nimh batteries for 580EX II

Which batteries would you guys suggest for my dual canon 580exii's....

i was thinking 2600mAH batteries but i don't want to hurt my presious flashes... i cannot afford the expensive packs...

most will chime in with Enloops here. Personally I use 2300mAH Energizers because they were on sale cheap and got 4 sets.

dtufino wrote in post #12313331
i was thinking 2600mAH batteries but i don't want to hurt my presious flashes

mAh is just a measure of how much capacity the batteries have... i.e. how long they'll last, how many pops you'll get before you have to recharge them.

The voltage on NiMh is the same regardless of the mAH capacity. They're actually ~1.2v compared to alkaline 1.5v. You won't hurt your flash by using batteries with a larger mAh.

There are NiZn AA batteries that have higher voltage (1.6v to 1.8v). I've used NiZn, and they do allow shorter cycle times between pops, but they die quicker, so I went back to NiMh eneloops.

Once I tried eneloops I have not looked back. I love their lifespan and the slow discharge feature makes them a great fit for me.

Pretty much everyone's going to recommend eneloops.
They have a lower internal resistance which means they can dump current quicker than other NiMhs into the capacitors that feed the flash, so quicker flash cycle times.

I don't do the paparazzi thing, so fast cycle time isn't an important factor for me.
I have bought cheaper name brands with higher capacities (2700-2800mAhr) and I've been able to afford an extra set, so my overall 'pops before recharge' is higher... but I don't really use my flash a whole lot, so I chose on the side of value.

All NiMhs are similar, not the same. Super high performance is nice, but I live on a dirt road and I'm not involved in competitive motorsport.. so I haven't bought a Ferrari.

its pretty simple.

you have these basic ratings. the higher the rating, the more flash pops/power you will get out of it, but less shelf life

2700's
2400's
2000's

I just choose the Imedion 2400's. Good compromise. More power then the Eneloops, but don't have to worry that if I didn't charge them in 2 weeks they will be dead like the 2700's. They are said to retain 85% full charge even after a 1 year shelf life....

eneloops

Was just looking at the Ansmann 2850mAh this morning
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …2850mAh_Recharg​eable.html
Seems to me as they have more power and cheaper then the eneloops
Be interested if people have used both and their thoughts

thanks for the update guys... i think I'll get some 2000mAH batteries and charge them!

to keep it simple i'll just buy the Canon ones:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …00_AA_NiMH_Batt​eries.html

The Speedlights are way, way too convenient to ever give up... but, the lifespam of AA cells is a bit short for my taste. If one was to seek an battery based external power source for the 580ex, 580exII and 430exII, what might be a good solution?

Thanks!

-b

Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E4

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Compact_Batter​y_Pack.html

The battery packs do help. I use eneloops in one of these and I like it better than the canon pack.
http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …l-Battery-Pack-for/Detail

Yea everyone will say Eneloops, but lets remember Eneloop is just Sanyo's brand name for Low self-discharge NiMH batteries . There lot and lot of others brands available.

Personally I just use normal 2700 mAh rechargeables, in a 580EX II and CP-E4.

Interesting! Somehow I missed the CP-E4. I'll have to go check it out.

Does't appear as though the 430exII's have an external power plug on them. Bummer!