battery pack

[rick j]

is it worth me getting a battery pack for my 58ex when it comes, or do the normal battery's last long, if so should I stick with canon or is there other good ones around?


cheers rick

[Dazecoop]

Normal batteries last just about long enough on my 430ex I find, but I wouldn't mind having an extra battery pack. Not sure whats available though, so I'll be also interested in replies.

My 430ex with 4 normal AA's last for about 100-150 shots, roughly. Not anywhere near as long as the camera batteries last! Especially with a battery grip!

[scottbergerphoto]

You basically have 3 choices to power flashes:
1. NiMH rechargeable batteries eg. Energizer 2500MaH or similiar
2. Battery packs. I use Quantum Turbo and Quantum Compact battery packs to power Canon 550EX, 580EX and a Quantum Q Flash T2D. www.qtm.com
3. Disposable Alkaline or Lithium AA batteries. I always keep 4 around in case of emergency.

[Curtis N]

Start with a couple sets of good NiMH batteries and a charger. If you find they don't meet your needs (which is unlikely) you can then go to the next step.

[rick j]

sounds like good advice going with the NiMH batteries and a charger, will see how much difference in price between this and a pack is first.


rick

[Wilt]

Good battery packs do TWO important things...

1. More shots without changing batteries constantly
2. Faster recycle times (1-2 sec. full recycle from fully discharged)

These can be quite pricey, but they last a very long time. (I have Quantum packs used since the early 90's, so lifetime cost per month is now very low!)

If you simply want lots of shots without going broke buying alkaline batteries, get NiMH batteries and charger and buy enough batteries for two sets for the flash.

[rklepper]

is it worth me getting a battery pack for my 58ex when it comes, or do the normal battery's last long, if so should I stick with canon or is there other good ones around?


cheers rick

The main reason to get a battery pack, in my opinion, is to increase recycle time.

[Philco]

The Canon CP-E3 batter pack works wonderfully for the 580, and it's not that expensive( about $150 or so). You keep four batteries in the flash, and load 8 more in the pack, so you can shoot forever and not worry about recycle times. If you're shooting hundreds of pictures, at a reception for instance, I think it's a must have.

[scottbergerphoto]

The Quantum Compact and Turbo 2x2 battery packs can be used to power your camera and flash at the same time.