What batteries do you use in your 550EX

[mchristsen]

Hi everyone!

I have been lurking around here since I bought my 10D back in May. First off, this forum and its members are a wealth of information, so thank you!

Now, I was helping out a friend of mine with a shoot at a party over the weekend and I found that I was "burning" though the batteries in my 550EX. I was using regular Alkalines in the unit. What batteries should I use to get greater mileage out of the flash (I know this might be a subjective question)? Would Lithium-Ion provide better performance? Or should I use the CP-E2 battery pack with the flash?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[gkas]

Use NiMH batteries. They recharge the flash at over twice the speed of alkaline batteries. The major advantage is that they can transfer the juice out of the batteries very quickly compare to alkaline batteries. They rate only second to Nicad batteries in the transfer rate, but without the Nicad drawbacks. I use a lot of full-power fill in my 550EX for birds, etc. I've never used up all of my 2nd set in an entire day of shooting. The same goes for indoor parties, etc., even in very large rooms. I'm still using the same sets of 1800 mAH batteries I got a couple of years ago. Pair them with a Maha MH-C204W battery charger. My older version of that charger charges a set of 4 AA batteries in 3 hours. I just looked at the Thomas-Distributing site, http://www.thomas-distributing.com/ They're an excellent place to get batteries, chargers, etc. I noticed that they now have 2300 mAH batteries. That's almost 25% more juice than my old 1800 batteries.

[SDK^]

I use 2200 mAH NiMH batteries and they last long enough

[mchristsen]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your feedback. It was very annoying when the batteries got low and the recharge time for the flash interrupted my shots.

Thanks again.

Mike.

[Jim_T]

I use common alkalines.. I keep an extra handful in my camera bag.

I think the last time I used my flash was on Christmas.. I photographed the kids opening presents under the tree :)

My shooting style doesn't call much for flash...

[sGu]

2200mAh rechargeable batteries, 4 in the flash, 4 spare one, they really last, i shot about 700 with fill flash the other day and they still going strong

[robertwgross]

I use ordinary alkaline AA batteries in my flash. At a typical wedding, I rotate around through two or three sets of batteries.

By the way, on the 550EX, if you wait until the batteries are so weak that the flash does not recycle very quickly, even after the Ready light comes on, it might not be fully ready. At least that is my theory. My worst flash exposures have come from the 550EX running on marginal batteries.

---Bob Gross---

[Steveo31]

NiMH when I get my paycheck :D

[Ebbz]

I use ordinary alkaline AA batteries in my flash. At a typical wedding, I rotate around through two or three sets of batteries.

---Bob Gross---

For what you paid for alkaline batteries, you could have bought a 4-pack of Nimd batteries and helped save the environment. There's enough garbage in the landfills already.

Rick

[robertwgross]

That is utter bull.

---Bob Gross---

[robertwgross]

Don't they have schools in Alabama?

I guess not.

---Bob Gross---

[Curos]

I use ordinary alkaline AA batteries in my flash. At a typical wedding, I rotate around through two or three sets of batteries.

---Bob Gross---

For what you paid for alkaline batteries, you could have bought a 4-pack of Nimd batteries and helped save the environment. There's enough garbage in the landfills already.

Rick

:?

[Ebbz]

That is utter bull.

---Bob Gross---

Is that how you defend using 3 sets of alkaline batteries? What do schools in Alabama have to do with this subject?

They don't teach people to be environmentally friendly where you live?

[timmyquest]

I went through 8 "copper tops" before i realized i needed to get some reacharables...i'll never go back.

[robertwgross]

Is that how you defend using 3 sets of alkaline batteries? What do schools in Alabama have to do with this subject?

They don't teach people to be environmentally friendly where you live?

Obviously they don't teach logic where you live.

First of all, I didn't say that I used up three sets of alkalines, did I?

Mostly I use three sets partly in rotation, and then I use the partly used batteries in other devices that are not so critical. For a flash unit, I need maximum reliability, and I have had some problems with some rechargeable batteries that either could not maintain enough charge, or went to hell in some spectacular fashion.

