Extending canon 580ex battery life???

[Chrisly2009]

Hi guys

really need to be put in the right direction for a battery pack for my 580ex flash as I feel its the only way to go for weddings etc.

Im tired of removing and replacing batteries after what seems a few flashes and I also notice that the flash loses power which is impossible to work with.

I see some wedding guys with what looks like a monopod with flash ontop, pocket wizard and a battery pack wrapped around the shaft of the monopod which can then be postioned wirelessly wherever you want.......this is the setup I want.

I have the wireless setup for the 580ex and the monopod part is easy but what is most reliable and best to keep my flash on full power for at least 250-300 flashes???

I tried looking on ebay and found this but not sure if its any good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Godox-PB8...ories_CameraFlashUnits_JN&hash=item2a1bf4f5b5


Is there an industry standard in battery packs??

any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks guys

 

[Canon Bob]

Canon's own CP-E4 certainly fits the bill and the Quantum Turbo raises the bar a little further (it raises the cost too).

Bob

 

[stevewestern]

The CP-E4 does the job well as Canon Bob says, but is expensive for what it is - that said it is worth every penny as it cuts recharging times and with good batteries will last bloomin' ages !
I believe there are Chinese copies that i assume do the job just as well..

 

[wicker_man]

Make sure you are using good quality rechargeable batteries, I recommend Sanyo Eneloops. I have three sets and they have performed flawlessly, and last much longer than alkaline or conventional Ni-MH batteries.

There are some cheap Chinese clones of the Canon CP-E4 available, I don't know if they are any good but I think a friend used one a while back and it did help cut recharge times, they take 8x AA batteries.

 

[acetone]

The clones work just as well as the Canon CP-E4, I have two different ones, but find the Yongnuo to be just a bit better build quality ( the battery door has a smoother fit) I paid about £25