You can srew the pack into the tripod socket of your camera (you get a thumb screw thing with the pack) but check to see if you get banding caused by EMF. I've added a small carabiner to mine so I have the choice of either throught the belt, on the camera strap, clipped on to a stand on a belt eye for quick removal or cliiped on to your bag if you're using a Crumpler type of thing.
I never use a speedlite without one. You can get extra cartirdges for the CPE-3 but I haven't seen any for the CPE-4 yet. Made carrying extra batteries and changing a snap.
One thing to get yourself Quan, is a battery tester (cheapo is ok but a multi meter is better). With so many batteries, you want to make sure all are charged as it only takes one to drop below usable voltage and the whole lot stops.
Before I do an event, I go through mine and weed out the suspect ones. I keep these seperate and keep an eye on them to see if I need to bin them. I switched to Enelops a whlie ago and have had no issues at all. Always had a dud somewhere in the 120 or so I use when I used other brands.
I also either write on the batteries or use a Dymo tape to record the date I start using the batteries, good for a visual check.
You'll find you should get through an event without any issues with the packs, I'll eventually go the Quantum route but as I have 4 of the packs and they take up bugger all room I'll stay with them until I smash them...
Garry Burton wrote:
I never use a speedlite without one. You can get extra cartirdges for the CPE-3 but I haven't seen any for the CPE-4 yet. Made carrying extra batteries and changing a snap.
I THINK the only difference between the cartridges is the weather sealing. I know that was the big diference in the CP-E3 and the E4 is the fact that the CP-E4's connectors have extra seals on them fur use with the 580EXII. If you dont need that seal the CP-E3 will work fine.
Chris Cooke wrote:
I THINK the only difference between the cartridges is the weather sealing. I know that was the big diference in the CP-E3 and the E4 is the fact that the CP-E4's connectors have extra seals on them fur use with the 580EXII. If you dont need that seal the CP-E3 will work fine.
No sorry bud, different fit for the trays....
The CPE-4 also recycles faster, you notice when you start to hammer them.
Also the CPE-3 tabs that hold the batteries in place are VERY FLIMSY/BREAKABLE (useless, rassle frassle things thay are...) and yes, better weather sealing
I own the ebay one. It worked for 1 gig. Smells like burnt electronics now. Cheapest I could find to ship it back to China was $40. Thing only cost me 65. So now i have extra battery tray and cloth pack holster. Stay away from them - buy the canon one.
CPE-3 for old one. And for your information Quan, it is the single best upgrade/purchase I have made. Excellent for reception work. Can blast away all night.
i bought 2 of those babies, realized i needed them when they can handle me and sam shooting continuously for like a minute on burst mode last saturday. They are off the hizzy and are worth their weight in gold imo.
The ebay ones are rip off's of the old CP-E2. Keep in mind that you are getting a cheap and nasty DC-AC converter right near your face (or if on your belt - near your manhood). To be honest I'm happier with the canon units.
Some of the ebay ones are identical to the Canon units .. indistinguishable in every aspect except the name stamping.
Anyone who thinks that Canon is not outsourcing their manufacturing of smaller items like batteries, battery packs, cords, etc. is being very naive. And anyone who thinks that the manufacturer who is making the units for Canon is making them for Canon and Canon only is being even more naive. The simple fact is they sell the same product under different brand names.
Simply find out which manufacturer is making the Canon units and save about 60% off Canon pricing. I do.
Beni wrote:
The ebay ones are rip off's of the old CP-E2. Keep in mind that you are getting a cheap and nasty DC-AC converter right near your face (or if on your belt - near your manhood). To be honest I'm happier with the canon units.
There's no inverter involved...just a transformer to move the voltage up to around 370 volts (IIRC). I'm sure it generates a magnetic field, but it's probably no more dangerous than using a cell phone .
Mike Mahoney wrote:
Some of the ebay ones are identical to the Canon units .. indistinguishable in every aspect except the name stamping.
Anyone who thinks that Canon is not outsourcing their manufacturing of smaller items like batteries, battery packs, cords, etc. is being very naive. And anyone who thinks that the manufacturer who is making the units for Canon is making them for Canon and Canon only is being even more naive. The simple fact is they sell the same product under different brand names.
Simply find out which manufacturer is making the Canon units and save about 60% off Canon pricing. I do. :)
Are you using any of the cheapo CPE-4/3s and if so how have you found the cheapo knock offs working for you Mike Mahoney? Interested in your evaluation.
I'm about to go for another Real Deal Canon 4 and wouldn't touch the Chinese/Korean things.
I had similar experiences as NotoriousPTG, as wells as cooking mine, breaking the tabs, breaking the locking mechanism. I also managed to pull the cable out of the pack.
I've tried all "the almost rans" over the years but ended up spending the same if not more on crap gear to arrive at the same place.
Maybe deals are being done but what is missing is quality control, realiabilty and service from the little fellas.
Garry Burton wrote:
Interested in your evaluation.
I have and use a non-Canon CP-E4 and it works perfectly. Looks and functions identical to the Canon unit.
The same company also makes an off camera shoe cord which is actually built more strongly than the Canon version at a third of the price. I discovered this after breaking two of the Canon branded units. I now have three of the Yongnuo units in different lengths and all have worked perfectly.
And not only cords and battery packs .. my Yongnuo CTR-301P wireless trigger set has a good build and works perfect. By perfect I mean 100% reliability on triggering. No misfires.
Filters, lens hoods, battery packs, triggers, cords, etc. .. all these I buy from Hong Kong / Chinese ebay vendors and like others have experienced exceptional pricing and products.
Mike Mahoney wrote:
I have and use a non-Canon CP-E4 and it works perfectly. Looks and functions identical to the Canon unit.
The same company also makes an off camera shoe cord which is actually built more strongly than the Canon version at a third of the price. I discovered this after breaking two of the Canon branded units. I now have three of the Yongnuo units in different lengths and all have worked perfectly.
And not only cords and battery packs .. my Yongnuo CTR-301P wireless trigger set has a good build and works perfect. By perfect I mean 100% reliability on triggering. No misfires.
Filters, lens hoods, battery packs, triggers, cords, etc. .. all these I buy from Hong Kong / Chinese ebay vendors and like others have experienced exceptional pricing and products. ...Show more →
Thanks For the feedback, mine products were crap. Perhaps what we get from China will improve that now we have a Mandarin speaking PM to hassle for us down here ...
Maybe I'll try one more time with the 3rd party battery packs ..
Agree, the OC3 cord is fragile, I'm onto my third and last. I won't bother with a bracket after this puppy gets pulled apart.
Leans hoods, agree. Bits of plastic to shield/protect the lens what difference. Filters, no, I'm after optically ground not cut glass.
I have about 20 of the wireless triggers in various states, mostly for spares for the two I have working, so no more for me. I went PWs and will try RPs next (hard to get hold of in Aus)
