Eneloop Pro batteries for speedlite

Seem like not worth it it if one would have to wait even if its a few minutes after certain shots.

firme wrote in post #18730669
Seem like not worth it it if one would have to wait even if its a few minutes after certain shots.

John from PA wrote in post #18729894
One caution is when firing on continuous; after 20 shots it is recommended you allow the speedlight to cool for 10 minutes.

Key word is continuous. The bulb in the speedlight can get quite hot on a rapid fire sequence, hence the need to allow some cool down. If you are firing off images at several times a minute, it may not be a consideration. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with a wedding photog and the topic came around to the use of multiple cameras. As well as differing lenses for different perspectives, she would rotate between them to provide some cool down.

firme wrote in post #18730669
Seem like not worth it it if one would have to wait even if its a few minutes after certain shots.

Ten year ago too many photographers would 'melt' (not literally; but cause thermal failure) their 580EX flash units, and find them irrepairable by even Canon. So Canon put in thermal protection circuit into the 580EXII to force photographers to slow down, by deliberately slowing the recycle time of a hot flash unit. Such is the weakness of a speedlight with its flash tube 'enclosed' and not freely exposed to outside air for cooling.

Film cameras and speedlights are better suited for each other...exposures 'cost' film, and are not 'free' as most digital shooters think. And having to change rolls of film every 36 shots would give flash units more time to cool off.
... whereas the digital photographer can blast away continuously for 800 shots before needing to change battery. The days of digital created photographic situations that did not exist when blasting away at 5+ fps for dozens of shots never happened. Now speedlights need to be 'protected' from abusive shooters.

Well even at the price of the pack is not bad, would be food for thought. Not sure if this is a dumb question, but knowing that it uses 8 batteries would eneloop batteries make a difference vs if I were to just use new bought energizer batteries? Not asking for a test either for those eager to comment on "another test", lol.

The 580ex does get hot after a while of using it. Just sucks that I just can't put it down to cool down when its in use at an event. Unless I just purchase another speedlite. Come to think of it, I saw one for $80 on let go or something like that. That could be my alternative perhaps, to let one cool down while another is in use. Unless I get a level higher than the 580ex, depending on cost.

firme wrote in post #18730946
Well even at the price of the pack is not bad, would be food for thought. Not sure if this is a dumb question, but knowing that it uses 8 batteries would eneloop batteries make a difference vs if I were to just use new bought energizer batteries? Not asking for a test either for those eager to comment on "another test", lol.

That link I provided for a $49 (used, excellent condition unit is a good price, but I personally wouldn't spend the list $220 for a new unit as I really don't have a need, and that is the question you have to ask yourself. Eneloop or energizer isn't going to make that much of a difference to the flash but the recycle time is shorter with the power pack. I personally have never run down a set of batteries as I always have three sets with me, one of which is in the flash, two sets in my bag and I rotate them out at about 50% capacity.

I also have a couple of sets ready with me as well. Mine does heat up, but then again maybe I just click one too many times. LOL.

firme wrote in post #18730946
Not sure if this is a dumb question, but knowing that it uses 8 batteries would eneloop batteries make a difference vs if I were to just use new bought energizer batteries? Not asking for a test either for those eager to comment on "another test", lol.

When you use an 8-cell pack (and I have one but no longer use it), everything performs better, i.e., more flash pops and faster recycle time regardless of which brand you use.

Where it makes a big difference is that eneloop doesn't get as hot as Energizer and shelf life AND life expectancy are MUCH longer. Energizer, due to memory effect, self-drains really fast whereas eneloop's shelf life is one of the longest because it doesn't suffer from the memory effect. You won't notice this right away, but you'll quickly find that out after going through several charges.

Regarding purchasing either the pack or another unit.... The reason why I have the pack but no longer use it is because I was so impressed with the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on R2 TTL On-Camera Flash Speedlight For Canon when it first came out that I never went back to using both the pack and my other 580EXII units except as additional or as backups. Using this Flashpoint unit is like having a 580EXII tethered to the pack but inside the flash unit itself both in terms of the number of flash pops you get as well as the fast recycle time. Flashpoint uses a single Li-ion battery that yields 650 flash pops at full power (and yes, I did this test, too) at consistently fast recycle time. Without having to fumble with multiple "AA" cells.

