580EX Battery Question

20D_Newbie · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Well the Big Brown truck just delivered my 580EX from BH Photo!!!

The manual says (4) AA alkaline batteries but is there any advantage to using something like the Photo Lithium series from Energizer? I have a portable DAT recorder that runs about an hour or so on alkaline that will run over 3 hours on the Photo Lithium AA batteries.

Any ideas?

Ronald S. Jr. · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Well lithium definitely runs longer, but if you get some NimH you can recharge them, and they also last significantly longer than alkaline. Plus, you can recharge them in 15 minutes. Look for energizer 2500 mAh AA's. Silver, black, and lime green markings.

Lithium is just too expensive for disposables, imo.

Jon · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Never actually run a comparison between the alkaline and Li AAs in a flash, but the lithiums will give you faster flash recycle times. Flash battery consumption is more like digital camera consumption, and the higher peak current load is a significant advantage. Of course, rechargeable NiMH cells will also give you the faster recycle time,and cost significantly less than either of the disposables over the life of trhe flash.

snibbetsj · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald S. Jr.

Well lithium definitely runs longer, but if you get some NimH you can recharge them, and they also last significantly longer than alkaline. Plus, you can recharge them in 15 minutes. Look for energizer 2500 mAh AA's. Silver, black, and lime green markings.

Lithium is just too expensive for disposables, imo.

Definitely agree. You can get NimH about $2.50 apiece and recharge 'em a bunch of times. I've got some I know I've charged at least 15 times and they still work like new. I fully expect to be able to recharge at least 100 times before they're dead.

20D_Newbie · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I actually have some Panasonic 2100mAh Ni-MH batteries that I forgot about. I will give them a try.

Doom1701e · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I just bought some of the Energizer rechargables mentioned earlier (2500 mAh) at Worst Buy for $14.99 or you can get the rapid charger and 4 batteries for $30 on sale right now. I have been using some Energizer rechargable 2100 mAh batteries for the last year in my 420EX and they have been great. Go for the rechargables, you will save alot of money in the long run.

snibbetsj · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

My local Wal-Mart has a 4-pack of Duracell 2300maH with a charger for $18.00. Add an eight pack of like Duracells for $9.98 and you'll be set for several hundred shots.

Ronald S. Jr. · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Be aware, though. The "regular" charger takes several hours to charge. I use the 15-minute charger. I don't much care if it eventually kills the batteries (which is what some have said). When it does, I'll buy more.

netadmin22 · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I am not an expert but I had a bad experience with a 15 minute charger. It overheated the batteries and they leaked in my flash. BEWARE. Not all rechargeables can be used in a 15 minute charger. I disposed of the fast charger and now use a one hour charger.

20D_Newbie · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I was a Sam's Club and saw a package of Energizers 2500mAh Ni-MH batteries. It was a slow charger, 8 AA and 4 AAA for $25. Seemed like a deal so I picked it up and they are charging now!!!

Ronald S. Jr. · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Good job.

tim · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I hope you mean 2500mah

Slow chargers are better for the batteries so good call there.

20D_Newbie · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

Oops!!!! I fixed it. It was a typo, they were 2500mAh.

Ronald S. Jr. · 29th of December 2005 (Thu)

I just assumed..

malla1962 · 30th of December 2005 (Fri)

I use energizer 2500mah in my 580 and they seem to last forever.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#1
20D_Newbie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 636 IMAGE EDITING OK	580EX Battery Question Well the Big Brown truck just delivered my 580EX from BH Photo!!! The manual says (4) AA alkaline batteries but is there any advantage to using something like the Photo Lithium series from Energizer? I have a portable DAT recorder that runs about an hour or so on alkaline that will run over 3 hours on the Photo Lithium AA batteries. Any ideas? __________________ Canon EOS 7D with BG-E7 battery grip, EOS 40D with BG-E2 battery grip, Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS, Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 300mm F4L IS, EF 400mm F5.6L, EF-S 17-40mm F4.0L, Canon Speedlite 580EX

