Flash Power

DK32

Hi,

Need some advice on power options for my Canon 580EX II.

I find that it is eating through batteries, especially when I'm stuck in and doing still life shots in the house. I can get through a 4 pack of Energizer Ultimate batteries in no time at all.
I also have a set of rechargeable Duracell AA's rated at 1800mh

Can you recommend a good battery solution for me to use considering it would be above average use?

If you have the same flash or similar, what do you use?

I want to keep the "ongoing" costs down, so would opting for a rechargeable solution be best?

Thanks,

kensutz

I and a lot of others use Sanyo Eneloops. They're bloody good and hold their charge for ages.

DK32

kensutz wrote: »

I and a lot of others use Sanyo Eneloops. They're bloody good and hold their charge for ages.

Any good places to buy, including charger?

kensutz

www.batterycity.ie

Based outside of Ireland but they're quite good and reasonable.

pullandbang

kensutz wrote: »

I and a lot of others use Sanyo Eneloops.

Can they be recharged in a bog standard charger or dod you have to use a dedicated one?

kensutz

I'd say they'll recharge in a normal charger. There's nothing special about the one I bought with my batteries tbh.

DK32

Thanks for the recommendation Kensutz.

I read a few reviews ab out them and apparently the standard Sanyo charger that you can get for these takes 12hrs to recharge a set of 4.
The Uniross sprint charger takes only 2hrs.

Think I will try and pick up both

oshead

I'm heavily invested in Rechargable Energizers but if I had to buy over again i'd use Eneloops.

ValueInIreland

Eneloops are good, but also consider Annsmann Re-Chargables - they have a similar version to Sanyo's and also 2850ma Re-Chargables which are FANTASTIC!
Another more serious (€) option is a unit like the Quantum Turbo Compact which will give you all day shooting AND much faster re-cycling times. Conns, Berminghams and Barker Photographic stock them.

DK32

Just ordered 4 packs of Eneloops & the Eneloop charger which comes with a pack of Eneloops from Amazon €60 inc delivery by the the 24th.

Couldn't find a Uniross sprint charger that would get here before Xmas so will pick one up in the new year. I can live with overnight charges for the time being.

DK32

ValueInIreland wrote: »

Eneloops are good, but also consider Annsmann Re-Chargables - they have a similar version to Sanyo's and also 2850ma Re-Chargables which are FANTASTIC!
Another more serious (€) option is a unit like the Quantum Turbo Compact which will give you all day shooting AND much faster re-cycling times. Conns, Berminghams and Barker Photographic stock them.

Thanks! I think the Quantum Turbo Compact is a little out my price range at the moment. Maybe if I decide to get a bit more serious about this hobby I will splash out on something like this

Borderfox

Enloops are grand but I use Uniross 2700mha rechargeables and they last really long and dont fall off as quick as the enloops

Chorcai

Any one around next year who would be willing to meet up and do a bit flashy stuff, ie in-depth techy stuff, I have the 580EXII as well. Im sure a few people will be getting a flash for xmass or if anyone wants to try out using a flash could come along.

We were out in Dublin the other day, Zaraba took these shots here using my flash but we were a little bit stumped on a few things like settings and how best to set it up like let the camera control the flash or the flash control the camera if ya get what I mean !
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055774554

Anyone up for that ? Boards Flashers meet

Pinarello

+1 for the Sanyo Eneloop batteries.On Kensutz recommendation...;)

pixbyjohn

Chorcai wrote: »

Any one around next year who would be willing to meet up and do a bit flashy stuff, ie in-depth techy stuff, I have the 580EXII as well. Im sure a few people will be getting a flash for xmass or if anyone wants to try out using a flash could come along.

Anyone up for that ? Boards Flashers meet

I would be very interested in going on that

DK32

Count me in for that Chorcai

32finn

sounds interesting, count me in

Chorcai

4 people interested already. Ill post it in Photo Exp sub forum

DaireQuinlan

My favourite technique for on street flash shots HAS to be Bruce Gilden. As illustrated here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkIWW6vwrvM :eek:

By favourite I mean end results wise, I've never had the guts to do something similar

pete4130

This guy is really good. Lots of power and never lets you down.

DK32

lol, Could you imagine a group of Boardsie's walking down grafton street doing that...
Bring a whole new meaning to Flash Mob

mikeanywhere

Borderfox wrote: »

Enloops are grand but I use Uniross 2700mha rechargeables and they last really long and dont fall off as quick as the enloops

Same as me and they are available from all Maplin shops. :cool:

I also use the external battery pack with the flash which ensure it lasts forever

MartMax

Another + for the Uniross 2700mAh.

Got a pack of 4 with a 1 hr charger for 20 pound from mymemory.co.uk few months ago. Just also received my order of triple pack of 4 for 21 pound.

Will do enough to keep my speedlight and game controllers running.

Chorcai

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

My favourite technique for on street flash shots HAS to be Bruce Gilden. As illustrated here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkIWW6vwrvM :eek:

By favourite I mean end results wise, I've never had the guts to do something similar

He has some brass set on him alright, he only gets away with it cause hes a older guy !

Cameraman

DK32 wrote: »

Hi,

Need some advice on power options for my Canon 580EX II.

I find that it is eating through batteries, especially when I'm stuck in and doing still life shots in the house. I can get through a 4 pack of Energizer Ultimate batteries in no time at all.
I also have a set of rechargeable Duracell AA's rated at 1800mh

Can you recommend a good battery solution for me to use considering it would be above average use?

If you have the same flash or similar, what do you use?

I want to keep the "ongoing" costs down, so would opting for a rechargeable solution be best?

Thanks,

If you're doing most of your shooting at home, in a fixed or semi-fixed position, then the best solution for you might be a dummy battery and rechargeable lead-acid battery (e.g. from Maplin).

The eneloops are good - but not much use if you're intending to recharge and use them immediately. Their main advantage over normal rechargeables is that they hold their charge for much longer. This can be an advantage in other situations, but not so much in yours.

For standard rechargeables, I fidn the 7dayshop ones (2800 mAh) ones good. I have heard many bad reports about Uniross ones.

ThOnda

I have some from 7dayshop and I am very happy about capacity and endurance. We will see once my new flash crosses over the Atlantic

Hugh_C

Pinarello wrote: »

+1 for the Sanyo Eneloop batteries.On Kensutz recommendation...;)

Just ordered up a bunch of them, hoping I can get by with the 1 (x4) charger for 12 batteries - this strobe lark eats batteries.

H

TinyExplosions

Cheap eneloops can be got from DealExtreme -yes, it comes from Hong Kong, but delivery is usually fairly quick, and I get all my lights (bike, not photography!) and batteries from them

MartMax

Slightly off topic.

Does anyone know where to get cheap plastic battery holder cases in Dublin? Would be handy rather than throwing all batteries in the camera bag like candies.

ThOnda

As mentioned above, I got few from 7dayshop instead of going to a pound shop...

pixbyjohn

ThOnda wrote: »

As mentioned above, I got few from 7dayshop instead of going to a pound shop...

STOCK : ON ORDER
Sorry, this product
is now SOLD OUT

ThOnda

DOH! I bought few last year with another order. They are very handy.