Battery for Rebel XT

[fmueller]

I'd like to buy a second battery for my Rebel XT, and understand that the

orignal Canon battery runs around $50, while 3rd-party replacements that are

just as good can be had from around $20 plus shipping from reliable sellers like

B&H or Newegg.com. I was about to fork out the money for the 3rd party

solution, when I discovered that people on eBay sell these for as little as $8

including shipping. Now, whenever somebody else sells something for less than

half what B&H or Newegg.com offer it for, I have learned to become suspicious,

but has anybody here tried the eBay batteries, and can enlighten us as to what

exactly is the catch in this particular case?

[skipper34]

Simple. The catch is that the cheap batteries are exactly that-cheap. If you want quality battery life, go with the Canon batteries which are designed for your camera. Isn't your photography worth it?

[wolver]

I am still using 2 $8 batterys I purchased on Ebay a year and a half ago. They have been re-charged on average 3 times a month and last as long as my Canon batterys do between charges.

[ericreagan]

I concur with Don. I bought a couple extra $5 batteries off of ebay a few months back. I can't tell a difference in them from my Canon battery whether it's a single battery in my Rebel XT or both in my BG-E3 grip. They haven't been a "cheap" quality for me, just "cheap" prices. As with all ebay purchases, just make sure you're buying from a reputable seller by checking their feedback on similar items.

[pradeep1]

Frank, I am not very sure about the ebay batteries, but many friends I know, who are professionals, choose to buy their batteries at <a href=www.sterlingtek.com>www.sterlingtek.com</a>. They work to around 12$ a piece with shipping and are 1800mAh, more powerful than the original Canon batteries. You get the BP 511 and BP 512 versions.

[neil_v.]

I suspect the "cheap batteries from eBay" have poorer quality control than the Canon-branded ones.

 

I'd heard mostly good things about the eBay batteries, so I bought an extended-life one from a popular vendor. I've only used it for three cycles thus far, and it's exhibited only a fraction of the charge of the Canon battery, no matter how long it's left in the charger.

 

I suppose I could simply buy *several* cheap batteries, and shelve the ones that prove substandard.

[colin carron]

I have recently sold my Canon Rebel 300D but while I had it I used the original Canon battery plus two cheap generic BP-511 type batteries. Looking at the UK website I buy my batteries from

 

(www.7dayshop.com)

 

I see I can get two for 10 BP. The Canon battery was beginning to fade as was one of the generics due to the amount of use. I saw no difference between the Canon product and the generic versions either with the 300D or the 5D I now have. I suggest a generic spare battery is a good value addition to your kit. With ebay as always check the vendor's feedback or possibly look for a specialist supplier of generic batteries if you are unsure about ebay.

[kin_lau]

I have "cheap" generics in my 300D & 20D (same BP-511's) and my 350D. Works as well as the Canon ones. Some I've had for almost 2 years and have gone thru harsh conditions from -20C to +40C.

[m3rdpwr]

I agree that www.sterlingtek.com is a great and safe place to get them.

 

As a side note, they don't come with the protective cap, so I keep them in the box...

 

-Mario

[mike_hodson]

Another vote for www.sterlingtek.com

 

I've been using their batteries for a year now. Prices are great and the customer service is top notch.

[terence_tong1]

Just want to point out the XT doesn't use BP5xx batteries but NB-2LH

 

i bought from some guys in HK for 20 each with 10-15 bucks shipping. These are OEM (as far as i can tell from the case) and so far, been no problem.

[sean de merchant httpw]

I will also state that I have had good luck with http://www.SterlingTek.com for additional batteries. I once had a Canon BP-511 and two aftermarkets from them and before I gave away the Camera (G5) the BP-511 had died while the aftermarkets are still working.

 

Did the same thing with the XT and the sterlingtek batteries have much better battery life than the official one. Their car charger works fine on the wall socket, but I have yet to test in in a car.

 

enjoy,

 

Sean

[dogbert]

I bought an XT battery at sterlingtek and it has proved much worse than my Canon batteries. Despites its specs claiming that it was 1100 mha versus Canon's 700 mha it never lasted any longer between charges. It is has now basically worn out with not a lot of use. That is, it doesn't last mcuh at all between recharges, and the recharger flashes indicating it can't read the voltage of the battery.