eos 20d BGE2 AA batteries problem

[javicallejas]

:confused: Hi !!!
I just bought the new 20d with bge2 and i´m quite happy with it, but yestarday i first tried AA type batteries on the camera (2400mh fully charged) and it only took 4 shots and turned off automativcally as if it had run out of power. only worked again for 3-5 shots when turning off on a few times.
Is there any way to solve this? anyone else with this problem or its my batteries problem?
thanks to everybody in advance.

[FlyingPete]

I have read that the AA battery function of the BG is to 'get you home' as Canon puts it. Apparantly it chews through batteries, it may be seeing yours as flat sooner than usual because of the NiMh batteries reduced voltage (1.2V instead of 1.5V).

[drisley]

I've heard MANY similar stories of people only getting 1 or 2 shots with AA and the grip.
I think Canon really dropped the ball on this piece of equipment, so I'm not buying one until all the glitches are fixed.
I think everyone should boycott buying the BGe2, then maybe Canon will get the hint.
Ideally Canon would replace the grip with one that is built more like the one for the 10D (especially since the BGe2 costs sooo much). However, I can't imagine that happeing, or they would feel the fury of those who already bought the grip.

[eosster]

I've had similar problem, it's ok with new firmaware, it's reading proper battery level. I bought Kirk L bracket to tighten it down, seems to work.

Cheers,

Charles,

[lkorell]

Why use AA's anyway? I'd only have them as a worst case backup. The NiMh batteries are great. If you buy higher capacity batteries they will last for an entire event. I have never had to change out a battery during an entire wedding! I wouldn't bother with the AAs at all. Buy a few extra NiMh batteries and keep a few fully charged in your bag as backups.

The NiMh's are also great in the 580EX. I've only had to change batteries once during a wedding. If you use 2450's they last a long time.

Lou

[javicallejas]

I've had similar problem, it's ok with new firmaware, it's reading proper battery level. I bought Kirk L bracket to tighten it down, seems to work.

Cheers,

Charles,
Hi, thanks
it seems you are the only one to solve the problem, but i didnt understand you very welll
i have to put a new firmware on the camera? which one?
What about the kirk l bracket, i dont know what it is, (i live in spain my english is not quite good). thanks for your help charles
cheers

[Ikinaa]

Why use AA's anyway? I'd only have them as a worst case backup. The NiMh batteries are great. If you buy higher capacity batteries they will last for an entire event. I have never had to change out a battery during an entire wedding! I wouldn't bother with the AAs at all. Buy a few extra NiMh batteries and keep a few fully charged in your bag as backups.

The NiMh's are also great in the 580EX. I've only had to change batteries once during a wedding. If you use 2450's they last a long time.

Lou
AFAIK :
AA is the size of the battery and NiMh is the chemicals inside to store the power, one has nothing to do with the other...

[photog]

Hi, thanks
it seems you are the only one to solve the problem, but i didnt understand you very welll
i have to put a new firmware on the camera? which one?
What about the kirk l bracket, i dont know what it is, (i live in spain my english is not quite good). thanks for your help charles
cheers

Here's a link to the Kirk L bracket for Canon cameras. It's a rather clever device if I do say so myself.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/lbracketsc.html

I bought a BG-E2 for my 20D a couple of days ago but I haven't tried it with AAs yet.

I haven't noticed any problems with the BG-E2, but I also don't understand how using the L bracket will "tighten it down".

[Hellashot]

Pick up proper li-ion batteries for it at www.batterysavings.com I got one a few months ago for $30 including shipping.

[postpossum]

Hiya, I had the same problem with the battery grip and 2500mah Nimh's. I checked with Canon Singapore immediately after I bought the camera, and next thing I know it was with their technicians. They couldn't pinpoint the problem so told me that they'd authorise an exchange with the dealer, so I got a new grip and body both (body came with 1.05 firmware).

Anyway, that didn't do the trick and next thing I know, a Canon senior tech paid me a housecall (very impressed!). Sorta came to the conclusion that no matter what kind of AA batteries were in there, they didn't stand a chance in shooting conditions. Humbug!

I ended up buying an extra BP511a and soon I got a BP512 as well, which I mainly use as my spare tyre. I'm still quite annoyed by the fact that Canon suggest that AA batteries are usable in the BG E2- I'd even assume that's a major selling point for the battery grip. It's misleading. Hardly seems worth it to use a fully charged set of 2500's for 2 shots. Perhaps 'get you home' refers to you reviewing pictures on your way home!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like your 2400's are now relegated to living in your flash (like my 16 2500's which take turns in my 580EX)..:confused:

[thomascanty]

Hi, thanks
it seems you are the only one to solve the problem, but i didnt understand you very welll
i have to put a new firmware on the camera? which one?

The new firmware somehow fixed my grip problems, too. Since I got the camera and grip, the camera's battery level display would always read "low" when the grip was on, no matter what the actual battery state was. If I put one of the batteries in the camera itself, the display would be correct. I upgraded the firmware to 1.1.0 yesterday and took the camera out all day today, and was surprised to see that the battery level indicator is working with the grip on the camera now.

The grip never loosened itself today either, but I'm not crazy enough to credit that to the firmware update too... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[MrKickalot]

I have read that the AA battery function of the BG is to 'get you home' as Canon puts it. Apparantly it chews through batteries, it may be seeing yours as flat sooner than usual because of the NiMh batteries reduced voltage (1.2V instead of 1.5V).

I agree with Flying Pete... I know it's that way in Radio Controlled vehicles... rechargables are a no-no... Not only are they lower in voltage but don't hold charge well and can dump their charge instantly...(which in RC if they control the throttle then you loose control of very expensive toys real quick)..
Just simple math....

BP-511's are 7.4V X 2 = 14.8V...

non rechargable AA 1.5V X 6 = 9V...Already down 5.8 V

rechargable AA 1.2 x 6 = 7.2, less power than a single BP-511..

I still plan to get one with my 20D after new years...who needs AA's anyways...

[MarkH]

BP-511's are 7.4V X 2 = 14.8V...

Ummm, no.

The 20D does NOT run on 14.8V!

The 20D normally uses 7.4V from a single BP-511a, with the grip it uses 2 x BP-511a in parallel to give it 7.4V with twice the capacity. If the 2 x 511s were used in serial at twice the voltage that the camera was designed to use then the circuits on the 20D would fry and you would have a smoking dead camera in your hands.