"Nimd" is beyond me. I don't know what battery chemistry you use.

I do use NiMH batteries for other devices, where that makes the best sense.

And, no, these batteries do not end up in some landfill.

So, back to my point. I guess they don't teach logic where you are.

---Bob Gross---

[Mills]

Can we get back on point? Who makes the best rechargeable? I assume every camera store sells them? What do they cost? What about Quantum Battery Packs? I don't give a rats >>s if they teach logic in Alabama.

[Jon]

I use alkalines in my 550 and rechargables in the 420 because, for whatever reason, using (fresh) rechargables in the 550 left it unable or unwilling to trigger the 420. Switching to alkalines in the 550, with no other changes, immediately corrected the situation. Makes no sense, but that's what happened.

For rechargables, I found Kodak 2000 mAH 4-packs at Circuit City for about $9.99 on sale, so stocked up. They work well, and seem to have a good shelf life as well.

[Aylwin]

I use alkalines in my 550 and rechargables in the 420 because, for whatever reason, using (fresh) rechargables in the 550 left it unable or unwilling to trigger the 420. Switching to alkalines in the 550, with no other changes, immediately corrected the situation. Makes no sense, but that's what happened.
Could it be a voltage issue? Alkalines are 1.5v each while rechargeables are 1.2v. Multiply that by 4 and you have a 1.2 volt difference. Perhaps the 550 requires 6 volts to trigger? :roll:

[Jon]

The 550 will fire - just won't trigger the 420. I know about the voltage differences, but presumed that Canon would explicitly caution against use of NiMH if they were going to cause such problems. Ah, well. It works this way, so for once I'm not going to try to figure out why. Too many other puzzles to solve.

[Mitch]

I too have an issue with batteries or my 550EX flash units. I use Sunpak 2000 Mah rechargeables and a Lenmar Mach1 Speed Charger. The batteries seem to work absolutely great for the first 20 -30 shots, then the power really seems to trail off under continued use. At around the 70th to 100th shot range, the recharge time really lengthens, and as Bob mentioned, even though the light says it's ready, the power isn't quite there. This has given me some real problems at a wedding shoot and causes consistant bad under exposures. At my last wedding, I took 28 batteries. I changed the batteries after I started noticing the delay in recharging, around the 100th shot. When I got back home, I tested the "used" batteries and they tested in the "green" range that indicates a full charge??? Bob illuded to something about his "rotating" the batteries. Based on what I know about battery chemistry, it seems to me that maybe using the rechargeables for 50 to 100 shots, switching them out for fresh batteries and then waiting for about an hour and then using the first again would possibly be the trick. Haven't done that yet, rotating the batteries like that.

Anyone have any experience with rotating rechargeables? What do you recommend? How often to rotate? How many times do you use the same set in the rotation? What brand of battery? What MAH do you use? What is the rechargeable battery performance in your experience?

I wonder if there is something to the voltage differential between Alkaline and Rechargeables and their related performances???

[toddb]

I've been using the PwerEX NiMH 2200 mAh rechargeable. I actually like how they go strong and when they are about done, they pretty much don't recycle....when I used alkaline batts, it was always a slow death and longer and longer recycle rates. I didn't want to waste the battery by not really using it all. So being able to just slap in a fresh recharged battery is the only way to go.

[f8]

don't forget the charger, make sure you use an 'intelligent' charger which should help maximise the juice out of whatever mah type you go for, maha do a charger which will also condition battery

[mchristsen]

Well I think that I am going to get the PowerEx 2300 mAH batteries (3x4pk) and the MH-C204W charger as suggested by gkas. I looked these up on www.thomas-distributing.com.

When the alkalines where getting low the flash would report full charge, but you could hear it still charging.

