Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I don't think that would happen if bought at a legitimate dealer.

Bill_de Loc: US

It happened with B&H without them realizing it.

Once they caught it they replaced them with oem.

Other legitimate dealer may have also been duped.

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Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

[quote=Bill_de]It happened with B&H without them realizing it.

Once they caught it they replaced them with oem.

Other legitimate dealer may have also been duped.

---[/q

Yes understood, mistakes happen, just saying when a person goes to a non reputable dealer to save a few bucks, that person is just asking for trouble.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Because not all batteries are equal. And not all third party batteries work in many manufactures camera's. That's why.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I buy Nikon and Third Party Watson batteries only from B&H Photo Shop. Nikon outsources their batteries to a manufacturer, which meets their standards to be used in their cameras. I would rather buy a reputable third party battery. Than, to buy a counterfeit/fake battery, that puts the Nikon name on the battery. At least I know what I'm getting with a Watson battery. Third Party batteries are a savings. But, usually not equal to the amount of chargings it can take and hold in the long run. Now, I only get one third savings by buying Watson batteries. That's not a whole lot. IMO. Beware of fake memory cards too.

lamontcranston

I agree with Bob. Always use a reliable source and stay away from Ebay batteries claiming to be "OEM" or "same as OEM" batteries".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

..... So.. Stay away from those that say "Canon". Those will be counterfeit. (joke, people.. Joke!)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Nope, it is not the way to tell.
There are many counterfeits out there and difficult to identify.

tca2267 Loc: Florida

I have been using the "after market" batteries since I got my D7000 in 2012.....then I used them with my
D750.....and now I am using them with my D850 and they have always lasted and worked well...
I have found out that Nikon only wants you to use their products.....I contacted Nikon with a question about using a "off camera monitor" and the response is "they wouldn't suggest using it because it WASN'T a Nikon product" and it could damage the camera.... what a bunch of BS...
It was only a monitor.....

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I can be difficult.
Nikon is the way you tell.
Look at this link.
https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/ni/NI_article?articleNo=000004702&configured=1&lang=en_US

This is common for all makers. Canon just won a major lawsuit over this issue of fake items.
https://petapixel.com/2020/01/16/canon-wins-important-lawsuit-against-ebay-users-selling-counterfeit-gear/

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I buy from our local camera shop, an authorized Nikon dealer. They order it from Nikon and it comes in the Nikon box with the hologram. They try to sell me the 3rd party brand (in stock with probably a higher markup). I took them up on their offer one time in a pinch at Christmas. Seems to be ok but I usually wait 2 days and get the OEM. Price difference less than ten dollars. P.S. I have a Nikon OEM battery for my D50 that works fine and is starting its 15th year.

ClinchfieldPaul Loc: Salisbury NC

Wow, if they can initially slip by B&H, who you would think gets them from a reputable supplier, how are we suppose tell.

Does it matter what color the batteries, I have bought a replacement EN-EL 15 for a D750 that is black and recently purchased a EN-EL 15A that are gray.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Nikon stuff costs a premium, until you compare them to performance.

ie cable release... I bought three off brand releases because I thought $65 Was a stupid expensive amount to spend on something like this... after those 3 failed quickly and suddenly, ( me without one and using it often) I bought the Nikon brand.. still have it after many years now. So it would have been much cheaper to have bought it in the first place.

The batteries are little computers in themselves. They provide the same amount of energy to the camera no matter their charge status. AS I am in the habit of turning off my camera between shots, I have never seen the need to buy a second battery. The only time it is an issue is when shooting tethered, or in assembly line product shots, where I am shooting multiple items on the same background camera mounted on a tripod etc. . I just watch it and recharge when I need a break anyways. I would use a power supply if I did it often enough.

Anyways, my battery is the same one I bought with my D800e when they first came out. I check the "remaining batter life" feature and will replace it when it becomes a concern. Until then- its been a fantastically worthwhile purchase ( It came with the camera), and have never needed a backup. even on my trips to Europe ( I'd recharge every night to top it off) or the back country away from electricity, where like I said I am in the habit of instantly flipping off the camera between shots.

This is my work flow though, and to be even faier- I have mostly prime lenses- so no power to the lens other than a readout, others may need a backup and once I forgot the battery in the charger all together- but that was my brainfart fault- not the batteries.