D500 & 3rd part batteries 🖕: As I bought a (3rd party) battery grip for my D500 I also bought 2 extra batteries in Dec 2019. Read reviews & found that the Kastar EN-EL15A was said to...

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

As I bought a (3rd party) battery grip for my D500 I also bought 2 extra batteries in Dec 2019. Read reviews & found that the Kastar EN-EL15A was said to fit as well as being accepted by the camera.

Got them delivered, charged them, tried them in camera - all worked fine. Stored them for later use.

Went with my son to Acapulco, Mexico, mid February for his PanAmerican karate championship.

None of the batteries was no longer accepted by the camera. Tried the OEM + the Kastar. Nope. Tried one Kastar - nope. Tried both Kastar - nope.

Contacted the seller, described the situation. No refund because the 30 day limitation had expired.

Ordered OEM batteries.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

That's the problem with 3rd party batteries or 3rd party anything for that matter...Your always on your own.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

Ched49 wrote:

That's the problem with 3rd party batteries or 3rd party anything for that matter...Your always on your own.

Yup. Lesson learned...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

People can learn some very expensive lessons trying to cut corners to save a buck.
--Bob

Boris Ekner wrote:

As I bought a (3rd party) battery grip for my D500... (show quote)

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

rmalarz wrote:

People can learn some very expensive lessons trying to cut corners to save a buck.
--Bob

True.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have BM batteries for both Canon 60D thru 90D, 5DSr, 5DIV and for Nikon D500 and D7200. Have never had any problems with the batteries working in any of the cameras or charging; no problems at all. They work as good as OEM.

BebuLamar

Boris Ekner wrote:

As I bought a (3rd party) battery grip for my D500... (show quote)

Did you upgrade the firmware then the battery stopped working?

RoswellNM Loc: SW Indiana

Use nothing but OEM batteries. Burned a couple of times.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Boris Ekner wrote:

As I bought a (3rd party) battery grip for my D500... (show quote)

How long was the time between using the Kastar batteries? Do you know for certain that it was the brand and not the time that was the problem?

Most Lion batteries of any brand will lose power over time, and beyond a point, they are no longer usable. Have you eliminated that possibility?

I ask these questions because my Kastar battery works fine in my Pentax KP. If this is a brand problem, I would blame Nikon at least as much as Kastar in this one.

BebuLamar

rehess wrote:

How long was the time between using the Kastar batteries? Do you know for certain that it was the brand and not the time that was the problem?

Most Lion batteries of any brand will lose power over time, and beyond a point, they are no longer usable. Have you eliminated that possibility?

I ask these questions because my Kastar battery works fine in my Pentax KP. If this is a brand problem, I would blame Nikon at least as much as Kastar in this one.

You can blame Nikon because I think the camera checks and see that the battery is not OEM so it doesn't work. It's a way to make sure you buy Nikon batteries.

pendennis

When I bought my D500 in 2016, I also opted for an extra battery. The dealer had a Promaster which was several dollars cheaper than the Nikon brand. I got the camera home, and put both batteries on their respective chargers. The Promaster charged up pretty quickly, but when I put it in the camera, it showed no power. The camera wouldn't function. I took it back immediately, paid extra for a Nikon EN-EL15 kit, and I've never looked back.

Monday, I bought a new D610, and also a spare Nikon EN-EL15. I noticed that the newer version of the battery takes a charge a bit more quickly.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I've tested and now suspect the 3rd party battery in my grip is what causes my D500 to Err occasionally.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

BebuLamar wrote:

Did you upgrade the firmware then the battery stopped working?

No I did not update camera firmware.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

rehess wrote:

How long was the time between using the Kastar batteries? Do you know for certain that it was the brand and not the time that was the problem?

Most Lion batteries of any brand will lose power over time, and beyond a point, they are no longer usable. Have you eliminated that possibility?

I ask these questions because my Kastar battery works fine in my Pentax KP. If this is a brand problem, I would blame Nikon at least as much as Kastar in this one.

As said in OP, Kastar batteries bought in late Dec, charged them using Kastar charger, tested in camera, all OK. Stored them until mid Feb., camera would no longer accept them.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

BebuLamar wrote:

You can blame Nikon because I think the camera checks and see that the battery is not OEM so it doesn't work. It's a way to make sure you buy Nikon batteries.

That’s my interpretation too. It’s not the batteries - it’s the camera.