What's up with the Nikon EL14 battery? Hi, Folks I have a Nikon D5100 and need an extra battery for it. It uses the EL14. So does the D3100. I have noted a bunch of EL14 knock-offs on...

MtnMan Loc: ID

Hi, Folks

I have a Nikon D5100 and need an extra battery for it. It uses the EL14. So does the D3100.

I have noted a bunch of EL14 knock-offs on sale for as low as under $10. Many say they do not work with the D3100 or D5100, so I assume none of them do.

Does anyone know why they do not work?

Then I went back to Adorama and B&H and find they are all out of stock on the real one. And the only one available on Amazon has upped the price from $39 to $69.

Is this some kind of Nikon monopoly scam or something?

Opinions are fine but any actual information (e.g. refrence to a report from Nikon or independent source with actual data) would be more appreciated. ;-)

Regards,
Larry Leach

Jacquie

I don't know about the Batteries, I always use whatever Nikon reccomends. It's to hard and costly replacing equipment, if the battery does something to your camera. My thoughts only!

colane Loc: IOWA

I too wanted an extra battery for my Nikon D3100 and I got mine at Harold's in Sioux City, IA, and it was $49.00. I did not try ebay or amazon.com but would be interested in what they have. :lol: :lol:

BBNC

I understand that the batteries which will work in Nikon have some sort of a recognition chip built in to prevent the camera from being damaged by cheap batteries.

Or, it's a ploy by Nikon to make sure you spend more money, LOL!

RockinRobinG Loc: The Middle of Nowhere, Nebraska

You can buy them on E-bay. I recently purchased one from J&R Computer for $39.99 with free freight...had it in three days. Just make sure you get the one that is actually a NIKON battery (printed ON the battery)...not the one that says "for" Nikon cameras.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

lleach wrote:

Does anyone know why they do not work?

Larry, I'm thinking it isn't a case that they don't work . . . . probably more a case that they don't work well. I bought an EN-EL3 knock-off for my D90, and it holds a charge for about a third as long as the battery that came with the camera. Enough of a lesson for me and will only buy the Nikon brand in the future.

I found this link for your EN-EL14:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=kjrmc&cp=21&gs_id=2a&xhr=t&q=using+nikon+batteries&tok=gnuhPPubT90g3rKcPmp8Rw&safe=active&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1188&bih=873&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7672658712969897318&sa=X&ei=DtKzTpuCCsfqtgeb1pDgAw&sqi=2&ved=0CKUBEPMCMAw

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

Nikon and Canon both make quality equipment. But it seems to me that a lot of their "list" prices are kept artificially high simply because their brand name is on the devices they sell. It would be interesting to know who actually manufactures some of their things such as the EL14 battery and how much it really costs to make.
If you own a Cadillac and need a fan belt look at what the dealer charges for it, then go see what a top of the line "aftermarket" belt costs at a discount auto store...chances are that they're made by the same company.
If you own prestige you have to pay for it, and not necessarily because it's better.

jmarkutah Loc: Utah

I bought a knockoff battery for my d90 and it has screwed me up a couple times. After walking out about a mile to catch some shots just to find that the battery I thought was fully charged only lasted for a couple minutes. Now I only use it as a back up plan in case of emergencies.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Thanks.

I tried them. They also say out of stock.

I saw them two weeks ago. This out of stock now seems everywhere.

Regards,
Larry Leach

RockinRobinG wrote:

You can buy them on E-bay. I recently purchased one from J&R Computer for $39.99 with free freight...had it in three days. Just make sure you get the one that is actually a NIKON battery (printed ON the battery)...not the one that says "for" Nikon cameras.

MtnMan Loc: ID

They also say "Availability: on order".

In other words they don't have any.

Regards,
Larry Leach

brucewells wrote:

quote=lleach Does anyone know why they do not wor... (show quote)

MtnMan Loc: ID

Probably both, usin the former as their excuse for the latter. :lol

Most likely all are built by the same company.

Regards,
Larry

BBNC wrote:

I understand that the batteries which will work in Nikon have some sort of a recognition chip built in to prevent the camera from being damaged by cheap batteries.

Or, it's a ploy by Nikon to make sure you spend more money, LOL!

snowbear

They are probably out of stock for the same reason there is a spare parts shortage - the earthquake & tsunami in Japan, as well as flooding in Indonesia have apparently affected their production / distribution. I had to wait 3-1/2 months to get the memory card mechanism replaced on my Nikon.

MarkH Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I just ordered 2 from the Nikon store. $40 (each) plus tax. They did not indicate they are on backorder.

steve Loc: Iowa

I bought a Cheap knock-off brand battery. Would not even let my D3110 turn on. Oh well, live & learn.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Thanks but I just checked it and it says "currently out of stock".

Maybe you got the last two!

The tsunami may indeed be a cause.

Regards,
Larry Leach

MarkH wrote:

I just ordered 2 from the Nikon store. $40 (each) plus tax. They did not indicate they are on backorder.