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#2
Ronald S. Jr. Prodigal "Brick" Layer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sayre, Pennsylvania Posts: 16,187	Re: 580EX Battery Question Well lithium definitely runs longer, but if you get some NimH you can recharge them, and they also last significantly longer than alkaline. Plus, you can recharge them in 15 minutes. Look for energizer 2500 mAh AA's. Silver, black, and lime green markings. Lithium is just too expensive for disposables, imo. __________________ Mac users swear by their computers. PC users swear at theirs.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#3
Jon Moderator Cocker Spaniel Mod Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kensington, MD USA Posts: 65,111	Re: 580EX Battery Question Never actually run a comparison between the alkaline and Li AAs in a flash, but the lithiums will give you faster flash recycle times. Flash battery consumption is more like digital camera consumption, and the higher peak current load is a significant advantage. Of course, rechargeable NiMH cells will also give you the faster recycle time,and cost significantly less than either of the disposables over the life of trhe flash. __________________ Jon ---------- EOS, Powershot and Domke - it doesn't get any better than this! T90 and stuff \| F-1n, New F-1, FTb and more stuff out on loan Cocker Spaniels Maryland and Virginia activities *DC Cherry Blossoms* Image Posting Rules and Image Posting FAQ Report SPAM, Don't Answer It! (link) PERSONAL MESSAGING REGARDING SELLING OR BUYING ITEMS WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO POSTS IN FORUMS AND/OR WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW FROM FORUMS IS HEREBY DECLARED STRICTLY STUPID AND YOU WILL GET BURNED.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#5
20D_Newbie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 636 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 580EX Battery Question I actually have some Panasonic 2100mAh Ni-MH batteries that I forgot about. I will give them a try. __________________ Canon EOS 7D with BG-E7 battery grip, EOS 40D with BG-E2 battery grip, Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS, Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 300mm F4L IS, EF 400mm F5.6L, EF-S 17-40mm F4.0L, Canon Speedlite 580EX

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#6
Doom1701e Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: ©@Ŀϊf¤ŗПιǻ Posts: 1,241	Re: 580EX Battery Question I just bought some of the Energizer rechargables mentioned earlier (2500 mAh) at Worst Buy for $14.99 or you can get the rapid charger and 4 batteries for $30 on sale right now. I have been using some Energizer rechargable 2100 mAh batteries for the last year in my 420EX and they have been great. Go for the rechargables, you will save alot of money in the long run. __________________ www.firemaplephotography.com Gear List

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#7
snibbetsj Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 819	Re: 580EX Battery Question My local Wal-Mart has a 4-pack of Duracell 2300maH with a charger for $18.00. Add an eight pack of like Duracells for $9.98 and you'll be set for several hundred shots. __________________ Jeff Stebbins

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#8
Ronald S. Jr. Prodigal "Brick" Layer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sayre, Pennsylvania Posts: 16,187	Re: 580EX Battery Question Be aware, though. The "regular" charger takes several hours to charge. I use the 15-minute charger. I don't much care if it eventually kills the batteries (which is what some have said). When it does, I'll buy more. __________________ Mac users swear by their computers. PC users swear at theirs.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#9
netadmin22 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 80	Re: 580EX Battery Question I am not an expert but I had a bad experience with a 15 minute charger. It overheated the batteries and they leaked in my flash. BEWARE. Not all rechargeables can be used in a 15 minute charger. I disposed of the fast charger and now use a one hour charger.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#10
20D_Newbie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 636 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 580EX Battery Question I was a Sam's Club and saw a package of Energizers 2500mAh Ni-MH batteries. It was a slow charger, 8 AA and 4 AAA for $25. Seemed like a deal so I picked it up and they are charging now!!! __________________ Canon EOS 7D with BG-E7 battery grip, EOS 40D with BG-E2 battery grip, Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS, Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 300mm F4L IS, EF 400mm F5.6L, EF-S 17-40mm F4.0L, Canon Speedlite 580EX Last edited by 20D_Newbie : 29th of December 2005 (Thu) at 22:24.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#11
Ronald S. Jr. Prodigal "Brick" Layer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sayre, Pennsylvania Posts: 16,187	Re: 580EX Battery Question Good job. __________________ Mac users swear by their computers. PC users swear at theirs.

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#12
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,898 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 580EX Battery Question I hope you mean 2500mah Slow chargers are better for the batteries so good call there. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#13
20D_Newbie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 636 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 580EX Battery Question Oops!!!! I fixed it. It was a typo, they were 2500mAh. __________________ Canon EOS 7D with BG-E7 battery grip, EOS 40D with BG-E2 battery grip, Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS, Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L, EF 300mm F4L IS, EF 400mm F5.6L, EF-S 17-40mm F4.0L, Canon Speedlite 580EX

29th of December 2005 (Thu)	#14
Ronald S. Jr. Prodigal "Brick" Layer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sayre, Pennsylvania Posts: 16,187	Re: 580EX Battery Question I just assumed.. __________________ Mac users swear by their computers. PC users swear at theirs.

30th of December 2005 (Fri)	#15
malla1962 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Walney Island,cumbria,uk Posts: 7,713	Re: 580EX Battery Question I use energizer 2500mah in my 580 and they seem to last forever. __________________ Gear List

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