Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Watson Batteries and B&H Photo
Page <prev 2 of 3 next>
Jan 12, 2018 10:09:21   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Tom Ryman wrote:
B & H will tell you that the Watson Battery will not work in the D500.


I didn't know that. I'm guessing it's a chip problem. Regarding the D500.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 10:32:43   #
chaman
 
BigGWells wrote:
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digital photography in 2011. I have no problem spending money for good products.

I find it most interesting that B&H gives free Watson Batteries now and then with a Nikon camera. Nikon clearly states, to only use Nikon batteries. Yes there are some off brands out there and I understand why people migrate towards those, simply for the price.

But you would think that with B&H being an authorized Nikon seller, that they would not send out an off brand battery.

Oh, I forgot, I have yet to have a Watson battery work in any of my Nikon Cameras (D500, D750, D810).

Not good B&H, not good at all.
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digita... (show quote)


Have you ever stop and THINK that perhaps Nikon just wants to keep you buying their stuff? Try thinking a bit more before these type of threads friend. Ive been using EXCLUSIVELY third party batteries all my life....never had a single problem.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 10:52:11   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
BigGWells wrote:
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digital photography in 2011. I have no problem spending money for good products.

I find it most interesting that B&H gives free Watson Batteries now and then with a Nikon camera. Nikon clearly states, to only use Nikon batteries. Yes there are some off brands out there and I understand why people migrate towards those, simply for the price.

But you would think that with B&H being an authorized Nikon seller, that they would not send out an off brand battery.

Oh, I forgot, I have yet to have a Watson battery work in any of my Nikon Cameras (D500, D750, D810).

Not good B&H, not good at all.
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digita... (show quote)


I called customer service when I ordered that package and asked them to give me a Nikon battery and apply any credit they could toward it using the Watson Batteries as trade. They were happy to help on that.

Reply
 
 
Jan 12, 2018 10:57:19   #
bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
 
I keep hearing that the off name batteries won't work with the D-500, but my "off brand" batteries actually last longer in my D-500 than the OEM.

Of course Nikon will say not to use non OEM batteries, wouldn't you if you could charge double because there are those out there with unlimited budgets willing to preach about the evils of off name brand anything?

If it works, use it. If not, don't. You did say they sent them out FREE, so why do you care if it doesn't work? You didn't pay for it, so give it to someone who can, or will use it and move on.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 11:37:55   #
d3200prime
 
Why don't you call B&H and see what they say. You might be surprised.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 12:02:33   #
pendennis
 
While the "standard" batteries like AA, etc. work, I had a bad experience with a "Promaster" brand of battery that I bought for my D750. The charger kept showing fully charged, but the camera showed flat and would not operate. I tried it in my D500 with the same result. It was supposed to be the equivalent to the "20" level Nikon. I switched back to the Nikon and have never had a problem with them.

If they work, fine, and I'm aware that Nikon is not in the battery business. I just know that if your camera bellies up, and Nikon knows you used a non-Nikon battery, you would probably lose your warranty coverage.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 14:03:39   #
pbradin Loc: Florida
 
I use Canon equipment and they "recommend" that you use only "Canon" batteries but I have used Watson and other off brand batteries in all three of them (all different battery types) and have never had a problem, other than they die a little sooner than Canon's do. Usually I find out they are dying because the blinking light on the Canon charger never goes to green to indicate that it is fully charged. If I were you, I would call B&H. They are very helpful and reasonable people. I have never had any reason to doubt anything they say or do in the16 years I have been doing business with them.

Reply
 
 
Jan 12, 2018 14:19:18   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
Mac wrote:
Just because somebody gives you something, doesn't mean you have to use it.


EXACTLY!

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 15:32:40   #
tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
 
I also have used Watson batteries for many years and in many different cameras Nikon and Canon included with no problem whatsoever. They are cheaper than the Nikon brand. As someone stated already Nikon does not make batteries so who knows ... a Nikon may be a Watson in disguise.

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 16:27:05   #
peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
 
Interesting discussion at: http://photographylife.com/reviews/third-party-batteries-watson-and-wasabi

Reply
Jan 12, 2018 19:28:00   #
TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA
 
I have one Watson for use in my FZ1000. It works, but has less power than the Panasonic that came with the camera, about 100 frames per charge less. That may not seem like much of a difference until you find that the branded battery only gets 300 frames. Watson is now thee for last resort and I have 3 Panasonics as the main batteries.

Reply
 
 
Jan 13, 2018 03:39:27   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
BigGWells wrote:
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digital photography in 2011. I have no problem spending money for good products.

I find it most interesting that B&H gives free Watson Batteries now and then with a Nikon camera. Nikon clearly states, to only use Nikon batteries. Yes there are some off brands out there and I understand why people migrate towards those, simply for the price.

But you would think that with B&H being an authorized Nikon seller, that they would not send out an off brand battery.

Oh, I forgot, I have yet to have a Watson battery work in any of my Nikon Cameras (D500, D750, D810).

Not good B&H, not good at all.
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digita... (show quote)


When I bought my first D800, it came with a spare Watson battery. It works just fine, but it is of a lower capacity and doesn't last as long.

Reply
Jan 13, 2018 08:44:43   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
BigGWells wrote:
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digital photography in 2011. I have no problem spending money for good products.

I find it most interesting that B&H gives free Watson Batteries now and then with a Nikon camera. Nikon clearly states, to only use Nikon batteries. Yes there are some off brands out there and I understand why people migrate towards those, simply for the price.

But you would think that with B&H being an authorized Nikon seller, that they would not send out an off brand battery.

Oh, I forgot, I have yet to have a Watson battery work in any of my Nikon Cameras (D500, D750, D810).

Not good B&H, not good at all.
I have been shooting Nikon since I got into digita... (show quote)



I personally also agree that using a genuine "Nikon Battery" in my Nikon D3300 is very important, when you read the "Off-Brand " batteries power statistics on back of battery, they DO NOT match with the "Original" genuine Nikon Battery. This does not sit well with me. So I will continue to purchase and use "Genuine" EN-EL14a Nikon Batteries in my Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera. Even if they DO cost more $$$.

Reply
Jan 15, 2018 09:55:57   #
henryp Loc: New York, NY
 
LFingar wrote:
Pretty much any manufacturer of a product will tell you that you should only use their branded accessories. It's called marketing.

Thank you. This is very true. The same holds true for other products in other industries. The new clothes washer we recently purchased came with a sample size box of a particular brand detergent and a dire warning that any other brand could ruin our clothes, ruin our machine, ruin our warranty and so on. It suggested using another brand would summon Sauron from the dark tower.

Several years ago my brother-in-law helped me change the oil and filter in my then-newish Honda Accord. The new filter was a reputable brand, but not Honda. When I soon thereafter had reason to take the car to my dealer, they lifted the hood saw the filter and all but fainted as they erupted with similar dire warnings about the quality of the filter, the damage I'd no doubt already visited upon my engine and the possibility my warranty was in danger.

Honda wants Accord owners to use Honda parts and accessories. Nikon USA wants people to buy Nikon batteries, lenses, flash units etc. Many people here use Tamron, Sigma, Tokina lenses on Nikon bodies with no ill effects at all.

It's called marketing.

Reply
Jan 15, 2018 10:15:58   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
henryp wrote:
It suggested using another brand would summon Sauron from the dark tower.


Cast the ring into the volcano! Release yourself from the hold of evil! (In this case, marketing!)

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 3 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.