Have to brag a little bit

I recently got some cheapo rechargeable batteries from wal-mart, I can't think of the brand name, if they even have one.

anyway, I shoot cars for dealerships and in the last two days I've taken over 1200 photos with my S3 IS on the same set of batteries, without removing them or recharging them, and they still don't show to be low

I was really impressed with this, keeping in mind I only use the small viewfinder and the flash was used on maybe 30 shots, but still I think that's good, hopefully they'll keep going this well.

you should take a picture of the battery your using so we all can see what it look like i just got some rechargeable 2500 mAH batteries, just starting charing them and will see how they last, i don't buy anything beyond 2500 mAH.

rechargeables dont typically show low, they just show the i'm almost out sign at the worst possible time.

KoiBoy wrote in post #2522277
i don't buy anything beyond 2500 mAH.

What is the thinking here? Why not the bigger-the-better?

Bigger is better!!!

If the battery is blue/green (teal) then they are Digital Concept by Sakar. I use to use them but find they don't have many cycle in them before dieing I got them for about $3.99 for 4. Now I use Ultra Last silver color 2600mAH and I get them for $4.99 for 4. I usually carry at least 2 xtra set cause ext Flashes eats batteries like there is no tomorrow.

KoiBoy wrote in post #2522277
you should take a picture of the battery your using so we all can see what it look like i just got some rechargeable 2500 mAH batteries, just starting charing them and will see how they last, i don't buy anything beyond 2500 mAH.

lostdoggy wrote in post #2522590
Bigger is better!!!

If the battery is blue/green (teal) then they are Digital Concept by Sakar. I use to use them but find they don't have many cycle in them before dieing I got them for about $3.99 for 4. Now I use Ultra Last silver color 2600mAH and I get them for $4.99 for 4. I usually carry at least 2 xtra set cause ext Flashes eats batteries like there is no tomorrow.

Maybe I'm out of sync?

I use Energizer Ni-Mh marketed by the Everready Battery Company Inc but some are made in China (shiny silver) and some in Japan (matt silver). The printing is normal energizer Black - White and 2 shades of green. Does what you say apply to these batteries?

I've found some flashes do not like Ni-Mh they cant cope with the lower voltage, nothing to do with the mAh capacity of the battery.

i actually wanted to get 2700Mah batteries, but after carefully researching... (i always thought bigger is better, but i guess not always true).. here is the warning from a battery seller, they don't sell anything above 2500Mah and won't.

"Warning: Please don't try 2600mAh or above AA NiMH battery, you are risky on either unreal label or short cycle life and shelf life."

this notice came from a seller that i buy my batteries from and the batteries and done very well for me the past yr. HERE

i check in costco and other stores for brand name batteries and found they only had 2500Mah on them, the ones i found with 2700Mah were only on-line. but to be on the safe side i'm just sticking with 2500Mah.. it gets pretty hot when charing already with 2500Mah using standard charing time of about 3 hrs for 4x 2500Mah batteries, can't image how hot it would be with 2700Mah.

here is a article taking about which is the best 2700Mah.. and Sanyo seems to be the best and only choice for 2700Mah.

link HERE..

Thanks KoiBoy, I had a look at the links you provided.

I have Brand-X NiMh batteries in work from 1700 to 2500mAh and frankly found them to be rubbish. They were nearly always flat after 2days to a week.
All my home NiMhs were bought in Sams Club, they won't let me into CostCo
At home I always use Energizers 2500mAh (and I think I have some 2750's too even if Energizer don't seem to know they do them) and they all go like those pink bunnies! (THINKS: Is this the first/only time advertising was actually meaningful???)

From the Energizer web site i got this quote "The higher the capacity, the longer the battery will last between charges." which seems to go against what you are finding.

A bigger capacity battery should not get hotter when charged, they will just take longer to charge. If I was on e-Bay and only sold batteries up to 2600mAh I'd advise my customers not to try bigger ones too

Could you please tell me what HR labelled batteries mean? The thread you linked to mentions them but does not explain.

MaxZoom,

sorry i have no clue what HR label means.. i'm not that technically skilled but i did find another link about batteries..., and has for the heat.. basically after a good 3 hours of charging (2500mAh) it gets a bit 'warm' but after a few mints. after charging it cools to touch.

i was thinking the same.. higher capacity the better, but looks like the only one that can be trusted in the 2700mAH range and higher is SANYO batteries. i would trust the others.

Costco used to carry Sanyo batteries with charger (i got a few 2500mAH, works great haven't failed on me over 1yr ago.) now Costco only carries Duracell rechargeable $29 +/- (i think only 2400mAH, unless i'm wrong) and Sony w/ charger with refresh function $39 +/- (2500mAH)

here is an article on batteries and chargers...

wish i can help more. but i'm just going to stick with 2500mAH. Sanyo and the brand i recently got.

KoiBoy wrote in post #2529625
sorry i have no clue what HR label means..

No prob, just thought I'd ask - thanks.

KoiBoy wrote in post #2529625
but i'm just going to stick with 2500mAH. Sanyo and the brand i recently got.

I followed your link to another linkcomparing NiMh batteries it is a little bit out of date but interesting. According to them The Energizer batteries I've been using "by accident" seem to be top of their heap by a very small margin. Looks like going for a major brand like Sanyo or Energizer is the best way to avoid problem batteries.

Thanks for the extra info.8)