Bad experience with new AA batteries

[350D_Noob]

Okay, so I decided that I wanted to give a new set of AA batteries a try. The first test was earlier today shooting a fashion show. I put them in my Canon 430EX and started shooting. I had the flash firing maybe... 2-3 times possibly every 15 seconds or so. After about 10 minutes of shooting, I see that it's taking close to ten seconds to recharge my flash. I let it go for a few more seconds and then realize that at this point... my flash isn't recharging at all! :evil: Mind you that these are a brand new set of batteries and this is the first time I've used them. As soon as I took them out of my flash they felt like they were on fire, literally.

EDIT: I had my flash set on manual 1/8 sec.

By this time, I miss about 5 runway models and scramble to get my other set of batteries out of my pocket and into my flash. All in all, the use of these new batteries made me quite upset. I added pictures of the batteries that gave me trouble and the batteries I used afterwards.

I hate these things! :evil:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/JGabriel_Photo/IMG_000791.jpg



I've been using these for a while and have about 28 of these suckers. Never had a problem at all with them. Not even a problem with them heating up. :)

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/JGabriel_Photo/IMG_000798.jpg


The reason I tried out the energizers was to try something new. I guess I won't be using these anymore. $16 well spent... :confused: Has anyone else had any bad experiences with these particular energizers? If so, please leave your input.

[jonnythan]

Um......

Those Energizer Lithium batteries are not rechargeables.

[350D_Noob]

Where did I say anything about them being rechargeable? If I said anything about recharging, I was talking about the flash.

[jonnythan]

Where did I say anything about them being rechargeable?

No, you don't understand.

I'm just illiterate and dumb.



:o

[350D_Noob]

Nah, everyone makes mistakes. :D

[RockSlut]

I use Energizer rechargables with minimum of 2500NiMH and its pretty good (providing they're freshly charged).

There was a site that compared performance of different brands of batteries, but can't remember where for the life of me.

[Stoosh]

Maybe it's time to strap on a CP-E4, if your worried about battery power?

[DDCSD]

Yeah, lithiums (and any non rechargable battery) are great for sucking money straight out of your wallet. Lithiums are perfect for remote controls.

You may want to look into Al Jacob's Black Box, or make an SLA battery pack if you are looking for more performance/longer life than what your eneloop's are providing.

[350D_Noob]

Well, it's not that my Eneloop's aren't cutting it... Trust me, I love mine, it's just for some odd reason... I wanted to try something new. :(

[NYC2SOCAL]

I hope it wasn't my thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=515694) that prompted you to go down this path.. :(

Your post peaked my interest, so I popped in the exact same batteries (had them in a 4xAA case at the bottom of my bag). Now, it's not apples to apples, but I was able to successfully fire off 30 shots within a minute. I waited roughly 2 seconds between shots. The pilot light never went off, and it fired whenever I wanted it to. This simple test satisfied my curiosity.

I do find it interesting though. Lithiums are usually highly regarded for such high drain/high demand uses - Hence my thoughts of keeping a set in my bag as "extreme" backups. From my simple test, they recharged the flash real quick. If I had to guess, they seem to be slightly faster than my eneloops (ever so so slightly) ;)

I think I will continue to leave the lithiums in my bag as for dire/extreme circumstances. :)

[350D_Noob]

I hope it wasn't my thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=515694) that prompted you to go down this path.. :(

Your post peaked my interest, so I popped in the exact same batteries (had them in a 4xAA case at the bottom of my bag). Now, it's not apples to apples, but I was able to successfully fire off 30 shots within a minute. I waited roughly 2 seconds between shots. The pilot light never went off, and it fired whenever I wanted it to. This simple test satisfied my curiosity.

I do find it interesting though. Lithiums are usually highly regarded for such high drain/high demand uses - Hence my thoughts of keeping a set in my bag as "extreme" backups. From my simple test, they recharged the flash real quick. If I had to guess, they seem to be slightly faster than my eneloops (ever so so slightly) ;)

I think I will continue to leave the lithiums in my bag as for dire/extreme circumstances. :)


I didn't see your post until after I had the problem with them, actually. It seems that our tests are almost opposite from each other... yours being successful. My pilot light stopped coming on for a while. I disregarded it a few times and my flash didn't go off at all. When I took out the batteries, they were almost too hot to touch. I think I'll just stick with what I've been using... Eneloops.;)

[JC4]

I wonder if you got a bad set? I use them in my 430ex and 580ex2. Same experience as NYC2SOCAL, fast recycles and long lasting. With the added bonus of being a lot lighter than eneloops.

[350D_Noob]

Hmm, you think so? If that's the case, I might give energizer a call and let them know my situation. Being that I have already opened the packaging, I can't return them to where I bought them. It would be a waste of $16 if I can't do anything with them.

