EN-ELe Battery Life

[barry]

How much life do you get with this battery.

I know there are several factors involved but I seem to only get about 300-400 shots on my D200.

Compared to my D70 battery this seems quite low as this battery give me over 700+ shots.

[bwhinnen]

Different camera, different consumption. I get about 600 - 700 shots out of the D200, very little image review, VR turned off etc. Compared to the D70 with about 1300 - 1400...

The batteries in the D200 started at about 200 - 300 shots when brand new, but have gotten much better as they have been cycled a few times.

[Reschsmooth]

We had a bit of a shoot on Sunday - about 150-200 images or so. At the start, Left batt=100%; Right = 57%. During the shoot, I used the pop flash on 1/64 or 1/128 to fire other strobes. Did very little chimping, very little auto focus. At the end, L=100%; R=0%! I am sure this is a function of the use of the on-board, irrespective of how weak I had set it.

[ATJ]

I get 600-700 out of the EN-EL3e on my D300. I can't remember how many I got out of the same battery in the D70 and I don't think I ever let the battery get down that far before charging it. The EN-EL3e (1500mAh) should last longer than the EN-EL3 (1400mAh).

[MATT]

Different camera, different consumption. I get about 600 - 700 shots out of the D200, very little image review, VR turned off etc. Compared to the D70 with about 1300 - 1400...

The batteries in the D200 started at about 200 - 300 shots when brand new, but have gotten much better as they have been cycled a few times.

Thats the outcome I had also. The biggest disappointment of the d200 was the battery life. With the d70 I would get a flat battery because after 1800 shots I would forget it needs charging.

MATT

[Nnnnsic]

That problem has actually been fixed in the D300. It's one of its selling points.

[Benny2707]

I get 600-700 out of the EN-EL3e on my D300. I can't remember how many I got out of the same battery in the D70 and I don't think I ever let the battery get down that far before charging it. The EN-EL3e (1500mAh) should last longer than the EN-EL3 (1400mAh).

I'm the same. Got millions (give or take) out of my D40X but with the D300 it's topped out at 600-700. I'm ok with that though. Now with the grip you'd hope it'll do more. We'll see I guess.

[Yi-P]

How much life do you get with this battery.

I know there are several factors involved but I seem to only get about 300-400 shots on my D200.

Compared to my D70 battery this seems quite low as this battery give me over 700+ shots.

That should be right from what I tested out the battery. A good reason to have the grip and couple of spares (or AAs) on standby.

[tasadam]

I don't really count how many images I get from a battery. I know I can check but haven't been bothered to.
My solution is to carry more batteries.
I notice those new ones from Poon that I tried, when they're flat the camera just turns off...
Strange.

[barry]

Thanks for the comment guys. The batteries I have are relatively new and maybe they havent reach their peak charge potential yet. I guess I will find out over the next couple of weeks, I have a wedding and 3 days of car racing to attend. BTW what sort of life do you get out of a set of AA's.

[Benny2707]

Thanks for the comment guys. The batteries I have are relatively new and maybe they havent reach their peak charge potential yet. I guess I will find out over the next couple of weeks, I have a wedding and 3 days of car racing to attend. BTW what sort of life do you get out of a set of AA's.

Mate if you're nervous there are places in Sydney that sell non-OEM batteries that apparently work just as well for $39. Bung a few of those in the bag all charged up and I reckon you can't go wrong. Nikon ones are more around the $69 mark. I personally would only use Nikon gear when it comes to power (chargers, batteries etc) but others use the non-OEM ones with much success.

[tasadam]

Nikon ones are more around the $69 mark. I personally would only use Nikon gear when it comes to power (chargers, batteries etc) .....

Agree with that - having had a few OEM batteries, all my battery purchases in future will be genuine Nikon batteries.
You think I would have learnt with the D70...

[bwhinnen]

I've got one Genuine and 3 Non-Genuine batteries, they all work the same in my D200, not had any problems with any of them.

[Glen]

My experience is the same as Brett's, I couldn't tell the difference between my original batteries and aftermarket in my D70. In my D300 an aftermarket EN-ELe wouldn't even register, I assume due to a chip missing inside.

Barry, your figures seem spot on as confirmed by others re battery life, the D200 is well known for short battery life.

[barry]

Looks like I need to order a couple of batteries. Sure cheaper that stepping up to a D300.

Any suggestions on where to get non-genuine batteries in Sydney.

[Benny2707]

Looks like I need to order a couple of batteries. Sure cheaper that stepping up to a D300.

Any suggestions on where to get non-genuine batteries in Sydney.

DD Photographics in North Sydney. $39 a pop.

Speak with Chris (or anyone)

9929 7578

[barry]

Thanks Benny

[AndyL]

My concern with a new camera would be the chance of leakage or worse with the non genuine article. Nikon Au would be well within their rights to refuse any warranty claim if damage from the non genuine battery was evident, regardless of whether or not the problem was caused by the battery. They would have a hard time getting out of it if a Nikon battery was a source of damage. There is very little recourse for the poor bugger who has his camera die because a cheap battery was used in a camera. Trying to pin the battery's distributor down would be hard enough, especially if it was bought from an overseas source, and the manufacturer would be near impossible.

There is a very good chance that the Nikon batteries are manufactured to a standard and if there is a problem they are going to sort it. I did not know until today (forum search for related threads) about the EN-EL3 recall a couple of years ago, but that is at least a small indication of where Nikon's priorities are. There is absolutely no guarantee to the standards to which the non genuine battery is made. Who knows if the cells are seconds and whether or not all safe guards have been incorporated. It does not matter that the batteries might come out of the same factory, which I am sure that they do. China has a long record of slipping an apparently identical product out of the back door when manufacturing for other companies and in many cases the imitation uses substitute materials in its construction. The product could be identical but more likely not. Who is to say?

Li-Ion batteries can be hazardous. Enough that there are now restrictions on what can be taken on board aircraft. There have been quite a number of cases of fires on board aircraft over the past few years. I have seen a battery swell and another explode first hand and it is not pretty. That is enough to convince me.

It surprises me also that people are willing to spend thousands on cameras and lenses, but are too tight to fork out the extra $30 or so for the genuine batteries.

Odds on that you will never have a problem with a non genuine battery, but poor you if you ever do.

Regards

Andrew

[Greg B]

I have a couple of genuine and a couple of non-genuine batteries. I use the non-genuines in the MB-D200
so they never actually make it into the camera, and I take them out when not in use. They seem to perform remarkably well.

I note that Poon has them (non-genuines) for $14.

[Benny2707]

I'll only ever buy genuine for that reason Andy. I can't afford to risk a saving of $30 on a new D300.