Canon Battery Questions

limbik

So the 30D came today with a BP-511A battery. I will need to get more, but I would prefer cheaper 3rd party higher mAh versions.

But I am confused, Canon states that it is compatable with "BP-511A/BP-514/BP-511/BP-512" Of these, what are the differences? Which version should I be looking for?

Of the 3rd party batteries, which ones are decent quality? Does anyone know where I could find a deal on a couple?

Thanks.

gus

I have both the canon & a 2nd hand no-name generic in my 20D. Both the same age & exactly the same use...the generic will still shoot all day (few hundred shots) whereas the canon is dead in about 20-30 shots now.

ian408

You will need to lookup the specs for each of those batteries. My bet is
the one that came with the camera has a higher mAH rating.

I've been using the generics for everything but the 1d. So far, so good.

Jacksmyname

I know a LOT of people use third party batteries, and are very happy with them.
But, I'm just uncomfortable risking a $1400 camera to save $35.
I know leaks, etc. are rare, but they do happen.
If the Canon battery should damage my camera, I figure I'll have a much better chance for a warranty repair. No chance of that with a third party brand that I know of.
Just my $.02.

Jack

limbik

I prefer to take the $70 and get a nice insurance policy on all the gear so its also protected if I drop it or it is stolen. :

Anyhow, from what I can tell so far the BP511 is an older 1200mAh, BP512 is also older and only 1200mAh, the BP514 seems to be 1390mAh, and the BP511A is also 1390mAh.

DavidTO

I've had good luck with these.

Bob Bell

Jacksmyname wrote:

I know a LOT of people use third party batteries, and are very happy with them.
But, I'm just uncomfortable risking a $1400 camera to save $35.
I know leaks, etc. are rare, but they do happen.
If the Canon battery should damage my camera, I figure I'll have a much better chance for a warranty repair. No chance of that with a third party brand that I know of.
Just my $.02.

Jack

batteries are very simple devices. Essentially what your camera is doing is pulling voltage from the battery to use and the battery meter on your camera is measuring voltage. If you take a 1.5 volt battery, use half of it you have approximately .75 volts left.

The thing that worries me about cheap batteries is the charging circuits. You can do a lot of damage to a charger and the batteries by over charging batteries, it is not uncommon for a battery to catch on fire from over charging.

That being said, I use Canon and Monster batteries from Maha. Maha specializes in batteries and their batteries do very well. I put the monsters in my body 1st and the Canon's second. I understand that MyDigitalDiscount makes good batteries. I have been thinking of buying a few to retire batteries who don't fully charge.

If you go to Radio Shack or any electronics place, you can pick up a voltmeter or multimeter and test your batteries during the charging phase.

I am not sure if Canon produces their own batteries, most likely they spec them out to a manufacturer who puts Canon's label on them. Again batteries are very basic and with a few precautions, generic batteries can work well for you and be as safe as Canon.

The difference between the BP-511 and BP-511A is MaH. I'm not sure about the others.

limbik

Thanks for all the help! I really like the price on those sterlings, my only question now is this: They are 7.2v, the 511A that came with the camera is 7.4v, would this minimal difference have any adverse effects?

David_S85

limbik wrote:

So the 30D came today with a BP-511A battery....

I thought you were going to get the new Nikon.

(BTW, the ADIDT switch works with my 20D). Thanks!

Bob Bell

limbik wrote:

Thanks for all the help! I really like the price on those sterlings, my only question now is this: They are 7.2v, the 511A that came with the camera is 7.4v, would this minimal difference have any adverse effects?

They are fine. Just like AA rechargeables are usually 1.2 volt and not 1.5 as recommended.

Also, thats what the battery is rated it, it could overcharge a bit giving you 7.4

limbik

David_S85 wrote:

I thought you were going to get the new Nikon.

(BTW, the ADIDT switch works with my 20D). Thanks!

I was going to, but after finding a simple GPS solution and having a chat with the local Camera guy about future Canon prices when I went to see a D200 (impossible, had to put a down payment to even see one when it arrives), I decided to stick with the Canon because I like the way it feels and I think I would miss the big wheel...

Glad the ADIDT works for your 20D, I may just pick up another.