Rechargable batteries for Strobes?

Anyone have any experience with rechargable batteries for Strobes like 580EX II etc?

Are they as fast as good "regular" batteries? (time in between flashes)
Do I get the same amount of flashes per charge?

Do the rechargable batteries keep their charge if not used for a couple of weeks or in worst case for a couple of months?


/Jocce

An alkaline cell has a higher voltage than any common rechargeable battery cell. Generally they are slightly over 1.5 volts D.C. and the rechargeable ones are close to 1.2 volts. Having a higher voltage, the alkaline cells may cycle a flash unit faster. But having said that, the cost of using one use batteries is cost prohibitive unless you really plan to just use the flash one or two times.

The newer rechargeable batteries such as Eneloop batteries claim they will hold most of their charge for extended periods of time. That brand and type of battery is the one that seems most recommended by photographers for flash use for those wishing to just use standard size batteries. If you are looking for the best performance though, the battery units made specially for flashes will give you better performance over simply using any rechargeable AA batteries.

Big discussion here years ago regarding Eneloop rechargeable batteries. I bought 2 sets and their charger about 8 years ago and have zero regrets.

The Eneloops hold their charge for a very long time and when popping the speedlights they recharge as quickly as the Duracells I used to use. Buy a set and you'll see.

Hi, I would guess that 95+% of people here use Eneloops or equiv NiMH cells in their Speedlites eg 580ExII (unless they've gone the Li route).

Re-cycling is much quicker than with Duracels because the internal resistance is lower.

Try them!

(But stick with Duracels for triggers.)

NiMH batteries have a faster recycle time than do Alkaline batteries.
A great read on this subject and all the is Speedlites, is Syl Arena's Speedliter's Handbook
Well laid out with visuals allowing a "Phobia" into something that you can absorb.

Nogo wrote in post #18242879
An alkaline cell has a higher voltage than any common rechargeable battery cell. Generally they are slightly over 1.5 volts D.C. and the rechargeable ones are close to 1.2 volts. Having a higher voltage, the alkaline cells will cycle a flash unit faster. But having said that, the cost of using one use batteries is cost prohibitive unless you really plan to just use the flash one or two times.

The newer rechargeable batteries such as Eneloop batteries claim they will hold most of their charge for extended periods of time. That brand and type of battery is the one that seems most recommended by photographers for flash use for those wishing to just use standard size batteries. If you are looking for the best performance though, the battery units made specially for flashes will give you better performance over simply using any rechargeable AA batteries.

This claim is not even close to true. In fact, it is exactly backwards. Common rechargeable batteries (NiMH) do operate at 1.2V vs 1.5V for standard batteries. NiMH batteries cycle the flash FASTER than standard batteries, not slower. This has something to do with the very low internal resistance of NiMH batteries. The voltage difference has nothing to do with the recycle time. If you need FAST RECYCLE TIMES, use NiMH rechargeable batteries.

I use 20 Eneloop AA batteries. They are as reliable as standard batteries when left just sitting in the flash for long periods (several weeks to a few months). Before a shoot, I recharge the batteries in the flash, and a spare set just in case. I have never needed the 'just in case' spares. That will vary depending on how, and how much, you shoot.

I use eneloop for everything in my home. Remote controls... foto stuff, meters. Haven't bought other batteries in a while. I like the Eneloop Pros too.

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

There's going to be an update to this 8-year-old test results soon.

Bassat wrote in post #18243036
This claim is not even close to true. In fact, it is backwards.

I should have stated "may" instead of "will." The point I was making was no matter the recharge time, the cost of using alkaline batteries is prohibitive.

I have not used alkalines in a flash since the 80's so I do not have experience between the two using the current type of batteries. Late at night I should have used more caution how I stated things.

Nogo wrote in post #18243301
I should have stated "may" instead of "will." The point I was making was no matter the recharge time, the cost of using alkaline batteries is prohibitive.

I have not used alkalines in a flash since the 80's so I do not have experience between the two using the current type of batteries. Late at night I should have used more caution how I stated things.

Thanks for the clarification. I only use alkaline batteries in things that don't play well with my Eneloops. All of my YN-622 stuff has alkaline batteries. They are expensive, relatively, but they do last a while.

In addition to the reasons already posted that rechargeable out perform Alkaline, another aspect is the performance curve.

When you install a set of Alkalines right out of the package, they may indeed put out more than 1.5 volts. However, the power begins to drop off almost immediately with use. As the charge drains the voltage drops, precipitously.

With NIMH that drop is far less of cliff,. and remains a flat voltage for some time and then voltage only really drops at the end of it's charge.

So not only do you get more than double the power/life of the battery, that power is at a good higher voltage for the entire life, and with less resistance for faster recycles.

SYS wrote in post #18243262
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=677074

There's going to be an update to this 8-year-old test results soon.

That would be awesome
Also, all the pics on first page seem to be gone

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18243786
That would be awesome
Also, all the pics on first page seem to be gone

I know, I wish I hadn't cleaned up Flickr, but after 8 years... With the photos I'm going to post on the new test results, though, I'll make sure they stay put.

How soon?

/Jocce

Interested as wel. Im an eneloop geek as well. Just google: chibim eneloop and you'll see.

Im very much interested in some new tests and im curious what batteries you are going to test SYS.