Mine accepts only Nikon OEM EN-EL15 batteries. (and, a gratuitous jumping spider pic)

Theraphosa

Senior Member
My previous experience with Nikon DSLRs was that the (less expensive) generics worked fairly well, with some brands holding a charge better than others. That was okay, because they were a fraction of the price of the Nikon EN-EL14s that my D5200 and D3200 used.

Before I even had the D500 in hand, I'd ordered a couple of batteries and car charger from Amazon. (Don't remember the brand). The batteries were relatively inexpensive, and although they showed "charged" on the new charger, as well as the Nikon charger, the camera said they were empty.

I returned them and tried a somewhat better brand (Vivitar), again, they charged on the new charger (I also charged one in the Nikon charger) but the camera said they were empty.

Finally caved, bought the Nikon batteries at over twice the price. Camera is happy with these.

Just an FYI for folks.

And as long as I'm posting, I might as well post a totally gratuitous and unnecessary Jumping Spider photo.
(...I did warn you in the title.)
 

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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I've never bought non-OEM batteries but had B&H throw them in on a couple bodies I've purchased. Forget which brand but they worked fine, even in 3rd party grips.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Would want to hear from other D500 users. I know my D5100 and D610 both accept Wasabi batteries - that is the only third party I've used. They work for me for less than half of the $100+ (current range is $99 - $109) for a true Nikon one. CDN battery prices are crazy. Looked up Wasabi and it is now $88 (not enough of a saving anymore used to be half that) - Bestbuy has Digipower - $70 - still?

As for Vivitar - that used to be a respected name in photography in my books. Just like Polaroid and some others. But not so much anymore.
 

TL Robinson

Senior Member
I only have Nikon branded batteries and haven't had any issues with the 01 or 20 versions. I *have* had the UHS-II issue Thom reported and have worked with another local photographer to feed him info with some testing we've done around that - but no battery issues. I stopped using third party batteries for anything when one of them nearly took out my GoPro a couple years ago. Now I buy from the manufacturer for whatever product it is (short grips that take AA's then I use Eneloops for that, as intended).
 
wasabi en-el15 battery on Amazon are 19.99 with free prime shipping
Nikon en-el15 battery on Amazon are 48.00 with free prime shipping

Give me the 2 Wasabi batteries any day
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
wasabi en-el15 battery on Amazon are 19.99 with free prime shipping
Nikon en-el15 battery on Amazon are 48.00 with free prime shipping

Give me the 2 Wasabi batteries any day

What is up with the Canadian premium, double checked today https://www.amazon.ca/Wasabi-Power-...qid=1462510812&sr=1-3&keywords=wasabi+en-el15 $88 CDN which would suggest the CDN $ is at .25 US not .77 US - we should be paying about $30 at the most - what is going on?

Amazon.CA wants $93 for the real Nikon one. At todays exchange that works out to $61 for $48 US$. That's highway robbery but today sadly the least expensive true Nikon I can buy. Obviously best to go for cross boarder shopping.

Did see one (Vivitar) for $18 but then they want $40 shipping. Really!!
Best price is Fosmon for $27.00

I will be buying my batteries south of the border. (better go before this Trump guy builds a wall to keep us out though).
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
Would want to hear from other D500 users. I know my D5100 and D610 both accept Wasabi batteries - that is the only third party I've used. They work for me for less than half of the $100+ (current range is $99 - $109) for a true Nikon one. CDN battery prices are crazy. Looked up Wasabi and it is now $88 (not enough of a saving anymore used to be half that) - Bestbuy has Digipower - $70 - still?

As for Vivitar - that used to be a respected name in photography in my books. Just like Polaroid and some others. But not so much anymore.
Think of it from Nikon perspective.... They want to make sure everyone is using authentic batteries so no one starts rumors of D500 being a battery hog.
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
What is up with the Canadian premium, double checked today https://www.amazon.ca/Wasabi-Power-...qid=1462510812&sr=1-3&keywords=wasabi+en-el15 $88 CDN which would suggest the CDN $ is at .25 US not .77 US - we should be paying about $30 at the most - what is going on?

