Recommendation on batteries for Canon flash units

I have Canon 430EX and I noticed batteries I've been using would only last a day of minimal shooting (like 30 shots I suppose), is that normal? Can I use rechargeable batteries for the flash unit to cut down the cost on batteries?

Yes you can use rechargables. Look at Sanyo Eneloops, or any of the other low self discharge batteries. They will usually be sold as precharged rechargeables. That said, you should be getting more than 30 shots from a set of fresh batteries.

Thanks for your recommendation, I am going to try them. I guess I should stop buying batteries from liquidators maybe therein lies my problem.

katiedaddy wrote in post #15890368
Thanks for your recommendation, I am going to try them. I guess I should stop buying batteries from liquidators maybe therein lies my problem.

That could be an issue. Keep in mind that traditional rechargables dont store well. If you charge them and then try to use them a week or more later you may find they have lost a great deal of their power.

Sanyo Eneloops gets my vote also! they're affordable and work wonders.

I use Sanyo Eneloops for my Pocket Wizards which are good for steady power devices. For high power things like flashes, I use the Powerex 2700maH. They have a low discharge, 1% per day. I've charged them and put them in the flash a month later and still had almost full power.

With rechargeables its very important to do two things. Get good batteries and a good charger. I use Powerex's charger that cycles the batteries for two days to condition them and it works very well, gives you reliable batteries.

I was not have very good luck with brand name batteries. I purchased them from Sam's Club in the largest package I could find. I tried Sanyo Eneloops and found they work MUCH better for me. I only have 2 speedlites and it can be several days or even weeks between use. Sanyo Eneloops are a much better battery for me. I am hoping to add the Powerex C801d charger soon, and 8 more Sanyo batteries.

duracells do fine, all the rest of the alkies.. don't compare. Sony Eneloops are the bomb (2000mAh)

I just bought 8 eneloops and their charger, now waiting game begins!
Thanks guys for all your valuable opinions.

This is a frequent question on this forum. Just read this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=677074

Enjoy! Lon

FlashZebra wrote in post #15891812
This is a frequent question on this forum. Just read this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=677074

Enjoy! Lon

Tough to beat the Powerex 2700maH, I've had very good luck with them and totally impressed. I was very leery about using rechargeables as I had used some a few years ago. But after doing the research and deciding on Powerex I couldn't be more pleased.

katiedaddy wrote in post #15890280
I have Canon 430EX and I noticed batteries I've been using would only last a day of minimal shooting (like 30 shots I suppose), is that normal? Can I use rechargeable batteries for the flash unit to cut down the cost on batteries?

Sanyo eneloops, definitely get > 500 + shots on a 430ex II, and they are nowhere near flat .
Maybe even get 1000 shots each set. Not sure as I just swap sets atthe end of each shoot say 5 hours with 3 hours traveling.

Main thing is they stay charged for weeks!

Thanks for the recommendation guys.
I received eneloops over the weekend and flash charge was rather instant versus typical 5 seconds charging time on regular batteries I've been using.

katiedaddy wrote in post #15902719
Thanks for the recommendation guys.
I received eneloops over the weekend and flash charge was rather instant versus typical 5 seconds charging time on regular batteries I've been using.

Yeah, that was quite shocking to me as well. When I started using flash, I knew i was wasting money on disposable batteries. I didn't think it could make such a big difference on recycle time, though.