Aftermarket batteries for my new D5100
Nov 9, 2013 20:31:13 #
Does anyone have experience with the Clearmax brand? They are suppose to be 'chipped' and the reviews on Amazon are good. I'd prefer OEM but I can get 2 of these for less than the cost of one Nikon unit.
Nov 9, 2013 22:12:15 #
Although I can't speak about the Clearmax brand, I do have a third party battery for my Nikon and it has performed just as well, if not better, that the one that came with the camera.
One other plus is that the the aftermarket battery is 4 or 500 mah larger so the extra capacity makes it last longer.
One other plus is that the the aftermarket battery is 4 or 500 mah larger so the extra capacity makes it last longer.
Nov 10, 2013 00:42:53 #
ajohnston3 wrote:
Does anyone have experience with the Clearmax brand? They are suppose to be 'chipped' and the reviews on Amazon are good. I'd prefer OEM but I can get 2 of these for less than the cost of one Nikon unit.
I read a VERY in-depth story written by either Thom Hogan, or David Busch about this exact subject; Obviously, I can't explain it any way near like either one of these guys can, but the big issue is; all D SLR's have MILES of incredibly complex and DELICATE "circuitry" in them; "third party" batteries MAY, or (often times), may NOT be manufactured to the same "standards" as OEM batteries are; the slightest defect in manufacturing CAN, and apparently sometimes HAVE completely ruined the circuitry in the camera bodies they were used in. So it's kinda like playing Russian roulette; ( how "lucky" do you feel )? It's YOUR camera !
And if that's not enough reason ...........I have FOUR EN-EL 3e's (all made by Nikon), and the three "extra's" I bought I paid HALF or less for, on-line. You can buy OEM batteries almost as cheap as "third parties"
Nov 10, 2013 03:42:41 #
The only time I have ever had a Nik/Can battery is when I bought the camera all my batteries are 3rd party and I have been using them since my EOS10D
Nov 10, 2013 07:37:32 #
Gitzo UH wrote:
I read a VERY in-depth story written by either Tho... (show quote)
I agree, stick with OEM- better safe than sorry. Looking at it another way risking an expensive camera body to save ten-fifteen bucks doesn't seem very smart to me ;)
Nov 10, 2013 07:56:33 #
Db7423 wrote:
I agree, stick with OEM- better safe than sorry. Looking at it another way risking an expensive camera body to save ten-fifteen bucks doesn't seem very smart to me ;)
I look at it another way, if they were no good first they would not sell and second many would sue the manufacturers IF there was a problem and their isn't
Nov 10, 2013 08:05:37 #
ajohnston3 wrote:
Does anyone have experience with the Clearmax brand? They are suppose to be 'chipped' and the reviews on Amazon are good. I'd prefer OEM but I can get 2 of these for less than the cost of one Nikon unit.
How many extra batteries do you plan to buy? One original and one spare should get you through almost any shooting situation. In that case, getting a name brand would give you some security.
If you're going to buy several batteries, then aftermarket will save you considerable money. I have always used aftermarket in all sorts of cameras with no problems. Lately, I've been getting Wasabi from ebay. Batteries in DSLRs seem to last forever.
Nov 10, 2013 08:25:44 #
ottopj
Loc: Annapolis, MD USA
I agree. It's like buying a Porsche and then putting cheap tires on it. But, you saved a couple of bucks! Think of that as you slide into the weeds!
Nov 10, 2013 08:34:32 #
I shot over 600 photo's at an event last week on one of my camera's alone and never changed the battery. On my D80, with battery grip, I shot over 1100 at one event. The OEM batteries seem to last longer. With money invested in camera's, I would just feel better using the OEM's. I see this with RC Airplanes; pilot loses plane over cheap batteries. $3000 vs $54 spent. No brainer in my most humble opinion!
Nov 10, 2013 09:09:04 #
JR1 wrote:
I look at it another way, if they were no good first they would not sell and second many would sue the manufacturers IF there was a problem and their isn't
I quite agree, I have aftermarket batteries for my Nlkon D7100, Fuji X-Pro1 and Fuji X100. Never had a problem ever since I've had electronic cameras, which goes back a bit!
I do think, that as photographers, we sometimes tend to "over worry" about things. Go and take pictures, only worry when things go wrong.
Cheers-Dave.
Nov 10, 2013 09:36:46 #
Dave B wrote:
I do think, that as photographers, we sometimes tend to "over worry" about things.
Cheers-Dave.
Cheers-Dave.
Boy, you got that right. It's the same with everything. My son is hard on everything, yet his Civic is running like new after 285,000 miles. Products are tougher than we think.
Nov 10, 2013 10:51:54 #
I have aftermarket batteries for my Canon.I purchased FLASHPOINT batteries from ADORAMA when they were on sale. Used for shooting ice hockey games and out side sports as well. No problem at all with these batteries. They are so cheap that I dump them after a year and still save money instead of paying top dollar for Canon OEM batts. I don't worry about getting an extra 5 shots out of my batteries at all, I say go for it and save yourself some money.
Nov 10, 2013 14:43:55 #
wolfd
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
I have been using aftermarket batteries for years with no detrimental effect on my equipment. I do notice however, that on average they do not give me quite as many shots per charge, perhaps only 75% as much as the batteries that come from the camera manufacturer.
Nov 10, 2013 15:21:54 #
Brow621
Loc: Texas
My D5100 will not operate with aftermarket batteries! I tried it once and a message pops up and tells you it won't.
I used aftermarket batteries on a D80 and they worked fine, but their life span is very short.
Moral of the story I guess is, buy Nikon batteries and sleep well.
I used aftermarket batteries on a D80 and they worked fine, but their life span is very short.
Moral of the story I guess is, buy Nikon batteries and sleep well.
Nov 10, 2013 18:18:18 #
JR1 wrote:
The only time I have ever had a Nik/Can battery is when I bought the camera all my batteries are 3rd party and I have been using them since my EOS10D
Ditto here too. I've shot Olympus stuff for the last 10 years or so and the only brand name batteries I have are the one's that came with the cameras. The aftermarket or off brand ones are all still alive and well. The newer BLM5 for the Olympus E5 and their generic renditions just don't discharge quickly. So stick an extra one in your pocket and your good to go. :-D
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