550EX flash battery survey

[aberdeen]

Hello all!

I thought I would give this a shot...

I would like to know what other 550EX owners are using for batteries--Lithiums? NiMh? Brands? Ratings of the batteries, etc.

I was just browsing through my batteries and realized that I had a few different mAh ratings.

I would like to get feedback from others that have shot a 550EX a lot and have had consistent results from a specific battery.

Any input would be appreciated!


Cheers! 8)


Aberdeen

[Chris1le]

I'd like to know if the 550ex uses the camera battery for flash or the AA's in the flash. I've never seen my G3's battery indicator blink until I added the 550ex and played around with it most of the day. :?

[CoolToolGuy]

I have the Quatnum 1/Compact. It attaches to the bottom of the camera via the tripod socket. It works well for me.

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[DaveG]

I'd like to know if the 550ex uses the camera battery for flash or the AA's in the flash. I've never seen my G3's battery indicator blink until I added the 550ex and played around with it most of the day.It uses the batteries in the flash.

:?

It uses the batteries in the flash.

I use the NiMh batteries in all of my Canon flashes. I figured it was time to take one set and discharge it completely so I put them in a Vivitar 283 (no "go to sleep" battery saving feature in a 283!) and it took three days to kill the batteries!

[Motorsports Photo]

NiMH for me. I have a couple of sets of these. They are good for an hour or two of continuous shooting. I have 1600, 1800, and 2000 ratings. They all seem to last about the same in my 420ex.

-Pete

[Vegas Poboy]

For now I use both Duracells and NiMH's, I have'nt decided on what type to stick with yet.

[outoffocus]

While we are on the topic of 550ex.. I just finished my first shoot with a three 550ex and transmitter setup. I used diffuser and umbrellas in some shots. I was happy with the amount of light I could get. I was less happy with the variance in the light and the time I needed to wait for the flashes to be fully charges again. I am now looking into getting more juice to the flash units. Found this option on bnh: Canon compact Battery Pack CP-E2 for 550EX, 540EZ, 430EZ and MR-14EX Flash Units.

Anyone have input on getting faster charges from the flash units? Even with new AA batteries I found the light variance a bit of a hassle. Having said that I am still getting to know my setup.

thanks!

[scottbergerphoto]

For AA NiMh batteries, try out these : http://www.thomas-distributing.com/mh-4aa220.htm , the Powerex 2200ma Nimh batteries.

For faster recycling, consider an external battery pack by Quantum like the Turbo Z or Turbo. Quantunm makes cables for most flashes. I use 2 Turbo Z's for my Nikon, Canon and Quantum flashes.
http://www.qtm.com/battery/turboz_main.html

Scott

[Longwatcher]

I found that the Kodak 3X Digital max oxy-akaline batteries work the best for me. Sure they are one use only, but way faster charging then anything else I have used. It is usually a race between my 10D camera buffer and the flash, which is good enough for me. I also get about 400 shots with a set as opposed to about 250-300 with a set of duracells.

Just my experience,