p.3 #1 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
I had a 5DII that would not power up, immediately after using a generic battery just once. I did not tell Canon that I had used the off brand battery, I just sent it in as will not power on. According to the repair invoice, they had to replace a circuit pack. It cost $200.00 for repair. I do not use anything but Canon batteries since this incident. For me the $200 it cost me made the 60 dollar battery not look so expensive. And maybe it did not cause the problem, but I had had the camera 2 years at the time, using Canon batteries the entire time. I bought and installed a generic battery, it worked fine. I turned off the camera and later with the battery still installed, I turned it back on and it would not respond. Pretty big coincidence if it did not cause it. No one will ever convince me it didn't.
p.3 #3 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
abqnmusa wrote:
After spending $3200 for a 5D III I think the best option is to spend a $25 more for an extra Canon battery.
The "communication problem" is merely a warning that the camera cannot communicate with the battery on shots taken, remaining charge, and recharge performance. All third party batteries function for operating all of the other camera functions.
As indicated in my post above, SDK batteries have engineered around this limitation and communicate with the 6D, and presumably with the 5DIII firmware, perfectly fine. shots taken, remaining charge and recharge performance all function as normal. Also they cost $20 while Canon charges $60, or 3X as much. Also note if you search you will find that a few instances where resellers (perhaps unknowingly) have been selling 3rd party knock offs as OEM Canon for $60! Presumably the 6D and the new 5DIII firmware will tend to minimize this scam.
Mike K
p.3 #5 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
S-Man23 wrote:
Guess I won't be updating firmware. I don't shoot wildlife and don't shoot video. Any other reason I should update?
Other fixes other than uncompressed HDMI output and PD AF at f8
3. Improves the speed of the camera's acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite's AF-assist beam.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor may freeze and display Err 70 or Err 80 when a still photo is taken during Live View or in movie shooting mode.
5. Fixes a phenomenon that may occur when the continuous shooting priority setting is enabled for multiple exposures, such that, after the sixth image is taken, there is a slight pause before the remainder of the sequence is completed.
6. Fixes a phenomenon in which the viewfinder display shows incorrect information during AEB shooting.
7. Communication with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter has been improved.
8. When images have been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "O" will be displayed. When images have not been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "X" will be displayed.
9. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera may not function properly when an Eye-Fi card is used.
10. Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length value listed in the Exif information is not displayed correctly for images shot with the EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM lens.
11. Fixes a phenomenon in which the lens firmware cannot be updated properly.
13. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8.
14. Fixes a phenomenon in which the on-screen guidance cannot be fully displayed when setting the maximum limit value for the "Setting the ISO Speed Range for Auto ISO" option.
p.3 #6 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Once I got into Mk III/IV cameras with LP-E4 and then 1DX with LP-E4N, I decided to stick with Canon batteries. OTOH, I use third-party chargers for travel. I hope the batteries don't tell the camera.
p.3 #8 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Thanks Mike and Andrew. Maybe I'll update after all. I just recently bought an STK battery from Amazon, hence my apprehension. I don't want to be 'warned' every time I turn my camera on.
p.3 #9 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
With the number of counterfeits floating around especially in Asian market (and I'm talking about fakes, i.e. branding Canon logo when it's not), this feature kinda help identifying those apart from genuine.
I have no problem with 3rd-party batteries, but I personally use all OEM. It's actually not that expensive in the US. (And I tried to sell my new one that came out of a kit box for $50 with no luck.) I know someone in oversea who had to pay $100+ for the same battery. That's why counterfeits are a huge profit there.
So, some of you may view it as Canon is working against off-brands. But, maybe, they're trying to protect their customers from counterfeits, well, with some other incentive followed.
p.3 #10 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Back in the days of the 20D/30D/5D & 1D2/1D2n, I used aftermarket batteries since I needed a bunch of spares, and the old ni-cad batteries weren't 'smart' either so there were less issues with them. Now with the 5D2/5D3/6D & 1D3, I only needed one extra each, so the cost of the OEM batteries is not prohibitive IMO.
p.3 #11 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
artd wrote:
I too have been using a third-party batteries for backups for several years. I've never gotten any sort of message like that.
I've had my 5d2 since it was new, shortly after it was first sold. I have third party batteries that CURRENTLY and since I bought them (when I bought the 5d2 years ago) display the message this thread is about.
These batteries don't report percentage drain, since they were some of the first 5d2 3rd party batteries. As to those who think these batteries are bad... I've gotten more shots consistently from 3rd party DSLR batteries for as long as I've been shooting a DSLR.
p.3 #12 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Does anyone know how long the batteries can be expected to last anyways? 5d2 and 5d3 take the same battery, I have one battery which is maybe 4 years old and is giving me only 'fair' as the health rating, how long before it drops to 'poor' or should be retired?
p.3 #13 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
I have used some aftermarket batteries in my 5D and they did well but the Canon batteries have lasted better. The 5DIII battery at 59 dollars isn't bad and I trust it.
p.3 #16 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Buying a $3000 camera and then trusting that camera to a $15 battery? Not something that I want to take a chance on ruining what for many is their livelihood. I've felt the same way about "knock-off" tripod rings. I'm sure if you send a 5DIII with a "knock-off" battery to Canon in for warranty work because it overheated and deformed the compartment, Canon would not give you the benefit of warranty replacement or fix. Buy Canon? Use Canon...$60-80 insurance policy is more than worth it for authentic gear...
p.3 #18 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
I've used several Sterlingtek batteries with my old 5D for over 4 years without a problem. Hoping it's the same with the 5Dmk3 and 6D, just picked up a spare Sterlingtek for them. The battery capacity is rated at quite a bit more than oem which should help with full day weddings/events.
p.3 #19 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
Access wrote:
Does anyone know how long the batteries can be expected to last anyways? 5d2 and 5d3 take the same battery, I have one battery which is maybe 4 years old and is giving me only 'fair' as the health rating, how long before it drops to 'poor' or should be retired?
2 - 3 years is the average life of most lithium batteries. After that, they begin to have a noticeably diminished life.
p.3 #20 · Canon now warning us about third party batteries.
reno.peterson wrote:
Buying a $3000 camera and then trusting that camera to a $15 battery?
How much do you think the Canon batteries really cost? I'm pretty sure you are trusting your $3000 camera to a $15 battery. It just has a $65 Canon sticker on it...
