pjmacnoid Loc: OHIO

What is everyone's take on off-brand batteries? I need to get a 2nd battery for my Canon battery grip that I just ordered. I have a Canon MarkII 5D; Also, is it ok to use the Canon brand along with an off brand together in the grip??
I was looking at batteries on amazon.com, and the actual Canon battery that is advertised has a few bad reviews as being counterfeit. And Canon wants $100 for battery. There are alot of off brands alot cheaper.
Just wondering what your thoughts are...and if anyone knows a reliable off brand!
Thanks!

enee

I recently purchased three offbrand batteries made by Bower. They cost $29 each at Fry's electronics in Palo Alto California. They have a different voltage and milliamp hours than my Canon battery, that came with my 7D. The 7 D Canon battery list 7.2 V at 1800 mA hours and the Bower battery list 7.4 V at 2800 mA hours. That means the voltage is slightly higher on the offbrand batteries, and the longer milliamp hours means offbrand batteries can run longer than the Canon battery. I would suggest that you get two offbrand batteries for your power grip that have the same milliamps and voltage. A matched pair in other words.

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

I do not buy any batteries other then Canon batteries and only from an autherized Dealer. There are alot of conterfeits out there so be careful

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

my friend, if something went wrong with your canon, you sent it to canon & forgot to take out the off brand battery.....guess what no more warrenty...

Igore Loc: Wisconsin

No they will not void warranty for aftermarket battery. My camera shop sells several brands and says that is a lie. That is like saying that unless you use Ford oil in your Ford the warranty is void which is against the law for the dealer to tell you that. Some aftermarket ones are way better than the stock Canon ones with almost twice the mah rating and half the price. I do agree with the statement that you should buy all the same for use in your grip as the Canon one will die before the other one because of the difference in mah rating. I have three different brands for mine and they all work great. My lowest priced one $10 lasts the longest when shooting video and has never ran out. One of my battery packs even has the same manufacture stamp from China as the Canon one with same rating and no Canon logo.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I've had three off brand batteries for two Canon cameras, two good and one a waste, it's rolling the dice, Bob.

franmcob Loc: San Diego, CA

lucky for me i was covered my 5d the off brand killed part of my pc in the camera
and it had to be sent out for repair so if it is a newer canon DON'T DO IT

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

Sorry but the statement of the use of off-brand batteries and the void of warranty is the worst thing I've ever heard. It would be unheard of. Canon plainly states they recommend the use of their batteries by default, then as you read along the battery guidelines they also give other types in a short list. So don't listen to that false information stated above.

My opinion, if your buying off-brand batteries go to a local place and don't buy online. Mainly "ebay" as they have been having a lot of criminal activity lately i.e. false claimed battery's, same goes for SD/XD/SDHC/Flashcards and so on have been turning up used and damaged but as listed, no refunds. Most of the items are outdated is the main issue with the batteries. So, off-brands keep it local.

Another thing, when buying batteries online. Open the delivered package and check for any forced entry to the internal compartments, some have been going around as canon/nikon/fuji batteries but the case has been forced open which means they've switched the batteries out to a different brand.
Good luck! It's much easier to just by from your local retailer...

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

It really looks like if this were true, you would have stated the brand? I've used off-brand batteries for ages and have never had them kill any part of any of my electronics. So, I'm calling your bluff on this statement.

snowbear

I have Adorama branded batteries as spares for my D40, and have had no issues. Just use common sense - look for a warranty; make sure the store/seller is reputable; and if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

franmcob Loc: San Diego, CA

i was in the store put it in and my camera would not reg came one took a few shots and it froze the man at the camera store never saw anything like it either.
put back the canon battery back in it worked but histragram light meter no longer worked.
must have been my lucky day.

BBNC

Look at Pearstone's offerings through B&H. I wouldn't be afraid to mix one brand with another as long as the Voltage and Mah (milliampere hours) were the same.

DeanerNiker Loc: Lakewood, Colorado

I have purchased two off brands for my Nikon and have only noticed one problem. The first charge is wonderful and actually last longer than the Nikon batteries. It seems that all recharges after that last about half as long. But $7 compaired to $40. I can live with that for spare batteries. I keep 2 Nikons and 2 off brands in my case. Hope this helps.
Dean

BBNC

P.S. I doubt that Canon manufactures batteries, my guess would be Panasonic, but that's just a guess. I have a Canon SX30IS with one Canon battery and one Pearstone. They both seem to have the same service life between charges.

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

I use them as backups. They cost pennies in comparison and have never had a problem. You cannot beat this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CVLTCW