What battery option when traveling?

JimAndersson wrote in post #10017357
What's your impression of third party battery packs?

I don't think there are any exact replacements for the LP-E6 yet. There are a lot of 'unchipped" 3rd party batteries that require their own charger. These batteries will still power the camera but they won't be recognised by the 7d to show remaining battery capacity, shutter count (related to the battery) and recharge performance. Also you can't use the 3rd party charger to charge your original lp-e6, so you'll have to carry both chargers with you.

JimAndersson wrote in post #10017355
I already own the grip. Spending a lot of money on more canon batteries seems less smart when I already have the grip that takes AAs. It's the size that bugs me when it comes to lugging it across the world. What's your opinion on third party battery packs?

Been using them for years too. As for hauling the grip, remember you can use AA cells either in the grip or in the flash. They can't be both places at once. You really want to keep batteries in the set(s) they're used in to keep wear uniform, so splitting a set of 4 flash batteries to make up a 6-pack for the grip isn't all that good an idea. Not to mention that most reasonably-convenient travel chargers take 4, not 6 AA cells at once. So taking a grip and the necessary batteries will just add more weight to your kit, no matter how you look at it. I took ungripped 5D2 and 7D to the Galapagos and never had a problem with running out of charge - usually went several days between recharge of the batteries, though I had a spare for each camera (Canon's, since there weren't third-party ones available when I got mine).

yogestee wrote in post #10017386
Good..I've been using them for years..

Any particular brand you like better than the rest?

lannes wrote in post #10017449
I don't think there are any exact replacements for the LP-E6 yet. There are a lot of 'unchipped" 3rd party batteries that require their own charger. These batteries will still power the camera but they won't be recognised by the 7d to show remaining battery capacity, shutter count (related to the battery) and recharge performance. Also you can't use the 3rd party charger to charge your original lp-e6, so you'll have to carry both chargers with you.

That's what I figured.

I'd take a grip + extra batteries, you never know man.

JimAndersson wrote in post #10017376
If I decide to leave the grip at home any AAs are useless (well, not for the flash, but I'm not sure I will bring it).

So you brought a laptop with you?

If you can do without your flash, then leave it at home, too, along with your grip. Then, no AA batteries to deal with, and it means less load.

Yes, I took my 12" Dell laptop with me, but I didn't have to lug that around as it stayed at my mother-in-law's place while I'm out sight-seeing and shooting pictures. I loved the ability to post-process my images using my laptop upon returning to my base after a day out image-hunting.

If you have no such secure "base" to leave your stuff, then obviously you don't want to take your laptop. You just need to hop in any of PC cafes all over Japan.

Leave the grip at home. AA"s won't give you anywhere near the number of shots out of a charge than the LP battery from what I hear.

Buy a third party battery (they come with their own charger). The 3rd party charger will charge the Canon brand batteries. Battery and charger.....about $30. I have Phottix for my 5DII.

I would actually buy a 3rd battery. Yes, you can recharge batteries at night but I have forgotten more than once to do that on a trip. I travel with 4 batteries, 2 Canon branded and 2 non OEM. I use the non OEM, first. No reason, just do.

For storage and review I bring a netbook.

SYS wrote in post #10017637
If you can do without your flash, then leave it at home, too, along with your grip. Then, no AA batteries to deal with, and it means less load.

Yes, I took my 12" Dell laptop with me, but I didn't have to lug that around as it stayed at my mother-in-law's place while I'm out sight-seeing and shooting pictures. I loved the ability to post-process my images using my laptop upon returning to my base after a day out image-hunting.

If you have no such secure "base" to leave your stuff, then obviously you don't want to take your laptop. You just need to hop in any of PC cafes all over Japan.

Don't you think "direct from CF-card hard drives" would be a better option than hard drive and going to a PC cafe?

bohdank wrote in post #10017683
Leave the grip at home. AA"s won't give you anywhere near the number of shots out of a charge than the LP battery from what I hear.

Buy a third party battery (they come with their own charger). The 3rd party charger will charge the Canon brand batteries. Battery and charger.....about $30. I have Phottix for my 5DII.

I would actually buy a 3rd battery. Yes, you can recharge batteries at night but I have forgotten more than once to do that on a trip. I travel with 4 batteries, 2 Canon branded and 2 non OEM. I use the non OEM, first. No reason, just do.

For storage and review I bring a netbook.

Do you get any "low battery" warning at all with the non OEM batteries? (Bort 5DII and 7D uses LP-E6.)

No. Unless you are shooting a LOT every day, just swap batteries every morning and recharge the other.

bohdank wrote in post #10017950
No. Unless you are shooting a LOT every day, just swap batteries every morning and recharge the other.

How does the 5DII react when the battery depletes?

JimAndersson wrote in post #10017888
Don't you think "direct from CF-card hard drives" would be a better option than hard drive and going to a PC cafe?

Whatever works. It's entirely a personal choice.

It shuts down.

Not having a battery indicator is more a problem on paper than in real life.

bohdank wrote in post #10018152
It shuts down.

Not having a battery indicator is more a problem on paper than in real life.

Ok. So it's just to insert a new battery and continue where you left off?

Yup.