D850 and clone batteries.

K

Kevin Ross

New member
Got my new 850 a few days ago. Haven't tried it all out yet but very happy with what I have.
But I have noticed a curious thing.
I upgraded from a D800 for which I had bought 3 clone batteries to try out.
I got an original Li-Ion01 battery with it and the clones served me well as backup.

When I tried a clone in the D850, the main display only shows an outline battery with no power bars, even though it was fully charged.
Can not switch the camera on, but if I turn the power button all the way, the display and buttons light up.
So the camera knows there is a battery in but is won't function.
The EN EL-15 I got with the d800 works fine but the clones are all the same.

Don't think this is accidental and the battery info was never correct in the D800, no problem, I just ordered 2 new originals, just wondering if anyone else has found this.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Kevin Ross said:
Got my new 850 a few days ago. Haven't tried it all out yet but very happy with what I have.
But I have noticed a curious thing.
I upgraded from a D800 for which I had bought 3 clone batteries to try out.
I got an original Li-Ion01 battery with it and the clones served me well as backup.

When I tried a clone in the D850, the main display only shows an outline battery with no power bars, even though it was fully charged.
Can not switch the camera on, but if I turn the power button all the way, the display and buttons light up.
So the camera knows there is a battery in but is won't function.
The EN EL-15 I got with the d800 works fine but the clones are all the same.

Don't think this is accidental and the battery info was never correct in the D800, no problem, I just ordered 2 new originals, just wondering if anyone else has found this.
Click to expand...
I assure you it was no accident. And it wouldn't be the first time Nikon has done this.

Back in... 2013 I want to say, a firmware update ported to several Nikon bodies disabled functionality with third-party batteries. The same sort of battery issue reared its head when the the D500 was released.

In time, third-party battery makers will reverse engineer the chips in the Nikon OEM batteries and you'll be able to buy reasonably priced, third-party replacements.
 
Woodyg3

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
This is pretty normal, Kevin. The Wasabi reverse engineered batteries that were guaranteed to work as well as the Nikon batteries in my D500 lasted only half as long. All of the third party batteries I have had for any of my Nikons lose their charge a good deal faster as they age, as well. Do I think that Nikon batteries are overpriced? Sure, but I think I'm pretty much going to stick with them from now on.
 
R

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
Woodyg3 said:
This is pretty normal, Kevin. The Wasabi reverse engineered batteries that were guaranteed to work as well as the Nikon batteries in my D500 lasted only half as long. All of the third party batteries I have had for any of my Nikons lose their charge a good deal faster as they age, as well. Do I think that Nikon batteries are overpriced? Sure, but I think I'm pretty much going to stick with them from now on.
Click to expand...

Same here Woody, Nikon batteries all the way, last longer and hold charge great. Amazing how much a half dozen of them cost.
 
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