Batteries for a Nikon D500: I just took the plunge and bought a D500 to get serious about my photography. I love the camera. Combining it with some high quality Tamron glass, I feel...

ldbix62

I just took the plunge and bought a D500 to get serious about my photography. I love the camera. Combining it with some high quality Tamron glass, I feel like my pictures are at a whole new level of sharpness and overall quality. The only thing that frustrates me is that Nikon engineered something into the camera that prohibits the use of third party batteries. Has anyone found a third party battery that will work in the D500?

MMC Loc: Brooklyn NY

ldbix62 wrote:

I just took the plunge and bought a D500 to get serious about my photography. I love the camera. Combining it with some high quality Tamron glass, I feel like my pictures are at a whole new level of sharpness and overall quality. The only thing that frustrates me is that Nikon engineered something into the camera that prohibits the use of third party batteries. Has anyone found a third party battery that will work in the D500?

I am using third party batteries for my Nikon cameras for a long time without any problem.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Not yet, that I am aware of. I prefer to keep plunging and buy Nikon EN-EL15A's. You may also want to pick up the Steve Perry book on Nikon autofocus systems and also check out different tips and features. The D500 has a lot of capabilities! You will appreciate it particularly if you are an action shooter. http://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

ldbix62

I used them with no trouble on my D3400. There is a known issue with the D500 that if you put a fully charged third party battery in, the camera reads it as a dead battery and shuts off.

Bill_de Loc: US

MMC wrote:

I am using third party batteries for my Nikon cameras for a long time without any problem.

Do you have a D500? If you do and have found a battery that works, provide the information on the battery. Batteries that work in older Nikons don't have anything to do with the D500 issue.

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Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

It is something Nikon has put into the camera the D500 will not accept the EN-EL15 batteries with the that are Li-ion01 only Li-ion02 work as well as EN-EL15a and third party batteries will not work.

MMC wrote:

I am using third party batteries for my Nikon cameras for a long time without any problem.

ldbix62

DaveO wrote:

Not yet, that I am aware of. I prefer to keep plunging and buy Nikon EN-EL15A's. You may also want to pick up the Steve Perry book on Nikon autofocus systems and also check out different tips and features. The D500 has a lot of capabilities! You will appreciate it particularly if you are an action shooter. http://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

I love to catch birds in flight and I also have been doing some sports photography for my friend's son (football and basketball). I'm looking forward to using the 10 frames a second burst rate. I picked up the Dave Busch guide on the D500. He does a really good job of covering all the features.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

ldbix62 wrote:

I love to catch birds in flight and I also have been doing some sports photography for my friend's son (football and basketball). I'm looking forward to using the 10 frames a second burst rate. I picked up the Dave Busch guide on the D500. He does a really good job of covering all the features.

I have several of Busch's guides, but the link I provided for Nikon autofocus systems is a tool that many of us have tried and recommend. You won't get anywhere near the info and how to descriptions on the system from the guide that you will on the video book.

mikeg492 Loc: WIlmington, NC

I have one also. There are no others that will work. The 15's will work with a shorter life but nikon will exchange them for 20's for free.

ldbix62

Brucej67 wrote:

It is something Nikon has put into the camera the D500 will not accept the EN-EL15 batteries with the that are Li-ion01 only Li-ion02 work as well as EN-EL15a and third party batteries will not work.

I know. I read that the 01 version is drained after minimal use. If I have to buy the Nikon batteries, it will be worth it. The camera is a beast. I was just trying to save a few bucks if I could

ldbix62

DaveO wrote:

I have several of Busch's guides, but the link I provided for Nikon autofocus systems is a tool that many of us have tried and recommend. You won't get anywhere near the info and how to descriptions on the system from the guide that you will on the video book.

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I use both Nikon and Watson Batteries. B&H sells Watson batteries. On their list of Watson batteries compatible with Nikon cameras, the D500 is not on that list. Watson or Wasabi would be the only two third party batteries I would trust. Check Wasabi. If Wasabi has no compatible battery, then stick with the Nikon Brand only, until Watson or Wasabi figures it out.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

ldbix62 wrote:

I know. I read that the 01 version is drained after minimal use. If I have to buy the Nikon batteries, it will be worth it. The camera is a beast. I was just trying to save a few bucks if I could

Go nuts and pick up a EN-EL15A. Do a first hand comparison.

ldbix62

Fortunately I just got the D500 and they are now shipping it with the 20. Ironically, the retailer I bought the camera from sent me two free items. One of them is a Watson 15. I got a vertical grip too, so I'm hoping I can use that battery in the grip without the D500 rejecting it.

Bill_de Loc: US

I don't know if this is still the case, but when I bought my D500 Nikon would swap Type one for Type two batteries. You only needed to provide the receipt for the D500.

https://nikonrumors.com/2016/06/02/nikon-offers-free-exchange-of-older-en-el15-batteries-for-d500-owners.aspx/