Recommended Rechargeable Batteries for Speedlights ? ? ?

[mathew_gardella]

<p>I am looking to replace my rechargeable AA batteries with "new" ones and am interested in other photographers opinions. I have read several reviews and battery tests online but few of them actually talk about usage in speedlights and even fewer reviews talk about real world wedding photography usage. I currently shoot Canon and use two 430 ex II off camera, one 580 ex II on camera, and a 430 ex on my second body. I am looking for your advice as to which rechargeable AA you would recommend and why you prefer it. Thanks in advance...</p>

[Member69643]

<p>Sanyo Eneloops. The best rechargeable batteries on Earth. I've used them for years in wedding work, real estate shoots, and more. The fact that they take and <strong><em>hold</em></strong> a charge is essential.</p>

[JosvanEekelen]

+1 for Eneloops.

[howard_m]

<p>Eneloops</p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>While Enyloops are safe bet and work well, there are more suitable batteries for flash with much higher capacity and stronger instant current yield, that is important for flash application.</p>

<p>E.g. Eneloops AA perhaps have 2000 miliAmp Hours versus others have 2500, 2700, or 3000 for AA size.</p>

<p>Eneloop can be charged and used a week, two or three weeks later, and will keep the charge, while the other higher capacity will loose the charge within few daays even if not used.</p>

<p>You should charge the high capacity battery and use them on the same or next day, and the high capacity will provide stronger instant pulse current than Eneloops. This is very important for flashes, where instant momentary current needs are important.</p>

<p>Well Eneloops have larger internal resistance and that helps keep the charge for much longer time, but it also has limitation on maximum instant discharge current, that is important in flash applications.</p>

<p>For weddings, consider external high voltage power supply, in addition to internal shoe mount flash batteries. </p>

 

[peter_langfelder]

<p>On the few weddings I did I used Maha Powerex (I think they are 2500 mAh or so). I'm quite happy with them. I use the CP-E3/4 battery packs and 550/580 EX flashes and in this configuration one set lasts the entire wedding (about 1000-1400 shots, of course not all with flash and even fewer at full power). Not sure about their durability, I use them only occasionally and had to remove a few dead batteries from my sets already.</p>

[davebell]

<p><em>"and the high capacity will provide stronger instant pulse current than Eneloops. This is very important for flashes, where instant momentary current needs are important.</em><br>

<em>Well Eneloops have larger internal resistance and that helps keep the charge for much <a id="itxthook2" href="/wedding-photography-forum/00baBI" rel="nofollow">longer<img id="itxthook2icon" src="http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/lb_icon1.png" alt="" /></a> time, but it also has limitation on maximum instant discharge current, that is important in flash applications."</em></p>

<p>Frank that is incorrect. The Eneloops have lower internal resistance and will recharge your flashgun quicker than the very high capacity batteries which have higher internal resistance. This can be noticed at high flash out powers, say 1/4 power and higher. It is the reason I use Eneloops along with their ability to retain their charge over an extended period.</p>

[rfadtke]

<p>I've tried them all including the new 2500 Eneloops XX (black ones) but these are the only ones that recycle fast and don't drive me nuts waiting for the green light to turn red on my speedlights: Powerex AA 2700mAh NiMH Rechargeable Batteries. Holding a charge is fine and these do, buy extra and follow the refresh schedule.</p>

[ellery_chua___singapore]

<p>eneloops work better for me than other brands. You might want to get the external HV battery pack from either canon or 3rd parties that uses AA's for the main flash. Also to push the ISO if you have to - it helps loads when using flashes in wedding venues.</p>

[michaelmowery]

<p>I bought powerex because of all the hype and i thought they were the best but little did i know they are over rated. I spent so much money on extra batteries and bought both the 8 bay charger and the 4 bay refresher analyzer. None of the batteries hold a charge. I don't have the time to keep refreshing batteries and go through all the maintenance that these require just to get the highest voltage. I need batteries that work when i need them and when they die I recharge them and keep going. I have now switched to eneloop and I am on my fourth job and all is good. They do what they are suppose to do without the maintenance.</p>

[stephen_kinosh]

<p>WHat about an external battery pack (Too many to name) I have one for my Nikon SB800 that has always given mne a full days work and never had to be charged at the reception. I know it ads a bit of weight (I use the belt clip) but with no failure rate it works for me. I do cary a spare in my case JUST in case!</p>