Are there better or worse BP-511A batteries and chargers

[rigshots]

I've got quite a collection of BP-511a batteries and chargers, mostly non genuine Canon, and they all seem to perform rather poorly (they're getting old). Are there better or worse non genuine BP-511a batteries or chargers on the market?

Thanks
JJ

[Jark89]

I use a Chinese brand (Pinsen) myself, and these are pretty good. However the seller did warn me these have a shorter life-span than the genuine Canon battery (1 year, compared to 3 years).

As far as other brands go, I've always heard good things about SterlingTek. http://www.sterlingtek.com/cabpbapaeq.html

[neophyte52]

I purchased a Duracell one shortly after getting my 5D so I'd have a spare, and just alternate when one gets low. I've noticed no difference in power or battery life.

[DennisW1]

I've got quite a collection of BP-511a batteries and chargers, mostly non genuine Canon, and they all seem to perform rather poorly (they're getting old). Are there better or worse non genuine BP-511a batteries or chargers on the market?

Thanks
JJ


I've since moved on to the 1D series bodies but when I had my 10D/20D/30D bodies with grips I used the SterlingTek batteries and they worked flawlessly. You simply cannot beat the price either.

They do sell a reasonably priced charger as well, but it only charges a single battery at a time. I did not use this and cannot comment on it, but if it's the same quality as their batteries it should work just fine. Also darn hard to beat the price

SterlingTek BP 511 batteries: http://sterlingtek.com/twocabp18bap.html

SterlingTek BP511 Charger: http://www.sterlingtek.com/canbp511acba.html


I only used the Canon PS400 dual BP511 charger and it worked just fine for me. Unfortunately they've been discontinued but there are still a lot of them floating around. Unless you really need to be able to charge two batteries in one unit at the same time, you would still be much cheaper off buying two of the SterlingTek chargers, as the Canon PS400's are running around $100 on the used/ebay market.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400059231845&category=15215&sspagename=rvi:1:1v_