What batteries are you using in your ***ex flashes?

[Poindexter]

I'm curious as to what people are using because I'm thinking about investing in some rechargeable batteries. I've been using Energizers forever, but as my flash usage increases that is getting to be a tad costly.

[Vermin87]

I use Energizer E2 Rechargeables. So much faster than Alkalines! I can't imagine how much nicer having the battery packs would be though.

[TMR Design]

There are many many threads covering this same topic. Everyone seems to love whichever batteries they are using. As long as you are using NiMH batteries that are 2000 mAh or better then you're in great shape. Don't waste your time or money on standard alkalines. There are tests and charts that show some with slightly better performance than others but I wouldn't drive yourself crazy or lose sleep over it. Get Energizers or Duracells. There are tons to choose from. I use Duracell 2650mAh and I get very good life from them. I have 2 sets and a 15 minute charger.

[Livinthalife]

energizer nimh 2500

Rechargables are the way to go!

[Poindexter]

There are many many threads covering this same topic.

I'm sure there are, and this would be the first time I didn't use the search feature before starting a thread in years (I'm a newb here, but not to forums). What keeps a forum alive is repetition and various opinions, so having the same thread pop up over and over again (monotonous as it may be) is actually a good thing :)



Everyone seems to love whichever batteries they are using. As long as you are using NiMH batteries that are 2000 mAh or better then you're in great shape. Don't waste your time or money on standard alkalines. There are tests and charts that show some with slightly better performance than others but I wouldn't drive yourself crazy or lose sleep over it. Get Energizers or Duracells. There are tons to choose from. I use Duracell 2650mAh and I get very good life from them. I have 2 sets and a 15 minute charger.

Thanks for your suggestion. I think it is time to head to Best Buy or Circuit City. Can you (or anyone else) give a simple guesstimate as to how long a charged set of these batteries lasts in your flash? Or, maybe a better indication, how long before your recycle time slows?......just a guess. Call it powered-on time or shots fired.

[Skrim17]

I use duracells and a 15 minute charger as well, just got my charger at Costco for 29.99 with 8 batteries. Before I had the overnight charger and it was a pain in the tush.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I agree with andy on the Energizer 2500mah nimh's. Fantastic batteries. I've been using the same few sets for just about 2 years now, and still going strong. (I don't mean the same four in my flash, obviously)

They're silver, with lime green banding and markings, and they're perfect. Best I've found.

How long of a recycle? You won't notice to start. I don't know exactly, but it's far more than 100 shots before I start noticing any amount of recycle time; even a little bit.

[TMR Design]

I'm sure there are, and this would be the first time I didn't use the search feature before starting a thread in years (I'm a newb here, but not to forums). What keeps a forum alive is repetition and various opinions, so having the same thread pop up over and over again (monotonous as it may be) is actually a good thing :)

Absolutely Poindexter. I was not trying to give one of those attitudinal answers about searching before posting. I was simply pointing out that this is one of those topics that will yield a great number of threads and posts on this topic. Personally I don't mind the repeat questions, and I know I am guilty of it myself.


Thanks for your suggestion. I think it is time to head to Best Buy or Circuit City. Can you (or anyone else) give a simple guesstimate as to how long a charged set of these batteries lasts in your flash? Or, maybe a better indication, how long before your recycle time slows?......just a guess. Call it powered-on time or shots fired.

Well, it does depend on the power levels you are using but I know that when I have it mounted on the camera and use it in E-TTL mode I get about 300 shots. If I'm really pushing the power and it's working hard it goes down to around 200 but I honestly don't know for sure.

I know many of the people here that use their EX flashes in the field and on jobs carry 4, 5 and 6 sets of batteries so they're never caught short.

[Vermin87]

I actually have 2 sets (4 AA's each for 8 total) of unopened Energizer 2500mah nimh's. For a fellow POTN member I'll give you a good price..or give me an offer if you want them. No charger though. I bought a charger and 4 sets...I don't need 4 sets.