Mike

[gkas]

There should not be a power drop-off problem with NiMH batteries. Their power curve is almost flat until full discharge. Google something like 'NiMH Power Curve'. There are all kinds of studies that come to the same result. The dropoff curve is almost like falling off a cliff. The major advantage to NiMH is that they can transfer energy very fast. That's why they can can recharge the caps so quickly. When I converted a couple of years ago, the only batteries with a better discharge rate were Nicad. The main disadvantage of Nimh, like Nicad is that the initial voltage is 1.2v. I've also heard that the reason some devices, like some of the Canon grip that use AA batteries, don't recommend NiMH is that they cannot take the heat from a sustained high rate of energy transfer. I wouldn't take that as gospel, though. I carry 4 sets of 4 NiMH with me at all times, but I don't think I've EVER used all four sets. By the way, the folks at Thomas-Distributing are great to deal with. Always check out their 'specials' section.

Also, I never liked the plastic battery cases for holding spares. They rattle too much. I did a net search and came up with 'Drifter Sport & Travel Bags, Inc.' They mostly make Cordura travel bags. Very nice. I bought a bunch of their 'Battery Pouch'. It's like a cordura envelope with a velcro flap closure. It exactly fits (4) AA batteries. No more rattle. They also ship them for only $1.00 shipping per order. Check them out at http://www.drifterbag.com/battery.htm Lots of colors, too. I bought all assorted colors so that I can remember which sets I've used.

[vfilby]

I just bought a duracell 30min charger that came with 4 high capacity cells. They are charging now, so I will see how they perform soon.

[robertwgross]

There should not be a power drop-off problem with NiMH batteries. Their power curve is almost flat until full discharge. ...

I can see that there are some readers here who understand the different battery chemistries and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The Holy Grail now in the battery world is some kind of AA-size lithium ion rechargeable battery with 1.5 volts. I don't think it can easily exist now. We can have AA-size lithium ion rechargeables in 3.7 volts, and we can have NiMH rechargeable AA-size in 1.5 or 1.25 volts. NiCd is starting to go away, although there are still some applications where they are going strong.

Don't buy stock shares in Canon or Nikon. Instead, buy stock in Energizer or Duracell or Maha or something like that.

---Bob Gross---

[dsze]

You can find deals on rechargable NiMH AA's online. I currently use a rotation of 14 NiMH's with 2 long-chargers. I haven't had a single problem. They are all off-brands. I think I ended up with all 14 batteries and the 2 chargers for about $30. Check out ebay.

-daniel

[theoldmoose]

I just bought a duracell 30min charger that came with 4 high capacity cells. They are charging now, so I will see how they perform soon.

I got this as well, and an extra 4-pack of cells. Works fine in the 550EX, and the charger doesn't weight a ton, like some of them do, so I can carry it in my bag.

[vfilby]

I just bought a duracell 30min charger that came with 4 high capacity cells. They are charging now, so I will see how they perform soon.

I got this as well, and an extra 4-pack of cells. Works fine in the 550EX, and the charger doesn't weight a ton, like some of them do, so I can carry it in my bag.

Agreed! I am very happy with the performance of the batteries, my flash powers up so quickly now. I haven't had a chance to see how long they lsat for but I am sure they will lsat a decent amount of time because they are 2050MaH cells.

I was impressed with the charger: built in temperature sensors and a cooling fan for the batteries I see that the power supply puts out 12VDC 2.5A, I would like to build a car adapter for it as well. Their powersupply looks like more than an average PS so I am a bit leary of trying.

Cheers,

[Chris1le]

I've been using the Rayovac 15 minute NiMH 2000mAh 15 minute rechargeables. They do charge in 15 minutes. The flash also recycles faster than with alkalines. 8)

[picnic]

Anyone have any experience with rotating rechargeables? What do you recommend? How often to rotate? How many times do you use the same set in the rotation? What brand of battery? What MAH do you use? What is the rechargeable battery performance in your experience?

I??

