E-10/E-20 Battery Solution

apdb90 · Mar 3, 2005

Like every other E-10/E-20 user who doesn't have the rechargable battery grip, one of my biggest problems with my E-10 is the cost of batteries. The lithium batteries have a decent life, but still cost in the neighborhood of $10-$20 a set. AA batteries don't last but a few pics in my camera. Even the rechargable AA's have a pretty pathetic life span. About two weeks ago, I purchased a set of rechargable lithium ion batteries made by e film. These are, without a doubt, the best "accesory" I've found for the E-10/E-20 series. Battery life is on par or better than regular (non rechargable) lithium ion batteries. My only "complaint" is that you can only charge one battery at a time with the charger provided with the kit. I've found that it takes between 1-5 hours to charge each battery, depending on how much charge is still in it. The charger is a typical "drop in" type, with a light that turns from red to green when the battery is fully charged. As I said earlier, battery life is on par or better than standard lithium ion batteries. The only thing I'd do differently, or consider doing if I were you is to purchase two "single" kits--one battery and one charger in each. Going that route will probably cost an extra $10-$20, but then you can charge both batteries at the same time and don't have to wait while one charges before you can charge the other. The kit I purchased came with one single battery charger and two batteries.

The kit, including the charger and two batteries was $60.00. That translates to 3-4 charges and the kit "pay's for itself" !!! As a side note to this, for those who are considering purchasing this type of kit; Go with the e film package. Promaster makes a similar kit that is approximately $10.00 cheaper, but the batteries are NiMh (I think that's right. Nickel Metal Hydride), which don't last nearly as long as the Lithium Ion batteries provided in the e film kit.

I'm sure you can find these on the internet. I purchased mine at a local camera store. If you can't find them, do a search for "Dan's Camera City" which is in Allentown, Pa. You may be able to purchase them on their web site, or you can call them at (610) 434-2313. They are an absolutely reliable store that has been in business for at least the last 20-25 years (as long as I've been "in to" photography). Oh yea, as a disclaimer; I have no affiliation with e film or Dan's other than being a VERY satisfied customer. Give these a try. I'm sure you'll be thrilled with them. I sure am!

TrapperJohn · Mar 3, 2005

I had good luck with the Monster brand AA NIMH's. 2ah power rating, a fully charged set of four would last for 2 256 meg cards. As I recall, they were around $9-10 for a set of four. They're made for handheld games, which is why they pack so much power.

With my E20, I had two sets of the Monster batteries, one for a backup. Worked out pretty well, except NIMH's left alone for a few weeks start losing their charge. But I got by on that setup, just had to be sure to check the charge if the camera was left sitting for more than a couple of weeks.

The lipo grip is getting fairly inexpensive on ebay, and it's terrific. I bought mine in the spring (Oly ebay auction), charged it, used it all summer (around 600 shots), got my E1 in the early fall, and sold the lipo with 50% charge still on it.

Adam-T · Mar 3, 2005

When I had the E10, I just had three battery carriers loaded with NiMh AAs, just as easy to slot in in the field as a Li-Ion pack and the carriers won't break the bank.

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

Big Ga · Mar 3, 2005

apdb90 said:
About two weeks ago, I purchased a set
of rechargable lithium ion batteries made by e film. These are,
without a doubt, the best "accesory" I've found for the E-10/E-20
series.

I am still undergoing exhaustive testing of my new CRV3 rechargeable batteries (i.e. leaving them in an E10 and C3040 for months on end while the weather is so nasty outside) and was going to write a lengthy report on their performance, however initial tests appear to concur with the above statement.

I did indeed buy TWO chargers and TWELVE batteries (and in case anyone thinks I'm mad (which I am) - two E-10s with a spare set = 8 batteries as well as 2 pairs intended for the FL-50..... but they don't work in that of course, so the 3040 has a set)
Looks like the best purchase I've made for the E10s.

Really slow self discharge and as the voltage is higher than rechargeable AAs, no premature low battery warning when you know there is still charge in them.

If you have an E10/20. Give them a go. you won't regret it.

(I was trying to wait a while longer before saying that, as new NiMH batteries seem to work fine at the start... but the slightest degradation in voltage and the E10 at least really gives problems. Touch wood, the CRV3's seem ok so far)

Big Ga · Mar 3, 2005

Adam-T said:
When I had the E10, I just had three battery carriers loaded with
NiMh AAs, just as easy to slot in in the field as a Li-Ion pack and
the carriers won't break the bank.