[Poindexter]

I actually have 2 sets (4 AA's each for 8 total) of unopened Energizer 2500mah nimh's. For a fellow POTN member I'll give you a good price..or give me an offer if you want them. No charger though. I bought a charger and 4 sets...I don't need 4 sets.


I appreciate the offer, but for less than $15 per 4 I might as well just run to a local store.

[Poindexter]

Well, it does depend on the power levels you are using but I know that when I have it mounted on the camera and use it in E-TTL mode I get about 300 shots. If I'm really pushing the power and it's working hard it goes down to around 200 but I honestly don't know for sure.



That's plenty!


Thanks to everyone who has posted :)

[dave.richards]

I use these...they work great

http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewitem.asp?idproduct=415

[BottomBracket]

Batteries are only half the equation. Get a smart charger that charges your batteries properly. I have the La Crosse BC-900U Battery charger that can test, charge, discharge and refresh your rechargeables. This charger pays for itself through the years by refreshing batteries damaged by quick chargers, and by maintaining your good ones. If you have an arsenal of three+ sets of batteries you would do well to invest in one of these.

[Poindexter]

I went ahead and purchased the Energizer batteries off Amazon when I saw they were less than $5 for a 4 pack. 12 batteries and the 15 minute charger came out to just over $40 shipped.

Thanks again for all the advice - I'm sure it will help more than just me.

[digitaljoe]

2500mah nimh's - all you need.

[cowpix]

Impact 2700 mah nimh's from B&H.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Mix, mostly energizers and Lenmar "Power Ex" NIMH re-chargeables.

[Mark_Cohran]

I'm curious as to what people are using because I'm thinking about investing in some rechargeable batteries. I've been using Energizers forever, but as my flash usage increases that is getting to be a tad costly.

Energizer NiMH rechargeables (2500 mAH).

[BradT0517]

12x Energizer NiMH 2500mAh, 4x Energizer NiMH 2200mAh, 15 Minute Charger.

I dont ever use that many but its nice to have.

[Skids]

One thing I did learn to my cost is to charge the batteries the night before going on a shoot.
I didn't realise how quickly they lose their charge when left sitting around.

I would like a battery pack but I think the cost is ridiculous for what is essentially a holder for AA batteries. I used to think a battery pack was an external large battery but that isn't the case.

In the UK it is £150 for a case with a few electronics and a cable.

[studiotime]

Energizer NiMH rechargeables (2500 mAH).

ugh - where can i get these energizer ones???? right now i'm stuck w/the "power2000" brand, and i *do not* care for them one bit.

:cry:

[studiotime]

Batteries are only half the equation. Get a smart charger that charges your batteries properly. I have the La Crosse BC-900U Battery charger that can test, charge, discharge and refresh your rechargeables. This charger pays for itself through the years by refreshing batteries damaged by quick chargers, and by maintaining your good ones. If you have an arsenal of three+ sets of batteries you would do well to invest in one of these.

woah - good tip here, THANKS :D .

[TMR Design]

ugh - where can i get these energizer ones???? right now i'm stuck w/the "power2000" brand, and i *do not* care for them one bit.

:cry:

Around here (Long Island, New York) I can get the Energizer or Duracell's at Best Buy or K-Mart.

[BradT0517]

ugh - where can i get these energizer ones???? right now i'm stuck w/the "power2000" brand, and i *do not* care for them one bit.

:cry:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=0+50008277&Subcategory=&description=batteries&Ntk=all&srchInDesc=

This is a good list of where I almost got mine. I ended up getting from Walmart because I didn't want to wait for shipping.

[pepperoni]

I should look into the rechargeable stuff. I've been buying the 8-packs of Duracel's at the grocery store. Weak batteries suck, and the flash seems to suck batteries dry in a hurry.

[Nick_C]

Im using 2800mAh NiMh batteries in my Sigma flash, they last quite a while.

