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Battery Substitute
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Jun 11, 2019 07:24:36   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
jradose wrote:
As most external flashes do, my flash takes 4 AA batteries. The problem is, those batteries die out so quickly. Is there a better battery one can get that will replace those 4 AA batteries?


Panasonic eneloop pro

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Jun 11, 2019 07:26:32   #
dave.m
 
Kaib795 wrote:
All the battery suggestions are great but wedding photographers simply up the ISO to get their batteries to last longer. They test how far they can go before grain takes over. I've seen some photographers go as high as 3200 ISO, but personally I wouldn't go over 2000 ISO with my D7500 and have done so. Your batteries will last much longer, whatever kind you decide on using. Oh and external batteries are great and allow fast refresh but you still need the AA's in the flash. Godox flashes use a rechargeable brick which is very nice (no AA's at all).
All the battery suggestions are great but wedding ... (show quote)

spot on!

Canon / Godox/ Yongnuo 560 use the same external power connector. See this for a low cost extenal battery pack. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Godox-Speedlite-External-Battery-Pack-For-Canon-550EX-580EX-II-550EX-600EX-Flash/201955035803?hash=item2f05754a9b:g:P-oAAOSwKL5cSWHE . Just check the connector is the same from the photos. I've been using two of these with YN560 for ages and the recycle time in near instant. It uses 4 or 8 batteries. I fitted mine with one-wrap Vecro so I can strap it to a tripod leg or my belt when in use.

As noted you still need batteries in the flash. This is because the extenal pack provides the high power to charge the flash itself. The internal electronics of the flash/ display still need power. You can put modest batteries in the flash for that. The external pack.

On youtube there is someone who has created a dummy battery pack for the internal batteries wired to a large extenal battery pack, Tried this and my advise is DON'T - with repeated flash the internal contacts of the flash head get REALLY hot!

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Jun 11, 2019 07:35:59   #
clemente21
 
[quote=jradose][quote=Gene51]Some speed lights have the capacity to use an external battery. Which one are you using?[/q

I am using a Yongnuo speed light.[/quote]

I have the YN685 & YN560III and I have this battery pack. For weddings I carry two.
https://www.amazon.com/JJC-Recycling-External-Speedlite-YN600EX-RT/dp/B01DQJ2G0I/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Flash+Battery+Pack+for+CANON+Speedlite&qid=1560250852&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I use Eneloop pro and Ikea brands and they both seem to work equally good. The IKEAs are much cheaper and you can order them online. https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/usearch/?query=AA%20batteries

Lastly, I have this battery charger that has served me well for years
https://www.amazon.com/Titanium-Innovations-Channel-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B005UNPM3M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2I3PIV7IQXMED&keywords=titanium+innovations+battery+charger&qid=1560252100&s=gateway&sprefix=titanium+innovatio%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=AD6RFAAQRI8WI

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Jun 11, 2019 08:24:02   #
khorinek
 
jradose wrote:
As most external flashes do, my flash takes 4 AA batteries. The problem is, those batteries die out so quickly. Is there a better battery one can get that will replace those 4 AA batteries?


I thought I could save $$$ by using rechargeable batteries. I bought 2 sets (4 each) of eneloop batteries. This was my experience with the eneloop batteries, when fully charged, the power was not consistent. The flash was brighter than expected at first and as the batteries discharged not as bright as expected but after approx. 20 flashes, the power settled in and I was getting consistent results. When the batteries started to lose power, I didn't have any warning they were going dead. On one shot the flash worked and the very next shot, no flash. With Duracell batteries, I get consistent power with every shot and when they are going dead the flash takes longer to recycle and I know to replace them.

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Jun 11, 2019 08:32:06   #
johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio
 
i just ordered some eneloop batteries. i go through a lot of batteries for stuff around the house. i just bought aas and aAA yesterday. voltmeter, tv remote keypad on doors, etc.

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Jun 11, 2019 08:45:41   #
Bison Bud
 
The gentleman that states that battery capacity is rated in milli-ampere-hours is indeed correct. The higher the MAH rating, the more power the battery can provide regardless of it's intended use. It is also true that the internal resistance of a battery does affect it's current delivery capacity and in the case of quickly charging a flash unit, it can indeed make a difference in the charge time required. Apparently, some of the newer AA rechargeables have increased their MAH ratings, but I still think Alkaline batteries are the way to go for my flash units, especially when compared to Ni-cad rechargables. Also consider that with each charge/discharge cycle, all rechargable batteries lose some of their performance. Barely noticeable at first, but over the long term it can be significant. I know what to expect from Alkaline cells by starting with new ones each time and they are readily available most anywhere and sometimes at very attractive prices. Works for me, but the choice is yours. Good luck and good shooting to all!

