Start With the Two Connectors, Not the Device Name
A power adapter cable only works when both ends match the hardware you already own. Before you order, identify the output connector on your power source and the input connector on your camera, light, or strobe. Fotodiox lists these as Connection A and Connection B on each cable, so you can compare them directly to your gear.
The Fotodiox Power Adapter C1 Cable connects a 4-Pin Female XLR to a 2.1mm Barrel DC. The Fotodiox Power Adapter C7 Cable connects a 4-Pin Female XLR to a 4-Pin Male XLR. These are different jobs: the C1 cable feeds a device with a barrel DC input, while the C7 cable extends or adapts a 4-pin XLR power run. Neither cable is a universal charger, and the supplied information does not confirm which specific cameras, strobes, or battery systems each one supports.
A Connector-First Check Before You Buy
Work through these checks in order. Stop at the first mismatch, because no adapter cable can fix a connector that does not physically fit.
- 1. Read the power source output: Look at the label or port on your battery, power station, or power supply. Confirm whether it outputs 4-pin XLR, D-Tap, or another connector. The C1 and C7 cables both start with a 4-Pin Female XLR, so your source needs a matching 4-pin XLR male output.
- 2. Read the device input: For the C1 cable, the device needs a 2.1mm barrel DC input. For the C7 cable, the device needs a 4-Pin Male XLR input. Measure or read the barrel jack if you are unsure; a 2.1mm barrel is a specific size, not a generic small plug.
- 3. Check polarity at the barrel: Barrel DC connectors can be center-positive or center-negative. The supplied Fotodiox information does not state the polarity of the C1 cable, so check the markings on your device and your power source before connecting. If polarity is not clearly marked on both ends, do not guess.
- 4. Confirm the voltage and current your device expects: The supplied information does not list voltage or current ratings for either cable. Match the cable to a power source that already delivers what your device requires, and confirm the rating with the device manufacturer if it is not printed on the hardware.
- 5. Check the run length you need: The C1 cable is listed at 20 in (53 cm). The C7 cable is listed at 72.5 in (184 cm). Measure the distance between your power source and your device before ordering, and allow slack for moving a light stand or camera rig.
Fotodiox C1: 4-Pin XLR Female to 2.1mm Barrel DC
- Fotodiox Power Adapter C1 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 2.1mm Barrel DC (17 inches): Connections: 4-Pin Female XLR to 2.1mm Barrel DC This is the cable to consider when your power source has a 4-pin XLR output and your camera or device has a 2.1mm barrel DC input.
Fotodiox Power Adapter C1 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 2.1mm Barrel DC (17 inches) - Fotodiox Power Adapter C1 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 2.1mm Barrel DC (17 inches): Cable length listed as 20 in (53 cm) A short run suits a device mounted close to its power source; check that the distance works for your rig before ordering.
- Fotodiox Power Adapter C1 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 2.1mm Barrel DC (17 inches): Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty The cable is covered by a manufacturer warranty, which is worth noting for a part that stays in a kit and gets handled often.
Fotodiox C7: 4-Pin XLR Female to 4-Pin XLR Male
- Fotodiox Power Adapter C7 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 4-Pin XLR Male (67.5in): Connections: 4-Pin Female XLR to 4-Pin Male XLR This is the cable to consider when both your power source and your device use 4-pin XLR power connections.
Fotodiox Power Adapter C7 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 4-Pin XLR Male (67.5in) - Fotodiox Power Adapter C7 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 4-Pin XLR Male (67.5in): Cable length listed as 72.5 in (184 cm) The longer run gives more room between a battery and a light or camera, but confirm the extra length will not become a trip hazard on set.
- Fotodiox Power Adapter C7 Cable - 4-Pin XLR Female to 4-Pin XLR Male (67.5in): Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty The same manufacturer warranty applies, which matters if the cable is part of a working kit.
What the Supplied Information Does Not Tell You
The Fotodiox product records describe the connectors, cable length, and warranty. They do not list voltage, current, polarity, or a compatibility list of specific cameras, strobes, or battery models. That means you cannot confirm a safe match from the cable listing alone.
Treat the cable as one link in a power chain. The power source must supply the correct voltage and current, the barrel or XLR connector must physically match, and the polarity must agree with the device input. If any of those details are unclear on your equipment, check the device manual or ask the device manufacturer before connecting. The supplied information also notes that pictures are for illustration only and that the actual product may vary slightly due to ongoing design improvements, so verify the connector on the cable you receive.
Which Cable Fits Your Setup?
Use this comparison to narrow the choice, then confirm the details on your own hardware.
- Choose the C1 if: Your power source has a 4-pin XLR output and your camera, light, or device has a 2.1mm barrel DC input, and the short 20 in (53 cm) run reaches.
- Choose the C7 if: Your power source has a 4-pin XLR output and your device has a 4-pin XLR input, and you need the longer 72.5 in (184 cm) run.
- Neither cable is the right choice if: Your source or device uses a different connector, such as D-Tap on the source side or a barrel size other than 2.1mm. The supplied records do not confirm support for those setups.
A Practical Note on Polarity and First Use
Before you connect a new cable for the first time, compare the polarity markings on your power source and your device. If one is center-positive and the other expects center-negative, the cable alone will not correct that. The supplied Fotodiox information does not state the polarity of the C1 barrel connector, so do not assume it matches your device.
Keep the first connection brief and check that the device powers on normally. If anything behaves unexpectedly, disconnect and recheck the voltage, current, and polarity against the device documentation. The cables carry a limited 2-year manufacturer warranty, but that does not replace confirming the electrical match before use.
