CTA Battery for 1D Mark II

[Mike H]

Has anyone tried the CTA battery for the 1D Mark II? B&H sells them for $70; the Canon battery is $120.

Do any of you have backup batteries for your Mark II? I've never shot more than 800 frames in one shoot, and typically shoot 300-400 at most. Hence, I haven't spent the extra money to get a backup as the Mark II battery will go much further than that on a charge. But I'm considering getting another battery just because I like having backups for important equipment whenever I can afford to get them. Thanks.

Mike H

[defordphoto]

You'll only need one. Spend a little extra and get the real deal.

[PacAce]

You'll only need one. Spend a little extra and get the real deal.
And I'll second that. :)

[steven]

I disagree that you only need one.
I have a 1Ds and while the battery does last a very long time, the charge indicator for NMH batteries is not worth the LCD space.
The charge indicator stays full until just before the very end and then is just gone:(
So I have a backup for just that situation.

Wish I could help you out with the question about the 3rd party battery on B&H, would like to know myself. The main reason is that these 3rd party party battery has almost a third more power to it (2200 as appose to 1600), and the fact that it is cheeper doesn't hert.

[defordphoto]

One EXTRA battery. :p

[CyberDyneSystems]

Also Steven,. the same battery in the 1DMkII lasts about three times as long as it does in the 1Ds...

But yes,. an even pair of batteries is pretty much all one could possibly need for the MkII. Even with IS lenses you easily get 1400-1600 shots on a charge.