Question on Battery Grip BG-E3.

Canew · 26th July 2005

Hello everyone,

I have just tried out my new Battery Grip BG-E3 on my EOS 350D. Everything works fine except when I use the BGM-E3A battery magazine (able to fit 6 x AA batteries). I plugged in 6 fresh (well, almost - I used 4 of them to fire 20 flashes before that, the other 2 are brand new) and the battery indicator on the camera shows that the batteries are low! I could not even make a shot out of it!

Can anyone out there, help me to explain this phenomena?

"FYI, when using the BGM-E3L (able to fit 2 x NB-2LH), the battery indicator shows that it is full although I used only 1 NB-2LH battery which has fired about 80 shots."

DEADMETAL · 26th July 2005

Did u try loading all total new batt in? I've try using batteries that been used for flash (x4)and 2 fresh batt and it indicate full batt. And are you using alkaline batteries?

Canew · 26th July 2005

Hi DEADMETAL,

No, I have not tried loading all new 6 batteries in. (ran out of fresh ones) I will try again once I have all 6 fresh batteries. Incidentally, all the batteries quoted an expiry date of 01-2009.

Yes, I am using ENERGIZER alkaline batteries.

Canew · 27th July 2005

Hi DEADMETAL,

Yes, I finally loaded in 6 fresh AA batteries and the battery indicator on the camera shows 'FULL.' Thanks for the suggestion.

I will now try to use the 6 AA alkaline batteries and see how long it will last.

DEADMETAL · 27th July 2005

By the way, if you are using 6 fully charged rechargable batteries, it might show full for awhile then drop till half or show half all the way till it's fully drain. No big deal to this coz rechargable batteries voltage are lower than normal AA batteries. Hope this helps.

tunster · 27th July 2005

Yah just realized my rechargable batts can't use. They are all 1.2v so added up 7.2v. While the normal batts are 1.5v added up to be 9v

lynch · 28th July 2005

i use 6x 2500mha sanyo batteries. while my camera shows a low batt indicator even when my batteries are fully charged, i've manage to shoot through 2 weeks with over 1200 photos w/o needing a recharge still.

any1 else with the same experience?

maxima · 28th July 2005

All Canon BG had the same issues when using rechargeable batteries.

You should not have problems with Alkaline or Li-ion batteries

Problem is that with rechargeable batteries, does it impact camera & lens focusing perfromance since it's of a lower voltage? You need power to drive the focusing motor during AF. All DSLR uses the most power during focus, therefore, you will see extended battery life if you shoot 100% MF vs AF. Worst case, CF vs AF.

Hopes this Helps.

Originally Posted by lynch

i use 6x 2500mha sanyo batteries. while my camera shows a low batt indicator even when my batteries are fully charged, i've manage to shoot through 2 weeks with over 1200 photos w/o needing a recharge still.

any1 else with the same experience?

Canew · 28th July 2005

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the feedbacks.

inertia · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by lynch

i use 6x 2500mha sanyo batteries. while my camera shows a low batt indicator even when my batteries are fully charged, i've manage to shoot through 2 weeks with over 1200 photos w/o needing a recharge still.

any1 else with the same experience?

Its the same with everyone else using rechargeable AA batts on BG-E3 ...the indication shows low at 1 bar left even batts are fully charged...confirmed with 3 other pals using it

melgeil · 28th July 2005

True I have the same problem with this vertical grip for 350D. Especially when you put lense Sigma 70-300mm Macro the battery dead I cannot zoom in and out.

lynch · 28th July 2005

I've played with several lens (though i dont own a single one -- no dough!! sob)

EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

From my own personal experience, especially the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM which causes major drain on batteries due to the IS/USM, my camera/lens combo still performed very well -- as fast and sharp asif i were using the normal Li-ions. No difference there.

I wont be sure about third-party lens though. No opportunity to try any yet.

MakotoMiki · 28th July 2005

IS'T THIS PROBLEM???

Canon offers to repair DSLR Battery Grip
Monday, 18 July 2005 08:50 GMT < Prev Next >

Canon USA has announced that customers with the Battery Grip BG-E2 used with the EOS 20D and 20Da, and a certain serial number range can return their grip/magazine for a free repair/replacement. This is due to a cases where even with fully charged batteries (exclusive battery pack or NiMH battery) or unused AA size batteries, only a few shots can be taken or 'bc' is displayed immediately.

Click here for more information or call 1-800-828-4040

Release notes:

Battery Grip BG-E2 and Battery Magazine BGM-E2

- Battery Grip BG-E2
Serial Number 000001 - 096000

- Battery Magazine BGM-E2
Old type products

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...atterygrip.asp

DEADMETAL · 28th July 2005

Originally Posted by MakotoMiki

IS'T THIS PROBLEM???

Canon offers to repair DSLR Battery Grip
Monday, 18 July 2005 08:50 GMT < Prev Next >

Canon USA has announced that customers with the Battery Grip BG-E2 used with the EOS 20D and 20Da, and a certain serial number range can return their grip/magazine for a free repair/replacement. This is due to a cases where even with fully charged batteries (exclusive battery pack or NiMH battery) or unused AA size batteries, only a few shots can be taken or 'bc' is displayed immediately.

