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Why Didn't the !x%! Thing Flash!

Tuesday, July 21st 2009 @ 2:02 PM (not yet rated) post viewed 231 times

Using fresh, disposable batteries in your external flash unit will save a lot of headaches. I learned the hard way that these units only work reliably with a full charge. Using rechargeables might mean changing the batteries several times a day and missing an important shot.

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Atlas said on Saturday, July 25th 2009 @ 5:53 AM:

Hi Miriam,

I have found rechargable batteries to be far superior and a lot cheaper in the long run. Even on full power I get 100+ shots..

I have 5 sets, and change them as I go.. You always know when they start to run down, the recycle time slows down..

Would highly reccommend them

Fred Molesworth
Artisan

FredMolesworth said on Tuesday, August 4th 2009 @ 11:46 AM:

From a different viewpoint, I use exclusively rechargeables. I have enough batteries charged to take me through three weddings with three flashes going, and I have a case I built from an old briefcase and power strip that includes two 15 minute chargers, the chargers for my cameras, and several other chargers.

With the Nikon SB800, I've found that one set of rechargeables will typically last a whole typical wedding, using it occasionally during the day, and a lot during the reception, depending on time and lighting.

If a set starts to slow down, then I pop a fresh set in, put the used ones on the charger, and 15 minutes later they're ready to go again, if I were to need them, which I typically don't.

The rechargeables pay for themselves so quickly.

BUT, that being said, I also have a big pack of disposables with me as a backup as well. You can never have too many batteries.

rNeil Haugen
Apprentice

rNeil said on Tuesday, August 4th 2009 @ 4:55 PM:

If you are using SB800's on-camera, they do fine with rechargeable batteries. When you use them in "Commander/Remote" mode with the Nikon CLS wireless infra-red system, they get a bit cantankerous.

They will normally start acting up ... either firing sporadically on command or even firing just bang-bang-bang-bang-bang etc., by the time they're down to about half a charge. If you aren't shooting quickly, so there's bit time spaces between shots, you may not notice ... try a couple within say 30 seconds and they'll let you know they're unhappy and THEY set the rules. Kinda like donkeys, actually, come to think of it ...

So if you are using them quickly, for a lot of flashes, and remotely, somewhere between 100 and 200 shots or so into a wedding or event and your reliability goes to hell. If you use them for near every shot in and out, you are going to spend a LOT of time changing batteries out.

This is where the rechargables just become a pain, as decent quality non-rechargeables last (in this situation) at least twice longer than rechargeables.

Neil