Rechargeable Batteries for Flash

slartz · Nov 17, 2010

Just bought a brand new Metz 50 flash
And was wondering about recommendations for rechargable batteries and charger.

I was recommended either the GP Recyko or Sanyo Eneloop. Anyone knows anything about those? Also - does the charger need to be same make as batteries? or can I buy each separately?

Thanks!

cuak · Nov 17, 2010

slartz said:
Just bought a brand new Metz 50 flash
And was wondering about recommendations for rechargable batteries and charger.

I was recommended either the GP Recyko or Sanyo Eneloop. Anyone knows anything about those? Also - does the charger need to be same make as batteries? or can I buy each separately?

Thanks!

I've changed from standard rechargable batteries to sanyo eneloop, and it was the best thing I did. I still use them with my old standard charger and they work perfectly nice! just be sure it's a slow charger (2 or more hours) mine peforms a full charge in 5 hours aprox.

the eneloop maintains their charge for a very long time! they are awesome!!! you won't regret... I don't know about GP Reckyo
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Fred_ · Nov 17, 2010

you can have look at the batteries with the higher mah

I have some that have 2700mah they are perfectly suited for flash because they help the recycle time.

I have some sony and warta they both work perfectly. I mix the charger without worring.

cuak · Nov 17, 2010

Fred_ said:
you can have look at the batteries with the higher mah

I have some that have 2700mah they are perfectly suited for flash because they help the recycle time.

but how long do they stay charged, even if not in use?

after 3 or 4 days my standard 2700 mah loose enough charge for not working on my strobes

eneloop on the other hand can stay charged for weeks

--

Fred_ · Nov 17, 2010

Hello,

I don't know how long they stay charge, I charge them before every shooting it's like a routing for me.

so I don't know, I just now that I charge them and it have no problem for the whole shooting.

usualy it doesn't take 5 hours to charge them.

cuak · Nov 17, 2010

Fred_ said:
Hello,

I don't know how long they stay charge, I charge them before every shooting it's like a routing for me.

so I don't know, I just now that I charge them and it have no problem for the whole shooting.

usualy it doesn't take 5 hours to charge them.

well, as my charger takes 4.5 ~ 5.0 hours to charge I just can't charge before use.
with a 2 hours charger maybe.

so eneloop is an excellent battery as you can keep them charged for very long times.
--

Stephen M. Alberts · Nov 17, 2010

The Eneloop batteries combined with the Maha PowerEx MH-C801D charger is a great combination. The Eneloop are a slow discharge battery and hold their charge rather well. When I use light on a stick with the Eneloops in my 580 EXll's at receptions, I have never had to change the batteries.
--
Have a good one.
Stephen

PeterY · Nov 17, 2010

I have tried about 4-5 different brands and NOTHING comes close to Sanyo Eneloop. Your charger is probably as important as the batteries themselves. Get the one that individually monitors each battery and have the long soft charge mode and the recondition mode.

I have the Powerex charger and I am very happy with it. The powerex batteries are not as good as the Eneloops.

Cenk · Nov 17, 2010

I use "Panasonic Infinium" rechargeables and and couldn't be happier... Infinium is a "very slow discharge" battery type...

slartz said:
Just bought a brand new Metz 50 flash
And was wondering about recommendations for rechargable batteries and charger.

I was recommended either the GP Recyko or Sanyo Eneloop. Anyone knows anything about those? Also - does the charger need to be same make as batteries? or can I buy each separately?

Thanks!

Osvaldo Cristo · Nov 17, 2010

--
O.Cristo - An Amateur Photographer

Opinions of men are almost as various as their faces - so many men so many minds . Franklin

delic · Nov 17, 2010

notext

Silverwind · Nov 18, 2010

Can't speak for the Eneloops, but I have used Rayovac's Hybrids for several years now with no problems. they can sit for a long time and still hold their charge. I have also been able to get about 400-600 flashes out of my 580 EX2 before changing them, depending on type of photography I am doing.

foxikk · Nov 18, 2010

ENELOOP all the way. Best batteries on the market.
There's only one capacity 2000mAh but they coming out with 2500mAh soon.

