Rechargeable or non rechargeable batteries for Flash guns

The Boys

The Boys

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Melissa
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I have my first wedding coming up soon..can anyone advise over rechargeable or non rechargeble batteries. I guess in the long run rechargeable are more cost effective. But any preference over make/model of rechargeables, how long do they hold charge for (or how long is a piece of string).
Thanks
 
The Boys said:
I have my first wedding coming up soon..can anyone advise over rechargeable or non rechargeble batteries. I guess in the long run rechargeable are more cost effective. But any preference over make/model of rechargeables, how long do they hold charge for (or how long is a piece of string).
Thanks
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Enoloop [I think that's he right spelling]
 
Wheels said:
Enoloop [I think that's he right spelling]
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You mean Eneloops :p

There's a few threads on the forums with reviews on these & do come recommended by quite a few people...
 
A nickel-metal hydride, abbreviated NiMH, rechargeable battery is preferable to other rechargeable types of battery and rechargeables in general are preferable over normal alkaline batteries.

Buy the highest numbered 'mAh' batteries you can (they last longer) and, as already said, the Sanyo Eneloop batteries are the batteries to get right now, they are rechargeable NiMH batteries but they also hold their charge when not in use, unlike the other NiMH rechargeables which will run down on their own without use.

I have a drawer full of 2900 mAh NiMH batteries that I bought before the Eneloops came out. I now use the Eneloops instead, despite them being a lower 2000 mAh, because they are still charged even if I haven't used my flashes for a week.
 
The Boys said:
I have my first wedding coming up soon..can anyone advise over rechargeable or non rechargeble batteries. I guess in the long run rechargeable are more cost effective. But any preference over make/model of rechargeables, how long do they hold charge for (or how long is a piece of string).
Thanks
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I use NiMh rechargeables, I take 20 spares, 8 in my 2xSB900s and 16 in two external battery packs but never need them all. Non rechargeable lithiums get hot quicker, but even rechargeables will end in flash overheating if you are working it too hard so second flash on hand is a good idea.

BTW its probably a good idea to know your flash a bit more before the wedding, it doesn't sound like you use it much.
 
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NiMH rechargeables have a much lower internal resistance than alkalines, which should help quicker recycling times.
 
Eneloops or the 7DS branded ones.. multiple packs of each.

There is a detailed review of the available brands and the actual performance of each (rather than the manufacturers stated performance). It was either a link from here, something on the strobist group/site or on LL.. I forget which. Anyone remember?
 
Eneloops.:):clap::thumbs:
 
I decided not to opt for Low self discharge nimhs

I did some calcs that even if i left mine for a week i'd still have more juice than fully charged LSD cells. Since i typically charge my batteries before a shoot i'd rather just have the higher charge in the first place.

If i was somewhere without readily available power or if i didn't use flash regularly but randomly then the LSD batteries make sense.

I've no idea what the power ratings are these days for normal and LSD nimhs, think it was 2500mah vs 2000mah when i did my calcs
 
Sanyo Eneloops. At a typical shoot I'm firing my 580EXII at 1/1 continuously and they seem to just last forever whilst still allowing quick recycle times. I can pick them after leaving then for ages and they still hold near as dagnabbit full charge.
 
Vapaxtech and Uniross here - both the same as eneloops but better value.
 
I've been using Sanyo Eneloops as well, they're on offer at Asda at the moment (£2 for a pack of 4 AA/AAA). Look in the Photo Centre section, they don't keep these on the main display area next to the well known brand.... (I looked in 3 stores near home and work).
 
Stratman said:
NiMH rechargeables have a much lower internal resistance than alkalines, which should help quicker recycling times.
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Head, nail etc. Typically 4 seconds as against 6.

Eneloops or Vapextechs :thumbs:
 
amjad175 said:
I've been using Sanyo Eneloops as well, they're on offer at Asda at the moment (£2 for a pack of 4 AA/AAA). Look in the Photo Centre section, they don't keep these on the main display area next to the well known brand.... (I looked in 3 stores near home and work).
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Thanks for the asda tip. I've been on the hunt for them for a while now, so I'll pop in on my way home.
 
I got vapextechs last time and am well happy.

They have managed easily 2-300 shots in a sitting before and I don't use my flash a huge amount so I don't want to have to remember to charge them all the time.

These are essentially like disposables in that I can leave them on the shelf then just re-charge once they are done, not ever few weeks as the charge leaks off.

Just ordered some 7ds ready to gos as I was making an order so hoping they are as good.
 
amjad175 said:
I've been using Sanyo Eneloops as well, they're on offer at Asda at the moment (£2 for a pack of 4 AA/AAA). Look in the Photo Centre section, they don't keep these on the main display area next to the well known brand.... (I looked in 3 stores near home and work).
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Thanks for the heads up.

I am using 7dayshop 2800 nimhs they last really well, I need to start replacing them as after about 5 years they are starting to fail..
 
Well as per usual I came out unlucky. None in stock. Do TPers reckon I'd be fine with any old 2800 NiMHs?
 
Steelfish said:
Well as per usual I came out unlucky. None in stock. Do TPers reckon I'd be fine with any old 2800 NiMHs?
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Technically yes, but it depends on how often you want to keep charging them - normal NiMH tech batteries do lose their charge after a short while, and it will depreciate over time, so if you don't use them for a few weeks they'll need a top up charge to get the best out of them.

Why not get a set of the 2800's and then order some Eneloops or Vapex Instants online? Vapex service via Ebay is good - you'll probably have them in 2 days if not next day.
 
Have bought 2 eneloop chargers and batteries now.......really stupid question but are the batteries fully charged when indicators lights are on or off. No instructions, look on line and the pdf instructions from Sanyo completely contradict themselves !!!
 
Put them on charge for 24hrs and see what the lights are doing after that. Sorry but is the best i can do. I used to have one and the lights stayed on all the time. On others they went from red to green when charged.
 
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