sonicfantom
04-09-2011, 12:27 AM
It seems like one of those unimportant things (less important than things like articulated heads, flash zoom, and guide numbers), I've recently found the batteries you use have a big impact on how your flash works. I recently had two photo shoots back to back, and I was worrying about how many alkalines I'd need to cover the day.
In desperation, I got four (not four batteries, four packs of 4 batteries + charger) of these (http://www.sony.co.nz/product/bcg-34hld4kn) for about $28 each.
Sony's Cycle Energy batteries come precharged - you can use them straight out of the pack like an alkaline or lithium AA, and they hold a relatively large 2000mAh. Perfect for high-drain devices like external flashes - I noticed that the Cycle Energy cells were able to charge my 430EX up to full power in close to a second, straight out of the pack.
They are very similar to Sanyo Eneloop cells, which seem to have a pretty good reputation on the internet. For those that don't know, Eneloops are a low self-discharge cell - what this means is that your batteries will not lose capacity if you leave them lying around for a while before you use them (Sony rates their Cycle Energy cells for discharge down to 75% capacity in a whopping 1 year).
Never thought I'd be saying this about batteries, but the Cycle Energy cells actually look quite stylish (guess it's a Sony thing).
The charger that comes in the linked pack is also worthy of mention. Rather than being a mere time-based charger, it detects the voltage of each cell individually, and shuts off the charging current to a cell when it is full (shame they didn't give each cell a charging indicator - you have to keep all the cells in until all of them are full, even though some may not be charging). What does this mean? No overcharged cells. Overcharging NiMH cells reduces their capacity drastically, and simple time-based timers will do this if not given attention. It charges the included cells at a slow and steady 7 hour charge time ( just leave it on overnight - they stop charging by themselves, as mentioned above) and also features worldwide voltage capacity for travellers.
On a side note - the charger is very slim. It's about 2.5cm at it's thickest point. It's got a detachable power cable (no more bulky wall wart chargers), and is small enough to double as a battery case when the cable is removed. Great for photographers on the go, and you can easily plug multiple chargers into the mains in a studio situation - just get a multitap. Even better, if you buy the batteries in these packs for $28, you get this thing for effectively $8. Now everybody can afford to charge 16 batteries simultaneously. Just add multitap*.
It looks rather hardcore (if charging batteries can ever look hardcore).
These batteries are great, I use them in all sorts of applications when they aren't juicing my flash. I'm now powering my 30D with them (two lithium batteries: ~3000mAh. 6 Cycle Energy cells: ~12000mAh. Hmm.) Don't skimp on the stuff that powers your gear. Highly recommended.
While I'm at it, they also work great in radio-controlled cars.
In desperation, I got four (not four batteries, four packs of 4 batteries + charger) of these (http://www.sony.co.nz/product/bcg-34hld4kn) for about $28 each.
Sony's Cycle Energy batteries come precharged - you can use them straight out of the pack like an alkaline or lithium AA, and they hold a relatively large 2000mAh. Perfect for high-drain devices like external flashes - I noticed that the Cycle Energy cells were able to charge my 430EX up to full power in close to a second, straight out of the pack.
They are very similar to Sanyo Eneloop cells, which seem to have a pretty good reputation on the internet. For those that don't know, Eneloops are a low self-discharge cell - what this means is that your batteries will not lose capacity if you leave them lying around for a while before you use them (Sony rates their Cycle Energy cells for discharge down to 75% capacity in a whopping 1 year).
Never thought I'd be saying this about batteries, but the Cycle Energy cells actually look quite stylish (guess it's a Sony thing).
The charger that comes in the linked pack is also worthy of mention. Rather than being a mere time-based charger, it detects the voltage of each cell individually, and shuts off the charging current to a cell when it is full (shame they didn't give each cell a charging indicator - you have to keep all the cells in until all of them are full, even though some may not be charging). What does this mean? No overcharged cells. Overcharging NiMH cells reduces their capacity drastically, and simple time-based timers will do this if not given attention. It charges the included cells at a slow and steady 7 hour charge time ( just leave it on overnight - they stop charging by themselves, as mentioned above) and also features worldwide voltage capacity for travellers.
On a side note - the charger is very slim. It's about 2.5cm at it's thickest point. It's got a detachable power cable (no more bulky wall wart chargers), and is small enough to double as a battery case when the cable is removed. Great for photographers on the go, and you can easily plug multiple chargers into the mains in a studio situation - just get a multitap. Even better, if you buy the batteries in these packs for $28, you get this thing for effectively $8. Now everybody can afford to charge 16 batteries simultaneously. Just add multitap*.
It looks rather hardcore (if charging batteries can ever look hardcore).
These batteries are great, I use them in all sorts of applications when they aren't juicing my flash. I'm now powering my 30D with them (two lithium batteries: ~3000mAh. 6 Cycle Energy cells: ~12000mAh. Hmm.) Don't skimp on the stuff that powers your gear. Highly recommended.
While I'm at it, they also work great in radio-controlled cars.