Canon 580EX II... Lithium or Alkaline Batteries

Ok, so I usually always go with lithium batteries for everything. I was wondering though is this best for the speedlights? They get extremely hot... almost un-touchable. Is this normal? Are alkalines better? What do you think?

Most people use rechargeable NiMH including myself. Eneloop brand of batteries are used by a lot of members here.
Yes, it's normal for the batteries to get hot.

There's a review that was posted here by a member about different brand of batteries. https://photography-on-the.net …=677074&highlig​ht=eneloop

They do get especially hot with a flash since they draw so much power. I haven't tried the eneloops yet, but I here thing but good comments on here.

I use Calumet Photographic brand NiMH batteries.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CJ0011/

These are the best I've used so far, and they are cheaper than Duracell brand. I just shot a wedding with these and probably got 300-400 flashes per set.

I've been using Lithium batteries in my flashes recently. Recycle time is faster and the batteries last longer, though the downside is they go in the bin at the end and each pack costs as much as a pack of rechargables NiMH. If you want quick recycle times with high power output then they are good, otherwise it's cheaper with rechargables.

Try Thomas distributing.
Get some imedion or eneloop and maha charger, and you will be happy for the rest of your life.

Lithium, faster load time and last longer.... cant comment on rechargables...

Eneloop, the do not lose their charge when stored, price wise the charger 8 AAs, 4 AAAs, several adapters and one charger is about $27.00 on Amazon as I type. With a few exceptions they rule. If you have to buy or use throwaway AAs Costco's Kirkland batteries are rated highly by Consumer Reports.

Lithium chemical batteries (not same as Li ion) are best used for long shelf life high reliability situations...like marine EPIRB transmitters which might sit unused for 8 years but have to work when the boat sinks at sea! High cost is secondary to reliable performance after long storage time.

Alkaline are cheap but have poor shelf life in comparison and, for flash, long recycle times.

NiMH is cheap due to the rechargeable nature of these, but have very poor (90 day) shelf depletion, while low self discharge NiMH does not have that disadvantage, and only slightly higher purchase price. Shortened recycle time for both, compared to alkaline, without the one-time usage high price of lithium chemistry batteries.

Wilt wrote in post #8713418
Lithium chemical batteries (not same as Li ion) are best used for long shelf life high reliability situations...like marine EPIRB transmitters which might sit unused for 8 years but have to work when the boat sinks at sea! High cost is secondary to reliable performance after long storage time.

Alkaline are cheap but have poor shelf life in comparison and, for flash, long recycle times.

NiMH is cheap due to the rechargeable nature of these, but have very poor (90 day) shelf depletion, while low self discharge NiMH does not have that disadvantage, and only slightly higher purchase price. Shortened recycle time for both, compared to alkaline, without the one-time usage high price of lithium chemistry batteries.

I have noticed the poor shelf life of my NiMH batteries, so I just make sure to put them all on the charger before I go out and shoot.

ryant35 wrote in post #8713491
I have noticed the poor shelf life of my NiMH batteries, so I just make sure to put them all on the charger before I go out and shoot.

Buy some Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries!

For Speedlite flash use, it's definitely cost-effective to go with NiMH rechargeables rather than any disposables. You get excellent performance with Powerex 2700's in terms of number of flash pops and recycle times. But these are not LSD (Low Self-Discharge) batteries so you just need to be mindful of when to recharge them. If you'd prefer LSD rechargeable batteries, I'd highly recommend either Powerex Imedions or eneloops. I use both types (Powerex 2700's and LSD batteries) depending on my shooting needs and, for non-photography related stuff, what applications.

Definitely NiMH rechargeables!

Wilt wrote in post #8713499
Buy some Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries!

I don't think of that as a downside, it's just how they work. I wouldn't shoot anything important without charging all my batteries even if I had eneloops.

I'll wait until my 6 sets of Calumet brand wear out, because they work great so far.

I used disposable lithiums for the last time this past weekend. Just purchased 12 Powerex AA 2700mAh Rechargeable NiMH Batteries along with the Maha Powerex MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer.

Sorry... old thread but wanted to ask about these batteries:

http://www.amazon.com …-1&keywords=tenergy+145​00

The voltage per pieces is 3.7 which is crazy high compared to normal. Would I fry my flash with 4 of these puppies? I read someone somewhere saying he used 1 of these and 3 regular batteries (with a nikon flash) and got much better recycle times.

Thoughts? Anyone tried this?