I'm using a 30D, 24-70L, 580EX with Fong lightsphere and Chuck Gardner's $2 attachment (2 modifiers, swapped out as needed). By the way, thanks Chuck! You saved the day with the home made attachment. Back to the "lesson learned", I have 2 sets of 2500mha batteries for my 580ex. After 200 shots, my flash began to die (was shooting formals at this time and groups were having to wait 20 seconds between shots for my flash to recharge). So I asked "please give me a second to change batteries". Inserted the "fresh" set.... and they were worse than the first set! I can't explain why. Other than I'd noticed one battery showing some corrosion on each end, so I'm guessing that battery didn't charge properly. Yes, it's my fault. Things happen (and lesson is learned. Luckily I did make it through and got the shots needed for the day. I'm throwing the "bad" set away and buying 2 more sets of Energizer 2500mha. This will give me 3 sets at 2500mha each. The camera battery is a TANK! I rarely have to use my backup BP-511. How many shots is that thing good for? 500?
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Shot a wedding Saturday - LESSON LEARNED
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PhotoKhan
Forum Pro
...I guess sometimes we don't take the little things under proper consideration and they always get us in the most inconvenient situation.
I took care of this particular problem some time ago. I noticed my flashes are really power-hungry, so I decided to cater properly for them. I took the opportunity to take it one step beyond and now there no other AA batteries in our household than rechargeable ones.
We have 24 (2500 mAh) ones in total and I came up with a method to always have a significant amount freshly charged (...And I don't even shoot commercially!)
Don't feel bad...I am sure that, although I already took care of this particular department, something else I forgot is just around the corner waiting to show its little embarrassing head in the least convenient situation.
If only we could foresee them all...
PK
(Glad you saved the shooting!)
--
“Loose praise may feed my ego but constructive criticism advances my skills”
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http://www.pbase.com/photokhan
(Pbase Supporter)
I took care of this particular problem some time ago. I noticed my flashes are really power-hungry, so I decided to cater properly for them. I took the opportunity to take it one step beyond and now there no other AA batteries in our household than rechargeable ones.
We have 24 (2500 mAh) ones in total and I came up with a method to always have a significant amount freshly charged (...And I don't even shoot commercially!)
Don't feel bad...I am sure that, although I already took care of this particular department, something else I forgot is just around the corner waiting to show its little embarrassing head in the least convenient situation.
If only we could foresee them all...
PK
(Glad you saved the shooting!)
--
“Loose praise may feed my ego but constructive criticism advances my skills”
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http://www.pbase.com/photokhan
(Pbase Supporter)
Rayvac and Sanyo sell them. They are rated to hold a charge 4 times longer than regular NiMH and come new charged. The Rayovac are only 2.1AH but that's ok. I'd rather have batteries that are ready to use after a long rest than being dead.
Dave Jaseck
Veteran Member
Never ever try to shoot a wedding with AA batteries, I don't care what kind. You must use a high capacity external battery. Check Quantum, they specialize in them and have module that fit most flash units. Glad you got through the affair OK. It is an experience isn't it?
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tommc4
Forum Enthusiast
I had to shoot a friends wedding the end of March and I was REALLY worried about the battery situation. But, while cruising the city for REAL camera shops (not Ritz!), I stumbled upon Hunts Camera in Providence RI and purchased the Canon Battery Pack...WOW! I never had to change batteries, and I shot over 800 pics that day!
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Tom McElvy
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M
Mark B.
Guest
Totally agree about the new technology NiMH - Sanyos are sold under the brand name Eneloop, and I believe Ray-O-Vacs are Hybrid. Shelf life is much longer than standard NiMH, and they come charged ready to use out of the package.
Mark
Mark
LarryPhoto
Senior Member
I've gotten over 1100 on my Canon (20D) battery when new (external flash), now I try to change it at 500 shots, and carry 2 spares. I've had problems with my flash after heavy use, I think it just needed to cool, batteries are Energizer 2500mha too, but all batts get hot under heavy use. To provde long life you should never get any...any...any battery under 30% charge.
If I'm doing a job I carry 3 BP511's, and 2 sets of rechargables, plus a set of "toss aways". I would also limit the use of the AA recharbles to your flash only, don't let them "double duty" around the house. I also always charge them up after use, then the night before I go out, I top them off over night. All Recharables lose jucie while stored.
PS keep a set of the expensive Energizer LI's in your bag for emergency use.
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If I'm doing a job I carry 3 BP511's, and 2 sets of rechargables, plus a set of "toss aways". I would also limit the use of the AA recharbles to your flash only, don't let them "double duty" around the house. I also always charge them up after use, then the night before I go out, I top them off over night. All Recharables lose jucie while stored.