I shoot long days with 2/550EX, 1/420EX and an STE2. I keep at least 4 sets of 2300 NIMH batteries charged and rotate as soon as I see the recyclying go down (I have some older rechargeables--1600 to 1800 that I have in reserve also and do fresh charge them before a shoot and generally use the lower MAH ones in the 420). I don't know if this is the optimum way to do it (I keep my smart chargers going) but its worked for me. I shoot room settings for furniture manufacturers and those shoots start early and end late. I've never had a problem--use 2300 NiMH and keep the 'sets' separate in a battery 'wallet'.

[WestFalcon]

I use Quantum Battery packs and several (3) 550 EX flashes. I have 4 batteries charged for every wedding and have never run out of battery power. The battery packs give very fast recycle times and after the initial cost of them, they are very economical. Batteries Plus carries the same brand of internal nicads as are in the quantum units. They will even solder them in place for you for just the cost of the batteries. I get many years out of a battery pack before having to replace the batteries and the replacement cost is under $30.00. I quit using alkaline batteries in my flashes years ago and I think I am money ahead with the quantum packs ( the flash recycle time is shorter too). The only disadvantage is that you have an added battery pack and cord to carry around but I have no problem with this. Most professional photographers in my area use quantum units. I don't work for Quantum but I am sold on their quality and believe that anyone using flash units for a lot of their photography should consider them.

[Tshoe]

I think Robert Gross' remarks do not belong on this (or any forum.) If you have nothing constructive to say, say nothing at all! The worst thing is that this is the comments of a "Top contributor"

[Belmondo]

Tshoe:

I notice you've been a member for a relatively short time, so it's understandable if you haven't learned some of the personalities in this forum. I would suggest that if you had been around a little longer, you would recognize that Bob is one of the more helpful and knowledgeable people on the forum. He has a dryer sense of humor than many of us, and he does speak his mind when he feels it's appropriate. These are not necessarily bad traits, and we would be badly served if we were to lose him.

Similarly, we don't want to lose anyone for simply expressing their opinions. That includes you. In the future, however, at least until you've gotten to know us a little better, you might address such concerns directly to a moderator using the PM feature of this forum.

Thanks,

Tom

[robertwgross]

Everybody is entitled to his or her own opinions, even if they are wrong.

---Bob Gross---

[vfilby]

I must agree that I do find *some* of gross's posts offensive and I have seen this happen with other members as well; however, he does contribute, which is the point here. And really, I don't have any basis for my claims because I am not a knowledgeable photographer. I have nothing against him, I just don't like the way he contributes in some cases. I'll take what I can and leave the rest, no need to get too worked up.

Robert, I know that you like to cut responses you deem as silly with sarcasm. Sarcasm is not productive nor conducive to a friendly atmosphere. The main reason for this is because sarcasm is derived from anger, sarcastic responses are meant to cut, meant to hurt. It is mainly the sarcastic posts that I see causing issues here.

I am curious why you use alkalines though. Quite personally, I feel that using alkalines in a situation where you will cycle through batteries fast is not environmentally responsible. I also feel that investing in rechargeable is more economic in the long run. What benefits are there to using Alkalines over rechargeables?


Regards,

[robertwgross]

I am curious why you use alkalines though. Quite personally, I feel that using alkalines in a situation where you will cycle through batteries fast is not environmentally responsible. I also feel that investing in rechargeable is more economic in the long run. What benefits are there to using Alkalines over rechargeables?


As I have already stated previously, I use the best battery solution for the particular job at hand. I use NiMH, NiCd, Lithium primary, Lithium ion rechargeable, lead acid (wet), sealed lead acid, and alkaline. I have stopped using carbon zinc.

For some things I do, I demand the most in reliability. For other things, I demand reusability/cheapness. For winter jobs, I need cold temperature performance. For travel, I need light weight. For some things, I need zero maintenance. It just depends.

I found one source for very good alkalines at a low cost. I found one source for primary lithiums. I use rechargeables when I can, but when recharging is not a possibility, then what good is it. I've been doing photography for three weeks at a time where commercial power is not available. Solar panels can be handy, but only in a limited application.

To the best of my knowledge, within the last five years or so, no used battery of mine has gone into a landfill.

---Bob Gross---