I’ve switched to Fujitsu rechargeable since they are made in Japan not China. Newegg had some great deals for them a ways back. Not sure the price today. I’ve got a bunch of them aaa and aa. I’m quite happy with Fujitsu.

Wilt wrote in post #18730906
Ten year ago too many photographers would 'melt' (not literally; but cause thermal failure) their 580EX flash units, and find them irrepairable by even Canon. So Canon put in thermal protection circuit into the 580EXII to force photographers to slow down, by deliberately slowing the recycle time of a hot flash unit. Such is the weakness of a speedlight with its flash tube 'enclosed' and not freely exposed to outside air for cooling.

Film cameras and speedlights are better suited for each other...exposures 'cost' film, and are not 'free' as most digital shooters think. And having to change rolls of film every 36 shots would give flash units more time to cool off.
... whereas the digital photographer can blast away continuously for 800 shots before needing to change battery. The days of digital created photographic situations that did not exist when blasting away at 5+ fps for dozens of shots never happened. Now speedlights need to be 'protected' from abusive shooters.

True.

I’ve even burned out a pair of Metz 32 speedlights and was shooting macro with a medium format Rolleiflex. Changed film every 12 shots. It was an all day product shoot.

I still have those Metz units. Tubes are nice and blackened. Small units but they really worked hard that day.

Nowdays - I use Elinchrom strobes. No more “toys” for me. Only occasionally.

SYS wrote in post #18730984
Where it makes a big difference is that eneloop doesn't get as hot as Energizer and shelf life AND life expectancy are MUCH longer. Energizer, due to memory effect, self-drains really fast whereas eneloop's shelf life is one of the longest because it doesn't suffer from the memory effect. You won't notice this right away, but you'll quickly find that out after going through several charges.

And what is the source for the information. I have a set of Eneloops (2-years old), a set of Energizers (1-year old), and an ancient set I salvaged out of an old Kodak camera. In average use, say a wedding I did about two weekends back, I didn't notice any significant difference in temperatures. Certainly none were excessively hot as I popped them out. I would also say that the Eneloops and Energizers yield approximately a similar number of shots. My comments are certainly not based on controlled testing, but nothing leaps out in usage that would make me swear off the Energizers.

John from PA wrote in post #18731681
And what is the source for the information. I have a set of Eneloops (2-years old), a set of Energizers (1-year old), and an ancient set I salvaged out of an old Kodak camera. In average use, say a wedding I did about two weekends back, I didn't notice any significant difference in temperatures. Certainly none were excessively hot as I popped them out. I would also say that the Eneloops and Energizers yield approximately a similar number of shots. My comments are certainly not based on controlled testing, but nothing leaps out in usage that would make me swear off the Energizers.

When I was doing the controlled battery tests, I took notice of how hot each brand was to hold them in the palm of my hands at the end of each test. Most brands were warm except I couldn't even hold Energizer cells in fear of burning my palm. I don't know how frequently you've used your Energizer, but if the use was frequent during 1 year period, one area where Energizer should make you notice is how quickly it self drains. If not, I'd be very surprised.

They are not used continuously as to say per x times per month or year but do notice when used after being recharged and store until next use they wear out fairly quick. So I have a tendency to charge two days before being used. Also, they do get hot as well when used on the speedlite. I try and use old energizer batteries on two PWII. As they don't consume, I don't worry about those as much. As mentioned, I always have extras just in case those hold no more charge and always carry my charger just in case too.

Going back to what I understood was being asked by the OP, regarding batteries.

I've slowly been replacing my AA and AAA with Ikea Ladda's -- I've been very impressed.

https://www.slrlounge.​com …-ladda-are-they-the-same/

Interesting. Thanks for the tip.
I also found some test numbers:
http://www.candlepower​forums.com …of-Ikea-Ladda-AA-2450mAh-
http://www.candlepower​forums.com …of-Ikea-Ladda-AAA-900mAh-

They indeed seem to deliver what they promise. The question remains, if they are similarly good in terms of low discharge....

Glad drmaxx found those links. Had read them a bit back too, just haven't made my way to Ikea to pick some up. (Good reminder-nudge.)

Most mine is table top use where I'm using two speedlites with the main 600RT-II at 1/16 to 1/32 and the secondary 580EX at 1/64 typically. At that level, these don't get very warm in a series.

The Fujitsu came up in another thread, I don't recall if that was on Candle Power Forums. The Fujitsu were reviewed favorably and production is in Japan.