Rechargable batteries for SB600 flash

[TroyP]

The manual mentions:
NiCd (1000 mAh) - 90 flashes, 2.9sec recycle time
Ni-MH (2000 mA) - 220 flashes, 2.5sec recycle time

Is there any problem with using lower powered rechargable batteries like Ni-MH 1000 mA? How many flashes and recycle time would that be?

 

[karnage]

Lower-powered NiMH (lower mAH) will give u slower recycle times and less charge. 1000mAH does not mean it will give u half the number of shots of 2000mAH. It'll probably give you less than half. Buy from known brands because unknown brands may exaggerate their ratings: stated 2500mAH but actual charge is only say 1800mAH.

NiCD is older technology and is more environmentally unfriendly, I think. You gotta research on that one. But just get NiMH la... best compromise between price and longevity.

Cheers!

 

[zac08]

The manual mentions:
NiCd (1000 mAh) - 90 flashes, 2.9sec recycle time
Ni-MH (2000 mA) - 220 flashes, 2.5sec recycle time

Is there any problem with using lower powered rechargable batteries like Ni-MH 1000 mA? How many flashes and recycle time would that be?

No.... the mAh is a definition of the amout of charge it can hold.. i.e. the amount of power it can give out before it's flat...

The higher, the more it can last longer....

As for recycle time, I guess it's due to Nikon's test on the various types of batteries and the difference in voltage which will play a part in making it different. Ni-MH should be similar throughout their different amphere ranges.

 

[catchlights]

go for NiMh batteries, which is more environmentally friendly,
and Higher mAh, will give you more battery juice per charge,

if you do not shoot often, go for Sanyo ENELOOPS, or Powerex IMEDION, these type of batteries can hold their charge better than normal type of NiMh batteries, need not to worry to much about power drained when batteries is not in use.

BTW, do not think you still able to find any 1000 mAh NiMh AA batteris nowadays, and UNLESS you only shoot in manual mode with your flash, nobody will know exactly how much power output for each flash when is in TTL or AA mode, so there is no way to tell many flashes and recycle time would that be for each set of batteries.

 

[Abuddlah]

get ENELOOPS! You sure won't regret. Although I find the recycle time on my 580ex abit slow. HAHA!

 

[TroyP]

go for NiMh batteries, which is more environmentally friendly,
and Higher mAh, will give you more battery juice per charge,

if you do not shoot often, go for Sanyo ENELOOPS, or Powerex IMEDION, these type of batteries can hold their charge better than normal type of NiMh batteries, need not to worry to much about power drained when batteries is not in use.

BTW, do not think you still able to find any 1000 mAh NiMh AA batteris nowadays, and UNLESS you only shoot in manual mode with your flash, nobody will know exactly how much power output for each flash when is in TTL or AA mode, so there is no way to tell many flashes and recycle time would that be for each set of batteries.

Yes, I found quite a large variety of amperage in rechargable batteries down at the book store on Robinson Rd. The price varied greatly too, from $5 for a pack of 4, up to $25.
I think the amperage ranged from around 700mA to 2600mA.

 

[catchlights]

Yes, I found quite a large variety of amperage in rechargable batteries down at the book store on Robinson Rd. The price varied greatly too, from $5 for a pack of 4, up to $25.
I think the amperage ranged from around 700mA to 2600mA.

700mAh? Your flash can use AAA batteries?

 

[TroyP]

700mAh? Your flash can use AAA batteries?

I just went down to check again - MPH Bookstore (A1 Computer Station).

NiCD - 700mah AA $3 (pack of 4) - (Brand: Power-pack - product of Singapore)
NiMH 1600mah AA $5.50 (pack of 4) - (Brand: Power-pack - product of Singapore)
NiMH 2100mah AA $10 (pack of 4) - (Brand: Power-pack - product of Singapore)
NiMH 2100mah AA $20 (pack of 4)
NiMH 2300mah AA $22 (pack of 4)
NiMH 2500mah AA $22 (pack of 4)

I bought:
NiMH 1600mah AA $5.50 (pack of 4) - (Brand: Power-pack - product of Singapore)

 

[catchlights]

too bad, you already bought your batteries..

