Canon CP-E4 Speedlite Compact Battery Pack

I am comtemplating in getting an external compact battery pack - Canon CP E41 (hope I got the numbers correct) which can hold 8 niMH AA Batteries.

I understand this use of an external pack will enable us to shoot using flash on multi shots. Is there anyone who is using it with his flash as I would like to know if there is any advantage in putting extra weight in your pocket and witht the wire dangling out of it into your flash. And also would it shorten the recharging time.

Peter
Shoot first, talk later!

Which pocket did you have in mind. The pack is a little too big to fit into a shirt pocket. And it's probably too long to fit into your pants pocket, too. The best way to carry the power battery pack is in a photo vest pocket, or slung over your shoulder with a strap (not included), or attached to your belt (the pack case has a belt loop).

The recharging time is between 1 to 2 seconds (depending on the freshness of the batteries).

I must look at that actually.

I just shot 74 JPEG M1 1/250sec @ƒ4 800ISO at a subject about five feet away ~ 10FPS, 74 shots and this combo kept up ~ I did not think it was this good ~

How fast depends many things, it is possible to set it so the flash never gives up.

Peter Ho wrote in post #4665516
I am comtemplating in getting an external compact battery pack - Canon CP E41 (hope I got the numbers correct) which can hold 8 niMH AA Batteries.!

GerBee wrote in post #4666184
I must look at that actually.

I just shot 74 JPEG M1 1/250sec @ƒ4 800ISO at a subject about five feet away ~ 10FPS, 74 shots and this combo kept up ~ I did not think it was this good ~

How fast depends many things, it is possible to set it so the flash never gives up.

whew, that is impressive, so your speedlite was firing @ 10 fps?

Presumably, but actually I don't know, 1/250 sec and the camera was set to full speed, 10FPS ~ But I think you only really actually get the full 10FPS @1/500 sec ... but yes 74 images and it was I who stopped, and they are all exposed correctly.

scot079 wrote in post #4666364
whew, that is impressive, so your speedlite was firing @ 10 fps?

Look at my post here : https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=429904

I used that pack and shot wedding all day with out change any batteries .For my gig ...yup ...it's heavy hell ....but I had no problem with weight .

If you know how to control your flash manual mode (1/4-1/2 power) ...it's last about 500-600 shot .

Thanks guys, I think it is worth the investment and having not to worry about whether the flash would recycle fast enough for the next shot.

Btw I wonder how many mutiple shots I would be able to get shooting on raw on a 5D. The 5D is only capable of 3 fp sec. Guess that would be enough. Anyway would like to know whether when you shot at mutiple frames, was the flash set at ETTL or at fill in setting?

I just spoke to someone today that got a CP-E4 and she absolutely loves it and says the recycle times are very fast and battery life is excellent.

I used my tac-ops vest to carry the battery pack. The pocket that is used to carry my .45 fits perfectly.

So irresistable! Have put in an order for the battery pack. So now waiting for its arrival.

How much do they go for?

They a lot less expensive in your side of the world than over here!

I use mine on a belt, but I would show caution when trying to fire your flash at that rate, you could easily fry the head of your unit!

TJ

TeeJay makes a really good point because after getting the battery pack, the limiting factor is no longer the power, but the flash's temperature. After getting the CP-E4, I did a lot of fast shooting and found that the flash would simply not fire after 10-15 consecutive fires. It says in the manual to not fire off more than 10 consecutive so it seems Canon designed the flashes that way. If you normally just shoot a few bursts at a time or need more battery life, then this is for you (although for battery life, I'd rather change batteries than have to lug that thing around).

I have three 580EX IIs so when one shuts down, I grab another, which means you only have to stop shooting for about 2 minutes instead of the 10 it takes for the flash to cool down.

PS: If you do a search, you'll find some more info on recycling, etc. I asked this question a while back and another forum member was kind enough to do a bunch of tests.

Here it is:
https://photography-on-the.net …?t=353629&highl​ight=cp-e4

I've use my pack since before Christmas with new Eneloop batteries, I did the 74 shot yesterday on JPEG and today full power, One Two Thousand, Two Two Tho... ~recharged!!!

SunTsu wrote in post #4674145
PS: If you do a search, you'll find some more info on recycling, etc. I asked this question a while back and another forum member was kind enough to do a bunch of tests.