PS keep a set of the expensive Energizer LI's in your bag for emergency use.
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Eric Sorensen
Senior Member
... The CP-E3 batter pack for your flash, and a MAHA batter charger.
The battery pack will re-fresh your flash 5 times faster and make it last for about 600-800 shots. Get an optional battery tray for quick replacements. Pretty expensive piece of plastic - $150 plus $35 for an additional tray - but worth every penny. Most of the time you can shoot as fast as you camera can and the flash will keep up with every shot.
The MAHA battery charger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817355011
This thing will condition your batteries and tell you if you've got a dud. Since I tend to replace flash batteries before they are fully spent, this conditioning process is really helpful and seems to extend the life of the batteries.
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Bossier City, Louisiana
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The battery pack will re-fresh your flash 5 times faster and make it last for about 600-800 shots. Get an optional battery tray for quick replacements. Pretty expensive piece of plastic - $150 plus $35 for an additional tray - but worth every penny. Most of the time you can shoot as fast as you camera can and the flash will keep up with every shot.
The MAHA battery charger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817355011
This thing will condition your batteries and tell you if you've got a dud. Since I tend to replace flash batteries before they are fully spent, this conditioning process is really helpful and seems to extend the life of the batteries.
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Bossier City, Louisiana
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Ages ago, I tried what you did and replaced just about everything with rechargables. I have since gone back to disposable batteries for about 90% of the things in my house.
Every rechargable formula that I have had experience with (other than Li ion, and you cannot get those in AA) simply cannot hold a charge for a prolonged period of time. This makes primary batteries much more attractive in applications like remotes, clocks, flashlights, telephones, etc. I buy the batteries in bulk, they are less than 20 cents (US) each, and I throw them in teh recycling bin when they are spent. In most of these applications, the batteries last over a year; I cannot see any reason to use rechargables for everything.
Most NiMH AA I have tried quickly get to the point where they will not hold a charge for more than a couple of days.The more charge/recharge cycles, the less time they hold a charge. There capacity seems OK, as long as they are fresh off the charger. But if they sit in the camera or flash a week or so, they quickly die on the next use no matter what their recharge state was.
I guess I need to try those newer Sanyo batteries...
-Charles B. Naumann
Every rechargable formula that I have had experience with (other than Li ion, and you cannot get those in AA) simply cannot hold a charge for a prolonged period of time. This makes primary batteries much more attractive in applications like remotes, clocks, flashlights, telephones, etc. I buy the batteries in bulk, they are less than 20 cents (US) each, and I throw them in teh recycling bin when they are spent. In most of these applications, the batteries last over a year; I cannot see any reason to use rechargables for everything.
Most NiMH AA I have tried quickly get to the point where they will not hold a charge for more than a couple of days.The more charge/recharge cycles, the less time they hold a charge. There capacity seems OK, as long as they are fresh off the charger. But if they sit in the camera or flash a week or so, they quickly die on the next use no matter what their recharge state was.
I guess I need to try those newer Sanyo batteries...
-Charles B. Naumann
Tedwill48170
Leading Member
I totally agree. The CP-E3 is a great device.
Having the big mama quantum batteries is the best option in the long run, but the CP-E3 keeps you running and is a lower cost alternative.
Ted
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Having the big mama quantum batteries is the best option in the long run, but the CP-E3 keeps you running and is a lower cost alternative.
Ted
--
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And I just THOUGHT I wasn't going to BUY anything else! Ha! I checked Amazon's price ($133). Is that all you need to hook it up to your flash? Is there a cord needed? How does the "pack" connect to your flash? Also, it says it will shoot "up to" 432. That doesn't seem like a good deal for $133 when I can buy 3 sets of 2500 NiMH for $55 and get over 500 shots.
Dave Jaseck
Veteran Member
I have used a Quantum for years. It will recycle your flash almost instantly. It has built in rechargable batteries (you do not take them out). Pros use them all the time. There are others, but very familiar with Quantum. May be more than you need at this time, but check it out.
http://www.qtm.com/?res_set=yes&res=1024&resh=768
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http://www.qtm.com/?res_set=yes&res=1024&resh=768
--
Dave
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Eric Sorensen
Senior Member
...you will get many more than 400 shots - that must be at near full-power. It refreshes the flash to FULL POWER in 1 second. And I get 600-800 shots before it starts to SLOW DOWN in it's recharging. This was daylight shots with fill-flash - all with High-speed sync. Similar results at ISO 400 inside. At that point, I change out the pack and the flash head batteries. I did some serious hesitating before I plunked down that kind of money for a piece of plastic that just holds a few batteries, but was worth every penny.
