I was quietly reviewing the tech-specs on the 5DII and I was surprised to see that it takes a completely new battery (LP-E6) and it is NOT backward compatible with the BP-11 series batteries. Of course, this also necesitates the need for a new battery grip too (BG-E6). In all the talk about the new 5DII, I completely missed the battery/grip info. I'm never not one to post threads complaing about gear, but I don't see why Canon couldn't make both batteries cross-compatible as they are virtually identical in size. This is really the ONLY thing that has really bothered me about Canon over the years...their lack of back-ward compatibility with accessories. So I guess the REAL cost of the 5DII will be closer to 3K when the 'new' grip and extra 'new' batteries are added.

Omar

yeah, like no other company upgrades their accessories. Guess you never bought Sony Electronics. I have three different camcorders from them ALL with different size batteries.

The need for the battery is a need for a BETTER battery with all of the juice it'll be sucking up.

The new battery provides more info to the user... and is higher in capacity. I assume video will use up quite a bit of power.

You just reminded me... I still have an old 5D battery I need to sell... doh!

As Stunnaz stated, higher capacity to facilitate recording of video.

bluetsunami wrote:
As Stunnaz stated, higher capacity to facilitate recording of video.


The 5Dmk2 batteries also have accurate indicators for charge levels, expressed in terms of %. That's a worthwhile improvement, IMHO. The old Canon batteries go from Full, Half, and Empty! in the blink of an eye. Sometimes without so much as a warning.

I'm sure the old battery grip wouldn't have been able to support that feature.

bluetsunami wrote:
As Stunnaz stated, higher capacity to facilitate recording of video.

The other advantage is if you buy the Wi-Fi transmitter. Because this now takes up half of the battery grip, you lose one battery. The battery in the grip powers the transmitter, and one battery in the camera (that grip doesn't replace the onboard battery) powers the camera / video.

Rubber Soul wrote:
bluetsunami wrote:
As Stunnaz stated, higher capacity to facilitate recording of video.


The 5Dmk2 batteries also have accurate indicators for charge levels, expressed in terms of %. That's a worthwhile improvement, IMHO. The old Canon batteries go from Full, Half, and Empty! in the blink of an eye. Sometimes without so much as a warning.

I'm sure the old battery grip wouldn't have been able to support that feature.


Exactly, the new Canon cameras use "smart" battery technology that gives % charge and battery performance indicators. The old batteries would not work.

One thing I would have liked to see since they made a new grip is a joystick on it like the D300 grip.

omarlyn wrote:
I was quietly reviewing the tech-specs on the 5DII and I was surprised to see that it takes a completely new battery (LP-E6) and it is NOT backward compatible with the BP-11 series batteries. Of course, this also necesitates the need for a new battery grip too (BG-E6). In all the talk about the new 5DII, I completely missed the battery/grip info. I'm never not one to post threads complaing about gear, but I don't see why Canon couldn't make both batteries cross-compatible as they are virtually identical in size. This is really the ONLY thing that has really bothered me about Canon over the years...their lack of back-ward compatibility with accessories. So I guess the REAL cost of the 5DII will be closer to 3K when the 'new' grip and extra 'new' batteries are added.

Omar

Canon are upgrading the batteries for their cameras. They have already done this with the 1 series bodies, and now it's time for the 5D. It's very good to have all that info that you will get from the new battery. And they include the battery in the camera so it's no extra cost........

Lars Johnsson wrote:
omarlyn wrote:
I was quietly reviewing the tech-specs on the 5DII and I was surprised to see that it takes a completely new battery (LP-E6) and it is NOT backward compatible with the BP-11 series batteries. Of course, this also necesitates the need for a new battery grip too (BG-E6). In all the talk about the new 5DII, I completely missed the battery/grip info. I'm never not one to post threads complaing about gear, but I don't see why Canon couldn't make both batteries cross-compatible as they are virtually identical in size. This is really the ONLY thing that has really bothered me about Canon over the years...their lack of back-ward compatibility with accessories. So I guess the REAL cost of the 5DII will be closer to 3K when the 'new' grip and extra 'new' batteries are added.

Omar

Canon are upgrading the batteries for their cameras. They have already done this with the 1 series bodies, and now it's time for the 5D. It's very good to have all that info that you will get from the new battery. And they include the battery in the camera so it's no extra cost........

I agree... the new battery features are very cool... However it can be frustrating that the 40D/50D still uses the old battery... Especially when you want to take both cams with you on assignments or journey. I think Canon al least should have given the 50D the new battery also.

Daan, I don't think that would have been possible. The new battery has recessed contact points, to lessen the chance of accidental dischard when in stroage. That's not Canon's design, it's the standard industry design for this new generation of battery.

