Forgive me if this has been hashed over before. I used the search but came up empty on this.
Like everyone I was eagerly waiting for the new 5D Mark II to be announced.
I use the current 5D Mark I and have a lot of batteries and the BG-E4 grip. The various batteries I have I also swap with my 20D bodies. All is good.
But I am reading that the new 5D Mark II has a new battery, the LP-E6 which has all kinds of wonderful features but its not compatible with the 5D Mark I.
From usa.canon.com: Even though they appear similar, the previous-generation BP-511A batteries are not interchangeable with the new LP-E6 battery pack, and cannot be exchanged for one another. The new EOS-5D Mark II requires the LP-E6 battery pack, and cannot accept the older BP-511A or similar Canon batteries. Likewise, the new LP-E6 cannot be used in the previous EOS 5D, or other EOS bodies which accept the BP-511A battery pack.
Also, I was hoping that the older BG-E4 would fit the new 5D Mark II, but no, you need the new BG-E6: Please be aware that the battery grip BG-E4 for the previous EOS 5D is not compatible with the new EOS 5D Mark II camera.
I guess Canon will make tons of money selling new batteries and 5D Mark II grips. But folks that will use the Mark I and the Mark II at the same time (like me) will have to carry two separate stashes of batteries. This really sucks. I wonder if the chargers are not interchangeable as well?
totally new battery. probably needed to get the most out of the video mode on the camera (maybe why they didn't need to change the 50d battery) it looks the same size but is a different shape
How many batteries do people carry? I carry quite a lot which has been an investment. Maybe the new 5D Mk II batteries are going to be great, but odds are people will need to invest in several. Keep in mind it works both ways: the 5D Mk II batteries will not work in the Mk I camera.
I just did a price check on the new canon 5d Mark II battery LP-E6, it seems it's listed for about $100! I kinda find that hard to believe because the camera isn't even released yet.
Don't worry, I am sure that Impact will have there 1/5the price version soon enough. I have several Impact batteries for xxD series cameras (an a 5D for a bit), and have never been able to tell the difference in performance.
asparkes wrote:
Don't worry, I am sure that Impact will have there 1/5the price version soon enough. I have several Impact batteries for xxD series cameras (an a 5D for a bit), and have never been able to tell the difference in performance.
or Lenmar, which has done quite well with Canon batteries. I don't think you will see 1/5th price version for quite some time. These batteries, from what I gather, are a bit more then souped up BP-XXX's and have interior electronics involved for better discharge control. For a battery pack(2) and 2 spares, it's going to be costly
The new batteries have extra internal circuitry to report serial # and condition of the battery to the camera body as well. Canon at this point (according to a conversation I had at the Australian launch) are not expecting 3rd party batteries to emulate these functions. Whether 3rd parties can produce batteries without these chips AND the camera will still function on those batteries (or whether the 5d Mk II will only work with Canon batteries) remains to be seen. Canon, like various printer companies, is experienced at 'chipping' ink tanks for printers and I expect similar challenges will be placed upon 3rd party manufacturers in the near future.
