Flash batteries, alkaline or rechargeable?

[Janice]

Which do you find best? Or should i say, which work longest?

I had a bunch of duracell in and they gave out half way through the day on saturday.. are rechareables likely to last longer during a session?

 

[ConfusedChicca]

Rechargeables all the way! Fairly new to this myself, but I have 2 sets of rechargeables (one set Uniross and one set of Energizer), each set lasts for 150-200 flashes, in my experience.
Tried some Energizer Lithium ones at some point and it barely lasted 5 flashes before they gave up.
x

 

[RobertP]

I use the 7dayshop own brand ones. Last for ages. I found fast chargers tended to kill rechargeables so i only use a slow charger now.

found a battery faq here which answers your question better

 

[jhob]

I use exclusively rechargables and one set will quite happily last a days wedding although I do generally replace about half way through the day to keep the recycle time up. That said, I am not a very heavy flash user.

At any rate I'd still recommend rechargeables purely for the environmental aspect. Batteries have some pretty nasty chemicals in them, rechargeables included, so the less that have to be thrown away the better.

 

[Brains]

I switched to a Quantum 2x2 to power my SB800's. I must say that I have noticed a distinct improvement in the flash photography. When using normal batteries I would get some shots that were darker than others. Now, perfect results. Plus the benefit of fast recycle times means no shots missed.

When using normal batteries I did use Duracell plus. No way would they last a whole day.

 

[daftbugga]

at any rate I'd still recommend rechargeables purely for the environmental aspect.

well said

i use enegizer rechargables in a sb 600 and the high capacity ones (2500 mah) give a fast recycle time and last for many flashes.

 

[FranchiseJuan]

I usually use rechargables (I got more then 40 AAs), but due to the age of some of them they only last 100-150 shots.

 

[divine`]

Energizer 2500mAh here, great batteries.

Got four of them + charger from Tesco HomePlus for £10, not sure if they still are as they said they were on offer from £20...

 

[jhob]

I got an SB-28 flash gun off ebay last week and it came with 4 uniross 2100mAh batteries in it which I wasn't expecting - bonus!

I now have a ragtag collection of rechargable AAs all over 2100mAh. Older rechargeables I retire from photographic duty and use for remote controls, radios and other less energy intensive and critical devices.

 

[Marcel]

Rechargeables all the way for me. I use 4 Uniross 2300maH's in my 430, and Ive never had them run out yet. I keep them topped up every now and then. I've had them 'slow down' a bit (Ie increased flash recycle time), but never run out.
I backed those up with a set of 4 x 2100maH's from Aldi for 1.99. That's a bargain IMO

 

[silkstone]

I use Ni-MH of various makes, but they do lose their charge over time if you forget to top them up occasionally.

Has anyone tried the hybrids? They're supposed to have a longer shelf life when charged.

http://www.batterylogic.co.uk/hybrio-aa-rechargeable-battery.asp

 

[2blue4u]

I have loads of rechargeables here but I'm thinking of returning to conventional because I'm fed up with rechargeables losing their ability to retain charge.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I have loads of rechargeables here but I'm thinking of returning to conventional because I'm fed up with rechargeables losing their ability to retain charge.

As opposed to no ability to charge at all ?

 

[Dave-G]

4 Energizer 2500mAh and 4 Energizer 2300mAh and a 15 minute charger I can put in the car as well. I did get a charger with the 2500's but it takes 12hours! so that's dumped in the loft I think.

 

[Janice]

Oh well, wedding on saturday and no time to buy any rechargeables... so duracells it is then.

Sure I had some but the kids seem to have mystically magiced them away!

 

[dazzajl]

The only thing to watch out for with the rechargables compared to regular throwaway jobbies, is that you don't really get that gradual fall off. When they go, they go quick.

So if you are using them for a wedding or any event where you cant afford to miss a shot, replace them with another set when you get a short break in shooting, rather than have them stop at the worst possible moment.

 

[Dave Scanlon]

Oh well, wedding on saturday and no time to buy any rechargeables... so duracells it is then.

If you're feeling flush or it's a one off try energiser Lithium
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=5345
£4.39 for 4 and they last all day

 

[silkstone]

Those lithium batteries would be good as a backup set in the bag - so you know you have something that will work without having to recharge them every so often.

 

[Janice]

Hmmm might try those little monkeys!

Its only a one-off wedding.. so might be an idea!

 

[ConfusedChicca]

I always used the Lithium ones in my point and shoot (always lasted a long time, never used em in a flash yet though), and I carry a set plus a 2nd set of rechargeables.
x

 

[Witch]

4 in the flashgun, 8 in the battery pack, all rechargeables. A mixture of Boots own (2200mAh) and 7-day shop (2700mAh) - usually with the lower powred ones in the gun itself as I find the higher power ones seem to give better results from the battery pack.

For anyone who feels like splashing out by the way - the CP-E4 pack is a wonderful beastie - well worth the additional weight to carry for the excellent performance. Recycle time on a speedlite 550EX now comes in at about 1½ seconds!