Amazon.CA wants $93 for the real Nikon one. At todays exchange that works out to $61 for $48 US$. That's highway robbery but today sadly the least expensive true Nikon I can buy. Obviously best to go for cross boarder shopping.

Did see one (Vivitar) for $18 but then they want $40 shipping. Really!!
Best price is Fosmon for $27.00

I will be buying my batteries south of the border. (better go before this Trump guy builds a wall to keep us out though).
Amazon.com : Nikon EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for Select DSLR Cameras (Retail Packaging) : Digital Camera Batteries : Camera & Photo
50 bucks free shipping. Don't worry you'll still be able to get health care on this side when Trump is elected.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Amazon.com : Nikon EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for Select DSLR Cameras (Retail Packaging) : Digital Camera Batteries : Camera & Photo
50 bucks free shipping. Don't worry you'll still be able to get health care on this side when Trump is elected.

When I go to that site I get greeted by this message "This item does not ship to Bonnyville, Canada"

Seems I have to be in the USA to buy it, not allowed to ship it across the border (not sure what's up with that).
And since I'm 500 miles north of the Canada-US Border - and that puts me in the middle of rural MT (Sweet Grass to be precise) it is still hours to a place I could buy one of these. A long way to go to save $50
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
When I go to that site I get greeted by this message "This item does not ship to Bonnyville, Canada"

Seems I have to be in the USA to buy it, not allowed to ship it across the border (not sure what's up with that).
And since I'm 500 miles north of the Canada-US Border - and that puts me in the middle of rural MT (Sweet Grass to be precise) it is still hours to a place I could buy one of these. A long way to go to save $50
You guys tax the heck out of beer too I heard.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Lots of reports that the Nikon batteries marked Li-ion 1 may not work, only the newer Li-ion 20. Out of the 4 batteries I currently own, three are the older Li-ion 1s.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Lots of reports that the Nikon batteries marked Li-ion 1 may not work, only the newer Li-ion 20. Out of the 4 batteries I currently own, three are the older Li-ion 1s.

I tested the two Pearstone batteries I got as throw-ins from B&H in the past and they do not work. The first battery I put in was marked Li-ion01 and it worked fine. I've got about a half dozen (maybe more) OEM EN-EL15's around. I'll see if there are any marked that way that don't.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
The Wasabi's are listed on Hogan's site as not working.

I did some poking around on there and found his site for 3d party lens compatibility and I tested all my Sigmas since 4 of them aren't listed.

150-600mm Sport and 24-36mm f2 Art work perfectly (figures, they're the ones I can download firmware upgrades for directly).

15mm Fisheye doesn't focus in LiveView (probably not an issue since I suspect that combination will never be mated again anyway).

105mm Macro and 70-300mm Macro both work fine with front and back button focus but hunt like mad in LiveView. I suspect that means I'll be shipping the 105mm back for an upgrade once Sigma has one since I know I'll be using it in LiveView thanks to the one-touch focus and shoot.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
The Wasabi's are listed on Hogan's site as not working.

I did some poking around on there and found his site for 3d party lens compatibility and I tested all my Sigmas since 4 of them aren't listed.

150-600mm Sport and 24-36mm f2 Art work perfectly (figures, they're the ones I can download firmware upgrades for directly).

15mm Fisheye doesn't focus in LiveView (probably not an issue since I suspect that combination will never be mated again anyway).

105mm Macro and 70-300mm Macro both work fine with front and back button focus but hunt like mad in LiveView. I suspect that means I'll be shipping the 105mm back for an upgrade once Sigma has one since I know I'll be using it in LiveView thanks to the one-touch focus and shoot.

What about your Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8? I doubt you will ever pair them, but didn't you send out that lens for a firmware update already? Just curious to hear whether or not it focuses in Live View with the D500.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
What about your Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8? I doubt you will ever pair them, but didn't you send out that lens for a firmware update already? Just curious to hear whether or not it focuses in Live View with the D500.

Gonna be hard to do since it's in Louisiana along with my old 150-500mm. :)
 
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