First off, I'm not one to buy a $6k camera then try to save a few $$$ on a third party battery. That being said, I have an R3 without a backup battery. I have a couple "old" LP-E4N batteries that won't recal and show 1-2 bars. I've had an order in for LP-E19's but nothing is available. I don't trust Amazon reviews on batteries!
Does anyone have reliable experience using 3rd party LP-E19 batteries on an R3; charged with the Canon charger?
I personally wouldn't on any of the latest Canon mirrorless cameras. There's too many functions tied to battery power that it could cause some serious issues using 3rd party versions.
The problem is: There are no Canon LP-E19's anywhere to be found. There has got to be someone that has used a 3rd party. I'm just trying to get a backup until the supply system catches up...
My thinking is that the B&H and adorama aren't going to get anywhere selling bad 3rd party batteries so I might just get one of those and keep fingers crossed
It doesn't strike me as terribly difficult to put 3 good li ion cells (10.8 V) and other circuitry in a case, of course some 3rd party they haven't done that it seems
AmbientMike wrote:
My thinking is that the B&H and adorama aren't going to get anywhere selling bad 3rd party batteries so I might just get one of those and keep fingers crossed
It doesn't strike me as terribly difficult to put 3 good li ion cells (10.8 V) and other circuitry in a case, of course some 3rd party they haven't done that it seems
My thoughts too. I took the gamble and bought a Watson LP-E19 "clone" from B&H... We'll see. I still have a Canon OE battery on order...
Upfront, I have no experience with that specific type of 3rd-party battery.
I have used a variety of third-party batteries over the years, on more than one model and brand of camera. I no longer purchase them. Ever. The only situation in which I would consider using them would be as an emergency backup, with a previously-tested battery that is relatively new.
To be sure, you might be lucky. You might not have any problems. You might get batteries with decent capacity. They might interact correctly with software. They might not lose their ability to fully charge. They might hold that charge over time. You might not have the overheating problems that have been caused batteries to swell and get stuck in cameras.
You might save a few dollars.
Over the years of trying third-party batteries (typically the brands most highly recommended at the time), I encountered every one of the problems I listed above. On one nearly-disastrous long backcountry trip, I discovered that one of the third-party batteries had lost over 90% of its charge and a second held perhaps half of a charge. In another case I ordered a set of batteries from one of the supposedly-reliable companies. Half were defective, with one failing to charge at all. They replaced the defective batteries... and the replacements were, defective, too.
The final straw for me came a few years ago when a third-party battery swelled in my camera and was nearly impossible to extract. I ended up having to rap the camera on the edge of a table to dislodge it enough to remove it... and throw the battery away. Within a month, another battery from the same (widely sold) vendor had the same problem.
As a percentage of my overall investment in camera equipment, not to mention the investments in travel to places where I make photographs, the savings from third-party batteries are arguably inconsequential on a cost basis alone. When I couple that with the fact that on more than one occasion the have disrupted my ability to photograph, either by charging failures or by potentially damaging my gear, the cost/benefit points straight to "don't use them."
I suppose that if you have several primary OEM batteries that get you through you photography 99% of the time... and you want to carry a third-party extra "just in case,' with the intention of never using it except in an emergency...
In general I would recommend only OEM batteries but same problem. Nobody has any available. I've put in an order for the Canon battery but in the meantime I did buy a BM Industry clone from Amazon. It charges in the Canon charger and when in the camera it shows 100% charge when fully charged. But on the Canon battery it says maximum recharge performance. On the BM Industry it shows moderate recharge performance. I also have a Wasabi battery being shipped that I have had good luck on Fujifilm cameras with. But as soon as I can find a Canon battery these will be replaced.
Canon has had LP-E19’s in stock regularly. Even if they are back ordered, they usually ship them within a week or so… I was able to get two of them through Canon.
I picked up a used one from Lens Authority. It was a bit older than I was expecting but it does show three bars. I don’t notice much of a difference in how long it lasts compared to the one that came with the R3. I order another one from Lensrentals that should be delivered tomorrow, hopefully this one’s is in good shape as well. They cost about what the Watson batteries costs.
Today (February7th) Canon USA has the LP-E19 batteries in stock at a price of $184 USD, plus a $15.99 shipping charge, and whatever sales tax your state charges. The battery is a little tricky to find on the Canon website, so here's a link.
fgphoto wrote:
Canon has had LP-E19’s in stock regularly. Even if they are back ordered, they usually ship them within a week or so… I was able to get two of them through Canon.
Sage11 wrote:
Today (February7th) Canon USA has the LP-E19 batteries in stock at a price of $184 USD, plus a $15.99 shipping charge, and whatever sales tax your state charges. The battery is a little tricky to find on the Canon website, so here's a link.
