Generic Battery for Canon EOS 10D

[Canon10D]

Dear forum members:
This might be a bit off topic for this forum. I saw a lot of generic batteries for Canon EOS 10D popping up on Ebay for around $9-20 each. Does anyone has any experiences (good and bad) on generic battery bought from Ebay or other places for use in Canon EOS 10D? How much did u pay for? If from Ebay, from which seller did u buy it from? Does the battery works well on Canon EOS 10D? Does it work on the Canon Batter Charger (CB-5L) that comes with the Canon EOS 10D? Pls also share your experiences u have bought other generic battery for Canon EOS 10D from other places. Thanks for your replies :)

[defordphoto]

This is absolutely not off topic.

Many of us use non Canon batteries and I haven't heard any horror stories yet. I have a few sets of the cheapies, but I bought them online and in a non-ebay environment. I don't do Ebay.

[GenEOS]

I don't know what the "devices" are they are talking about, but this is from Canon's website:
------------
Users of Canon camcorder products have reported to Canon incidents of leakage and/or explosions of rechargeable batteries. These incidents appear to have been caused by NON-CANON LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS marketed by non-Canon companies for use with Canon camcorders and digital cameras. Use of these battery packs may therefore result in damage to your Canon product and, potentially, damage to you (including fatal bodily injury) or to your other property.

A LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK, as opposed to a nickel-cadmium battery pack and other types of battery packs available to users, requires the incorporation of certain protective devices in order to prevent malfunction and, consequently, damage to you, your Canon product and your other property. Certain NON-CANON LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS may not be equipped with such protective devices.

Canon therefore recommends that you use CANON GENUINE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS, which are equipped with the required protective devices, with your Canon camcorder and digital camera product.

Please be advised that Canon has assumed no liability for any damages caused by NON-CANON LITHIUM BATTERY PACKS in your Canon camcorder or digital camera.

--------------

[robertwgross]

I don't do ebay either.

From what I've read, a standard lithium-ion rechargeable battery like a BP-511 has a limited life, no matter what the brand. One place described the life as 2-3 years, regardless of perfect charging history. One place described it as 200-300 charge cycles.

With that in mind, trying to hold out for a Canon BP-511 in order to get the battery to last as long as the camera seems pointless.

I have one Canon, one Lenmar, and one from Greenbatteries.

---Bob Gross---

[defordphoto]

Bob: I have also run across that very same info so it seems consistent.

GenEOS: All manufacturers say that.

[arthurb]

robertwgross wrote:
I don't do ebay either.


Sorry to hear that, there are lots of good bargains.

I have used the non-canon batteries from ebay for my s30 and my Digital Rebel.

Canon of course is going to tell you that you should use their batteries, when they seel them for $70 compared to $20.

I have also purchased the ep-ex15 eyepiece extender and lots of non-photography stuff.

[Mikesht]

I just bought a silver "Digital Concepts" battery made for Canon camera/video from guess where- Wal-Mart! for $25.72. It says that it is a replacement for BP-511/512 battery. I charged it and use it now, will see for how long. It is 1200 Mah, Lithium Ion. 5 years warranty... Works for me, I guess.

[WyzMan]

I got a non-Canon Li-ion battery on EBay - for around £8 - say $12. Works fine.
There can't be that many manufacturers of these things in the world so I guess that Mr. Canon is protecting himself and his financial interests with his scare notices.
I bought my 10D on EBay too - which was sent to the UK from the USA. Again, in the EOD magazine, Mr. Canon tells me not to do this as there a number of disreputable folk out there. Then again, Mr. Canon UK wants me to buy a 10D which HE imported from Japan and not one which was imported to another country. The only thing that worries me is the thought that I would be "stuffed" if something went wrong in the 12 month warranty period. (Reading forum notices about focussing faults doesn't help!). That said, electronic tackle is fairly robust these days, I would be very unlucky if anything went wrong. I suppose that the £300 which I saved is effectively the cost of a 12 month warranty. (Although I DO have a three year warranty - from a USA based company, who advise that they will pay out for repairs in the UK if needed - just don't want to test them out).

[WyzMan]

Sorrt, for EOD magazine, read EOS! (published by CANON UK).

[Motorsports Photo]

I got one of the Wally mart batteries and I give it high marks. It lasted well even in the COLD weather I was shooting in. I think its worth the $25

I also bought a generic BP-512 from Battery Barn that worked very well at first, but after a year its life is MUCH shorter than the original that came in my D30.

I'll need some time to see if the Walmart BP keeps a good charge for any length of time.

-Pete

[sds4kst8]

I picked up a pair of batteries for my 10d from a seller on eBay named "thebluenook". Paid $11.99 each and received them in less than a week. The seller has a feedback rating of 100% and was a pleasure to deal with. The batteries are 1300mAh and have seemed to work fine in the camera...every bit as good as the original.

I'm usually a little skeptical of the manufacturer's claims that you have to use ONLY their batteries and accessories. Of course, they want you to use ONLY their stuff, especially when it's 3-4 times more expensive.

I guess the verdict is still out, but I'm pleased so far. I'll let you know if my camera blows up because of the non-OEM batteries!

[KBMphotography.com]

I have two Canon BP511's and a twin charger left over from my D30 days on my 10D. I also bought a cheap standby from www.7dayshop.com in the UK - I would guess that it has 80-90% of the life of the more expensive Canon 511's.

With regards to battery leakage, I use my camera at least 3 times a week so I am constantly rotating battery usage. Surely even the Canon one's could leak>??

