BLX-1 Shortage: Why are BLX-1 batteries so hard to find right now?

[tb06mar]

I'm an OM-3 owner and I'm happy with the camera, but finding a spare OEM BLX-1 battery is nearly impossible. They are consistently "out of stock" or on long backorder at every major retailer I've checked (in Canada, B&H, etc.).

I'm curious: Is this mainly due to OM System prioritizing the batteries for new camera kits, or is it still a lingering issue with the global lithium-ion supply chain?

Any insight would be great! Also, if you’ve given up on OEM, which third-party BLX-1 brand do you actually trust? Thanks!

 

[Sam Bennett]

I'm an OM-3 owner and I'm happy with the camera, but finding a spare OEM BLX-1 battery is nearly impossible. They are consistently "out of stock" or on long backorder at every major retailer I've checked (in Canada, B&H, etc.).

I'm curious: Is this mainly due to OM System prioritizing the batteries for new camera kits, or is it still a lingering issue with the global lithium-ion supply chain?

Any insight would be great! Also, if you’ve given up on OEM, which third-party BLX-1 brand do you actually trust? Thanks!

I have a few OEMs, but have also had luck with the Watson knock offs - haven’t noticed any difference between them.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Interesting, plus OMS America lists them at a whopping $134! Considerable bump from $99.

The Manfrotto version seems out of stock as well. Maybe the price hike caused a run on the things.

Happy hunting and please let us know what you find.

Rick

 

[Snapsh0t]

Looks like a possibly tariff-related NA problem as all the major outlets in the UK have stock at £79.

 

[cc99]

Any insight would be great! Also, if you’ve given up on OEM, which third-party BLX-1 brand do you actually trust? Thanks!

eBay has ones made for the Chinese market. They would have the same chip as the regular batteries. US $55.

 

[drj3]

Interesting, plus OMS America lists them at a whopping $134! Considerable bump from $99.

The Manfrotto version seems out of stock as well. Maybe the price hike caused a run on the things.

Happy hunting and please let us know what you find.

Rick

The current total China tariff rate according to Bing is 55% while Japan tariff rate is 15%. My BLX-1s indicate cell made in Japan, packaged in China, so it appears that the China tariff may apply. Glad I got an extra free battery with each of my OM1s and one with my BCX-1 charger.

 

[Danielvr]

I'm an OM-3 owner and I'm happy with the camera, but finding a spare OEM BLX-1 battery is nearly impossible. They are consistently "out of stock" or on long backorder at every major retailer I've checked (in Canada, B&H, etc.).

Precision Camera shows them 'in stock' at US $99.

p.s. OM System doesn't actually manufacture batteries, so when you say 'OEM', it's unclear (to me anyway) whether you mean OM System or their actual manufacturer.

 

[Messier Object]

But the BLH-1 is in stock for AU$49 which is amazingly cheap


Peter

 

[daddyo]

I bought a 2-pack of 'BM Premium' BLX-1 batteries some time back, and have not had a hint of problem with them. They charge quickly on my BCX-1 charger, and seem to last just as long as my original BLX-1's. They are pretty inexpensive on Amazon.com.

 

[DaveLBlack]

A friend decided to sell off his Nikon Z gear and change to OM System. He got 2 OM-1 MkII, 12-40/f2.8, 60/f2.8 Macro, 150-400/f4.5, the charger and extra batteries. He got the gear from the local camera store and the camera store had to order the gear. His wait was 3 or 4 days. Only thing he didn't get yet was the 50-200/f2.8.

 

[IagoZ]

Our local shop has several. I should buy them up and sell them on ebay for double! :-D

 

[Trolleyman]

Can get one in the UK next day delivery for £79

 

[number_5]

I bought a 2-pack of 'BM Premium' BLX-1 batteries some time back, and have not had a hint of problem with them. They charge quickly on my BCX-1 charger, and seem to last just as long as my original BLX-1's. They are pretty inexpensive on Amazon.com.

I got more than a few of them, and they only last about a bit more than 50%. I was on a full day birding trip and with pre-capture, I almost ran out. When I got home, I picked up a few OEM. That being said, if the camera is not on or waiting all the time, you should be fine.

 

[Todd Yes]

Any insight would be great! Also, if you’ve given up on OEM, which third-party BLX-1 brand do you actually trust? Thanks!

eBay has ones made for the Chinese market. They would have the same chip as the regular batteries. US $55.

It's very easy to test with a multimeter if they are actually genuine or counterfeit. So far I have only found counterfeits, and I even got a counterfeit BLH charger that didn't work properly, with the only visual clue being that the engraved info wasn't quite as deep and crisp, probably because they made a mould of a genuine one in order to produce their counterfeits. You have to be careful.

 

[Tannin]

Readily available in Australia. OEM or third-party. Your problem is tariffs.

 

[Woody Meristem]

I bought a 2-pack of 'BM Premium' BLX-1 batteries some time back, and have not had a hint of problem with them. They charge quickly on my BCX-1 charger, and seem to last just as long as my original BLX-1's. They are pretty inexpensive on Amazon.com.

I've used BM batteries in both my Olympus and Canon cameras with no issues other than one old BLH-1 battery that apparently won't hold a charge. As daddyyo wrote, they last as long as OEM batteries.

 

[TechRAW]

Readily available in Australia. OEM or third-party. Your problem is tariffs.

Nope. The price is $99, just like it was at launch in 2022 so it's not tariffs. They were on backorder in late 2023 as well. I had B&H notify me when it was available which was 48hrs later and delivered on the weekend. The store up the street from me has them in stock today ready to ship.

OM System BLX-1 Lithium Battery for OM-1

This battery is compatible with the OM-1 and HLD-10 Power Battery Holder.

www.precision-camera.com

I don't know what shipping/customs are to Canada though. OP may want to wait until Canadian stock is replenished.

 

[Messier Object]

Readily available in Australia. OEM or third-party. Your problem is tariffs.

OM SYSTEM Australia



digiDirect au



Peter

 

[cc99]

eBay has ones made for the Chinese market. They would have the same chip as the regular batteries. US $55.

It's very easy to test with a multimeter if they are actually genuine or counterfeit.

Please tell me how? I have a lot of batteries to check.

 

[Todd Yes]

eBay has ones made for the Chinese market. They would have the same chip as the regular batteries. US $55.

It's very easy to test with a multimeter if they are actually genuine or counterfeit.

Please tell me how? I have a lot of batteries to check.

Counterfeit and third-party batteries nearly always fake their thermistor temperature sensor. So, measure the resistance between the T and - terminals. On a genuine battery, the resistance will change as the battery warms and cools, and it's so sensitive that just holding the battery in your hand will cause a change. If the reading never changes, it has been built with a fixed resistor that will lie to the charger/camera that it is always a never-changing safe temperature, even when it is just about to burst into flames.