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11/06/2005 08:53:12 AM · #1 |
O.K, whats the trick with flash batteries?. I have the sigma DG super thingy one, and i did a 40th birthday last night, and after like 2 mins, i had to wait for the flash to 'load' again, it was taking ages for the red light to come on, then after only about 10 minutes i had to change batteries. I ended up using over ten batteries, i actually think it was 14. so needless to say, i ended up having to use in camera flash by the end of it, as i ran out of batteries.
I was only getting one shot per flash, i couldn't do continuos, it just wouldn't work, i got the first shot with flash, but not after that..
i missed so many shots because of it, and the worse thing was, this was a surprise party, she knew about the party, but not all the people that were going to be there, so i was pretty dissapointed i missed the 'surpises' waiting for the flash.....
come on, i know it must be me, so tell me the trick...i have a wedding on saturday, and need to work it out before then...
thanks in advance...
Message edited by author 2005-11-06 08:53:47.
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11/06/2005 08:58:12 AM · #2 |
what kind of batteries?
I stay away from alkiline (sp?)-
and only use NIMH rtechargables 1500-2100mA/h.... |
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11/06/2005 09:00:11 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by ralphnev:
what kind of batteries?
I stay away from alkiline (sp?)-
and only use NIMH rtechargables 1500-2100mA/h.... |
yes thats one of the things i wanted to know, these were only alkaline.. where and what do i look for?... and how long do you get out of those batteries?
thanks...
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11/06/2005 09:25:23 AM · #4 |
| were they fresh to begin with? whenever i head out, i always pop in new ones (i'm using the 580ex, and it takes 4). |
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11/06/2005 09:26:11 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by skiprow:
were they fresh to begin with? whenever i head out, i always pop in new ones (i'm using the 580ex, and it takes 4). |
yep all brand new straight from the supermarket and in packet...
thanks skip
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11/06/2005 09:28:08 AM · #6 |
You need rechargeables - regular AA's will only last a few shots at most.
With rechargeables, you need to charge them up when you open the package as well, so don't buy them the morning of the wedding.
M
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11/06/2005 09:30:24 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
You need rechargeables - regular AA's will only last a few shots at most.
With rechargeables, you need to charge them up when you open the package as well, so don't buy them the morning of the wedding.
M |
YAH... i knew there was an easier way...and it wasn't what i was doing.... can you recommend any for me, save me reading about what i may need..
thanks matt....
Message edited by author 2005-11-06 09:30:43.
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11/06/2005 09:41:08 AM · #8 |
I don't have a brand or anything that I use consistently. I have some Energizer, some Walmart and some I bought in South Korea.
M
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11/06/2005 09:43:19 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
I don't have a brand or anything that I use consistently. I have some Energizer, some Walmart and some I bought in South Korea.
M |
how long do you get out of those per pack?
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11/06/2005 09:44:32 AM · #10 |
Without recharging? 150 to 200 shots maybe? I don't use flash all day at a wedding - mostly just the reception and formals and I get the day out of 3 sets. About 600 flash pictures maybe?
M
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11/06/2005 09:49:27 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
Without recharging? 150 to 200 shots maybe? I don't use flash all day at a wedding - mostly just the reception and formals and I get the day out of 3 sets. About 600 flash pictures maybe?
M |
oh wow... that sounds better, took over 424 and went through 14 batteries...and it was indoors and quite dark, although some shots i didn't use flash as i wanted the movement of people dancing...
i missed so many though... i was getting really frusterated, and wished i had asked about it before i went...
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11/06/2005 09:49:44 AM · #12 |
sounds right...I get about 300 from my flash with the rechargeables from Best Buy.
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11/06/2005 09:50:57 AM · #13 |
key is the mA/hr rating
2100(or even 2500) will last nearly twice as long as 1200's
it has to do with the power output curve of the batteries
an alkaline will be ok for long duration at low currents , & will take a long time to die
where a NIMH will be good at full capacity till just before it is totaly drained (then it dies hard)
with a new set i can get minimally 2dozen flashes probably closer to 50 -75 ... (SB80DX)
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11/06/2005 09:56:15 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by ralphnev:
key is the mA/hr rating
2100(or even 2500) will last nearly twice as long as 1200's
it has to do with the power output curve of the batteries
an alkaline will be ok for long duration at low currents , & will take a long time to die
where a NIMH will be good at full capacity till just before it is totaly drained (then it dies hard)
with a new set i can get minimally 2dozen flashes probably closer to 50 -75 ... (SB80DX) |
Excellent, i was just reading about the 2500 on ebay...
thanks so much Ralph and David...
