Best batteries for speedlights

[Scooter Pie]

hey there everyone!

I was in staples today looking for yet another decent rechargeable batteries for my speedlight and there was healthy amount of choices.

first time i went i bought "duracell power pix", which supposedly gets the most out your camera...your POINT AND SHOOT camera...but i figured it would work ok in my speedlite..it did, then significantly slowed down. I have a nikon sb-600, love it..i can get 8 flashes in rapid succession before a 2.5 - 5 second recharge.

so, i bought duracell's "rechargeable batteries 2650 mAh" which is supposed to be the top the line best choice for digital photography...ive yet to test these out so we'll see.

i'm wondering if anyone has any reccomendation on rechargeable battery types or any suggestions.

thanks much!

scooter

[jdepould]

I use Sanyo Eneloops. Check Amazon.

[crunch]

Any high-capacity Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery will work well. I use various brands, I've got a set (4 batteries) of 2200mAh and 2 sets (8 batteries) of 2600mAh NiMH batteries.

The benefit of these, unlike alkaline, is that they work until they don't. I mean, alkalines get worse slowly, so your recycle time slowly increases as the batteries get flat. The NiMH ones keep recycling fast, and then suddenly they die. This can be dangerous as you have no feel for how mnay shots you can still take. That's why I have 3 complete sets, so I never have to worry.

[iNeegma]

I always haul a pack of regular energizers along with my rechargables.

[inkista]

2nd recommendation for the Eneloops. All the advantages of Ni-MH, with the added advantage of exceedingly low self-discharge. Also recommend getting an übercharger that can condition Ni-MHs.

[WooD]

I've never tried the Eneloops. When I had my Canon S2 IS I bought 24 Energizer NiMH batteries. They were the most useless batteries I'd ever used. I ended up throwing the charger, and all the batteries away, and started buying those 24 packs of Duracell's. I still use them for my SB600. I keep 12 spares in my camera bag.

[DameAgs]

I was told by someone in a camera shop to use regular batteries instead of rechargeables...which is against what the documentation recommends...BECAUSE, he said, rechargeables never recharge to the exact same level and if your batteries have varying levels it will slow down the action....I am still using rechargeables...but wonder all the time if I should switch.....has anyone else ever heard this? regards, dame

[Cuchulainn]

Not sure what the guy is on about to be honest. I am not sure which flash you are using but the following specs are listed for the Nikon SB-800 from their manual:

Based on M1/1 (full) Output

Alkaline: Using 4 Batteries
Minimum Recycling Time 6.0 seconds
Minimum Number of Flashes 130

Ni-MH (2000 mAh): Using 4 Batteries
Minimum Recycling Time: 4.0 Seconds
Minimum Number of Flashes 150

Alkaline: Using 5 Batteries
Minimum Recycling Time: 5.0 Seconds
Minimum Number of Flashes 130

Ni-MH (2000mAh): Using 5 Batteries
Minimum Recycling Time 2.9 Seconds
Minimum Number of Flashes 150

The Ni-MH batteries give a shorter minimum recycling time and a higher minimum flash capacity.

I use both the Eneloops and the Energizer E2 Rechargeable. The Eneloops have some advantages as far as long term storage goes, but Sanyo does not recommend the use of a quick charger (though they claim it is possible) so they take a couple of hours to charge.

With the Energizers I can charge them from flat to full in 18 mins. using the 2450 mAh rechargeables and the charger comes with an auto adapter. That can be handy if you need to recharge them in a hurry.

Originally Posted by DameAgs

I was told by someone in a camera shop to use regular batteries instead of rechargeables...which is against what the documentation recommends...BECAUSE, he said, rechargeables never recharge to the exact same level and if your batteries have varying levels it will slow down the action....I am still using rechargeables...but wonder all the time if I should switch.....has anyone else ever heard this? regards, dame

[inkista]

Originally Posted by WooD

I've never tried the Eneloops. When I had my Canon S2 IS I bought 24 Energizer NiMH batteries. They were the most useless batteries I'd ever used. I ended up throwing the charger, and all the batteries away, and started buying those 24 packs of Duracell's. I still use them for my SB600. I keep 12 spares in my camera bag.

I'd blame the charger, not the batteries. Getting the La Crosse BC-900 saved me a lot of heartache in this regard. Most new NiMH batteries won't work at peak efficiency straight after their first charge, or after long periods of being unused. It usually takes two or three full charge/discharge cycles to get them back to full capacity. Which is why having a charger that can condition batteries is A Good Thing.

Originally Posted by DameAgs

I was told by someone in a camera shop to use regular batteries instead of rechargeables...BECAUSE, he said, rechargeables never recharge to the exact same level ...

The key to avoiding this is to always use and charge the batteries together in groups. And to use a charger that can report to you what the capacities of the batteries really are. So when one battery in the group goes bad, you can then know to split the other batteries in the group up for other devices, and start with a new group.

[DameAgs]

Cuchulainn, thank you for your response....you are the first person to speak to me in DPS. Looking back at my note I realize it was not fully informative. By rechargeables I was referring to NIMH.batteries...as opposed to Regular..alkaline batteries. The camera store person recommended alkaline rather than NIMH rechargeables, because he says they recharge unevely. Currently I am using a PF30X Sunpak speedlight, but for Christmas I will get a nikon SB600. I should have gotten that one the first time but my frugal soul rebelled...The PF30X is perfectly fine but the SB600 has more features. I agree with you and am happy with the NIMH batteries..regards, dame