burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I had a Norman 400B back in 2006-2012. It was a great, but totally manual flash. Fine for groups and portraits at fixed distances, but useless for run and gun work.

The NiCd battery pack in it was truly awful, though. It deteriorated in two years, despite all the usual precautions one must take with NiCd packs.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

There is a lot of info in this thread about different types of batteries, much of it is good, well founded advice from experienced folk who have been there, done that and learned the hard way.
Bottom line is, regardless of the kind/type of battery you use, there is a finite number of cycles you can get out of 4 AA's.

Deep in the bowels of the 580EXII manual, it refers to an external power pack. It's existence has been mentioned in this thread but not by name.
Here is a link to it’s info.The Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N. It will use AA's of your choice and greatly improve your recycle time.
If you are doing a lot of flash work it is much easier to have a few extra Canon CPM-E4 battery trays loaded in your bag for quick change than fumbling with batteries on the fly.
This tray is discontinued but it shows up on eBay often.
I believe that Neewer also made a similar product.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Easiest way to prevent that would be to test each AA battery before an event. I use a cheesy tester that displays remaining voltage, but also shows "good", "weak", "poor". Depending on what you are shooting you can decide when you want to change them. On the tester I use - "weak" indicates 40%- 50% power. Never had the pleasure of using a battery pack, which seems the best way to go.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

I don't use rechargeable batteries at all. I have found them to not have the power of the alkaline batteries and they don't last as long. I always carry a spare set of alkaline so they may be ready to replace the ones in use. Usually place a new set in before each use and if the recharge time gets too long I replace them. Have only had to replace these batteries twice in the past 10 years at an event.

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

I change them immediately once there is any noticeable fall off in recycle time, thus always carry extras. Also, moved to Panasonic Enelope Pros (2400 mah) for my Nikon Speed Lights about 1 year ago. Significant improvement in recycle time (maybe 50% faster) and somewhat better duration between changes outs. Downside is the Pros expected life span (total number of re charges) is about 30% of the Standard 2100 mah. Buying faster recycle is costly. However, rather miss a shot because my flash is catching it's breath.

therwol Loc: USA

Important events? Use new batteries and carry extras. Lithium batteries last longer than alkalines but are more expensive. Never leave partially discharged alkalines in an expensive device. I've had many leak over the years, even in clocks.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Really? Myself and everyone else that I speak to and that use flash units, find that the quality rechargeable batteries last MUCH longer than alkaline. And the flash units recycle MUCH quicker between shots. What brand were you using?

KK

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

kerrect! oops!

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

I agree! The manufacturer suggests that they be recharged every (30) days whether they have been used or not. They are cheap enough to replace when the charger flashes red. I keep (2) sets and regular copper tops as backup.

tomcat

I use a Quantum auxiliary battery pack. Been using it ever since the same thing happened to me with a bride coming down the aisle. Now I always have a constant power supply to the flash and recycle time is almost instantaneous.

MidnightManiac

Another eneloop user. Have been using them in my speedlites and transmitter for years. Have never had one leak. The recycle time is seconds, do carry an extra dozen fully charged in my bag just in case but rarely need them. I don't trust alkaline batteries as they leak. Investment in a good speedlite why not invest in a good rechargeable that doesn't leak and damage your flash or any other component that takes batteries.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have "battery-paranoia"! Experience has dictated that even the best, highest quality name brand batteries can unexpectedly and unceremoniously drop dead at the most inopportune times. So ...when I use speedlighligs or anything without big external battery packs, I routinely change batteries after any reasonably long shoot or sometimes during these shoots, just in case. This is not a wasteful procedure in that I use the partially spent batteries in TV remotes, my laser cat toys, and in other non-essential gadgets until they are totally gone.

Nowadays, so many devices need batteries so I made a small investment in a battery tester that reads the battery voltage under load so I can determine their remaining usefulness.

I never leave batteries of any kind in flash units, radio slave triggers or cameras that are in storage for any length of time. Again, even the best of them can leak or "gas off" and cause significant damage and corrosion.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

As a reminder for those with leaky alkaline battery damage in their battery compartments, full strength VINEGAR on a rough cloth or Q-Tip works wonders to dissolve the deposits and clean contacts. It has saved my day many times.

Richard Brucker

I have a Canon 580 EX II and the external battery pack. I only use Energizer AA Lithium batteries that I buy in bulk, 50 batteries for $25.00 plus $4.00 shipping. Four batteries in the flash, eight batteries in the battery pack, that is 12 batteries total. Recycle time is immediate. I have EOS T6, Canon EF-S 18-135, I use ISO 800 I get good exposure and great battery life. Much cheaper than the $1,550 for a 400W/S flash. I bought flash and battery pack used for $375.00.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Just a little tip:

I don't mind using double or triple "A" batteries, alkaline or rechargeables for quick small jobs where light wight and minimal gear is a convenience. On longer assignments where there is going to be lots of fast shooting situations and lots of shots, I use my HOMEMADE powerpacks. I fashion an insert, that fits in to the speedlight's battery compartment, made out of small wooden dowels, the same dimensions as the batteries and wire them to a 6 Volt 7 Ampere/hour gel cell (sealed lead acid) battery which I tote around in a belt/shoulder pack made out of an old point and shoot camera case. This will yield hundreds of flashed per charge, even at full power and the recycling time will remain very constant.

The gels cells I recommend are the ones used in those emergency lighting units you find in stairwells and hallways that come on in the event of a power failure. They can remain dormant for long periods of time, last about a couple of years in heavy use and only set me back about $35.00 each. They recharge in a few hours and I have never had any leakage or unexpected power loss. I also use 6 and 12 volt gel cess in some of my bigger portable strobes in place of the significantly more costly nicads and they work just as well.

If you decide to make one of theses all you will need is some basic tools, soldering gear and skills and a length of lamp cord. You will have to drill a hole or cut a notch in the door of your battery compartment to accommodate the cord. I know this will decrease the resale value of the speedlight, however, I never sell my units- I use them until they disintegrate and the little doors are replaceable and you can still use regular batteries if you need to.