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11/06/2005 10:02:31 AM · #15 |
How far did you stop down your aperture?
When you choose something like f/11 the flash has to use double the power compared to shooting at f/8. Would you shoot at f/5.6 it needs half the power compared to f/8 and that's four times less power compared to f/11.
There is a good chance that at f/5.6 the flash shoots at 50% of its power and thus will recycle a lot faster and stresses the batteries less.
Open up to f/4.0 and f/2.8 when dof allows it and it will need even less and recycle faster.
When you need the DOF it might also help to increase the ISO from 100 to 200, 400 or even 800 to achieve the same effect.
Just a thought.
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11/06/2005 10:08:02 AM · #16 |
I have some kodak rechargeable batteries. I didn't pay much attention to the brand while buying them though. one set of 4 batteries lasted for about 200 shots with my flash 550EX and exposed +2 ( I usually let camera decide the flash and then compensate as needed )
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11/06/2005 10:10:36 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Azrifel:
How far did you stop down your aperture?
When you choose something like f/11 the flash has to use double the power compared to shooting at f/8. Would you shoot at f/5.6 it needs half the power compared to f/8 and that's four times less power compared to f/11.
There is a good chance that at f/5.6 the flash shoots at 50% of its power and thus will recycle a lot faster and stresses the batteries less.
Open up to f/4.0 and f/2.8 when dof allows it and it will need even less and recycle faster.
When you need the DOF it might also help to increase the ISO from 100 to 200, 400 or even 800 to achieve the same effect.
Just a thought. |
Cool, thanks for that, being the first major time i have used it, i used the whole camera on P function..so the stops were all different. i did notice at times it was quicker to recycle than others, so this would be why?..
thanks so much... that is so good to know..
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11/06/2005 10:12:20 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by gaurawa:
I have some kodak rechargeable batteries. I didn't pay much attention to the brand while buying them though. one set of 4 batteries lasted for about 200 shots with my flash 550EX and exposed +2 ( I usually let camera decide the flash and then compensate as needed ) |
thanks gaurawa, i was looking for kodak, but as yet haven't come across anything on ebay yet, i may go up town tomorrow and see if the local electronics shop has them....
thanks again
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11/06/2005 10:21:53 AM · #19 |
| For a while, Costco had a good deal on some Panasonic NiMH -- 8-AA batteries, 2-AAA batteries, rapid charger (can charge 1-4 at a time) and adapters so you can run the charger from a wall outlet, car lighter outlet, or a laptop via USB -- all for about $25. I think the batteries were rated at 2100mA. |
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11/06/2005 10:32:18 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
For a while, Costco had a good deal on some Panasonic NiMH -- 8-AA batteries, 2-AAA batteries, rapid charger (can charge 1-4 at a time) and adapters so you can run the charger from a wall outlet, car lighter outlet, or a laptop via USB -- all for about $25. I think the batteries were rated at 2100mA. |
i will look for something similar over here if they have it.... thanks general..
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11/06/2005 10:49:45 AM · #21 |
I use the Walmart Digital brand of rechargable batteries. I got the initial set of four with a charger for either 9.97 or 14.97. Either way not a bad deal. The I also bought 2 more sets of the four batteries. They are great. They are 2200 amh or what ever and they really do last quite a while. So, start there. If you have to have name brand, then Walmart also sells the Energizer brand and I think Duracell Brand rechargables as well. I would start there. If you buy on ebay you will also have to pay shipping and going to Wllyworld might end up being your cheapest and best option. HTH
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11/06/2005 10:57:10 AM · #22 |
| i've gone exclusively tot eh energizer rechargeables...i've tried a few kinds and those seem to hold the charge best so far.. |
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11/06/2005 11:04:24 AM · #23 |
oh mine are Energizer...I really should pick up an extra set just incase...I've been just using these until they drain, then I'll pop in a spare set, and recharge these ones...or just recharging after I know I've shot a few with them.
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11/06/2005 11:10:47 AM · #24 |
| I did a wedding shoot yesterday and used my 420ex! I squeezed off about 500 shots before I needed to change the batteries! I use 2500mHa NiMH batteries which are INCA branded. 1 hour charge on the charger! |
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11/06/2005 04:05:17 PM · #25 |
Thanks so much everybody......i know now exactly what to get...you all ROC...!!
cheers
kel...
p.s makka, that sounds very impressive, 500 shots.. wow... thats gunna make things heaps easier...
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