I agree!

First of all, it's good to understand that the "battery" industry and the usage and maintenance of batters have evolved and changed progressively over the years. In the past, there were comparatively few choices and technologies. There were cheap carbon-zink, alkaline, disposable, rechargeables, Copper Tops vs. Energizers mercury button batteries, lead acid, and gel cells. Now the industry is known as the Enegery Storage Industry and for this old photograher with a kinda halfway-decent knowledge of photo-electronics, all of this newfangled stuff, that's out there nowadays, is way above my pay grade. I receive all of the technical literature but some of it must be meant for NASA!

The good news is that many of the latest innovations and improvements have yielded much better performance in the batteries photographs used in ther gear such as greater charge capacity per cycle longer all-around longevity, less propensity for failure or damaging leakage, faster and safer recharging rates, and smaller size and lesser weight than equivalent voltage and ampere/hour specs of thertr predecessors.

When comparing battery brands for value, performance, and safety, there are some caveats that some folks are not factoring in. Any given decent battery will perform better and last longer provided the is maintained properly, regularly, and according to required procedures. Frequency of usage, duty cycles, charging cycles, and required residual char for long-term dormant storage all count well. The efficiency and curre dray of the camer, strobe trigger, or other accessories must be considered as well. A One photograher may claim that their aftermarket batteries perfor as good or better than those labeled OEM brands based on the formed
their good maintenance procedure and kinds of equipment. Another may offer a bad review of their OEM batteries but perhaps, due to poor maintenance or extremely heavy-duty usage.

Also sadly, there's always somebody or some company that will sell inferior stuff for a lower price.

Among professional photographers in various specialties-photojournalists, wedding and event shooters, industrial and commercial folk, sports specialists, and nature and wildlife folks, there tends to be a grapevine, and the decent serviceable, rugged, and reliable gear rises to the top in reputation and the "junk" will soon fall out of favor.

Anotere philosophy to consider. I'm sure y'all have the heart e expression "nothing is forever"! In ther
photography equipment business, has become a commandant in the marketing strategies of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Unfortunately this business of "GAS" has off-gassed and affected photograhers. The good news is that there are also great technical, engineering, and innovation that are out there if one can afford all of them.

Gone are the days when a pro or advanced amateur bought into a camera or system from Graflex, Rolleiflex, Leica, Nikon, and a few kinda industry standards and use their cameras or system for eons and then headed them down their grandchildren. Old school? OK, but there were some great, iconic, and just some damn-good bread-and-butter images made with simple equipment-savvy shooters. Yes! You need good gear to do the work efficiently and successfully, however, you can make great images with relatively modest gear if you have the required skill sets.

A change in battery compatibility is only the tip of the iceberg and after all, the battery is the HEART of your costly, high-tech, multi-featured super camera. You don't want your system to experience "heart failure". So, do the research, know specifications and maintenance protocols, buyer beware, and as the lawyers say "govern yourself accordingly! In imaging/electronic/digital technology, "Times they are Achangin" at warp speed!

Quote: Among professional photographers in various specialties-photojournalists, wedding and event shooters, industrial and commercial folk, sports specialists, and nature and wildlife folks, there tends to be a grapevine, and the decent serviceable, rugged, and reliable gear rises to the top in reputation and the "junk" will soon fall out of favor."


So true E.L., I cant personally speak for the latest Nikon batteries , but I am sure those Nikon Pro Users groups know from vast real-world experiences which third-party Nikon batteries are useful and which are junk.

For Sony Pros, the Wasabi brand batteries are the most tested, used, most proven, and preferred third-party battery brand for Sony cameras. I have used them as well as OEM Sony batteries interchangeably for years with no issues, ever.

Personally I am not an OEM snob, LOL.

If a third-party lens, grip, battery, and/or other accessory works great with no detriment to my gear, I am all for it. And the savings helps me get more pro gear. Here my three current Sony cameras, A7RIV, A1, A7SIII, one with a OEM removeable Sony battery grip, two with third-party Meike removeable battery grips, which have worked just as well, have lasted as long in heavy pro use around the world, but cost a lot less than the OEM Sony grips. Inside those grips are both OEM Sony and third-party Wasabi batteries.

Cheers and best to you.

My aftermarket terrible experience that was very close to ruining a once in a lifetime eclipse trip, which $500.00 in shipping a telescope and accessories across country, was with Wasabi batteries. Swell and got stuck in my camera. So much for Wasabi being the cats meow. I was doing my practice runs and caught it. Thank God I did practice runs. I'll spend the extra for OEM from now on. Hope your barging batteries don't get stuck in your camera during an important shoot. Enjoy the cash you saved

I am a working pro that has used my Wasabi batteries in all conditions around the world for many years without a single issue. I know other Sony pros that have had the same excellent experience with Wasabi NP-FZ100 batteries.

I dont doubt your experience and I am sorry it happened to you. Trust me I have had OEM batteries in my Nikon and Canon DSLRs that went bad and leaked, so NO it just doesn't only happen to third-party batteries, it can happen to OEM batteries also and has. Look it up if you dont believe my real-world experiences.

I am very happy with the money I have saved over the years and it has helped me buy more pro gear, thank you.

Use what works for you, and I and other pros will use what works for us. There is nothing wrong with you sticking with OEM batteries if that makes you more comfortable.

I have to depend on my gear for my living ,and I am totally comfortable using both OEM and my Wasabi third-party batteries interchangeably. And I never go out without backup camera gear and extra batteries, so no camera or lens failure for any reason, or a bad battery will ever cost me a shoot. Anything can happen and if you have been doing this as I have for 50 years professionally, you know it will happen at some point , because it has.

Cheers and best to you.

My aftermarket terrible experience that was very close to ruining a once in a lifetime eclipse trip, which $500.00 in shipping a telescope and accessories across country, was with Wasabi batteries. Swell and got stuck in my camera. So much for Wasabi being the cats meow. I was doing my practice runs and caught it. Thank God I did practice runs. I'll spend the extra for OEM from now on. Hope your barging batteries don't get stuck in your camera during an important shoot. Enjoy the cash you saved