It comes with a cord and plugs into your flash on the left side, right above the foot. There should be a rubber plug there.
--
Bossier City, Louisiana
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It comes with a cord and plugs into your flash on the left side, right above the foot. There should be a rubber plug there.
--
Bossier City, Louisiana
http://www.pbase.com/ericsorensen
I got four sets, two for my EOS1 film body booster and two sets for my flash, I can charge them and keep them on hold knowing that when I slap em in (I don't use the flash that much), that they'll give their all.
These batt's if you don't know hold their charge for far far longer than standard NiMh batt's, (I've lost count of the times I've put a 'fresh' set of batt's in something to have them die very soon after, it's because after sitting there for a week or two they lose a big fat amount of their useable charge.
don't get hung up on mAh readings, I can attest to the fact the set in my booster have been sitting there for a couple months and having shot two films through i check it weekly and it's still firing happily and showing full charge, I'm on the second charge for both sets in the flashgun and the 'spare ones' have held up for two months and given as good as the fresh out of the packet / charger ones.
These batt's if you don't know hold their charge for far far longer than standard NiMh batt's, (I've lost count of the times I've put a 'fresh' set of batt's in something to have them die very soon after, it's because after sitting there for a week or two they lose a big fat amount of their useable charge.
don't get hung up on mAh readings, I can attest to the fact the set in my booster have been sitting there for a couple months and having shot two films through i check it weekly and it's still firing happily and showing full charge, I'm on the second charge for both sets in the flashgun and the 'spare ones' have held up for two months and given as good as the fresh out of the packet / charger ones.
Jim_R
Senior Member
I don't think 3 sets is enough for something important where you use a lot of flash. Batteries are cheap. Double or triple that amount, and have a plan for charging them prior to the wedding. 2 chargers is a good idea. I'd throw in some Lithiums too.
The previous posts are the other way to go, and if you are making $$ with your shots, buy the battery pack.
Canon says 1000 shots. But batteries fail, and they won't write you a note saying when they will fail, so have 2 spares at least. Sterlingtek - $12 or so.
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Jim Rickards
Jason Chan59347
Well-known member
I heartily second (or third) the Quantum recommendation. Having shot a number of weddings, I have found this to be the most reliable piece of equipment I've ever used. The Quantum Turbo recharges flashes far quicker than any set of AA's and will last an entire day of shooting. In fact, I shot about 300 frames with the battery without even making a dent in the battery indicator.
It's not the lightest thing nor is it nice having an extra cord tethered to your flash, but hook it up and you will never worry about your flash not cycling fast enough for you.
rdspear
Senior Member
The Enloops have a lower rating (2100mAh, iirc) but are good for this specific situation. I have a set buried in my bag just in case - I have 2 sets of Energizers that I use regularly, but the Enloops are there as a backup.
Chuck Gardner
Forum Pro
Glad to hear the diffuser worked for you. When there is a ceiling available for bounce and you want the "light up the room" LS look just leave the top flap open it should produce similar results.
Get a good conditioning charger like the 8-cell MAHA 801 which charges each battery individually. It will make it easier to spot when one battery in the set is bad. A battery tester is also a good investment.
See http://www.thomasdistributing.com
CG
Get a good conditioning charger like the 8-cell MAHA 801 which charges each battery individually. It will make it easier to spot when one battery in the set is bad. A battery tester is also a good investment.
See http://www.thomasdistributing.com
CG
JimStrutz
Leading Member
I used to use a Quantum Turbo for flash at weddings, but they are expensive and heavy. The work great, and will recycle your flash in about 1 second after a full power pop. Most of the time there is no delay. However...
The Canon CP-E3 will recycle my 550EX in under 1.2 seconds, and I get well over 800 flash pictures before it starts to fade. When it does I have a spare set of 2100 mAhr NiMH AA's ready to go. The thing weighs less than half what the Turbo did, and costs less than a 1/3. The money I made selling the Turbo more than paid for the CP-E3.
The Turbo makes sense if you really think you need that 0.2 seconds, or if you are powering something other than a Canon Speedlite. Otherwise the CP-E3 is the better buy.
The Canon CP-E3 will recycle my 550EX in under 1.2 seconds, and I get well over 800 flash pictures before it starts to fade. When it does I have a spare set of 2100 mAhr NiMH AA's ready to go. The thing weighs less than half what the Turbo did, and costs less than a 1/3. The money I made selling the Turbo more than paid for the CP-E3.
The Turbo makes sense if you really think you need that 0.2 seconds, or if you are powering something other than a Canon Speedlite. Otherwise the CP-E3 is the better buy.
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