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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Off brand batteries
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 01/03/2006 01:32:40 PM · #1
Has anyone had problems with their camera that they think may have been caused by off brand batteries? I want to get a spare battery for my new XT and really do not want to pay the crazy price Canon is asking.

Can anyone recommend a good non-Canon battery that has tested and proven quality?

Thanks!
01/03/2006 01:35:41 PM · #2
I've been using a Power2000 battery for my XT, but it suddenly stopped working last month. If I charge it slowly overnight, it'll work for a little while, but otherwise it's useless. I just bought a CTA battery to replace it as my spare. No problems so far.
 01/03/2006 01:36:19 PM · #3
I have 2 spare batteries for my d70 from Haennel and they work ok. No problem what so ever
 01/03/2006 01:37:48 PM · #4
One died after two years. Not complaining for the price.
 01/03/2006 01:49:08 PM · #5
If you can find 'em, try Energizer. They have good protection circuitry and quality cells so they should not die prematurely.
 01/03/2006 01:55:59 PM · #6
I got one for $10 off eBay when I first got my Rebel. It lasts longer and works just as well. And if it dies tomorrow, who cares, for ten bucks, I'll get another one. So I say, go for it!
01/03/2006 02:00:03 PM · #7
Thanks for the responses so far. My biggest concern is damage to the camera.
 01/03/2006 02:00:18 PM · #8
I have two off brand batteries which I bought 2 years ago. One has crapped out. The other is still going strong. Each cost me 12 USD from Sterlingtek.
 01/03/2006 02:10:17 PM · #9
You can get good batteries that are usually buy one, get one free at this site. I've bought from them twice and have had no problems at all. :)
 01/03/2006 02:17:29 PM · #10
//www.bhphotovideo.com has Canon/Nikon batteries...

I don't see the point in skimping on a battery. If you spend 1,000 on a camera body, and a couple thousand more on lenses, what's forty or fifty dollars for a spare battery...to ensure that you don't run out of power, and to also ensure the longevity of your batteries by properly draining and charging before replacement?

I mean how much are you going to save...$20 (a half of a percent of your total investment)? For what... a battery that will, most likely, not last nearly as long as the original equipment replacement, and could, quite possibly, damage your equipment, and not be covered under warranty?
 01/03/2006 02:20:17 PM · #11
Originally posted by LoudDog:
Thanks for the responses so far. My biggest concern is damage to the camera.


I've been using the power2000 batteries. In 6 months, the one I bought worked as well as my Canon battery. So I just bought another. No problems, and it's a known mfr whose products are sold by Adorama and B&H.

Here's the mfr site: Vidpro / Power2000

And BateryBarn, which has given me good service and fast shipping:

BatteryBarn Reseller Rating
 01/03/2006 02:25:40 PM · #12
I've got one made by Ansmann and it has worked flawlessly. Actually, I had to send my Nikon battery to be replaced (possibly defective, Nikon's faulty batch -case) and still haven't got it back from Ireland. Been using only Ansmann for almost two weeks. :)
 01/03/2006 03:03:19 PM · #13
Originally posted by dpaull:
//www.bhphotovideo.com has Canon/Nikon batteries...

I don't see the point in skimping on a battery. If you spend 1,000 on a camera body, and a couple thousand more on lenses, what's forty or fifty dollars for a spare battery...to ensure that you don't run out of power, and to also ensure the longevity of your batteries by properly draining and charging before replacement?

I mean how much are you going to save...$20 (a half of a percent of your total investment)? For what... a battery that will, most likely, not last nearly as long as the original equipment replacement, and could, quite possibly, damage your equipment, and not be covered under warranty?


Good point and I agree with you 100%, but do you think Canon or Nikon makes batteries? They most likely buy the batteries from one of the off brand companys and re-sell them with a mark up and their name on it. I'm just trying to avoid the mark up.
The off brands are $10 and Canon's is about $70. I agree that's a small price to pay for the potential risk but basically I'm a frugal bastard and hate paying mark up on something when I know what it's really worth.
 01/03/2006 05:05:34 PM · #14
Sterlingtek makes batteries for the XT for abut $15 with twice as much juice.
 01/03/2006 05:06:30 PM · #15
I have had excellent results with the batteries I have purchased for my 10d/20d at //www.after5pm.net
 01/03/2006 05:14:24 PM · #16
Originally posted by LoudDog:
Originally posted by dpaull:
//www.bhphotovideo.com has Canon/Nikon batteries...

I don't see the point in skimping on a battery. If you spend 1,000 on a camera body, and a couple thousand more on lenses, what's forty or fifty dollars for a spare battery...to ensure that you don't run out of power, and to also ensure the longevity of your batteries by properly draining and charging before replacement?

I mean how much are you going to save...$20 (a half of a percent of your total investment)? For what... a battery that will, most likely, not last nearly as long as the original equipment replacement, and could, quite possibly, damage your equipment, and not be covered under warranty?


Good point and I agree with you 100%, but do you think Canon or Nikon makes batteries? They most likely buy the batteries from one of the off brand companys and re-sell them with a mark up and their name on it. I'm just trying to avoid the mark up.
The off brands are $10 and Canon's is about $70. I agree that's a small price to pay for the potential risk but basically I'm a frugal bastard and hate paying mark up on something when I know what it's really worth.


A lot of Nikon and Canon batteries are made by other manufactures and relabelled with their own brand. I have a Sanyo battery for my D70 and it works better then my Nikon original, (that incidently got recalled due to over heating during charging).
 01/03/2006 05:42:34 PM · #17
Originally posted by bandit:
A lot of Nikon and Canon batteries are made by other manufactures and relabelled with their own brand. I have a Sanyo battery for my D70 and it works better then my Nikon original, (that incidently got recalled due to over heating during charging).


That's funny, because the replacement battery Nikon sent me to replace my possibly defective EN-EL3 is a bunch better than the battery I originally purchased. They sent me an EN-EL3e -- more power, and lasts longer.

It's nice to buy from a company you know is going to stand behind their product...no matter if Energizer made it or Rubbermaid, it makes no difference to me.

Not to mention, when something goes wrong, your camera manufacturer can't pawn the problem off on some aftermarket battery company or something along those lines.
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