That's the only batteries which don't lose charge even after couple of months.
Don't hesitate

http://www.2dayblog.com/2010/09/30/sanyo-announces-2500mah-xx-eneloop-batteries-but-who%E2%80%99s-using/

Cenk · Nov 18, 2010

Simply not true :
"Panasonic Infinium" has same performance and very similar technology...

http://www.panasonic-batteries.com/site/europe/english/products/products_batteries_range.asp?iid=27

foxikk said:
ENELOOP all the way. Best batteries on the market.
There's only one capacity 2000mAh but they coming out with 2500mAh soon.

That's the only batteries which don't lose charge even after couple of months.
Don't hesitate

http://www.2dayblog.com/2010/09/30/sanyo-announces-2500mah-xx-eneloop-batteries-but-who%E2%80%99s-using/

foxikk · Nov 18, 2010

it looks like you're right, but I don't hear people using Panasonic and it's the first time I hear about Infinium.
And now... which one are better =]

Cenk said:
Simply not true :
"Panasonic Infinium" has same performance and very similar technology...

http://www.panasonic-batteries.com/site/europe/english/products/products_batteries_range.asp?iid=27

ProTL · Nov 18, 2010

This guy has posted to dpr before and most likely still does. I found his data to be well presented and he obviously knows a thing or two about batteries and how to best test them. He does mention that he will update the chart periodically as he gathers more data.

You may have to click on the link “unfamiliar with Ragone Plots” to better interpret the data. I know I did, even with an electrical background. I hope you find it informative.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=278063

--

I once had a perfectly exposed image of a white cow in a snow storm eating marshmallows.

foxikk · Nov 18, 2010

I can't faully understand these graphs but if im right then eneloop dont look that good. Can you tell me then which batteries are good ?

ProTL said:
This guy has posted to dpr before and most likely still does. I found his data to be well presented and he obviously knows a thing or two about batteries and how to best test them. He does mention that he will update the chart periodically as he gathers more data.

You may have to click on the link “unfamiliar with Ragone Plots” to better interpret the data. I know I did, even with an electrical background. I hope you find it informative.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=278063

ProTL · Nov 18, 2010

foxikk said:
I can't faully understand these graphs but if im right then eneloop dont look that good. Can you tell me then which batteries are good ?

Perhaps your interpretation is somewhat premature. Indeed Eneloops are a great battery as most here will tell you based on their experience. Somewhere in the thread he shows data after 100 charges. The Eneloop perform better as a percentage of the initial power available. Also, there’s no contest between high capacity and low self discharge batteries when it comes to shelf life. So, indeed there are many variables that go into the equation and I’m not going to suggest I’m a battery expert. However, in terms of initial raw power the data makes sense when comparing HC Vs. LSD.

--

I once had a perfectly exposed image of a white cow in a snow storm eating marshmallows.

ProTL · Nov 18, 2010

ProTL said:
Perhaps your interpretation is somewhat premature. Indeed Eneloops are a great battery as most here will tell you based on their experience. Somewhere in the thread he shows data after 100 charges. The Eneloop perform better as a percentage of the initial power available . Also, there’s no contest between high capacity and low self discharge batteries when it comes to shelf life. So, indeed there are many variables that go into the equation and I’m not going to suggest I’m a battery expert. However, in terms of initial raw power the data makes sense when comparing HC Vs. LSD.

I should have said initial power retained! Sorry!

ProTL said:
--

I once had a perfectly exposed image of a white cow in a snow storm eating marshmallows.

--

I once had a perfectly exposed image of a white cow in a snow storm eating marshmallows.

slartz · Nov 18, 2010

So... I ended up with the GP Recyko.

Like the eneloops they are low self discharge, so very adequate for flash usage, especially occasional one as mine.

The reason I got the GPs was mostly value for money. I found some reviews online comparing the two, showing that the GPs actually slightly outperform the eneloops. This is very minor, but made me feel comfortable that they are in the same ballpark.

Where I live, the Eneloops were 45$ for a slow (7hr) charger with 4 batteries.

For 55$, only 10$ more, I got the GP Recyko faster (4hr) charger and 10 (!) batteries.

Bottom line, from what I've seen online - most self discharge batteries are generally similar. Lessee if this changes when the new 2500mah eneloops are out...

Rechargeable Batteries for Flash

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