Canon 7D batteries question ....

[PMG]

Having taken delivery of a 7D today I suddenly realise that I haven't done my research thoroughly (cos I set my heart on the 7D last year and was just waiting for some cash to materialise ......) so the camera arrives and suddenly I realise that it doesn't take the same batteries as the 40D and I could have included some spares in my order if I had been thinking straight ..........

I then try to find a compatible replacement only to discover that Canon have plugged the hole in that gap by insterting a microchip into their most recent batteries ........ compatibles are available but only as a kit with a charger as they will not recharge in Canons bona fida charger ....... I've also read a bit on the internet (before it broke down on my tonight and disappeared for sev hours and I'm half expecting it to go and leave me lonely again anytime soon ....) but it seems that a compatible even if you decide too buy it may not run all the bells and whistles on the 7D ..........

So my question is - other 7D owners out there who have actually had theirs for a bit and become aufait with it - what are you doing about batteries - are you risking £25 or so on a compatible kit - or forking out £60 to £70 for a real Canon jobbie? Any help or advice will buck me up ....... as I was like a kid at christmas this morning when the camera arrived - since then I;ve come down to earth with a bump .......

Pauline

PS If I don't get back on here to see who has said what if anything - then I'm not being rude and ignoring folk who have taken the time to reply - it will mean the internet has left the house again - plus I'm due on holiday again from next wed ..........

[Ollie]

Hi Pauline.

I wouldn't let the lack of a spare battery upset or bring you down. I have had my 7D just over six months and haven't a spare battery. The 7D is excellent on battery life.

I can't ever recall my battery having less than 25% life left in it even after a full days shooting. The heaviest use it got was at Bempton Cliffs where I shot over 3000 images in the day. (I was on high speed continous shooting) This is also with doing a fair amount of reviewing of the photos as well.

I have been meaning to get a spare but begrudge forking out the money for a genuine Canon and don't realy want a compatible.

Just keep firing away and don't worry about it I'm sure unless you are stopping overnight you won't run out of juice and of course then you would take your charger with you. Takes less than 2 hours to recharge anyway.

[PMG]

Thanks Roger thats very reassuring We have a bag of 40D batteries and they were less than a tenner each from Guernsey and are at the point where we are throwing some of the earliere bought one's away - they won't hold their charge anymore and are spent.

Looking at the 7D yesterday the menu said battery life was 79% and the shutter count was 171 so thats almost a quarter gone and perhaps about 500 shots left if the menu is a true reflection ....... so I was amazed to see you got 3,000 - but perhaps when this new battery that came with it goes thru its 3 times charge and disharge period maybe it 'gets better' and lasts longer?!

Late last night (early this morning?) when I got the internet back I got on and ordered another 3 Canon originals - like you I begrudge paying a lot of money - but I am used to carrying at least 4 spares in my pack and getting thru them on a good day! And yes we have 5 chargers now since having the 20D apeice, then the two 40's (Ian got an upgrade to the 40 by default when his 20D fell in the River Hayle in Cornwall a couple of years ago ....) so yes the new charger will go with me on holiday - as the advice is to run the batteries to dead before charging to 'condition' them and the chances of it running out at the right time - ie when I'm back on site at night and on the electric hook up - is slim!

Thanks for taking time to answer Roger - I must admit I'm looking forward to using this camera: I think it might take some time to get my head on straight about all the AF points tho and what to set when and why ......... hey ho roll on Wed

Pauline

[zan]

You'll love the camera, it's brill!

I've also found it to be really good on battery life, but I usually shoot under 500 shots in a day, and can recharge every evening if I'm out on a trip. I didn't know that only original Canons would work with it though, so that's good to find out!

Hope you enjoy your new camera

[PMG]

Originally Posted by zan

You'll love the camera, it's brill!

I've also found it to be really good on battery life, but I usually shoot under 500 shots in a day, and can recharge every evening if I'm out on a trip. I didn't know that only original Canons would work with it though, so that's good to find out!

