost are what interest me.