Remember NiMh lose 5-10% of their charge each day whether you use them or not though, so keep them topped up in the charger from time to time.

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

I should look into the rechargeable stuff. I've been buying the 8-packs of Duracel's at the grocery store. Weak batteries suck, and the flash seems to suck batteries dry in a hurry.

YES!! DO!! you will save a load of cash & NimH batteries last a long time in my Sigma flash & thats near enough the same power as a 580EX.

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

woah - good tip here, THANKS :D .

Nimh batteries dont require discharging & have no memory effects, so ive heard where as NiCad rechargables do.

Nick :-)

[Bakewell]

ACCUPOWER AA 2900mAh NiMH...tops in power AND they have a very low idle discharge rate...

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/accupower-2900mAh-rechargeable-batteries.htm

[charlesu]

Couple of things to note. Rechargeable NiMh are only 1.2 volts and the Canon flash manuals will tell you to stick with a 1.5 volt cell. I dont believe that there is risk of damage but your performance and mileage will likely vary. I have tried several differnt brands and still rely mostly on a Jack Rabbit or Quantum battery pack (both of which are real, large batteries--not AA holders). I have sometimes had sketchy results with rechargable AAs and I don't think it's worth taking the chance.

Granted, I have had some good results with Eveready and several other brands. But I have also seen some inconsistencies.

[BradT0517]

Im using 2800mAh NiMh batteries in my Sigma flash, they last quite a while.

Remember NiMh lose 5-10% of their charge each day whether you use them or not though, so keep them topped up in the charger from time to time.

Nick :-)
Are you sure I thought it was 1%.

[Bakewell]

Are you sure I thought it was 1%.

1% is correct...on average...

[TMR Design]

Regardless of the percentage of loss that is great advice. Many people charge the batteries, put them in a device and then assume they will be fully charged when they pick up that device in 2 weeks.
It's always a good idea to give them a charge before you need them if they've been sitting.

[Nick_C]

To be a little more precise its around 40% in a month, so thats about 1.5% +/- a day isnt it?

Nick :-)

[studiotime]

Nimh batteries dont require discharging & have no memory effects, so ive heard where as NiCad rechargables do.

Nick :-)

yep, that's correct :D

[studiotime]

Around here (Long Island, New York) I can get the Energizer or Duracell's at Best Buy or K-Mart.

thanks, brad and TMR Design :) i'll go check out best buy!

[grandad35]

I see that several people use "15 minute" chargers. A depleted 2500 mah battery should require a 10 amp charge rate to recharge in 15 minutes. In reality, the charging energy can be up to 150% of a battery's rated discharge energy, so it could take up to 15 amps to charge these batteries in 15 minutes.
http://www.powerstream.com/NiMH.htm

I use a (two year old) Maha C801D conditioner/charger, and it is only rated at 2 amps, taking 75 minutes to fully recharge 2500 mah batteries. The charger's literature recommends that lower capacity batteries should be recharged at a reduced (1 amp) rate to prevent overheating. I once tried to recharge some older 1500 mah batteries at 2 amps and they got really hot, so their literature seems to have some validity.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/C801D/C801DA.HTM

So I guess my question is whether there are newer chargers that can recharge 2500 mah batteries in 15 minutes without destroying them. If so, how do they prevent overheating the batteries?

[Nick_C]

Some of the new fast chargers have fans to cool the batteries, this whole thing seems to be a little over the top if you ask me, 15mins is nice but not if its got to have cooling fans to stop them overheating, whats next? water cooling?

I use a 2 hour charger & they come out warm, ive also got a 40min charger & they come out very hot.

Slow charging is always better for the batteries, ideally the older 14 hour chargers will not stress the batteries at all, however you also have to remember that 2800mAh NiMh batteries are relatively cheap to buy nowdays so a fast charger even though its limiting the overall life might still be worth it.

Nick :-)