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Jun 11, 2019 08:54:25   #
Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.
 
Bison Bud wrote:
While rechargeable batteries do provide real cost savings, a new set of good Alkaline batteries should provide longer service than any rechargeable battery can provide in that size. Even with rechargeable batteries in service, I'd keep some Alkaline AA's around for backup service. Their shelf life should be longer too, you just can't recharge them.


Alkaline s do not provide longer service than a good set of rechargeables. Quite the opposite.

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Jun 11, 2019 08:57:27   #
Bison Bud
 
Kiron Kid wrote:
Alkaline s do not provide longer service than a good set of rechargeables. Quite the opposite.


Again, it depends on the MAH rating of the batteries.

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Jun 11, 2019 08:58:52   #
Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.
 
Bison Bud wrote:
The gentleman that states that battery capacity is rated in milli-ampere-hours is indeed correct. The higher the MAH rating, the more power the battery can provide regardless of it's intended use. It is also true that the internal resistance of a battery does affect it's current delivery capacity and in the case of quickly charging a flash unit, it can indeed make a difference in the charge time required. Apparently, some of the newer AA rechargeables have increased their MAH ratings, but I still think Alkaline batteries are the way to go for my flash units, especially when compared to Ni-cad rechargables. Also consider that with each charge/discharge cycle, all rechargable batteries lose some of their performance. Barely noticeable at first, but over the long term it can be significant. I know what to expect from Alkaline cells by starting with new ones each time and they are readily available most anywhere and sometimes at very attractive prices. Works for me, but the choice is yours. Good luck and good shooting to all!
The gentleman that states that battery capacity is... (show quote)


Ni-Cad’s, which are becoming an obsolete battery form are vastly inferior to NiHm rechargeable batteries. Also, if you are near an IKEA store, their LADDA batteries are relabeled Eneloop Pro’s. And at 1/3 the price. 👍

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Jun 11, 2019 09:10:44   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
Thanks Guys: This has always been a sore spot in my mind over many years of dissatisfaction with rechargeable batteries that don't do the trick. Eneloop it shall be !

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Jun 11, 2019 09:11:35   #
Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.
 
Bison Bud wrote:
Again, it depends on the MAH rating of the batteries.


Indeed. Check the MaH ratings of alkaline compared to Eneloop rechargeables or Lithium batteries. No comparison. I speak from electrical experience and a decade of shooting weddings. Alkaline's are crap when compared to quality rechargeables and lithium’s.

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Jun 11, 2019 09:16:49   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
khorinek wrote:
I thought I could save $$$ by using rechargeable batteries. I bought 2 sets (4 each) of eneloop batteries. This was my experience with the eneloop batteries, when fully charged, the power was not consistent. The flash was brighter than expected at first and as the batteries discharged not as bright as expected but after approx. 20 flashes, the power settled in and I was getting consistent results. When the batteries started to lose power, I didn't have any warning they were going dead. On one shot the flash worked and the very next shot, no flash. With Duracell batteries, I get consistent power with every shot and when they are going dead the flash takes longer to recycle and I know to replace them.
I thought I could save $$$ by using rechargeable b... (show quote)


If I were getting results like that, I would be concerned about the flash. While the recharge time can (and will) vary depending on the condition and type of battery, the flash output should not.

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Jun 11, 2019 09:29:03   #
Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee
 
[quote=jradose][quote=Gene51]Some speed lights have the capacity to use an external battery. Which one are you using?[/q

I am using a Yongnuo speed light.[/quote]

Yongnuo has the YN5200 battery pack that fits several Yongnuo flashes, two of which are the YN685 and YN968. The YN5200 recycles in 1/4 to 1/2 second. It costs about $80 and is said to last for 2000 full power flashes.

Check out the YN5200 on line to see if your flash can use it. Or look on the side of the flash for a little 3 conductor connector.

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Jun 11, 2019 09:53:15   #
TreborLow
 
May I add that IKEA sells a 4 pack of LADDA double A NI-MH rechargeable cells at a very reasonable price (I think it was around seven bucks)!! They are rated at 2450 mAh and seem to hold their charge very well and are made in Japan. I don't have a fast charger, but they are labeled for 16hr recharge at 245 ma. My
EBL-807 charger seems to do an excellent job at what I would think is a medium speed. It handles four cells at a time and individually monitors each cell.

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Jun 11, 2019 09:53:55   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
Eneloops OR... a Quantum Battery Pack:

http://www.qtm.com

I still have the original Quantum Battery 1... I’m on my fourth lead-acid gel cell pack now.

They’re heavy and expensive, but recycle most shoe mount flashes to full power in 2-3 seconds, and charge rapidly (2-3 hours). Options for 6-Volt, 9-Volt, and high voltage inputs. The low voltage units use “battery eliminator” cables.

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