DSLRUsers.com

What is the general consensus on batteries?
Do genuine ones hold a longer charge?
From my mobile phone and PDA experience, non genuine ones dont seem to last as long, and (with the latest model iPaqs anyway, seem to either reject non-genuine's, or don't allow you to access battery statistics such as remaining charge or have wildly inaccurate usage meters).

Should I spend the extra for genuine?

I note nearly everyone selling D70's advertises who include extra batteries seem to be having non-genuine batteries ... maybe that's the answer to my question

Have a look at these threads I found using the handy "search tool'.

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php? ... ry+genuine

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php? ... ry+genuine

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php? ... ry+genuine

I have found that non-genuine D70 batteries vary in quality. I have some good 'brand name' ones and some poorer ebay ones. The ebay ones work OK but I dont think they live up to their capacity rating.

if all you want it for is a backup i'd go to jaycar and get some decent rechargables and use the carrier for them.

It really depends on a few things, as already has been stated.
My experience with non-genuine batteries has been largely good in terms of D70 spares. Essentially there is no difference with the ones that I got.
Keeping in mind that the manufacturing facilities of the world are well known for being hired to make x number of units for a manufacturer and once that contract has been filled, they'll make x more and sell them themselves.
It's not often the case, but it does happen regularly.

Your best bet will always be to buy and fit generic format batteries if you possibly can. Not always an option but battery grips for cameras are a great plan in the long run.

I use an Inca in the D70 and cannot spot the difference between that and the genuine Nikon battery.

I remember a debate similar to this going on around the time of the Nikon battery recall. People worried their non-genuine battery was going to start a fire in their camera and the like...

Particularly, I remember a post made by Birddog along the lines of it being false economy to skimp on batteries - for what they cost ($60?) and what they do / how much we rely on them, it makes no sense to buy generic ones (when we spend well over $1k for camera and skimp on batteries...)

Having said that, I own two generic batteries for the D70. Bought them not long after we got the D70 and long before the battery recall.
They work okay, but don't seem to hold the power like the real thing.

The real thing nowadays is an EN-EL3e. As my D200 will be here any day now, I have no further need for generic batteries - so all future battery purchases will be genuine for 2 reasons.

Why spend $2K on a camera and try to save $20 on a battery ?

Here's a post to read :

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=19196678

Cheers

Justin