Using Rechargeable Batteries for Flash Unit??
- Thread starter marsulein
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Have been using rechargeable all these years on flashes including external batter pack. Never have any problems.
Sad to say your friend and shopkeeper are very ill informed as well as giving wrong advise.
For rechargeable Maha PowerEx 2700mh is the most reliable I used so far and so is the Imedion.
Go to Eastgear, they have so promo on (I believed) http://www.eastgear.com/store/index.php they served all your batteries and gadget needs.
Sad to say your friend and shopkeeper are very ill informed as well as giving wrong advise.
For rechargeable Maha PowerEx 2700mh is the most reliable I used so far and so is the Imedion.
Go to Eastgear, they have so promo on (I believed) http://www.eastgear.com/store/index.php they served all your batteries and gadget needs.
My initial reaction when he told me was to DOUBT him. As ignorant as I can be regarding photography (or circuitry) I've never heard of this urban myth before. That's why I am asking fellow enthusiasts in this forum about the myth. I know I'll get plenty of replies from you guys.
Thank you guys!! :thumbsup:
kkcharles82
Member
What is the shop's name? That is absolute hog-wash. Nowadays sales people should shut up and not let people know you are stupid. In fact, when they say something, it is like the customer totally do not know anything, totally ignorant. Times have changed...
It is safe to use rechargeable batteries on your flash,
and since most rechargeable batteries recycle your flash faster than most other types of batteries
many people tend to shoot in rapid fire, this is how causes the flash to brake down,
there is nothing wrong with rechargeable batteries, just a bad habit of the photographers using the flash.
so if you need to shoot with flash very fast, you have to pace your shots, don't keep shooting rapid fire, else you will kiss your flash good bye very soon.
and since most rechargeable batteries recycle your flash faster than most other types of batteries
many people tend to shoot in rapid fire, this is how causes the flash to brake down,
there is nothing wrong with rechargeable batteries, just a bad habit of the photographers using the flash.
so if you need to shoot with flash very fast, you have to pace your shots, don't keep shooting rapid fire, else you will kiss your flash good bye very soon.
not true! :nono:;p i have been flashing rapidly (around 1000++ pic) for almost every event that i go to for more then 3 years and my flash have not had any sign of breaking down yet.
i only use rechargable batteries; and at least 2500mAh or 2700mAh.
maybe you are very lucky,
;p i have been flashing rapidly (around 1000++ pic) for almost every event that i go to for more then 3 years and my flash have not had any sign of breaking down yet.
I blown a 5 month old flash, got it replaced FOC, since it is still within warranty.
zac08
Senior Member
And I recall one of the champion burning 3 flashes while machine gunning the flashes at events... :bsmilie::sweat:
look at the mAh...
zac08
Senior Member
hmmm i fire rapid flash all the time at work too, i don't think its ever been a problem.
That being said the flash is never on fullpower (i.e. Manual 1/1) when I do.
Only thing you shouldn't do is more than 6 fullpower flashes at one go, says so in the SB800 manual. Its technically impossible anyway, the flash will have to refresh after max 2 fires.
I swear by varta rechargables in any case, hard to find but very good, stuck with them for years now, no problems yet. hope that helps.
That being said the flash is never on fullpower (i.e. Manual 1/1) when I do.
Only thing you shouldn't do is more than 6 fullpower flashes at one go, says so in the SB800 manual. Its technically impossible anyway, the flash will have to refresh after max 2 fires.
I swear by varta rechargables in any case, hard to find but very good, stuck with them for years now, no problems yet. hope that helps.
depends what are you looking for?
if you want more shots (power) from per charge, you need high mAh, look for batteries with high mAh like Powerex 2700.
but you want to charge and store very long period, go for enloop. enloop don't have more juice, but able to store very long.
sf_kang
Senior Member
I'd like to offer some technical facts to help allay fears and 'grandmother stories' about the risks/danger of using rechargeable batteries.
First, we assume we are talking about AA size (which is used by most flash units).
The standard AA battery is rated at 1.5V DC. Most flash units use 4 pcs in series, makes up 6V DC. This voltage is called the norminal voltage. As you use the flash, the energy in the batteries are consumed, and gradually, the voltage will drop. As this happens, the charging time for the flash unit will get longer and longer, until such time when the voltage becomes so low that it cannot charge the flash anymore. Then it's time to thrown them out and replace fresh ones.