Hi Adam,

My experience has been that the E10 is capable of vastly extended shooting compared to what you think it is with NiMh AAs because its so picky about voltahe drop. Even though a new AA set can indeed last a long time, when the E10 tells you the batteries have run out, if you put them in another camera or flash, they still have bags of life left. This gets worse as you use the NiMH batteries.

The Li-Ion batteries having a much higher voltage than the rechargeable AAs don't hit the E10 'empty' threshold prematurely.

Barry Stewart · Mar 3, 2005

I shoot at least 50-100 shots a week and it's nice to be able to leave one set in the camera without worrying about charging them mid-week. (I carry a back-up set of AAs, though...)

On a separate note: I sure wish the FL-40's "sleep" mode didn't waste juice. I'm sure my Minolta flashes don't drain the batteries if you leave them turned on. Mind you: they have a "soft" on switch, which you poke — compared to the Oly's slider. Perhaps the Minolta is actually turning itself totally off.

Barry
--
Equipment: (Spelled out > so it won't cause bad
searches...) Oly E-Ten, Oly E-One HundredRS, Oly Flash40, Oly
Fifty60, EyeMak computer

Adam-T · Mar 3, 2005

Big Ga said:
out, if you put them in another camera or flash, they still have
bags of life left. This gets worse as you use the NiMH batteries.

Ahhh, you mean you didn't do the pull them and re-insert trick? - it worked for me, had to do that quite a lot, in fact it works with other cameras too including Li-Ion ones, the old Canon D30 and the E300 to name two ;-)..

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

Big Ga · Mar 3, 2005

Adam-T said:
Adam-T said:

out, if you put them in another camera or flash, they still have
bags of life left. This gets worse as you use the NiMH batteries.

Click to expand...

Ahhh, you mean you didn't do the pull them and re-insert trick? -
it worked for me, had to do that quite a lot, in fact it works with
other cameras too including Li-Ion ones, the old Canon D30 and the
E300 to name two ;-)..

I did indeed do the 'reinsert trick' (is that like the rhythm method??)

However I got fed up of having to do it after each and every shot!!!

paul1307 · Mar 4, 2005

Since I'm using 2200mAh-AA NiMh I'm not complaining about battery life.

Having 2 sets of these is enough for 1 set is good enough for about 250 - 300 shots at least.
--

Paul

Adam-T · Mar 4, 2005

Big Ga said:
However I got fed up of having to do it after each and every shot!!!

I don't remember doing it after every shot but the pessimistic battery meter didn't endear me to the E10 anymore than the 286 Processor - that camera was full of irritating niggles which should have been cleared up with the E20 and they weren't, shame as it was an excellent value Professional DSLR

..

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

Big Ga · Mar 4, 2005

paul1307 said:
Since I'm using 2200mAh-AA NiMh I'm not complaining about battery
life.
Having 2 sets of these is enough for 1 set is good enough for about
250 - 300 shots at least.

Ok, but bear in mind that
1. The E20 may have sorted out the fussy low battery voltage issue over the E10

2. When I first used my NiMh batteries, I too was getting > 250 shots regularly out of a full charge. This slowly got worse over time and varies with the brand of battery used (I actualy find that 1800 Vansons last longer now than 2300 Uniross!). Now this may also have something to do with increased resistance of the camera battery contacts with age, however what I can say is that while I'm still getting problems with AAs, CRV3 lithium ions seem to work flawlessly.

3. You never know, maybe giving the li-ions a go would mean that you could get 500 shots ?? (and the low self discharge is reeeealy nice)

gordophoto · Mar 4, 2005

I have been using the Delkin RCR3 for the last 8-9 months and in my e10 they made that camera actually functional. NiMh batteries were Ok if you take them straight from the charger and into the camera, but because of the e10 fussy voltage, the NiMh had no shelf life at all.

One thing about the RCR3 is that they run full tilt until they are basically dead. Not much warning. In fact I once used them in my 5050 and the camera went stone dead, no shut down, no low battery warning at all and the 5050 gives lots of warning with NiMh.

I just bought an e300 and will be selling my e10 and I will sell the RCR3's and chargers with it, so the next person won't have to deal with the NiMh.

gordophoto

Bob Clegg141899 · Mar 4, 2005

apdb90 said:
Like every other E-10/E-20 user who doesn't have the rechargable
battery grip, one of my biggest problems with my E-10 is the cost
of batteries.

I bought a DPS9000 when I had an E-20. If you don't mind using the camera with a brick screwed to the tripod socket it solves the problem permanently. Don't know if you can still buy these though.

