CP-E4

I have a CP-E4 Power pack on a 580EX II, and only get about 250 shots out of the batteries in the flash. The batteries in the pack are fine. I take some batteries out of the pack and but them in the flash and I can keep shooting. I shoot weddings and this is the reason for the pack. I have the CF 12 set to 1. I am using Sanyo Eneloop's in the pack and a different brand in the flash. I was told that the batteries in the flash are just to run the electronics, they should last a lot longer then that. What am I doing wrong?

I use different brands at times, but they're always the same Ni-MH 2700 mAh. The pack doesn't work properly with the head if you mix up the battery type, but I don't know from your post if you are mixing types fo battery along with brand. Just a thought.

Although the Eneloops will hold a charge for a long time when not in use, they are a lower mah than standard Ni-MH batteries you can get.

I have some Eneloops and some 2700 mAh PowerEXs. Ive never counted the exact number of shots, but I know I can get 50 to 100% more shots with the PowerEXs than I can with the Eneloops. Full power recycles are faster with the PowerEXs also.

I don't know if they are the same or not. I will have to look when I get home.
But what you are saying is that it is best to use the same in the flash and the pack? If I but eneloop's in the flash it should be ok?

I wouldn't think different battery brands would be an issue. I assume the CF you mention sets the flash head to charge only from the pack.

I would expect FAR more flashes than 250, I have my 580 charge from both the CP-E3 and the internal batteries and it lasts all day, probably 600+ shots per camera, and the batteries still indicate full.

I would suggest using different batteries. Get Powerex 2700mah batteries and a Maha C9000 charger from http://www.thomas-distributing.com/index​.htm

I looked last night and the batteries in the flash, they are 2900 mAh and the eneloop's are 2000 mAh. I have got 4 more eneloop's and will try them at the wedding I am shooting this week end. Will let you know what happens.
Thanks for the help.

It's a case of crappy batteries. You should be getting an average of about 800-1100 on an attached E4 - provided the power needed for the job. I'd get all PowerEx if I were doing rechargables. Personally, I don't use rechargables. They're just too unpredictable to me. I know I can spend $18-22 on the way to a wedding/event and I've got about 800-1200 blasts from my two 580's and E4's. The price is covered in the job. I just hate rechargables due to too many bad experiences.

Just to get some common culprits out of the way:

Are all of your batteries properly charged, both the ones for the power pack and in the flash?

Is the CP-E4 properly attached to the flash? The red indicator light on the CP-E4 comes on when it's properly connected.

What kind of light conditions are you shooting in? If you're firing full- or near-full-power flash every time you'll get less pops out of a set of batteries.


I've used the CP-E4 + 580EX II combo for a few weddings, and for sure have gotten a lot more than 250 shots, even shooting at night. I use Powerex 2700 mAh AAs all around.

amonline wrote in post #5650447
It's a case of crappy batteries. You should be getting an average of about 800-1100 on an attached E4 - provided the power needed for the job. I'd get all PowerEx if I were doing rechargables. Personally, I don't use rechargables. They're just too unpredictable to me. I know I can spend $18-22 on the way to a wedding/event and I've got about 800-1200 blasts from my two 580's and E4's. The price is covered in the job. I just hate rechargables due to too many bad experiences.

Rechargables have worked perfectly for me over the last 5 years photographing weddings.

I've never bought anything other than rechargeables.

I've no real problems with rechargeables and don't hate them but I'm still considering going back to alkalines. Recharging is simply annoying and like amonline said...the cost is more than paid for by the job.

tim wrote in post #5651993
Rechargables have worked perfectly for me over the last 5 years photographing weddings.

Yea, I know... we had that talk elsewhere.

But in all seriousness - I wouldn't tell people not to consider them. I have a friend that uses PowerEx and I've seen them work. Recharging's a hassle, nuisance and forgettable. Batteries are easily picked up the day/morning before a shoot and I don't have to worry about anything except chunking them afterwards. And yes, they're paid for. IMO For me anyway.

I have never seen a red light on the pack, did not know it had one. where is it? I have the cord coming from the pack attached to the flash and the CM 12 set to 1.

I cant remember how many flashes I got with the 580exII and the CP-E4 attached, it just goes on and on..

cbrown wrote in post #5652151
I have never seen a red light on the pack, did not know it had one. where is it? I have the cord coming from the pack attached to the flash and the CM 12 set to 1.

Um, why are you setting the CF12 to external only? It should be left at "0". [assuming you are using batteries in the 580 as well] It will automatically draw/add the external power to the onboard power.

There is a red light next to where the cord goes in.