using the flash by itself i have a ton of Energizer 2500mah rechargables. but during weddings and events, i use a CP-E4 battery pack with Sanyo Eneloops. Til this day i havent recharge the batteries in the battery pack.
1: When you put batteries in, you have to unplug it, then within 30 seconds or so of plugging it in, hit the "slow charge" button. Otherwise, the bloody thing does a damaging 1 hr charge. That's an amazing design blunder.
2: It has no analyzer function. The newest chargers do, which I'd find very useful, but they don't make an 8-cell unit with those features.
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BTW- Eneloops are obviously great, if your gear stays on the shelf a lot. However, realize that they are only rated at about 2,000 mah, or 2100 at the most. They won't give as many flashes as a FRESHLY charged normal type, nor will they recycle as fast. That's been verified by several independent tests, and also just plain makes sense. A good regular Maha, well-charged, is 2700 mah. Which you choose depends upon how you will use them, but it's a mistake to blindly assume that Eneloops are superior in every way. They simply are not.
Personally, I use the regular types and always keep an octet in the charger, trickling.
Cableaddict wrote:
BTW- Eneloops are obviously great, if your gear stays on the shelf a lot. However, realize that they are only rated at about 2,000 mah, or 2100 at the most. They won't give as many flashes as a FRESHLY charged normal type, nor will they recycle as fast. That's been verified by several independent tests, and also just plain makes sense. A good regular Maha, well-charged, is 2700 mah. Which you choose depends upon how you will use them, but it's a mistake to blindly assume that Eneloops are superior in every way. They simply are not.
This is true, but the key word is "FRESHLY" meaning literally just off the charger. My regular Maha 2700's can be just 24 hours off the charger and at that point my Eneloops hold up just as well if not better when it comes to capacity and recycle times. In spite of the Eneloops' lower rating of 2000, my charger always shows them to charge higher than this. I love them for the fact that having to charge up to the last minute is a non-issue and also for the fact that I've never run into a situation including weddings, etc., where I wish I had used the 2700's for more capacity. In my humble opinion, the Eneloops are that good and balance the absolute best of all worlds.
Just had a nightmare with a wedding last night. All my new Energizers, 8 of them,(2450) rechargables didn't work for more then 20 flashes, for backup I brought along 12 new Energizer Ultimate Lithium (nonrechargables) all of them totally crapped out!! I was freaking out as this was happening when the bride was coming up the aisle. Changed batteries again, changed to my other SB800, no luck!! Pulled off the flash after the first dance and went to popup!! Thank god Nikon put a popup on the D700!! I have done hundreds of weddings in the last 10 years and have never had this happen!! I am giving my kids the energizers for their toys!! I am going to Eneloops as that seems to be the way to go. Thanks guys for the info. Energizers suck all the way around. In response to the response a few back about the expense of batteries, nothing is more expensive than buying batteries that suck or blowing a $5,000 wedding!! Nuff said.
And make sure you get two sets (just like for your camera.. ;0) ). That way you always have fresh backups and dont have to think about batteries. Just change em when they run flat, and recharge overnight. Hardworking pros might need more than 2 sets, but the same priciple applies. You can not do this with normal NiMH, they loose their charge over time. Very annoying for backup batteries!
In my experience, that 2100 mAh seems to last more like freshly charged 2700 mAh NiMH or so, higher than they are rated. Also, I have read somewhere that they are supposed to deliver the voltage faster, which means the flash will charge faster. My 580EXII charges quite fast, I think.
You wont regret buying the Sanyo Eneloops, they are the best of both worlds. Always ready, long lasting charge and fast and efficient power.
And make sure you get two sets (just like for your camera.. ;0) ). That way you always have fresh backups and dont have to think about batteries. Just change em when they run flat, and recharge overnight. Hardworking pros might need more than 2 sets, but the same priciple applies. You can not do this with normal NiMH, they loose their charge over time. Very annoying for backup batteries!
In my experience, that 2100 mAh seems to last more like freshly charged 2700 mAh NiMH or so, higher than they are rated. Also, I have read somewhere that they are supposed to deliver the voltage faster, which means the flash will charge faster. My 580EXII charges quite fast, I think.
You wont regret buying the Sanyo Eneloops, they are the best of both worlds. Always ready, long lasting charge and fast and efficient power.
And make sure you get two sets (just like for your camera.. ;0) ). That way you always have fresh backups and dont have to think about batteries. Just change em when they run flat, and recharge overnight. Hardworking pros might need more than 2 sets, but the same priciple applies. You can not do this with normal NiMH, they loose their charge over time. Very annoying for backup batteries!
In my experience, that 2100 mAh seems to last more like freshly charged 2700 mAh NiMH or so, higher than they are rated. Also, I have read somewhere that they are supposed to deliver the voltage faster, which means the flash will charge faster. My 580EXII charges quite fast, I think.
You wont regret buying the Sanyo Eneloops, they are the best of both worlds. Always ready, long lasting charge and fast and efficient power.
