Buying batteries off eBay?

[FlipsidE]

What should I look for in a battery from eBay. I've seen a lot of people recommending eBay for inexpensive batteries for Canon Digital cameras. I'm lookin for a battery (or maybe few batteries) for my new Digital Rebel. Should I buy generic batteries that are the same model as the Canon ones? Will those work ok? Or should I hold out for only Canon batteries?

Thanks

FlipsidE

[shiningstardv]

I don't know if you've seen this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=311747). There is some good info and experiences in there. I have bought "generic, 3rd party" batteries from eBay and all is fine (see thread above). I think the general concensus is that eBay batteries are fine, cheaper, and better -- but you will always find someone who will only buy Canon batteries.

I say have a look at that thread, and buy yourself a few batteries off eBay for less than $20 and find out for yourself. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed!

[spearce6]

Sorry shiningstardv, but I don't think the linked to thread totally covers the question.

I too had this dilemma - you have shelled out more than a 1000 Euros/Dollars on a 10D and then people on EBay are offering 10 Euro/Dollar batteries. Having shelled out your hard earned grand, it's tough to decide whether any risk at all is justified to save 20-30 over Cannon batteries.

Eventually, I bought one from a local store for about half to two thirds the price of a Canon - after getting the store owner to guarantee me it would not mess up my camera and with them saying they also had a 10D and used this battery.

Works OK for me, but I have read elsewhere of people having problems with Ebay batteries with the Canon charger - for example not having an extra circuit so that they automatically stop charging when full! This worried me in case I forgot the battery on the charger.

I guess the question is - other than poor quality cells and cheap batteries not lasting, does anyone have any bad experience with cheap Ebay jobbers? I'm asking - damage to camera or damage to battery during or from charging?

Cheers

Steve
http://www.steve-pearce-photography.com

[Motorsports Photo]

There is a bunch of cheap crap on ebay as well as some good batteries.

My experience is the cheap ones work well for a little while and then wont take a charge.

So far only the sakar batteries I got at Walmart have continued on with no problems.

-Pete

[Tshoe]

I have been using 2 batteries I purchased on Ebay for around $20, they work fine with the Canon charger. I haven't kept track but I think they may not get as many flashes per charge as the Canon batteries but if so it hasn't been a problem..

[shiningstardv]

Sorry shiningstardv, but I don't think the linked to thread totally covers the question.

I too had this dilemma - you have shelled out more than a 1000 Euros/Dollars on a 10D and then people on EBay are offering 10 Euro/Dollar batteries. Having shelled out your hard earned grand, it's tough to decide whether any risk at all is justified to save 20-30 over Cannon batteries.

Eventually, I bought one from a local store for about half to two thirds the price of a Canon - after getting the store owner to guarantee me it would not mess up my camera and with them saying they also had a 10D and used this battery.

Works OK for me, but I have read elsewhere of people having problems with Ebay batteries with the Canon charger - for example not having an extra circuit so that they automatically stop charging when full! This worried me in case I forgot the battery on the charger.

I guess the question is - other than poor quality cells and cheap batteries not lasting, does anyone have any bad experience with cheap Ebay jobbers? I'm asking - damage to camera or damage to battery during or from charging?

Cheers

Steve
http://www.steve-pearce-photography.com

I never said that the linked thread was supposed to completely cover the question. I was simply giving my opinion and a link to some more information that might be useful.

I understand your feelings and understand where you're coming from, but what I'm trying to get across (maybe not so well) is that no one really knows for sure, there is no definate "yes" or "no" to these questions, so you should just try the batteries for yourself. There are many different brands on eBay and sometimes no brand is even listed. This makes it very hard to reccomend batteries from eBay. So, if you are at all worried about batteries dying or not working, and don't want to waste $15 trying them out for yourself, then there is a simple solution -- play it safe and only buy Canon batteries! I have never heard of one of these generic 3rd party batteries harming your equipment, and doubt they will, but there is a certain amount of risk in everything I guess, so judge for yourself.

Just my $.02

[mdude85]

I never said that the linked thread was supposed to completely cover the question. I was simply giving my opinion and a link to some more information that might be useful.

I understand your feelings and understand where you're coming from, but what I'm trying to get across (maybe not so well) is that no one really knows for sure, there is no definate "yes" or "no" to these questions, so you should just try the batteries for yourself. There are many different brands on eBay and sometimes no brand is even listed. This makes it very hard to reccomend batteries from eBay. So, if you are at all worried about batteries dying or not working, and don't want to waste $15 trying them out for yourself, then there is a simple solution -- play it safe and only buy Canon batteries! I have never heard of one of these generic 3rd party batteries harming your equipment, and doubt they will, but there is a certain amount of risk in everything I guess, so judge for yourself.

Just my $.02

I disagree -- even if you spend $50 on 5 3rd party batteries, they're guaranteed to give you as much performance as one $50 canon battery.

[shiningstardv]

I disagree -- even if you spend $50 on 5 3rd party batteries, they're guaranteed to give you as much performance as one $50 canon battery.

I'm not quite sure what your disagreeing with, because I would agree with your statement there. Except in my experience, $20 spent on two 3rd party batteries will give you more than twice the performance of one $50 Canon battery, not to mention an extra $30 in your pocket.

[mdude85]

I'm not quite sure what your disagreeing with.

You said, "So, if you are at all worried about batteries dying or not working, and don't want to waste $15 trying them out for yourself, then there is a simple solution -- play it safe and only buy Canon batteries! "

I disagree -- I don't think it's a waste trying out 2 or 3 3rd party batteries, because inevitably they will work better than one $50 canon battery, even if one 3rd party battery ends up being only 75% of the power of a canon battery.

[shiningstardv]

Yeah but I was just saying that for those who are paranoid about these eBay batteries. Personally, I will never buy a Canon battery again. I wasn't saying to go out and DO that -- only if you are worried and don't want to spend $15 experimenting, because inevitably there will be people who are skeptical of any 3rd party brand and who trust and believe in Canon only, which is completely fine. But they don't know what they're missing!