PowerEx 2100mAh 4-Pack AA IMEDION @$20.00, ($16.00with trade in old rechargeable batteries), Highly recommended.

 

[AhKeong83]

But I heard that using rechargable batteries will damage the flash....

 

[huggable]

Yeah the Imedion batteries are good. For the casual shooter, who doesn't use flash very often, it definitely retains the charge very well. I'm using 1 set in my SB800.

too bad, you already bought your batteries..

PowerEx 2100mAh 4-Pack AA IMEDION @$20.00, ($16.00with trade in old rechargeable batteries), Highly recommended.

 

[TroyP]

Yeah the Imedion batteries are good. For the casual shooter, who doesn't use flash very often, it definitely retains the charge very well. I'm using 1 set in my SB800.

What's the big deal if you don't use them very often? You just throw them in your charger overnight. I will buy 2 sets so I already have a charged set on hand.

But I heard that using rechargable batteries will damage the flash....

Where is the logic in that?

 

[AhKeong83]

What's the big deal if you don't use them very often? You just throw them in your charger overnight. I will buy 2 sets so I already have a charged set on hand.




Where is the logic in that?

Actually I am oso not sure, I heard this from a camera salesman as my colleague is enquiring about rechargable batteries for his flash.

 

[catchlights]

What's the big deal if you don't use them very often? You just throw them in your charger overnight. I will buy 2 sets so I already have a charged set on hand.

Normal NiMh batteries don't hold charge well, the charge will drop significantly after sometime, unless you charge them every week or always leave it inside charger for ticker charge, which is not very good for battery life.

Using Sanyo ENELOOPS, or Powerex IMEDION batteries, it will be like using "Eveready" batteries, don't have to worry about forgot to charge batteries or have remember to charge it a night before.

 

[catchlights]

But I heard that using rechargable batteries will damage the flash....

Actually I am oso not sure, I heard this from a camera salesman as my colleague is enquiring about rechargable batteries for his flash.

suggest you read the flash manual about what type of batteries is recommendable.
and not all batteries are the same, go and read all the reviews on web about the reputable batteries products.

 

[Daedalus Trent]

Actually I am oso not sure, I heard this from a camera salesman as my colleague is enquiring about rechargable batteries for his flash.

camera salesman?

oh dear, sounds to me like he was trying to dupe your friend :think:

 

[zac08]

But I heard that using rechargable batteries will damage the flash....

I've been using RECHARGEABLES in my flash for about 2 years now... NO issues...

there's no such thing as it will damage the flash... the only chance is due to user problem. You tend to shoot more and at faster speeds and may cause the flash to overheat.

 

[huggable]

The problem with a "charged set" and low usage is, the battery power will self-discharge even when not used. You might end up with 2 sets of discharged batteries when you need the flash.

I used to carry 2 sets of Alkalines, 1 set in the flash, and a new set as standby. Now I just do with 1 set of rechargables. No problems so far, lighter too.

What's the big deal if you don't use them very often? You just throw them in your charger overnight. I will buy 2 sets so I already have a charged set on hand.




Where is the logic in that?

 

[TroyP]

suggest you read the flash manual about what type of batteries is recommendable.
and not all batteries are the same, go and read all the reviews on web about the reputable batteries products.

Yep, I read the manual. Hence where I got the data from my original post.
It doesnt go into detail about brands, or amperage, or life of different batteries.
It does however go on and on and on about what not to do with batteries (dont feed to your little brother, perform juggling tricks with them, put them in the microwave etc).

Anyway, i'll see how I do with this $5.50 set of batteries. See how many shots it lasts, recharge time, and lifetime after a week of no usage when fully charged.

 

[catchlights]

suggest you read the flash manual about what type of batteries is recommendable.
and not all batteries are the same, go and read all the reviews on web about the reputable batteries products.

I know you have quoted the manual in your first post.

my reply is to AhKeong83, telling him dont's just to do or not to do something by listening to somebody without doing own research.