Hope you enjoy your new camera

I think the compatibles work zan but I'm just not sure how much and whether some features of the camera will not run with a compatible - thats why I was asking - its no use upgrading to a camera with more bells and whistles if the compatible battery won't support the extras! No-one has said yet that they are trying them - an answer would probably come faster from a dedicated camera equipment site but one site requiring input is enough for me! It sounds as tho once the battery is conditioned and run in it will keep going thro quite a lot of usage

Pauline

[Gaza]

Hi PMG

I don't have the 7D yet. But looking at the price of genuine batteries. I think I'd probably buy just the one compatible, and try it. Check to see if everything works, or doesnt.
£10 isn't much., if it does work! And isn't a lot to lose, if it doesnt.

Edit, Sorry just read the thread again, and see that the kit is £25.
Think I'd still give it a try

[Ollie]

As far as I'm aware the compatible batteries will work ok on the 7D. You just won't get a read out of the remaining battery life in % and you won't get the shutter count that tells you how many shots the battery has taken and possible shots remaining.

Apart from that they work fine, or so I'm told.

[MeadsMan]

Hello Pauline,I got my 7D a short while ago,I feel I have not yet touched it`s potential,but am pleased with it.I was thinking exactly along the same lines as Ollie,my Battery seems to last for ever.Not sure if you have to run batteries flat before charging anymore,do the newer batteries still have memory issues ? I am looking forward to seeing what you achieve with the
7D,I just know it will be impressive.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Ollie

As far as I'm aware the compatible batteries will work ok on the 7D. You just won't get a read out of the remaining battery life in % and you won't get the shutter count that tells you how many shots the battery has taken and possible shots remaining.

Apart from that they work fine, or so I'm told.

Thanks Roger - if thats all the difference then I could live with that and when I next need to order some more will go for the compatibles: I can then alternate - on days when it might be interesting to know how many shots - like a visit to Gigrin or Bass Rock I could use the genuine Canon but for ad lib days out a compatible would do and fire away till dead (whether thts me or the camera matters little )

Pauline

[PMG]

Originally Posted by MeadsMan

Hello Pauline,I got my 7D a short while ago,I feel I have not yet touched it`s potential,but am pleased with it.I was thinking exactly along the same lines as Ollie,my Battery seems to last for ever.Not sure if you have to run batteries flat before charging anymore,do the newer batteries still have memory issues ? I am looking forward to seeing what you achieve with the
7D,I just know it will be impressive.

It might not be impressive - I might make a total hash of it and forget everything I ever knew ....... hahahaha! I do seem to have those sorts of days more frequently - the kind where no amount of forethought has me up to speed ....... perhaps I will get a new lease of life when I hit 60 - cos it sure as christmas is coming

No seriously as you say I suspect this camera is a very good peice of kit - I've taken notice of images where folk have said they've been taken with a 7D plus spoken to folks out and about using one and then looked for their results - it does seem impressive and I do seem able to pick out photos that have been taken with 7D and the pro cameras - I seem to have a very critical eye for detail! I remember a guy with a brand new 7D in the hide at Leighton Moss (when I dropped on with the bearded reedlings) and he was absolutely full of it - plus I could hear the 'machine gun' chatter when he let loose and thought 'that just has to be nailing that bird to the wall'!!!! Course I went across and he was so chuffed he showed me the monitor and at that point I made my mind up - the next time some cash comes available I'm on the phone to the order line!!!!!!!!

Anyhow I shasll give it a run for its money next week in the rain and gales in the Western Isles I'm hoping to do nothing but photography for a whole 12 days ..... I didn't take half what I should have last month out there partly cos there was 4 of us in the camper and I really wanted my mate Davy Crockett to get some shots of a lifetime with his new camera ...... but the next two weeks are all MINE - my precioussssssssss

Pauline