It would probably be REALLY hard to make a holder that could use both types of contact.

Cableaddict wrote:
Daan, I don't think that would have been possible. The new battery has recessed contact points, to lessen the chance of accidental dischard when in stroage. That's not Canon's design, it's the standard industry design for this new generation of battery.

It would probably be REALLY hard to make a holder that could use both types of contact.

I don't seem to understand you... They managed to pull it off with the 5D2, right? Why didn't they pulled it off with the 50D then?

omarlyn wrote:
This is really the ONLY thing that has really bothered me about Canon over the years...their lack of back-ward compatibility with accessories.
Omar
They have done a good job with batteries over the years. My old 300D battery still fits, the 350D, 400D, 450D, 20D,30D, 40D, 50D and 5D.

The only way to do that is using the different battery grips and penlites.

300D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D and 5D use the BP-511
350D and 400D use the NB-2LH
450D uses LP-E5

el_hoppy wrote:
omarlyn wrote:
This is really the ONLY thing that has really bothered me about Canon over the years...their lack of back-ward compatibility with accessories.
Omar
They have done a good job with batteries over the years. My old 300D battery still fits, the 350D, 400D, 450D, 20D,30D, 40D, 50D and 5D.



Doesn't the 350D,400D, Use the NB-2LH battery, And the 450D Use the LP-E5??

The BP-511(a) has been around since the D30! It's been used in the D30,D60,10D,300D,20D,5D,30D,40D,50D,PowerShot Pro1,PowerShot Pro90 IS,G1,G2,G3,G5,G6, And some of the video cameras, As well as the M80 Storage device, As well as some of the powershot models. So it's not like Canon updates the batteries with each new model!


I like the new batteries, Having a more accurate indicator, They hold their charge better in cold conditions, They are higher capacity then the 511's, And give the user more information. Obviously if they are using new batteries, They would need to update the battery grip for the new batteries. You can bet the new batteries will be used in the next generation of XXD, The 5D MkIII (And maybe in the 3 series!)

Give it some time and you will be able to buy generic versions of the new battery.

I've got 3 different types of batteries for my DSLR's and 2 different types for my P&S, all Canon. Something you just got to live with. Next DSLR will be something different again!!

Daan B wrote:
Cableaddict wrote:
Daan, I don't think that would have been possible. The new battery has recessed contact points, to lessen the chance of accidental dischard when in stroage. That's not Canon's design, it's the standard industry design for this new generation of battery.

It would probably be REALLY hard to make a holder that could use both types of contact.

I don't seem to understand you... They managed to pull it off with the 5D2, right? Why didn't they pulled it off with the 50D then?

Sorry, I was responding to Omarlyn's statement: " I don't see why Canon couldn't make both batteries cross-compatible as they are virtually identical in size." and thought that was a quote from you. Got lost in that huge sea of orange.

Your point is a good one. -but maybe that battery wasn't available yet when they finalized the 50D's design?

EOS20 wrote:
Doesn't the 350D,400D, Use the NB-2LH battery, And the 450D Use the LP-E5??

Ok I didn't check my facts but the time line up to the 40D remains showing that the one battery was in use for many years.

I will probably get the 5DmkII to partner my 1DmkIII so I am used to two different battery types. My old batteries will follow the old cameras.

Cableaddict wrote:
Daan B wrote:
Cableaddict wrote:
Daan, I don't think that would have been possible. The new battery has recessed contact points, to lessen the chance of accidental dischard when in stroage. That's not Canon's design, it's the standard industry design for this new generation of battery.

It would probably be REALLY hard to make a holder that could use both types of contact.

I don't seem to understand you... They managed to pull it off with the 5D2, right? Why didn't they pulled it off with the 50D then?

Sorry, I was responding to Omarlyn's statement: " I don't see why Canon couldn't make both batteries cross-compatible as they are virtually identical in size." and thought that was a quote from you. Got lost in that huge sea of orange.

Your point is a good one. -but maybe that battery wasn't available yet when they finalized the 50D's design?

Ok, now I understand you

About the 50D battery being different than the 5D2's... I think there was no need to change the 50D battery... But the 5D2 having the option for HDVideo asked for a more powerfull battery.

I think the only reason is that they wanted the battery to provide information to the user. Adding that additional information is a good decision, but it makes it quite painful for people who like to have two cameras like a 50D and a 5DmkII.
The increased power is not a good reason for changing the battery since the BP511 was already big enough and alternative sellers have been selling higher power BP511 for long.

Yeah, Canon worries about what third party sellers are doing. The new battery will last longer than the old ones. Get over it.