Batteries for Sigma EF 500 DG Super

Scott_Quier

OK, I'm getting the Sigma 500 super and am more than just a little confused about the best type of batteries to mate with the flash. To give you some idea of how long it's been since I looked into the question of rechargeable batteries, when I last looked, the best you could get were NiCd. Now, I don't think you can even buy them.

Question: Given that I'm buying this flash and that the flash is powered by (like most, if not all such) 4xAA, what do you recommend as the best:

• Type, brand, etc
• Where is best to buy them

TIA, Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

cmason

Scott_Quier wrote:

OK, I'm getting the Sigma 500 super and am more than just a little confused about the best type of batteries to mate with the flash. To give you some idea of how long it's been since I looked into the question of rechargeable batteries, when I last looked, the best you could get were NiCd. Now, I don't think you can even buy them.

Question: Given that I'm buying this flash and that the flash is powered by (like most, if not all such) 4xAA, what do you recommend as the best:

• Type, brand, etc
• Where is best to buy them

TIA, Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Scott, looking for batteries for my 430EX...from what I read in a PopPhoto mag, it doesnt really matter the brand too much, but look for 2500maH Ni-MH batteries, and a fairly fast charger: 1 hr to 15min. I have found these from Enegizer, Duracell, eFilm, Kodak and others at Target, Home Depot and WalMart. Basically, the trick is finding the right battery (in maH) packaged with the right charger. I think the four AA with 1hr charger runs in the $30-$40 range. Seen some good deals at Calumet too, on their store branded batteries.

edit: it was Shutterbug that had the article, plus found this with Google

Scott_Quier

cmason wrote:

Scott, looking for batteries for my 430EX...from what I read in a PopPhoto mag, it doesnt really matter the brand too much, but look for 2500maH Ni-MH batteries, and a fairly fast charger: 1 hr to 15min. I have found these from Enegizer, Duracell, eFilm, Kodak and others at Target, Home Depot and WalMart. Basically, the trick is finding the right battery (in maH) packaged with the right charger. I think the four AA with 1hr charger runs in the $30-$40 range. Seen some good deals at Calumet too, on their store branded batteries.

edit: it was Shutterbug that had the article, plus found this with Google

Thanks for the help. I'll look into the links you supplied and, with the pointers you have supplied, find the batteries made just for me

Scott_Quier

What I Decided
In the "For What It's Worth" column (and for those that may be interested):

Given the pointers posted by cmason, I did some additional research and everything stated panned out 100% (no surprise there, thanks cmason for the pointers). I did find some offered batteries with charge rating exceeding the 2500maH, but I wonder about them.

I did find Thomas Distributing and checked them out via ResellerRatings.com. They have a 6-month and life-time rating of 9.89 (wow, B&H is only 9.47) and 38 pages of, mostly, very positive reviews (only 1 dissatisfied, from Dec 2003).

Anyway, they had a "6-hour" special on MAHA POWEREX 2500mAh AA batteries. Current price is $8.87 per 4-Pack. Can't remember the special price, but it was, I think, less than that.

Also picked up the MAHA - MH-C204W Smart World Travel Conditioning Battery Charger (see page here). Microprocessor controlled, accepts both 110V & 240V AC (50/60Hz). Specs say you can charge you batteries and just leave them in the charger (the microprocessor, I guess). Anyway, it's small enough (charges 4 AA or AAA cells at a time) that I will be able to pack this in my check baggage for my trip to Alaska in July.

Anyway the package is all mail-order right now. I'll post back here when the order arrives, and in the "Don't Get Burned" thread, when the order arrives.

So, stay tuned to this Bat-Channel for the next exciting episode...

cmason

Scott_Quier wrote:

I did find Thomas Distributing and checked them out via ResellerRatings.com. They have a 6-month and life-time rating of 9.89 (wow, B&H is only 9.47) and 38 pages of, mostly, very positive reviews (only 1 dissatisfied, from Dec 2003).

That business has been mentioned before around here, many folks have had success ordering thru them.

TristanP

Scott_Quier wrote:

I did find Thomas Distributing...

Exactly what I was going to suggest. I have 8 of their 2300 mAH AAs and that charger. Works like a charm and priced right. You'll be happy with it.

ScottMcLeod

At Black's, we have a set of 2500/2600mAh batteries that come on sale for 9.99$CDN every once in a while.

I just use those. They work beautifully.

I'm seriously considering modifying my Sigma use a dual 4-cell system, like the extra battery pack for the 580EX

KA0TVO

Walmart 2570MA 8 for 15.95 work great