[ed rader]

Hmm, you think so? If that's the case, I might give energizer a call and let them know my situation. Being that I have already opened the packaging, I can't return them to where I bought them. It would be a waste of $16 if I can't do anything with them.


i have to ask. if you were happy with the eneloops why did you try the lithium batteries at that cost?

i use quite a few batteries and i was pretty shocked by the price increase the other night when i bought AAs and AAAs at home depot and i may just start using rechargeables for everything.

BTW, i use eneloops too.

ed rader

[RPCrowe]

When you have the flash on manual it fires a full charge every time. When you are using the flash with exposure control of some type, the flash onlyfires a partial charge for most shots (unless you are shooting at the extent of the range of the flash unit). When firing a partial charge, naturally it takes less juice to recharge the capacitor.

I am definitely not saying this is the total cause of your problem.


The way batteries have been stored (by you or by the retailer and wholesaler) might result in a battery that loses its power. This might especially be true if the batteries are outdated or if they had been stored where they were subjected to high temperatures.

I would definitely write to the manufacturer. Often a polite letter will get a coupon for replacement batteries.

[DDCSD]

When you have the flash on manual it fires a full charge every time. When you are using the flash with exposure control of some type, the flash onlyfires a partial charge for most shots (unless you are shooting at the extent of the range of the flash unit). When firing a partial charge, naturally it takes less juice to recharge the capacitor.

I am definitely not saying this is the total cause of your problem.


The way batteries have been stored (by you or by the retailer and wholesaler) might result in a battery that loses its power. This might especially be true if the batteries are outdated or if they had been stored where they were subjected to high temperatures.

I would definitely write to the manufacturer. Often a polite letter will get a coupon for replacement batteries.


On manual the 430EX fires at whatever power level you tell it to fire.... 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, or 1/64. It actually uses less power (minimally) because it is not firing the pre-flash to determine exposure.

[Wilt]

Now, it's not apples to apples, but I was able to successfully fire off 30 shots within a minute. I waited roughly 2 seconds between shots. The pilot light never went off, and it fired whenever I wanted it to. This simple test satisfied my curiosity.



Guys, read your 580EX manual on page 7 at the bottom...

"To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, to not fire rapid bursts of more than 20 continuous flashes. After 20 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 min."

[350D_Noob]

i have to ask. if you were happy with the eneloops why did you try the lithium batteries at that cost?

i use quite a few batteries and i was pretty shocked by the price increase the other night when i bought AAs and AAAs at home depot and i may just start using rechargeables for everything.

BTW, i use eneloops too.

ed rader


Something different, I guess. I have never had a problem using eneloops, though. :confused:


Guys, read your 580EX manual on page 7 at the bottom...

"To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, to not fire rapid bursts of more than 20 continuous flashes. After 20 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 min."


Even if that is the case, I never had a problem using eneloops.

[KirkHMB]

Do you have a battery tester? Maybe one of your set of 4 is bad, thus not enough juice to recycle the flash.

[Jethro790]

Somewhere on this forum I read a reply from Canon USA to an e-mil written about using lithium batteries. They said that it is not recommended to use lithium batteries becasue they are too powerful and can overheat the flash.

I use them in my weather station remote sensors and my GPS when I am using it on the snowmobile in sub zero temps. They withstand the cold very, very well.

[Magic_Puzzle]

I fail to understand why anyone would not use a re-chargeable battery with their camera gear. It is far more economical to get yourself a 15 minute charger and a handful of Energizer rechargeable batteries and you are all set. I have used Energizers for years and never had any kind of problem whatsoever. I agree that if you are happy with one battery it is foolish to try another type when you are on a serious shoot. Why run the risk? If you want to experiment, make sure that the shots are not of any real importance.

[350D_Noob]

Do you have a battery tester? Maybe one of your set of 4 is bad, thus not enough juice to recycle the flash.

Yeah, I tested them a few days ago and they're at full strength.


I fail to understand why anyone would not use a re-chargeable battery with their camera gear. It is far more economical to get yourself a 15 minute charger and a handful of Energizer rechargeable batteries and you are all set. I have used Energizers for years and never had any kind of problem whatsoever. I agree that if you are happy with one battery it is foolish to try another type when you are on a serious shoot. Why run the risk? If you want to experiment, make sure that the shots are not of any real importance.

Agreed. People make mistakes. :o

[photojournalista]

I fail to understand why anyone would not use a re-chargeable battery with their camera gear.

In my case, one set is currently charging. The other has already fired a few shots. I remembered somebody (on this forum?) who swears by the alkalines and never used rechargeables. There's a pack of alkaline available so I switched to the alkaline. big mistake. After a few shots of a senator during a ribbon cutting ceremony, the alkaline quit on me. Never again will I use alkalines for the flash. I still use them for our wall clock though.

[ANGUS]

Well, it's not that my Eneloop's aren't cutting it... Trust me, I love mine, it's just for some odd reason... I wanted to try something new. :(

Wanted to try something "new" so went for the "old" horrid Engizers? :confused:

[rklepper]

I have had nothing but bad experiences with energizers.