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Howdy howdy howdy......

Might be a repeated question but I can't find it anywhere. Just got my sb800 (why did I wait so long???????) and I am curious about the extra battery. Have you found it useful or necessary for normal day to day use? Should I just save it for heavy use? Whats the word out there? Thanks gang!

-Andrew

atencati wrote:Howdy howdy howdy......

Might be a repeated question but I can't find it anywhere. Just got my sb800 (why did I wait so long???????) and I am curious about the extra battery. Have you found it useful or necessary for normal day to day use? Should I just save it for heavy use? Whats the word out there? Thanks gang!

-Andrew

Hi Andrew,
I have it on my two SB-800s permanently and keep the small plastic covers in their boxes.

Same as Birddog, but only one SB800

Recharging five batteries with my four battery charger might be a bit of a hassle, but I've gone with using the extra fifth cell when I shot yesterday (see the Black Thunder Girls thread). With NiMH cells fully charged, I'm counting less than 3 secs recycle time for full 1/1 manual flash output, whereas with 4 cells it's closer to 4 or 5 seconds. That 1 second or less difference may mean jack all - and not worth the effort of the extra battery pack for you, but for me flash recycle times are a priority, as I shoot in bursts and it's comforting to have the flash keep up with continuous fire.

Same as JordanP
Necessary - no.
Useful - for sure. Quicker recycling time.

Same as Birdy
Mine stays on all the time

Cheers
Ray

Haven't used the fifth cell yet... had a look at removing the cover and not sure how to do it without breaking it!!! So for now I've been content with the slower recycle time...

Anyone with any advice on installing the extra cell holder???

Michael.

Mj wrote:Haven't used the fifth cell yet... had a look at removing the cover and not sure how to do it without breaking it!!! So for now I've been content with the slower recycle time...

Anyone with any advice on installing the extra cell holder???

Michael.

Simple, remove the flip cover with little bit force and slide in the fifth chamber.

Hi Birddog... it's the "little bit of force" bit that has me concerned... I read the manual... says "bend the cover back and it will come out with ease"... tried it out and decided that if I pushed back any harder the tabs on the sides of the cover would most likely snap off... I'll have another look this weekend... I might wimp out, wait till we have another meeting and have someone braver than I show me how its done

Hi Birddog... it's the "little bit of force" bit that has me concerned... I read the manual... says "bend the cover back and it will come out with ease"... tried it out and decided that if I pushed back any harder the tabs on the sides of the cover would most likely snap off... I'll have another look this weekend... I might wimp out, wait till we have another meeting and have someone braver than I show me how its done

I'll demonstrate next time we meet MJ - don't follow the SB800 manual, it's quite likely deceptive and a ploy for Nikon to sell more spare parts.

Actually, you swing the door out to about 60 degrees, then angle one side and slide it inside pushing at the angle in line with the angle the door is at, while easing the other tab out.

Too many words, not enough pictures...

I use the 5th battery and get around the charging problem by having a spare set ready charged for use. This means I can charge batteries how and when I want to. My meaning here is my charger will only charge 4 cells at a time so by having 2 sets+ it makes it easier to charge.

Cheers

Chris

I soon have this one to work on my SB-800

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 171&is=REG

Birddog114 wrote:I soon have this one to work on my SB-800

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 171&is=REG

Great stuff Birdy

I’m quite interested to see what recycle times you get from that pack???

Cheers
Ray

Will keep you posted