SB-800 and rechargeable batteries

[Mavik]

Hi everyone,

I recently shot a wedding for my friend and noticed that my GP 2100mAH batteries died out pretty fast. A few questions here,

1. What brand of rechargeable AA batteries should I get (planning to get another set)
2. Which brand is recommended and has a fast charger included as well?

Thanks!

[xcaliber]

here's my single sen worth;
when was the last time you charged the batts prior to this shoot? batts have the tendency to discharge after a while. i left mine for about 2 weeks and they ran out of juice after less than 50 shots, in a wedding!!!! the couple just walked into the hall some more!! horrors. resorted to getting uniross hybrio which promises very little discharge. claims that only 20% discharge after 6-12 months. also, remember the golden rule - switch off the flash when not in use!! i'm always guilty of that.

[ShaolinTiger]

I use Maha Powerex 2700mAh, they are powerful and last well but they don't retain charge at all.

You have to charge them the night before you want to use them.

I also carry some Eneloop, which are only 2000mAh but they don't leak charge, so are great for backup.

When shooting I don't turn the flash off either, Nikon has a very intelligent stand-by system which can last ages.

Also note using a fast-charger all the time will result in worse performance for your batteries.

Also when you charge your batteries try and keep in the same groups.

[Bravone]

Hi everyone,

I recently shot a wedding for my friend and noticed that my GP 2100mAH batteries died out pretty fast. A few questions here,

1. What brand of rechargeable AA batteries should I get (planning to get another set)
2. Which brand is recommended and has a fast charger included as well?

Thanks!

Hi Mavik,

Go for Maha 2700 Mah ....... charge them the day B4 the event and u will have a very reliable power source ...... very fast recycle time after each shot.

u will not regret it.

Cheers

[takader_lagi]

I only use Energizer 2500..i think its quite ok..but long hour charge..huhuhu

[Mavik]

Thanks for all the advice, right now I only have 4 GP batteries hence they are charged at the same time and I do charge them before the event. Just that I took about 600+ shots from 6am till about 12pm and noticed that my flash began to die out. That was when I decided to bump up the ISO to 800 and work without flash.

Since Maha is the recommended brand, I will definitely put that as my next to buy list :)

[simonliu]

I use 5 sony 2500mah batts with my SB800, it lasted me for 2 full days with about 2000++ shots. flash was at manual mode with power set to 1/16 or at most 1/8. recycle time was......well 0.

I tried GP before.....they die within half day even with the same setup as above.

[chuah406]

i used maha powerex before but now purely sanyo eneloops. they retain the charge pretty well. one suggestion.........get a small battery tester. and check the level before you load them in....that way you can prob estimate how much backup batts you need. i also bring along some non-rechargeables as spares too.

[xcaliber]

Just that I took about 600+ shots from 6am till about 12pm and noticed that my flash began to die out.

600+ is good milage. what do the rest think?

[qqmeng]

i m using sony 2500 mah too ... so far it works great like what simon has said.

[seethoe]

i'm using maha powerex 2700mAh..... so far i'm very happy with it...i think the rule is always recharge before using them...i've heard good things abt eneloop though cause it can retain charge quite well better than powerex.

[Mavik]

Might I ask where did you all buy the Maha and Enelope batteries from?

[karheng]

I use Energizers but these 2500 ones don't retain charge as well as the stock ones which came with the charger, 2000mAh can last me a long time, one whole night shoot only to be fully discharged at night.

You can try shooting in ISO400 to minimize flash usage. Most of the time, the flash works too hard at ISO100 or 200 and will result in short battery life. If you shoot at 800, the results are still very acceptable in the day with fill flash. Ultimately the best is to obtain correct exposure straight away as underexposure will cause the flash to boost up to compensate for your underex.

Apparently Eneloops are the trend now. Haha

[clemong888]

i use enelop 2700. works like a charm :)

[johnny]

i use enelop 2700. works like a charm :)

Where did you get Eneloop 2700? I only have Eneloop 2000.

[clemong888]

i'm staying in japan :) i can always send back if u want

[leslie]

GP is horrible don't use anymore......i almost killed myself on a recent shoot using GP :rolleyes: severely dissappointed my friend as most of the time the flash was recycling really slow and ruined many shots due to underexposure.

I seriously had to apologize to my friend for my stupidity and incompetence.

He has advised me to get Sony.
Which i plan to get soon.

