What are the best batteries for a flash?

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
I'm trying to decide what rechargeable batteries for a flash? Specifically I'm using a sb-700.
 

Joseph Bautsch

New member
I use the rechargeable NiMH slow discharge rate AA in my SB 800. There are several makes on the market but the Sanyo eneloop is claimed to be the best. I don't use the flash that much and when I do need it I don't have to stop and recharge the batteries. It's alleged that the 1.2v rechargeable batteries is one of the causes of overheating in the SB800 and the SB900. (I don't have that problem.) But I have not heard of any overheating problems with the SB600 or the SB700. Maybe sone one else has more information.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I use nothing but the Sanyo Eneloops. Best battery on the market for flashes. I have the SB-600. One set of 4 in the flash and a spare set of 4 in my camera bag.
 

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
I am currently using Ray-O-Vac Platinum 2100 mAh. That was the best wally world had when I needed some. Bought two sets back in October, they really hold a charge a long time and fire my SB800 great. No Regrets at all.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
If any of you Canadians in here are interested, and you're anywhere near a Great Canadian Super Store (Loblaws), look in their electronics dept. where they have batteries. Theirs are called Rechargeable PC...the PC stands for President's Choice. They are made for Loblaws by Sanyo, the makers of the Eneloop battery. They will say "Rechargeable" right on the package.
Here are some shots of the batteries I'm talking about:
The first 2 shots are the PC branded ones.
View attachment 1295View attachment 1296View attachment 8694
And these are the Sanyo Eneloop ones. Both are exactly the same, except for the mah. The PC's have 100 more mah.
View attachment 1297View attachment 1298View attachment 1299
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Thanks, ebay had 4 of them for a buck with free shipping.

I hope the expiration date doesn't take them past their useful life, Bill. Then again......you'll only be out a buck. :)

Oh...before I forget....DO NOT fast charge these batteries! They are designed for a slow charge, and work much better with this method. I use an Energizer 4 pack charger on my Eneloops.
 

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
I hope the expiration date doesn't take them past their useful life, Bill. Then again......you'll only be out a buck. :)

Oh...before I forget....DO NOT fast charge these batteries! They are designed for a slow charge, and work much better with this method. I use an Energizer 4 pack charger on my Eneloops.

That's for plastic cases to carry/store the batteries in. I use a charger that was recommended here a while back.

UltraLast UL-CC8H Battery Charger, it does 8 at a time.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Cool - there's a 4 pack of Eneloop's on Amazon with charger for less than $20.

Yeah, I'd be grabbin' that deal real quick! And while you're at it, get yourself a spare set of 4 if they offer them. Amazing batteries. You won't be disappointed.
 

johnwartjr

Senior Member
Been researching these eneloops for a couple days now.

I'm skeptical to change, I use a house brand of alkaline batteries from my local warehouse club, performs as well as Energizers or Duracells, and that has always been good enough for me.

If you were comparing the performance of Eneloops to standard alkalines, how would the flash to battery life ratio compare? Do they last for as many flashes? Twice as many? Five times as many?

I pay about .25 USD per AA, and seem to get 2-300 flashes out of a set, but I'm guessing as I've never counted, and not every flash is full power etc.

I use 2 SB-900s, and was figuring I'd grab a charger and 8 of the eneloops to benchmark, but if the results are as good as I've been reading, perhaps I'll grab 4 sets of them up front and not even do my own research!
 

johnwartjr

Senior Member
Broke down and ordered some Eneloops.

Got 2 dozen, and a couple of the Sanyo 4 position chargers.

The UltraLast UL-CC8H charger mentioned here is difficult to find, looks like it may be discontinued.

How long do these take to charge? Are there any special rules for charging them? I know some rechargable batteries I've used in the past needed to be fully drained before charging, and then 'trickle' charged for up to a day, to get optimum life out of them etc.

Would just like to be prepared. Looking forward to giving them a try!
 

jengajoh

Senior Member
I just ordered an SB 700 and some eneloops and charger to go with it... Thanks for the reviews

(Excited for my first flash) :)
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Broke down and ordered some Eneloops.

Got 2 dozen, and a couple of the Sanyo 4 position chargers.

The UltraLast UL-CC8H charger mentioned here is difficult to find, looks like it may be discontinued.

How long do these take to charge? Are there any special rules for charging them? I know some rechargeable batteries I've used in the past needed to be fully drained before charging, and then 'trickle' charged for up to a day, to get optimum life out of them etc.

Would just like to be prepared. Looking forward to giving them a try!

John, you will never go back to another brand of battery again! It's the chemistry in the Eneloops that make them so superior to anything else out there.
For a full charge, they take about 2 and a half hours to fully charge. I use the Energizer Model CHM4AA charger, because it's considered a "slow" charger.....best for charging Eneloops. You don't want to fast charge them. However, they cam be charged at any time in between empty and full. I use 2 of them in my cordless mouse. To keep them charged, I use a USB charger from Rayovac (model PS19) I give them an hour to recharge.
Do your own test; see which last longer and give youi more power. Use a high drain battery operated radio or mouse or whatever, using both types of batteries. You'll see for yourself quickly enough. :)
 
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