Regards,

Bob.

--

GeorgeH · Mar 4, 2005

I have an E20, I get around 120-150 shoots on 2000mah NiMh batteries.

I also have the Oly grip BLH-10 modified to use 6 NiMh batteries (do a search on this forum, there's a person who modified his but using the DPS9000, I just replaced the DPS9000 with AAs). I got 375 shots the last time I used it and the battery indicator did not appear. I have not charge the 6AAs since Jan, and they are still holding up.

apdb90 said:
Like every other E-10/E-20 user who doesn't have the rechargable
battery grip, one of my biggest problems with my E-10 is the cost
of batteries. The lithium batteries have a decent life, but still
cost in the neighborhood of $10-$20 a set. AA batteries don't last
but a few pics in my camera. Even the rechargable AA's have a
pretty pathetic life span. About two weeks ago, I purchased a set
of rechargable lithium ion batteries made by e film. These are,
without a doubt, the best "accesory" I've found for the E-10/E-20
series. Battery life is on par or better than regular (non
rechargable) lithium ion batteries. My only "complaint" is that
you can only charge one battery at a time with the charger provided
with the kit. I've found that it takes between 1-5 hours to charge
each battery, depending on how much charge is still in it. The
charger is a typical "drop in" type, with a light that turns from
red to green when the battery is fully charged. As I said earlier,
battery life is on par or better than standard lithium ion
batteries. The only thing I'd do differently, or consider doing if
I were you is to purchase two "single" kits--one battery and one
charger in each. Going that route will probably cost an extra
$10-$20, but then you can charge both batteries at the same time
and don't have to wait while one charges before you can charge the
other. The kit I purchased came with one single battery charger
and two batteries.

The kit, including the charger and two batteries was $60.00. That
translates to 3-4 charges and the kit "pay's for itself" !!! As a
side note to this, for those who are considering purchasing this
type of kit; Go with the e film package. Promaster makes a
similar kit that is approximately $10.00 cheaper, but the batteries
are NiMh (I think that's right. Nickel Metal Hydride), which don't
last nearly as long as the Lithium Ion batteries provided in the e
film kit.

I'm sure you can find these on the internet. I purchased mine at a
local camera store. If you can't find them, do a search for "Dan's
Camera City" which is in Allentown, Pa. You may be able to
purchase them on their web site, or you can call them at (610)
434-2313. They are an absolutely reliable store that has been in
business for at least the last 20-25 years (as long as I've been
"in to" photography). Oh yea, as a disclaimer; I have no
affiliation with e film or Dan's other than being a VERY satisfied
customer. Give these a try. I'm sure you'll be thrilled with
them. I sure am!

johnbailey · Mar 4, 2005

Bob Clegg said:
apdb90 said:

Like every other E-10/E-20 user who doesn't have the rechargable
battery grip, one of my biggest problems with my E-10 is the cost
of batteries.

Click to expand...

I bought a DPS9000 when I had an E-20. If you don't mind using the
camera with a brick screwed to the tripod socket it solves the
problem permanently. Don't know if you can still buy these though.

Regards,

Bob.

Probably can't buy them now. Maybe Digipower has an updated model?

I have 2 and I can use them in two other cameras that require 7.2 volts/1400MaH power. They are much more reliable than my NIMHs (even the newer 2200s) for my E10. So I use the AA NIMHs in my flash. That voltage threshold circuit must be tuned for the LiPO power grip!

jb

RayB44 · Mar 5, 2005

johnbailey said:
Bob Clegg said:

apdb90 said:

Like every other E-10/E-20 user who doesn't have the rechargable
battery grip, one of my biggest problems with my E-10 is the cost
of batteries.

Click to expand...

I bought a DPS9000 when I had an E-20. If you don't mind using the
camera with a brick screwed to the tripod socket it solves the
problem permanently. Don't know if you can still buy these though.

Regards,

Bob.

Click to expand...

Probably can't buy them now. Maybe Digipower has an updated model?

I bought mine from Ritz Camera (www.ritzcamera.com). They still show them as available for $39.95.

johnbailey said:
I have 2 and I can use them in two other cameras that require 7.2
volts/1400MaH power. They are much more reliable than my NIMHs
(even the newer 2200s) for my E10. So I use the AA NIMHs in my
flash. That voltage threshold circuit must be tuned for the LiPO
power grip!

jb

--
Ray

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E-10/E-20 Battery Solution

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