There are 3 main types of 1.5V AA batteries; the manganese type, alkaline type, and lithium type. They all produce nominal 1.5V when new, and they all slow decrease through use. Lithium batteries lasts longest (but are more expensive), next is alkaline, then maganese type. As long as they are AA size with nominal 1.5V, it is OK to use in the flash unit.
Now comes to rechargeables. These normally have a nominal voltage of 1.2V. Many are made of Ni-MH. This offer high capacity and fast charging time for flash units (this is what we want right?). But 4 pcs of rechargeable at 1.2V each only adds up to 4.2V but the flash unit is designed to work with 6V. The law of electricity (too complicated to explain here) would then draw more current mA, due to the 1.2V shortfall, hence they may run a little hotter. The Nikon SB-800 compensates by allowing a 5th AA battery to be added on to the flash unit. Now 5 pcs of 1.2V rechargeable adds up to 6 volts, and we are back to what the flash unit is originally designed for.
With 5 pcs of 1.2V rechargeable batteries, and with their high capacity, charging time would be faster. With faster recycling time, more energy is dumped into the flash unit's capacitor, hence it will run somewhat hotter. So long as you work within the rated voltage and flash frequency as stated in your manual, you're ok.
Hope this note helps to allay fears and help some of you better understand.
Happy shooting.
Fred
First, we assume we are talking about AA size (which is used by most flash units).
The standard AA battery is rated at 1.5V DC. Most flash units use 4 pcs in series, makes up 6V DC. This voltage is called the norminal voltage. As you use the flash, the energy in the batteries are consumed, and gradually, the voltage will drop. As this happens, the charging time for the flash unit will get longer and longer, until such time when the voltage becomes so low that it cannot charge the flash anymore. Then it's time to thrown them out and replace fresh ones.
There are 3 main types of 1.5V AA batteries; the manganese type, alkaline type, and lithium type. They all produce nominal 1.5V when new, and they all slow decrease through use. Lithium batteries lasts longest (but are more expensive), next is alkaline, then maganese type. As long as they are AA size with nominal 1.5V, it is OK to use in the flash unit.
Now comes to rechargeables. These normally have a nominal voltage of 1.2V. Many are made of Ni-MH. This offer high capacity and fast charging time for flash units (this is what we want right?). But 4 pcs of rechargeable at 1.2V each only adds up to 4.2V but the flash unit is designed to work with 6V. The law of electricity (too complicated to explain here) would then draw more current mA, due to the 1.2V shortfall, hence they may run a little hotter. The Nikon SB-800 compensates by allowing a 5th AA battery to be added on to the flash unit. Now 5 pcs of 1.2V rechargeable adds up to 6 volts, and we are back to what the flash unit is originally designed for.
With 5 pcs of 1.2V rechargeable batteries, and with their high capacity, charging time would be faster. With faster recycling time, more energy is dumped into the flash unit's capacitor, hence it will run somewhat hotter. So long as you work within the rated voltage and flash frequency as stated in your manual, you're ok.
Hope this note helps to allay fears and help some of you better understand.
Happy shooting.
Fred
lennyl
New Member
You neglected to point out a few facts:
1. The SD-800 quick recycling battery pack, for adding a 5th battery to the SB-800, can take either disposable AA or rechargeable AA. It is to increase voltage for quicker recharging, NOT to make up the "voltage difference".
2. NiMH (and NiCD) has lower internal resistance, which allows for much higher current draw than alkalines. With alkalines, at the kind of current draw recharging a flash unit requires, the voltage drops a lot. It does not stay at 1.5V.
3. You failed to point out that even Nikon states the unit will recharge faster with 4 NiMH compared to 4 alkalines.
4. Alkalines even in low drain applications experience voltage drop - to as low as 0.9V. Any decently designed electronics equipment will be able to cope with the slightly lower voltage of a NiMH. NiMH are not used in low drain applications, however, because of self discharge issues.
Please do not continue to spread FUD about rechargeable batteries.
zac08
Senior Member
Best not to... stick to the Maha chargers... safer...
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