Rechargable Flash Batteries

[Dante King]

OK, I am no techie, but was wondering why Canon would not make a flash with rechargable batteries that could fit into or clip onto the flash unit. I HATE carrying and buying disposable batteries.

Ok do they use off the shelf batteries for a reason. Is is possible, for a rechargable battery the side of the 20D's battery, to put out the same kind of power performance for a reasonable amount of flashes?

[lostdoggy]

Say no more take a looky here :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=164265&is=REG&addedTroughValue=164263_USA&addedTroughType=accessory

[lostdoggy]

NiMH AA cheap and higher mAH, I use 2000mAH AA on my flash they last longer then the disposables paid $4 for 4. Keep alot in my camera bag and a set in my pocket. Oh, make sure you don't have coins in your pocket. They don't go well together. Hotpocket!!!

[Dante King]

NiMH AA cheap and higher mAH, I use 2000mAH AA on my flash they last longer then the disposables paid $4 for 4. Keep alot in my camera bag and a set in my pocket. Oh, make sure you don't have coins in your pocket. They don't go well together. Hotpocket!!!

LOL. Do the Hot Pocket Dance!. Anyway Thanks for the info but not really the answer I am looking for.

Is this idea not done due to design limitations or just because disposable batteries are cheap. I seem to remember a flash I had for my A1 and something about a clip on battery... Maybe Its just old age disease creeping in.

[Dante King]

Say no more take a looky here :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=164265&is=REG&addedTroughValue=164263_USA&addedTroughType=accessory


This is off the specs sheet form the good folks at B&H that you linked to:

"The CP-E2 is a modified version of the original Compact Battery Pack E. It improves flash recycle times significantly and increases the number of firings before batteries need to be replaced. This version accepts six "AA" size batteries; lithium, alkaline, as well as rechargeable NiCd's or NiMH.

A compact external battery supply for Canon 580EX, 550EX, 540EZ, 430EZ, MT-24EX and MR-14EX flash units.

Note: Batteries are not included."

And I quote "batteries not uncluded". Why would canon not make this pack rechargable?

[robertwgross]

"This version accepts six "AA" size batteries; lithium, alkaline, as well as rechargeable NiCd's or NiMH."

That sounds pretty rechargeable to me. NiCd is the old rechargeable solution, and NiMH is the new one.

Those are much cheaper and easier solutions than any proprietary battery that Canon might stuff into it.

---Bob Gross---

[mrclark321]

Are you still up Dante???

Pretty bad this time of nite eh.....lol

This is off the specs sheet form the good folks at B&H that you linked to:

"The CP-E2 is a modified version of the original Compact Battery Pack E. It improves flash recycle times significantly and increases the number of firings before batteries need to be replaced. This version accepts six "AA" size batteries; lithium, alkaline, as well as rechargeable NiCd's or NiMH.

A compact external battery supply for Canon 580EX, 550EX, 540EZ, 430EZ, MT-24EX and MR-14EX flash units.

Note: Batteries are not included."

And I quote "batteries not uncluded". Why would canon not make this pack rechargable?

[snibbetsj]

I use the Duracell 2050 mAh NiMH AA rechargeables I get at Wal-mat. Not that expensive and work extremely well.

[Curtis N]

NiMH batteries are a wonderful improvement over alkalines, but they have one drawback: they don't hold a charge. In storage, they discharge about 1% per day (so I've read). For this reason, they aren't suited for devices that sit around a lot but are needed for emergencies (like smoke detectors and flashlights).

So the problem is, if your flash unit (and the NiMH batteries in it) has been sitting around for 3 months, you will need to recharge them before you do any shooting. The lithium batteries don't have this problem (though they are more expensive).

So it seems like Dante's question is, why don't they make flash units that take lithium battery packs like cameras? Good question!

[Dante King]

So it seems like Dante's question is, why don't they make flash units that take lithium battery packs like cameras? Good question!

Damn it was late last night. This is exactly what I was trying to say! Im a DORK!

Well WHY?

[markubig]

i've got 4 sets of Energizer 2500 mAh NiMH. also got an Energizer 15-minute charger, so even if they've been sitting around for a while, it doesn't take long to get them charged back up. Bought them all form Best Buy.

[robertwgross]

Whether it is an alkaline primary battery, a lithium primary battery, a NiCd or NiMH rechargeable, or a lithium-ion rechargeable, every battery type has its pros and cons.

Primary batteries tend to have extremely low self-discharge rates. Rechargeable batteries are reusable. Some batteries are good for high-current. Some batteries are good for a flat discharge curve. Some are good for low temperatures. Some are cheap to manufacture. Others are good for something.

Each type is different. So, the user simply has to make a decision on type based on his or her own priorities. Canon is probably not going to design a product that uses batteries that are just plain wrong for the application.

---Bob Gross---

[Dante King]

Well then Bob, I can infer from your post that the reason canon does not make a flash with a clip on recharge is that this type of battery is not the best for the job?

[lostdoggy]

I personally prefer carrying around rechargable AA then to have to carry around dedicated batteries. My reasoning for this is that its always easier to find a store to buy a fresh pack or two of AA then to find an outlet to plug in a charger to charge up that dedicated battery. Especially when you are out in the Boondocks.

Hotpockets: Microwave sandwich, like lean pockets.

[robertwgross]

Well then Bob, I can infer from your post that the reason canon does not make a flash with a clip on recharge is that this type of battery is not the best for the job?

No.

The last time that I checked, Canon was not in the business of manufacturing batteries.

---Bob Gross---

[Dante King]

No.

The last time that I checked, Canon was not in the business of manufacturing batteries.

---Bob Gross---

This I know.

But I am still looking for more data on why don't they make flash units that take lithium battery packs like cameras?

[crc_408]

Canon does sell the " Transistor Pack E Ni-Cd "

" The Canon Transistor Pack E Ni-Cad Set comes with everything a professional photographer needs for a quality external flash power system. Combining a large amount of additional power with portability, the Transistor Pack E is compatible with the Canon Speedlite 430EZ, 480EG, 540EZ, 550EX, and MR-14EX flashes. The set includes a semi-hard case, rechargeable Canon Ni-Cad Pack TP and charger, as well as the Canon Battery Magazine TP and Connecting Cord ET. "

Pricey...

I got the " Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 " which holds six AA of my choice. Works nicely with the 550EX.

[robertwgross]

But I am still looking for more data on why don't they make flash units that take lithium battery packs like cameras?

As I stated previously, different kinds of batteries have different characteristics. Some kinds are good for high current, some are good for low current, some are good for constant voltage, some are good for low temperature, etc.

By "lithium battery packs", I assume you mean a lithium ion battery pack like a BP-511.

That would not be my first choice of battery type for a high current device like a flash unit.

For a flash unit, I would think that NiCd, NiMH, and similar types would serve better.

---Bob Gross---