[edward chan]

go for sanyo eneloop and i am using my old sony charger - takes about 12 hours , long time to some but fine with me :D

[johnny]

i'm staying in japan :) i can always send back if u want


Thanks for the offer. It shows how backward we are or our market is insignificant. Imagine Eneloop already having 2700 in Nippon but we are only having 2000 here:(

Anyway I am also using Powerex 2700:D

[mki88]

I'm just wondering, is fast or slow charge kills the battery?

I used Uniross 2700 mAH before, it's a BIG dissapointment. The battery is working well for half a year, after that, it discharge after few hours of charging. Really dissapointing that I will never buy it again.

I'm using GP ReCkyo 2050 mAH now. Quite happy with the performance. Hopefully it wouldn't gives me much trouble like the Uniross.

Also, I would like to ask, do u charge the battery a day before the event? or do u charge them when they are fully depleted. I was told that charging them before fully discharge will shorten the battery life.

So if you have an event to shoot tomorrow, and your battery isn't fully discharge, what will u do?

[kiankheong]

Nowadays chargers automatically discharge the batteries before charging.

Even if the power supply is accidentally disconnected for a short moment, the recharging cycle starts again, that is to discharge the batteries again.

No, I guess you can be rest assured if such feature exist in your battery charger.

[mki88]

I've just checked the charge manual. It doesn't mention anything about self discharging function. So I'm not sure tha my charger has that useful function.

[ShaolinTiger]

Fast charging kills batteries, it's ok now and then but you should discharge and slowly (trickle) charge the batteries.

Conditioning them every 10-12 times you use them (conditioning takes about 20 hours and consists of multiple discharges and full charges).

I keep my batteries in good condition and charge them the night before an event with normal charging time (1hr 40).

You should invest in a GOOD and intelligent charger.

[kiankheong]

ST, any recommendations for such intelligent recharger?

Mine, 1 charge takes around 14 hours. :(

[Mavik]

I just spent 1k on batteries and I can't believe it! Well, I guess the bulk of the cost went into the battery grip and extra Nikon battery but I got 8 Maha PowerEx batteries. Used them over the weekend last week and was very satisfied with its performance and recharge cycle times.

[bimmer]

ST, any recommendations for such intelligent recharger?

Mine, 1 charge takes around 14 hours. :(

Recommend:
MAHA Powerex C801D charger.
MAHA Powerex C9000 charger.

I use a La Crosse intelligent charger which is similar to the MAHA 9000.

[Mavik]

I just tried out the MAHA batteries over 3 events and they were fantastic! I love the fast recharge times and it lasted quite long! Been using slow charge on them first so I can preserve them.

[Freaky]

I sticking with disposables... I bought box of 40 for RM40 panasonic brand at YL... :)

[macropixman]

Where can we buy these 2 brands of chargers and MAHA rechargeable batteries? How much are they and any recommended place for a good deal.
What's the difference between the MAHA C801D and C9000.Any other models apart from these 2 in the MAHA range?
Never heard of MAHA before.Where is this brand from?
Thanks

[Mavik]

I bought mine online from Shashinki.com. Free shipping within Malaysia.

[astroboy]

Nowadays i m back to using NORMAL batts. They are cheaper (in the long run) and give more consistent power.

Rechargeables are good when new but their performance taper off very fast. Just my 2 cts.

[Mavik]

Really? Which rechargeables were you using the last time? Which normal batts are you using as well? I tried using some normal batts before but the slow recharge time was unbearable.

[mki88]

Really? Which rechargeables were you using the last time? Which normal batts are you using as well? I tried using some normal batts before but the slow recharge time was unbearable.

I have the same problem too. Slow rechargeable time whrn using normal battery.

[transit2]

Hi everyone,

I recently shot a wedding for my friend and noticed that my GP 2100mAH batteries died out pretty fast. A few questions here,

1. What brand of rechargeable AA batteries should I get (planning to get another set)
2. Which brand is recommended and has a fast charger included as well?

Thanks!

1. Sanyo Eneloop or Uniross Hybrio (Ready to use Ni-MH) with slowest discharging rate when not in use/or in use.
2. Fast Charger 15 minutes not recommended as your battery life span will be shorter. MAHA Charger (1 or 2 Hours charging time) is recommended. It can charge any type of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.

Nowadays i m back to using NORMAL batts. They are cheaper (in the long run) and give more consistent power.

Rechargeables are good when new but their performance taper off very fast. Just my 2 cts.


My point of view is NOT TRUE for the New Technology of Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery. (Hydrogen-Nickel). They discharging rate is very low.

Normal Batteries will cause more solid waste to the environment. Rechargeable is cheaper relatively from RM0.017475 per usage (with 1000x of usage) compare to RM0.625 per usage per piece. (Tesco brand) The advantage for Normal Batteries are having 1.5v. Even your Rechargeable hold up to 500x, your cost is RM0.03495 per usage per piece. Simple calculation.

