StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Are OEM batteries’ terminal configurations a patentable feature? It seems every camera manufacturer has a specific, even model specific, battery terminal configuration.

Stan

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Greed is a good thing, until it isn't! Nikon is yet another company seeing profit potential in intellectual property protections... Almost every time a manufacturer takes that path, we get screwed.

Tesla rather effectively won't let you repair "your own" car.

Apple now solders their RAM onto the same die as the system on a chip.

Epson puts chips on ink cartridges that won't let you refill them unless you find some way to reset the chip.

It goes on and on. It's so bad, Europeans have started passing Right to Repair laws. Do you think WE will ever learn and do the same?

Look, all's fair in love and economics, but not allowing aftermarket parts is ridiculous. Caveat Emptor (buyer, beware!).

There ought to be a law that allows buyers of technology to repair and improve it. Repair manuals and parts ought to be available from both the manufacturer and third parties. Encouraging such is good for the environment. It creates a thriving used market for goods, promotes competition, and it can make money for manufacturers and third parties.

I'd love to see them have to say, "Here's the repair manual. Genuine parts will be in stock for X years. After that, you're on your own."

If manufacturers would require third parties to meet minimum specifications, as they do for their own suppliers, we would be assured of decent quality, compatible third party batteries and replacement parts.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Nikon was behind the proverbial 8 Ball for a while when their batteries were only Rev A (EL-15). I have a series of 4 remote D-500 cameras placed around rocket launch pads, that typically once placed they can sit for 48-72 hours before being retrieved. About 3 1/2 years ago in researching what batteries other than Nikon were available I came a cross a company called Hahnel (made in Ireland) & available through B&H. I took a chance, found them to be superior in charge capacity. They came with their own charger (capable of charging 2 batteries at a time). The charge unit has a bar graph to show how much life is left in battery. & also charges at a faster rate than the Nikon default charger. As yet, I have had no issues & now use them in both of my D-850s. Last time I checked, I believe Hahnel is now offering batteries for Canon as well.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It used to be that way, typically 10 years of pieces parts supply.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It varies by industry. Auto parts can be available for decades, if the manufacturer uses the same part design for a long time. Manufacturers use many of the same parts in many different brands, models, and model years.

Those who are not familiar with iFixIt.com should check it out. They sell tools and parts for all sorts of devices, especially smartphones and computers. They have disassembly/reassembly manuals for lots of devices, as well as tool kits needed for same.

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

I bought an extra Canon battery with my new camera a couple years ago or so…one of them held a charge a lot less than the other…now it is down to half the capacity of the other…wonder if it is a knock off or a real Canon battery? I got no warning that it wasn’t OEM when I first put it in.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I am guessing they mean to do this in the future with new models of cameras and batteries. Printer inks are generally chipped, so why not batteries eventually. Not that I like this sort of business model. It is pretty much the same with O/S s like Mac and Windows, forced brand loyalty.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

That's why I said typically.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If one considers application availability and compatibility with other users forcing loyalty.
Some simply like one OS more than another. Some people get one system because of the graphics.
How many people do you know use a Unix variant?
Unix users love it.
I use Windows at home, but I much prefer a Unix based <web> server.
If Windows does what I require, why would I switch to another OS?
Loyalty or logic.....

rcarol

It wouldn't surprise me if eventually camera manufacturers limit the number of images taken by a camera. This is already being done with ink jet printers. After a certain amount of prints the printer will shut down and inform you the waste tank is full and you can no longer print. I'm not sure if all printers do that or just Epson.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Absolutely correct - manufacturers have been doing it for a long time. In the 60s/70s, IBM incorporated a device on their memory cards that made non IBM memory unusable in IBM products. The competition (EMC) countered by offering a trade in credit for IBM memory. They then removed the device and added it to their memory cards, bypassing IBM’s strategy.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

They put chips in the batteries identifying them as genuine Nikon batteries and have the camera's firmware reject those that are off-label.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I have not encountered that. The Z7ii I have will only work on batteries with a "c" after the number as in en-el15c.
From what I have read, it is supposed to also work with the 15b, but it will not allow you to charge the battery in-camera. I have tried a 15b but still get the notice that it is incompatible with the camera. Only 15c batteries work; no, they do not have to be Nikon batteries as long as they carry the newer 15c designation. I currently use a mix of Nikon and Kastar batteries and both work equally as well.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Paul, what are your thoughts about third party batteries for Canon camera? For me, they would be exclusively be for my Canon 5DII, all (don't shout at me please) four of my 5DIIs.
Bill

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I like Neweer but so far I haven't seen that they have a "c" version of the en-el15 battery so I tried Kastar and have been very satisfied with them so far.