Flash batteries

Just bought a new flash and trigger that uses AA batteries, should I invest in rechargeable if yes any good brands, or just use high quality batteries

Thanks.

John

I've been using Amazon Pro Basic AAs (the black ones). They are rated at 2500 MAH and last for hundreds of shots (wedding reception). There are a lot of chargers to choose from but spending the money on a good one will help your batteries last longer by controlling heat while charging and dropping to a trickle charge when full. The La Crosse Technology BC-700 is reasonable at about $35 and is viewed as one of the best on the market.

The short answer: Invest in rechargeable.

Dave

Thanks Dave I will take a look

John

@wmjivey: To clarify.... which flash model do you get?

In general....

• low-discharge NiMh Eneloops are great as a general purpose rechargeable.
  https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17MCA4BA-Individual-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00JHKSMJU/ref=sr_1_2
  
• heavier shooters may like the Eneloops Pro with higher capacity.
  https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17KHCA4A-Individual-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00JHKSL1O/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_2
  
• If you don't mind charging the night before.... PowerEX's are popular with photographers
  https://www.amazon.com/Powerex-MHRAA4-2700mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00A9KTPY8/ref=sr_1_1
  
• love my 8 cell charger
  https://www.amazon.com/Powerex-Maha-MH-C801D-Eight-Charger/dp/B003OU51LG/ref=sr_1_1
  

If your flash accepts external packs.... love my Quantum Turbo's

https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Turbo-Camera-Battery-TSC/dp/B000LR2MMG/ref=sr_1_1

[YOUTUBE]lzvzjJQm_kU[/YOUTUBE]

I bought the Neewer tt880 with trigger, The website said it is a rebranded Godox tt685s

I doubt if I will be using it heavily since I just dipping my toe in the water. but I know if I am using it I don't want to wait for long recycle time.

John

Another vote for Eneloops. I have nearly 200 of them, most dating back to the winter of 2007, and the vast majority of them still test out at 1900-2000mAh (they're rated at 2000). When they get down to 1800 I give them new homes (remote control, shaver, etc.).

And another vote for the LaCrosse BC-700 charger. No need for the BC-900; you don't want to burn up your batteries charging them as fast as what the BC-900 adds. I keep a large fleet of Eneloops because I usually put them in the charger with a "Discharge Refresh" cycle which takes a while on AAs, so I can easily keep using charged batteries while I wait for the recharge cycle to catch up.

I'm reading the Amazon's are rebranded Eneloops at half the price, keep getting bargins

John

I'm reading the Amazon's are rebranded Eneloops at half the price, keep getting bargins

The moral of the story is the Eneloop chemistry is the one to choose. It holds 95% charge for a year, and delivers the power to the flash well (different types/chemistries have different ability to deliver the electrons abruptly and aggressively, even with the same ratings - some batteries are made to service low draw for long times, like TV remotes and similar).

The branding matters not.

Yet another vote for Eneloops. It's nice being able to grab them and knowing they'll be charged even though I haven't thought about them in a year (assuming they were charged prior to going in the camera bag of course)

Just in time for Xmas, Eneloops 8pack AA's and I believe 4 AAA's with charger, $20 bucks at the warehouse till 12/11

John

Another fan of Eneloop

Just in time for Xmas, Eneloops 8pack AA's and I believe 4 AAA's with charger, $20 bucks at the warehouse till 12/11

 

John

Send some my way at that price will you.

Definitely another vote for Eneloop batteries. :)

Sent from my iPad using Forums

As long as your camera does not have a proprietary shaped battery and you don't want to haul around extra batteries and battery chargers, Energizer Lithium disposables are fine. For rechargable try eneloop 4th generatiin re-chargeables. Eneloop wascSanyo until Panasonic bought them out.

It all depends on your needs i.e. Fast recycle time on flash photography, Energizer or eneloop. Cost is a factor in favour of re-chargeable battery vs. disposable.

For Eneloop lovers..... consider the SD-9 for Nikon lovers if you have the port...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/570528-REG/Nikon_4952_SD_9_Battery_Pack.html

When 4 eneloops can't do the job.... stacking 12 eneloops makes it even more potent with flash recycling!

Panasonic Eneloop 4th generation or energizer lithium

I have the rechargables but they do not hold power especially when used in a flash attachment. Even in a camera they dont compare as well to the disposables unfortunately.