General Questions: 1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic? 2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood? Thanks appreciated.

Judy Cronin Loc: KENTUCKY

1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

1. NO, never the cheap plastic.
2. A hood is a must and you might investigate a circular polarizer to cut down the "glare".

snowbear

1. Buy batteries with a warranty - either OEM or a brand like Adorama or B&H that will back up their products.

2. Polarizer can help but also check into Neutral Density filters - they can be thought of as "sunglasses."

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

I have heard many, many warnings about cheap batteries and packs.
My Canon brand batteries have given up the ghost before my cheapies. Maybe I was the lucky one, or they are not as bad as some would have us believe.
I tried them, because at a fraction of the cost, it seemed a safe bet. If they fail, no great loss, but if they work, a boon!

My $.02 and your mileage may vary ;-)

Gordon

LarryD Loc: Mojave Desert

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

1. A good brand name of generic is usually acceptable, but be careful, there are some counterfeit batteries on the market..

2. A hood is to keep the sun or reflection off the front element of the lens causing flare.. It will not do anything for a "bright" scene.. Perhaps this needs an example of what you are defining as "too bright" and we can make proper recommendations.. post a photo :thumbup:

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

Judy,
One person mentioned B&H or Adorama, either of these companies sells off brand batteries that work well. I have at least half of my batteries in off brand.
Yes there is a hood that works and also a full screen cover, if you contact the above mentioned stores their personnel can make recommendations, all of them are photographers so they know what they are talking about.

Good luck.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

Judy,
One person mentioned B&H or Adorama, either of these companies sells off brand batteries that work well. I have at least half of my batteries in off brand.
Yes there is a hood that works and also a full screen cover, if you contact the above mentioned stores their personnel can make recommendations, all of them are photographers so they know what they are talking about.

Good luck.

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

I use aftermarket batteries without any problems . . . except that they can read "FULL" when not really. I carry my extra(s) with me anyway. This happened recently on a photography road trip. Glad they were there. 2 batteries for $8.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. <b>Battery packs</b>....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

People, she specifically asked about battery packs, not batteries.
There is nothing wrong with most non-OEM batteries.

I will still say, stay away from the non-OEM battery packs, they are made of cheap plastic and will fall apart.

Hope I didn't sound too harsh.

Sensei

Most of my batteries are off brand and were purchased from Adorama, or BHPhoto. On some days I go through two and into a third one. I have not had a problem with them.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

traveler90712 wrote:

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. <b>Battery packs</b>....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

People, she specifically asked about battery packs, not batteries.
There is nothing wrong with most non-OEM batteries.

I will still say, stay away from the non-OEM battery packs, they are made of cheap plastic and will fall apart.

Hope I didn't sound too harsh.

Traveler,
I think she meant batteries and not packs, unless she is a pro I doubt she uses packs. Only battery pack I have is for my Quantum Flash unit.

geoffmalter Loc: NorCal

Depends on your gear. For example, it is known that the Panasonic line of LX enthusiast cameras (I have a LX-5) require OEM batteries. Many have had problems with non-OEM batteries, even ones sold by B&H and Adorama.

RE polarizing lenses, again, know your gear. If your gear involves changing out lenses, be sure your lens barrels do nor rotate when you adjust them.

Nevada Chuck

On batteries, buy only OEM, but buy smart.

The factory battery for my DSLR is $42 bucks at Adorama or B&H, but they sell for $51 for a PAIR (two batteries) direct from one of the big Hong Kong photo houses. Search on eBay for your camera's battery. Make sure that the photo of the battery and the write-up on eBay make it clear that the battery is OEM, and not just something like "Fits Canon . . ." or "designed for Nikon . . ."

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

I shoot exclusively with Canon EOS SLRs. When I have bought generic lithium-ion batteries they were disappointing. They work, but cannot communicate with the camera to let you now how much charge remains in them.

Judy Cronin Loc: KENTUCKY

Judy Cronin wrote:

1. Battery packs....should i purchase generic?
2. My outdoor shots in full sunlight too bright. What about using a hood?
Thanks appreciated.

ok to clear things up my camera uses LP-E5
and my pictures in full sunlight faces have glare...color seems to be light.
another question on filters can I use filters that my father inlaw had for color film? thanks to all I have learned tons of things here.