Replacement canon 400D batteries

sailingval · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 01:49 PM

Hi

Are the cheap replacement batteries bought from ebay OK or are the expensive canon brand better. Aslo are the higher (1300mAh plus) better?

thanks

Tormentil · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Got mine from 7dayshopper. Very cheap and work ok.

galanthus · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 04:36 PM

I got the canon bats quite reasonably priced from amazon somewhere, could look where if you want. Few mates of mine bought the cheaper ones but found they lost they charge more quickly than the canon ones and were ready to bin less than a year later

Tho if Tomentil got some good ones maybe they've improved on them.

stonflo · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 04:45 PM

Got mine off e-bay from the dealer with the union jack and no problem with them. If you do go via e-bay be careful as the cheapest are usually the lowest mAH.
Mike

Tormentil · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galanthus

Tho if Tomentil got some good ones maybe they've improved on them.

Had it over 12 months and still going strong.

I figure even if replacements only last 12 month, I aint lost much at a fiver a throw.

wildlifesnapper · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Got mine from 7dayshopper. Very cheap and work ok.

Yep , same here bought 2 and still going strong.

neil

beckiscott · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 07:23 PM

i got a cheap ebay one and it lasted great for about 6 outings. now its lasts about 5minutes, so i got a couple of canon ones off amazon when they were at a lower than usual price (plus i get nus discount which helps take the sting off a little!)

i think with cheap ones you try your luck. some will be great, others will be rubbish. i dont understand electronics well enough to know what damage they could do to your camera if they went 'wrong' though!

I like to use matching canon ones in my grip. am sure it recommends you use ones of the same specs (mah).

RichBrew · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 07:50 PM

beckiscott:

You raise a valid point about the damage third party batteries could do to a camera if they went 'wrong'. For one thing, their use would invalidate a manufacturers warranty if a battery malfunctioned and caused circuit damage. When you spend all that money on a good camera body, why cut corners with the power supply. Although more expensive, the marque batteries are designed to work with the equipment they power. I never use anything but Nikon batteries in my vertical grip: failure is not an option.

RichBrew

big bill · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 08:31 PM

The same place I git my batteries from 7dayshop and they were ok

Boddie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 08:58 PM

I bought some cheap ones and they are super. I cant remember where I got them from but think it was Hong Kong

glsammy · #11 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 09:03 PM

I've had my cheap ones for some eighteen months now. Just had to bin one of them, but I think I can live with that! Cost less than a fiver.

Blackbrook Eye · #12 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 09:13 PM

I've been using both Canon and generic batteries in both of my cameras for ages, and honestly can't tell the difference without reading the labels, maybe I've been lucky but I will continue to buy 'cheap' batteries as I can have more of them for my money.

John D · #13 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 10:54 PM

The two set of 'cheap' ones I bought perform just as good as the two Canon ones I have. I use two sets of cheaper ones on a rota basis in the camera grip and they have given excellent service for over the last 15 months. They came with a two year guarantee.
John D

GerryNick2 · #14 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 07:18 AM

I too got batteries for my 30D from 7dayshop, at 2 for £10 I thought nothing to loose.

Have been using them for 12 months now and to be quite honest have found them to be superior to the Canon own brand. On average have been getting 800 shots between charges.

A saving of £80 compared to Canon batteries is not to be sniffed at.

Gerry

sailingval · #15 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 09:36 AM

Thanks for all replies - very helpful points but still not sure which way to jump, although perhaps to miss on the very cheap ones.

Is a battery pack a good idea. I've never had one as not wanting the extra weight - have a 400D

GerryNick2 · #16 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingval

Is a battery pack a good idea. I've never had one as not wanting the extra weight - have a 400D

You just have to ask yourself whether you really need one.

The NB-2LH battery supplied with your camera with a full charge should give you on average 600 shots under normal conditions. Constant use of the LCD or regular use of the flash will of course reduce this.

You could add a BG-E3 grip and 2 x NB-2LH at a cost of circa. £165. This would give you the battery capacity for approx. 1500 shots but I feel that you will find the additional weight added to the camera to be a burden.

Personaly before going on a days shooting I fully charge the camera battery along with a spare battery. This gives me a capacity for 1000+ shots which more than meets my needs. Perhaps I am a bit more selective but to date I have not exceeded 600 shots in one session and needed to replace the battery.

Gerry

John D · #17 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 10:54 AM

As an alternative to the Canon labeled grip consider the Hahnel with two batteries for £65/70.(see various web sites) Again fully compatible and guaranteed at a lot less cost. I have had one for over 15 months and no problems whatsoever.
I find the grip on the Canon 400D provides a better balance when using my Sigma 100-300mm lens. Wouldn't be without it!
John D

NickCantle · #18 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 01:03 PM

I'm just ordering a twin pack of NB-2Ls for £9.99. I presume they just charge from the Supplied Canon NB-2LH charger?

John D · #19 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I'm just ordering a twin pack of NB-2Ls for £9.99. I presume they just charge from the Supplied Canon NB-2LH charger?

Yes Nick, they will be fully compatible with the Canon charger previously supplied. Other than the word CANON being on the originals you can't tell the difference. In fact they may be exactly the same. Who knows! The price gap of course is significant. What I can't understand is , why the large difference. Seems a rip off!
John D

NickCantle · #20 (**permalink**) 14-01-2008, 01:55 PM

Excellent, I shall make the purchase now, thanks John mate

Nick

NickCantle · #21 (**permalink**) 21-01-2008, 06:17 PM

Right, batteries arrived this morning after a long wait. Charged them up and they are now in the battery grip

Just a quick query though, I presume seeing as I bought a twin pack, I should use both of these together in the BG-E3 rather than use 1 7dayshop one and the 1 Canon one I use with the battery. I know, sounds complicated

Is it best using both of the cheap ones together and saving the Canon one for emergencies and leave it in my camera bag? It's just that I guess it seems that I'm wasting the Canon one...Or is it fine as a spare? Any other option available?

I don't know, do I?

All comments, suggestions, insults of my idiotic nature appreciated

Nick

nightshade · #22 (**permalink**) 21-01-2008, 07:09 PM

I would do as you have suggested,it seems a sensible way to go

glsammy · #23 (**permalink**) 21-01-2008, 07:15 PM

Yep, I'd use the two together, their rating is slightly higher than the Canon one, so best to use a matching pair.

NickCantle · #24 (**permalink**) 21-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Excellent, cheers guys