Flash batteries?

I've looked in stickies etc. and can't seem to find any info, but generally what bateries are best for flashes?
Ni-Mh and the higher capacity the better i assume, but what brands are best?

There are these on ebay which are 3200mAh but i'm unsure of the brand, being cheap may point to them being rubbish though...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …43445QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Any help will be great

One good source I have used is here: http://www.thomas-distributing.com …echargeable_bat​teries.php ($11.97 for pack of 4).

I have three set of 4 and used one set in my Sigma 500 DG Super for the better part of 2 hours at a dark wedding reception before the recharge times forced me to switch out to a second set. Finished the night with that set so I'm quite pleased with their performance.

I'm using Duracell NiMH 2650mAh batteries. I bought an 8 pack and I have a Duracell 15 minute charger that came with 4 NiMH 2400mAh batteries. I use the 2400's in my P&S and the 2 sets of 2650's rotate sets in my 580EX. I've never done direct comparisons in battery life but I get very good life from these Duracells. I see the Energizers recommended often as well.

I also use the Duracell NiMH 2650's, and they seem to work pretty well (but i have the crappy 8-hour charging unit). If im in a hurry and doubt that they are fully charged, Ill grab a few Engergizer Lithium E2's, which are a bit more expensive, but the battery life is great in the 580EX, and recycling times seem just a hair faster than with the Duracells. They are also quite a bit lighter than the NiMHs, so they are good for travel if you are going on an ounce-shaving camping trip or something.

I have the exact set up as robert, with the duricell rapid charger and have no problems with keeping up with small outings. I have a quantum pack which I use for weddings which gives me fast recycle and plenty of flashes....I may rethink the use of my duricells as they appear to be doing the job....I may stop with the battery pack and free myself from a cord!!

jcpoulin wrote in post #2488143
I have the exact set up as robert, with the duricell rapid charger and have no problems with keeping up with small outings. I have a quantum pack which I use for weddings which gives me fast recycle and plenty of flashes....I may rethink the use of my duricells as they appear to be doing the job....I may stop with the battery pack and free myself from a cord!!

It certainly depends on you usage. I don't shoot events but I do use my flash a lot. With the 2 sets of Duracells I am covered, and I do always have a spare set of alkalines to get me out of a jam (like that ever happens to me..lolol)

Recomend the Sanyo, I import them from Thomas Dist SANYO I also use the LaCrosse charger great combination

Col_M wrote in post #2487683
I've looked in stickies etc. and can't seem to find any info, but generally what bateries are best for flashes?
Ni-Mh and the higher capacity the better i assume, but what brands are best?

There are these on ebay which are 3200mAh but i'm unsure of the brand, being cheap may point to them being rubbish though...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …43445QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Any help will be great

Check out the Impact NiMh 2700mAh AA cells at B&H:

30 minute charger with 4 batteries is $34.95
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

10 additional batteries are $24.95
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

The charger is nice as it also comes with a cigarette lighter plug so you can recharge the batteries in your car and it also charges AAA batteries.
HTH,
Dan

Via POTN there was a link to a battery test, and the Energizer e2 came out on top, but the Powerex 2300 mAH NiMH came out a strong #2.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATT​S/BATTS.HTM

Then in researching chargers, the Maha 204 1-hour charger/conditioner was very highly rated, expecially since it did not require the 'wall wart' AC transformer.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/C204​W/C204WA.HTM

Thomas Distributing sells both the Maha charger and the Powerex batteries, in a combo pack with battery cases, carrying case for the charger and other things. Powerex batteries now come in 2700 mAH version!

I used Lenmar rechargeable batteries and haven't had any issues with them. Lenmar Website

Here is a good deal I think: (24) 2000mAH Lenmar Rechargeable Batteries for $29.10(including shipping)

I know that seems like an overkill but if you got over devices that uses AA batteries such as a CD player, cameras, etc, it seems like a good deal.

Or if you want venture out, you could try these:
- (20) 2650mAH Sunpack Rechargeable Batteries for $24.97(including shipping)
- (20) 2000mAH UltraLast for $24.88(including shipping)

I haven't tried the Sunpack nor the Ultralast. My local Fry's Electronic store carries both Lenmar and Ultralast but I used Lenmar before and I think they are great for the price.

In my opinion, this is a "six of one...." kind of thing. Unless you get duds almost any of the rechargeables and chargers will work well and it is obvious everyone is happy with whatever they own. The higher amperage gives longer life in any battery and testing will surely show performance differences, but for the most part, getting almost any high amperage brand with a charger (fast charger or not) is going to be more than fine. Where you buy them and how many you purchase will dictate pricing.

I bought a one hr. charger and 8 Energizer NiMH and 3 of the 8 batteries won't stay charged over 1 day before going to less than 1 volt without being used. Only had them about a month. Maybe 6 recharges.

Bought Duricell to replace them and they seem fine even after a week.

Well there's certainly lots of choices and it seems everyone has their own favourite. I'll just have a browse online and see what deals i can get
Cheers guys

Just as a final not i ended up getting a Uniross 15 minute fast charger and 8x 2300mAh batteries (4 were free)

Seem to work fine one thing i have noticed is that recycle times are significantly faster with Ni-MH cells compared to alkaline

I like the Energizer Lithium batteries, they cost more but last longer. I'm not sure if it works out to be more or less overall...I don't keep a flash count.