Anyway, it is your personal choice.

i use enelop 2700. works like a charm :)

I am not aware of Eneloop is having 2700mAh, their Power rating should be 2000mAh only

[Mavik]

1. Sanyo Eneloop or Uniross Hybrio (Ready to use Ni-MH) with slowest discharging rate when not in use/or in use.
2. Fast Charger 15 minutes not recommended as your battery life span will be shorter. MAHA Charger (1 or 2 Hours charging time) is recommended. It can charge any type of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.

thanks for the advice mate, if u check my later posts i already bought the maha batteries :)

[clemong888]

1. Sanyo Eneloop or Uniross Hybrio (Ready to use Ni-MH) with slowest discharging rate when not in use/or in use.
2. Fast Charger 15 minutes not recommended as your battery life span will be shorter. MAHA Charger (1 or 2 Hours charging time) is recommended. It can charge any type of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.




My point of view is NOT TRUE for the New Technology of Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery. (Hydrogen-Nickel). They discharging rate is very low.

Normal Batteries will cause more solid waste to the environment. Rechargeable is cheaper relatively from RM0.017475 per usage (with 1000x of usage) compare to RM0.625 per usage per piece. (Tesco brand) The advantage for Normal Batteries are having 1.5v. Even your Rechargeable hold up to 500x, your cost is RM0.03495 per usage per piece. Simple calculation.

Anyway, it is your personal choice.



I am not aware of Eneloop is having 2700mAh, their Power rating should be 2000mAh only

i bought it in japan. about rm130 for 4 with charger(refresh,power meter and all tht crap).

[Lights]

I still cant find the eneloop or maha batteries, can we get it at Klang or KL? Which shop do u guys recommend?
Can we use other rechargeable batteries with non compatible charger eg panasonic batteries with gp charger, will there be any negative effect as claimed by the manufacturers?

[Mavik]

Maha batteries can be bought via Shashinki.com. If I am not mistaken, I saw some Eneloop batteries at YL Camera in Pudu plaza.

[transit2]

I still cant find the eneloop or maha batteries, can we get it at Klang or KL? Which shop do u guys recommend?
Can we use other rechargeable batteries with non compatible charger eg panasonic batteries with gp charger, will there be any negative effect as claimed by the manufacturers?

I have Sanyo Eneloop for AA or AAA size, charger set; you can look for me if interested. Your reliable rechargeable provider.

[Lights]

I have Sanyo Eneloop for AA or AAA size, charger set; you can look for me if interested. Your reliable rechargeable provider.

how much is it complete with 4 pairs of batt ( 8pcs) + charger

[transit2]

Removed the price due to out dated already

[dinduboy14]

Hurray!! Finally got my SB-800 yesterday.
Pretty excited now!!
Just wanted to find out if it is OK to leave the battery in the speedlite or should it be removed when not in use?
I reckon i will be using it roughly two weeks once.

[transit2]

Some battery put in longer time will damage the gadget (when not in use). The chemical (liquid) will be leaked out. It is good to leave outside the gadget (keep in a small plastic casing / bag).

[Leong3513]

Hurray!! Finally got my SB-800 yesterday.
Pretty excited now!!
Just wanted to find out if it is OK to leave the battery in the speedlite or should it be removed when not in use?
I reckon i will be using it roughly two weeks once.

If you really want use rechargeable batt, better you consider eneloop batt for your flash. This new tecnology batt condition very good.

[newdaddy]

since the quick charger is not recommended, so is MAHA C801D 1 hour charger considered a quick charger?
I'm deciding between the above or C9000, but C9000 only hold 4 batteries at a time unlike C801D 8 batteries.

[ShaolinTiger]

since the quick charger is not recommended, so is MAHA C801D 1 hour charger considered a quick charger?
I'm deciding between the above or C9000, but C9000 only hold 4 batteries at a time unlike C801D 8 batteries.

C801D can charge in 3 different ways..generally you can use slow charge which uses trickle charging.

If you need in a hurry the default charge is quite fast.

Then every 10 times you use your battery you can use the conditioning cycle, it really improves the life of the battery and the charge retained.

[newdaddy]

C801D can charge in 3 different ways..generally you can use slow charge which uses trickle charging.

If you need in a hurry the default charge is quite fast.

Then every 10 times you use your battery you can use the conditioning cycle, it really improves the life of the battery and the charge retained.

Fuah! Thanks for ur super fast response! U r the man:thumbs_up: