Battery life for flash

I have a 430ex flash. I was wondering, is it common for these to have to have the batteries changed often? Mine just seems to need changing after several flashes (and I turn it off in between)

Most rechargeable batteries lose a lot of charge when stored between charging and use so be sure you are starting out freshly charged. If you have this issue when batteries were charged on the day of use, check your cells on a meter to be sure you do not have one going bad. I have recently changed to Sanyo's Eneloop batteries which are much better in this regard.
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Doug Smith
http://www.pbase.com/dougsmit

What type of batteries are you using? I use Duracell akaline batteries in my 580EX flash and they last me at least 200 firings without any noticiable slow recharging times. Of course, I do not rapid fire the flash and I let it rest for a few minutes too.

Check the battery contacts for burnt marks. It would have a bluish tint to it. You could have a main board problem for which a technician has to examine. Or you could have a battery drain issue too on the flash.

I buy my batteries from Costco and throw them out when the recharging time becomes slower and slower as I am shooting an event.

Good summary - my 420EX also fires a few hundred times on a fresh set of alkalines. Incidentally, it's a good idea to remove cylinder batteries (AA, AAA) from any device that won't be used for a few days or longer. They're prone to unexpected leakage, especially after being used awhile. Once that happens, your flash/grip/remote/etc. is pretty much ruined.

Jack

Vegasluv said:

What type of batteries are you using? I use Duracell akaline
batteries in my 580EX flash and they last me at least 200 firings
without any noticiable slow recharging times. Of course, I do not
rapid fire the flash and I let it rest for a few minutes too.

Check the battery contacts for burnt marks. It would have a bluish
tint to it. You could have a main board problem for which a
technician has to examine. Or you could have a battery drain issue
too on the flash.

I buy my batteries from Costco and throw them out when the recharging
time becomes slower and slower as I am shooting an event.

Click to expand...

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http://jackandkelly.zenfolio.com/

If you're using standard NiMH rechargables, then it's common to have them die between uses if you let them sit for a few days between when you charge them and then use them. The self-discharge characteristics for standard NiMHs is often very bad.

If you're using Alkalines (non-rechargables), then what you're experiencing is not normal. Ordinarily, you'll get quite good shelf-life for alkalines. And you should be getting a few hundred flashes from a set.

I have gone to using the Sanyo Eneloop "hybrid" NiMHs because their self-discharge characteristics are so excellent. I often let a flash unit sit for weeks between uses and with the Eneloops, I can do that and know that it's ready to go when I pick it up.

I have dozens and dozens of standard NiMHs that I have almost no use for now.

I cannot recommend the Eneloops highly enough!

Do also check your battery contacts. I recommend the use of a product called DeoxIT D5 for all of this kind of thing. Read the directions carefully and don't get it everywhere. DO NOT let it get on optical surfaces!

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Jim H.

I use the Energizer 2500 mAH & the Duracell 2650 NiMH & they last all night long when coupled with the Canon Battery pack holding the same type of batteries.

I was next to a guy shooting also with a battery pack & he had alkalines in the flash & his were toast half way through the night.

JD