What Battery Pack?

[Vegas Poboy]

Ok fellow Canon users,
for the last week I've been shooting alot of indoor pics and I would like to know what is everyone using for power. AA rechargables, disposables or Quantum packs? All info welcome relating to the topic.
Currently my 550EX is my primary flash unit.
Thanks

[robertwgross]

For weddings, I generally use the 550EX with three sets of alkaline batteries. Sometimes we use a pair of big Quantum flashes with big battery packs and a wireless link. It depends on how much room there is and how many heads are in it.

---Bob Gross---

[CoolToolGuy]

I have the Quantum Compact battery that attaches to the tripod socket. I use it with a 550EX. I have only had it for about a month, so I don't have extensive experience with it. I used it for an outdoor Halloween parade at night, and it performed very well - most of the shots were of marching bands and other groups from a distance, and it recycled quickly. I had an original Quantum battery before this, and the thing I like about the compact is that it attaches to the camera and I don't have a cable between me and the camera. If I want to sit the camera down I don't have to unplug the battery cable or take the battery off my belt.
Hope this helps.
Have Fun

[scottbergerphoto]

I use the Quantum Turbo Z for my Q Flash T2D and also have the cables for my Nikon Flashes and 550EX. It works great with the Nikon flashes and Q Flash. I just got the cable for the 550EX and haven't used it yet. I don't see why it would be any different. Recycle time is virtually instantaneous. E-mail me so I dont forget and I'll let you know how it works as soon as I try it.
Scott

[DaveG]

Vegas Poboy wrote:
Ok fellow Canon users,
for the last week I've been shooting alot of indoor pics and I would like to know what is everyone using for power. AA rechargables, disposables or Quantum packs? All info welcome relating to the topic.
Currently my 550EX is my primary flash unit.
Thanks

I've been using nickle metal hydride (2100) batteries in my 550 and 420's. I have a Quantum One battery and I thought about getting the Canon plug-in but the NiMH have worked wonderfully. As long as they do so I'd prefer to avoid the umbilical.

[leony]

I'm using 550EX with NiMH batteries, along with Canon's mini-pack called transistor pack 2. takes 6 AA batteries, and if I use NiMH batteries in the pack and flash, the recycle time for the flash at full power is about 2 seconds, of course the flash rarely uses full power so for most situations the recycling is instant. At this, once the batteries die I can replace them with Alkaline ones, but then recycle time drops to 7 seconds and you can't recharge them.

[Vegas Poboy]

Thank you all for the replies, Right now I think I'll go with the rechargable NiMH batteries and then move on to the turbo z
Again Thanks

[*snagglefish]

If you have the cash to spend, then check out the 'Digital Camera Battery' at http://www.digitalcamerabattery.com

You can also check out what Rob Galbraith has to say about it here:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-4059-4084

This battery can power more than one device at a time, including your laptop, camera, flash. Different voltages are no problem. You just need to buy a new cord and off you go.

Not cheap, but it *smokes* the competition according to his tests (in this case the Dynalite Jackrabbit, Quantum Turbo Z, Energizer Photo Lithium, Sanyo NiMH).