7D Battery question (Canon Vs AA's)

I just recently received my gripped 7D. Got about half way thru a basketball game last night, and the Canon battery had one bar left (this is also after shooting 3 games before this night). So I got out the clip with 6 rechargeable AA's in it, and swapped them out. The camera wouldn't run the high speed shutter, it was shooting the regular continuous. So I changed those batteries out with 6 AA throw away batteries. Same thing, no high speed shutter. So, I put the Canon battery back in it, high speed shutter worked again. Has anyone else had a problem with this issue, or am I in this boat by myself?

I know this doesn't answer your question, but it helps me with mine... another reason not get get the battery grip.

drumsfield wrote in post #9674742
I know this doesn't answer your question, but it helps me with mine... another reason not get get the battery grip.

You can still use canon batteries with a grip?

Anyway OP, I can't say for sure but I don't think there's a problem, the batteries probably aren't powerful enough. The LP-E6 is 7.2V whereas a standard AA is 1.5V

AP64 wrote in post #9674247
I just recently received my gripped 7D. Got about half way thru a basketball game last night, and the Canon battery had one bar left (this is also after shooting 3 games before this night). So I got out the clip with 6 rechargeable AA's in it, and swapped them out. The camera wouldn't run the high speed shutter, it was shooting the regular continuous. So I changed those batteries out with 6 AA throw away batteries. Same thing, no high speed shutter. So, I put the Canon battery back in it, high speed shutter worked again. Has anyone else had a problem with this issue, or am I in this boat by myself?

I don't have a 7D but I have a few ideas on what might be going on. What kind of AA's were you using? Alkaline? It is possible Alkalines have too much internal resistance so the camera cannot shoot it's max speed.

It is also possible that it is a voltage thing? I've noticed (between my two different Canon cameras) the batteries are 7.4 volts. I also noticed my AA battery trays hold 6 AA's. Assuming they are two parallel sets of 3 AA's in series, the AA voltage comes out to be 4.5 which is on the low side compared to the Canon battery, thus possible not giving enough juice again.

drumsfield wrote in post #9674742
I know this doesn't answer your question, but it helps me with mine... another reason not get get the battery grip.

So you are saying it is better to not be able to pictures at all oppose to being able to take pictures and be limited?

themadman wrote in post #9674806
So you are saying it is better to not be able to pictures at all oppose to being able to take pictures and be limited?

No but it probably makes more sense to me to buy 3 extra Canon batteries instead of a $200 grip.

drumsfield wrote in post #9674871
No but it probably makes more sense to me to buy 3 extra Canon batteries instead of a $200 grip.

1. The grip proves 2 batteries at once you you can shoot for a long time without having to worry about batteries.

2. It proves a world of different in terms of comfort and ergonomics when you shoot in the vertical orientation.

3. The AA battery tray is very helpful when you are traveling and need batteries unexpectedly.

The battery grip is more of a professional's tool IMO. Many home users may not find the extra bulk and cost worth the benefits. It also depends what you shoot. I find my indispensable, but you may not find it as useful.

themadman wrote in post #9674893
1. The grip proves 2 batteries at once you you can shoot for a long time without having to worry about batteries.

2. It proves a world of different in terms of comfort and ergonomics when you shoot in the vertical orientation.

3. The AA battery tray is very helpful when you are traveling and need batteries unexpectedly.

The battery grip is more of a professional's tool IMO. Many home users may not find the extra bulk and cost worth the benefits. It also depends what you shoot. I find my indispensable, but you may not find it as useful.

That's good to know..

Since the 40D, Using AA Batteries limits the continuous AI-Servo burst rate of the camera to about 3FPS. It's a sort of power saving feature, as I believe continuous shooting to be very power intensive (perhaps why you can only do it at full speed on certain nikons with the right battery/booster pack). A 20D will happily rattle off 5FPS with AA Batteries.

I used AA's on my 50D once, and had the exact same problem. You'll notice, though, that in one-shot mode, you're able to achieve full 8FPS on the 7D and 6.3 on the 50D etc. Becauase when AI-Servo isn't enabled, the limit is removed.

Hope that sheds some light on it for you, and dont be deterred away from a battery grip. They are primarily to be used with canon battery packs. AA batteries are an option, but an emergency one at that.

One bar left? Keep shooting.

That one bar is worth about 300 pictures

In addition to what's mentioned above, I believe that bodies will not allow you to enable the sensor cleaning mode when using AA batteries (and also when the Li-Ion batteries have a low charge).

Sounds like I just need a spare Canon battery or 2, thanks guys.

Well, if you're shooting as a hobby, then I can sort of understand the reluctance of having spare batteries. But if you're shooting for pay (or the hope of people buying your photos), wouldn't it be wiser simply to have spares?

That or charge the battery overnight.

I'm gripped with 2 batteries and I always carry with me 2 spares. If I somehow drain all 4 batteries in a couple of days of shooting, then I need to take my finger off the shutter button. As you rummage through your hundreds (or even thousands) of photos, processing them on the computer and uploading them to your site, it sounds like the perfect time to recharge the battery.

jwcdds wrote in post #9675926
Well, if you're shooting as a hobby, then I can sort of understand the reluctance of having spare batteries. But if you're shooting for pay (or the hope of people buying your photos), wouldn't it be wiser simply to have spares?

That or charge the battery overnight.

I'm gripped with 2 batteries and I always carry with me 2 spares. If I somehow drain all 4 batteries in a couple of days of shooting, then I need to take my finger off the shutter button. As you rummage through your hundreds (or even thousands) of photos, processing them on the computer and uploading them to your site, it sounds like the perfect time to recharge the battery.

Heh, ditto. I have a set of 4 batteries for both my cameras. This way I will never run out!!

the AA holder really is a last resort backup that will get you threw until you can get real batteries again

I had a 20D and a 5D - both with the accessory grips. I tried the nimh rechargeables in both grips. Basically it was a waste of time. After about 50 shots on fully charged good batteries the camera would stop. I read my owners manual that came with the grips and Canon even says AA battery life is short and is to be considered for emergency use only. The grip it still a good idea as you can put in 2 lithium ion batteries for extended shooting. Plus when shooting in portrait mode the controls are in the proper location.