[Canuck]

I have bought the Hahnel replacement battery from Young's Camera in Kings Lynn, Norfolk and I think it was like £20 or £30. It is 200mah better than the Canon one and I have enjoyed using it and is charging as I write this reply. I too like the Hahnel one, and have no problems to report. In some ways it works better. I was out in the cold and went to take a picture and the camera refused, dead battery, the Canon one. I swapped batteries left to right and it cured the problem. The Hahnel one worked fine. I'll have to see how my batteries are doing whenever I get back to the states and I might stock up on BP-511s from Walmart, or somewhere else.

On the other side, remember, that Canon has to make their cut too. Here's a point to ponder, the fact that Canon L glass is a lot more expensive than the third party lens like Sigma EX series. Once again, you're paying for the name, IMHO.

[UK_Terry]

GenEOS wrote:


Canon therefore recommends that you use CANON GENUINE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS, which are equipped with the required protective devices, with your Canon camcorder and digital camera product.


--------------

And they of course charge rip off prices for such.

i have both Canon and non Canon Brands, have used them in My 10D (before that D30) and S45.
No problems at all.

[defordphoto]

Canuck wrote:
Here's a point to ponder, the fact that Canon L glass is a lot more expensive than the third party lens like Sigma EX series. Once again, you're paying for the name, IMHO.

No way. L-glass blows away everything else.

But, batteries? Yes. Third-party suppliers are fine.

[imago57]

A few years ago if you would attempt to load a "non Microsoft" word processor on your personal computer DOS would come up with a huge red screen on your monitor saying: "WARNING-WARNING LOADING THIS PROGRAM ON YOUR PC MAY HARM YOUR COMPUTER".

Sounds familiar?

Just make sure you don't leave ANY battery in your camera if you plan not to use if for a few months (I can't believe there would be anyone out there who can survive to a few months of not using their DSLR!!!)

Happy Holidays to all of you.

[hawg]

Been using generic batteries in my D30/D60 for 2 years now and have no problems so far. I use them interchangeably with OEM Canon batteries and I seeno significant differences.

[CyberDyneSystems]

My 10D has been consuming a steady diet of Maha Power-EX BP-511 knock-offs. They are rated at higher MHA and in fact last a bit longer than the stock batteries.

Be aware that the quality control of some of the generic brands found on E-bay makes there purchase a gamble... but good name brand rip-offs like Power-EX and LenMar are a terrific value. In the end,. Canon's battery is made by one of these battery companies... so there is no question at all as to whether there is other reliable alternatives.

[cowman345]

I've bought about 4 batteries from the folks on ebay (same people, about 2 or 3 different usernames). 3 of the 4 were complete junk. Won't even recharge. I sent one back and they didn't give me a problem, then i started having problems with another one and just give up. I own 3 canon brand batteries, and don't need any more than these. FWIW, the canon brand ones seem to outlast the generics too, by about 100-150 shots.

-dave-

[KennyG]

Canuck wrote: Here's a point to ponder, the fact that Canon L glass is a lot more expensive than the third party lens like Sigma EX series. Once again, you're paying for the name, IMHO.

Sorry, there is a world of difference between Canon L lenses and any of the Sigma lenses. You get what you pay for with lenses, but if you want to kid yourself otherwise, fine.

Branded alternative batteries are generally OK, but some of those from e-bay are simply junk. Anyone understand the phrase "false economy"?

[charger990]

Any one on the difference between the 511 and the 511a besides a huge price difference?
Can both be used for the Canon eos-10D?
thanks for your help~ !~

[Jake Brake]

I have used 2 1800 Mah batteries with the BG-ED3 with no problems. They work quite well even in conjunction with the supplied battery from Canon.

Jake

[dsze]

I use Ebay all the time. In fact, I've purchased ALL of my wakeboarding and a good portion of the stuff I've bought for my boat on ebay and I've never had a problem. I've probably spent several thousand dollars on ebay stuff over the last 7 years or so that I've known about it.

I use 2 batteries from eforcity.com who also sells on ebay. I got two BP511 generics for a grand total of $15 (including shipping)...and I can't tell the difference between them and my Canon battery. They've been working great for 7 months now.

-daniel

[slin100]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the 10D and 300D can also use the BP-512 and BP-514 batteries, which are usually used for camcorders. They won't fit in the BG-ED3 grip for the 10D, but they will fit in BG-E1 grip for the 300D.

[blackviolet]

... good name brand rip-offs like Power-EX and LenMar are a terrific value

is that an oxymoron - good name brand rip-offs?!! :lol: it just sounded so funny out loud :lol:

[MarkH]

My 2 Power 2000 batteries are rated at 1500mAh and work well. In a couple of years I'll let you know if they are holding up as good as my 2 Canon batteries.

[facitid]

I bought 2 extra generic batteries for my 10D and they work fine. I also bought 2 generic batteries for my Canon S30 two years ago, and they still work fine. I noticed that they have the same battery life as Canon's battery. It's not really worth spending that extra money plus batteries these days are not expensive to manufacture. As you know name brands like to jack their prices over 100% just because they are, THE BRAND.

[Conk]

I bought an Optex battery but only because everyone is always sold out of the 511 and 512. So far so good and it does have a 2 year warranty.

[xJAYx]

http://sterlingtek.com/ln03-canon-bp-511-dlc511.html

I've just ordered two of these generic ones.
Has anyone bought these from this company before?

[robertwgross]

My oldest type BP-511 battery is now on the edge of failure. After a complete charge, it only holds enough juice for about 25 shots. However, it is 2.5 years old, and it has gone through many, many charge cycles, so I don't feel bad about it.

The next oldest one, which is Lenmar, is down to enough juice for about 200 shots. The three newer ones (less than 6 months old) are like new.

---Bob Gross---