Click here for more information or call 1-800-828-4040

Release notes:

Battery Grip BG-E2 and Battery Magazine BGM-E2

- Battery Grip BG-E2
Serial Number 000001 - 096000

- Battery Magazine BGM-E2
Old type products

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...atterygrip.asp

Ehh, we talking about BG-E3 here

Canew · 28th July 2005

Yeah MakotoMiki,

We are discussing about the BG-E3, not BG-E2. But, thanks anyway!

MakotoMiki · 28th July 2005

I KNEW IT~~

I ALSO USE BG-E3, GOT SAME PROBLEM AT MY ONE LAST TIME

Canew · 2nd August 2005

Hi all,

Just an update on my usage of the new 6 AA Alkaline Energizer batteries in my BG-E3. Here are the details.

1. Snapped about 160+ photos. (20% with built in flash, some others with 580EX - with preview/deletion on some of it)
2. Connected to the CP400 and printed out 6 photos.
3. Connected to the PC to upload photos to the HDD.

After all that, the battery indicator now shows 'LOW', but it is still able to take pictures. Have not completely drained it yet.

DEADMETAL · 2nd August 2005

Originally Posted by Canew

Hi all,

Just an update on my usage of the new 6 AA Alkaline Energizer batteries in my BG-E3. Here are the details.

1. Snapped about 160+ photos. (20% with built in flash, some others with 580EX - with preview/deletion on some of it)
2. Connected to the CP400 and printed out 6 photos.
3. Connected to the PC to upload photos to the HDD.

After all that, the battery indicator now shows 'LOW', but it is still able to take pictures. Have not completely drained it yet.

Keep it going! Hope to hear that it last at least 800 shots, is that possible? I'm using 2 OEM batt and I can shoot at least 1k, some with flash.

26th July 2005	#1
Canew Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampines Posts: 2,092	Question on Battery Grip BG-E3. Hello everyone, I have just tried out my new Battery Grip BG-E3 on my EOS 350D. Everything works fine except when I use the BGM-E3A battery magazine (able to fit 6 x AA batteries). I plugged in 6 fresh (well, almost - I used 4 of them to fire 20 flashes before that, the other 2 are brand new) and the battery indicator on the camera shows that the batteries are low! I could not even make a shot out of it! Can anyone out there, help me to explain this phenomena? "FYI, when using the BGM-E3L (able to fit 2 x NB-2LH), the battery indicator shows that it is full although I used only 1 NB-2LH battery which has fired about 80 shots."

26th July 2005	#2
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	Did u try loading all total new batt in? I've try using batteries that been used for flash (x4)and 2 fresh batt and it indicate full batt. And are you using alkaline batteries?

27th July 2005	#4
Canew Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampines Posts: 2,092	Hi DEADMETAL, Yes, I finally loaded in 6 fresh AA batteries and the battery indicator on the camera shows 'FULL.' Thanks for the suggestion. I will now try to use the 6 AA alkaline batteries and see how long it will last.

27th July 2005	#6
tunster Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,438	Yah just realized my rechargable batts can't use. They are all 1.2v so added up 7.2v. While the normal batts are 1.5v added up to be 9v

28th July 2005	#7
lynch Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 625	i use 6x 2500mha sanyo batteries. while my camera shows a low batt indicator even when my batteries are fully charged, i've manage to shoot through 2 weeks with over 1200 photos w/o needing a recharge still. any1 else with the same experience?

28th July 2005	#11
melgeil New Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 35	True I have the same problem with this vertical grip for 350D. Especially when you put lense Sigma 70-300mm Macro the battery dead I cannot zoom in and out.

28th July 2005	#13
MakotoMiki Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 690	IS'T THIS PROBLEM??? Canon offers to repair DSLR Battery Grip Monday, 18 July 2005 08:50 GMT < Prev Next > Canon USA has announced that customers with the Battery Grip BG-E2 used with the EOS 20D and 20Da, and a certain serial number range can return their grip/magazine for a free repair/replacement. This is due to a cases where even with fully charged batteries (exclusive battery pack or NiMH battery) or unused AA size batteries, only a few shots can be taken or 'bc' is displayed immediately. Click here for more information or call 1-800-828-4040 Release notes: Battery Grip BG-E2 and Battery Magazine BGM-E2 - Battery Grip BG-E2 Serial Number 000001 - 096000 - Battery Magazine BGM-E2 Old type products http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05...atterygrip.asp

2nd August 2005	#17
Canew Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampines Posts: 2,092	Hi all, Just an update on my usage of the new 6 AA Alkaline Energizer batteries in my BG-E3. Here are the details. 1. Snapped about 160+ photos. (20% with built in flash, some others with 580EX - with preview/deletion on some of it) 2. Connected to the CP400 and printed out 6 photos. 3. Connected to the PC to upload photos to the HDD. After all that, the battery indicator now shows 'LOW', but it is still able to take pictures. Have not completely drained it yet.