AA Bateries for SB800 / SD-8A SD8A Battery Pack & MB-D10

[W00DY]

Hi All,

I did a quick search on this and found a couple of posts but still not sure what the best ones to buy are. I just ordered the SD-8A Battery Pack for the SB800 and thought the best way to go would be rechargeable batteries (is this correct?)

I then found a thread on the MB-D10 where Gary was using AA batteries rather than then the Nikon ones. Would a good set of AA rechargeable work in this as well?

I have read about Powerex & Imedion (are these the same?) but have no idea what I am reading.

So, what do I need? I looked on a site called Servaas Products (http://servaas.com.au/index.php) Is this the best polace to buy whatever I need from?

Cheers,
Andrew

[gstark]

Andrew,

I bought my batteries from Jeff at the website you refer to; he's a member here and will look after you.

I have two sets of 8 batteries for the MB-D10, along with a good charger, and the performance is great: I couldn't be happier.

[W00DY]

Andrew,

I bought my batteries from Jeff at the website you refer to; he's a member here and will look after you.

I have two sets of 8 batteries for the MB-D10, along with a good charger, and the performance is great: I couldn't be happier.

I didn't realise that. Hopefully Jeff will see this post otherwise do you have he's username so I can ask some questions?

Thanks.

[W00DY]

Also how long will I get out of one set of AA Batteries in the MB-D10? over 2000 shots?

Basiclly I am hoping to get away with 20 batteries (5 for the SB800, 8 for the MB-D10 and 6 for the Battery Pack) for a shoot. I would then recharge between each shoot.

[gstark]

jeff is servaasproducts.

I seem to get around 2000 shots from a set of 8, but it also depends on other factors: lcd, flash, and vr usage would all have an effect on battery life. I don't know how long you might expect to get from a set of 5 batteries in an SB800 either.

[chrisk]

big props to Jeff. great service, price and fast delivery.

[W00DY]

Thanks all, just ordered what I needed of Jeff.

Sent him an email expecting a reply tomorrow, with today being a public holiday and all... next minute he gives me a call to sort out what I want. Now THAT is service.

Cheers all.

[gstark]

Andrew,

Exactly.

[servaasproducts]

... I don't know how long you might expect to get from a set of 5 batteries in an SB800 either.

Guys, I get asked this question all the time from Nikonians contemplating a battery purchase. For those of you using Powerex batteries in your SB800, can someone give some feedback as to how many shots you get, and what power level you are using the flash on?

EDIT: Maybe I'll just have to switch from Pentax to Nikon and buy an SB800 'for research purposes"

[Oz_Beachside]

... I don't know how long you might expect to get from a set of 5 batteries in an SB800 either.

Guys, I get asked this question all the time from Nikonians contemplating a battery purchase. For those of you using Powerex batteries in your SB800, can someone give some feedback as to how many shots you get, and what power level you are using the flash on?

EDIT: Maybe I'll just have to switch from Pentax to Nikon and buy an SB800 'for research purposes"

I have Jeff's batteries in my SB800s.

2000 shots in a shoot? my god, I thought I was trigger happy. I have used SB800s with the 5th battery attached to each, and using the TTL commander mode, one at EV+1, and the second at EV+2, and we shot for about 500 shots. Refresh time (ready time between shots) got slower toward the end. that is a trade off, refresh time, and battery power capacity are inversely proportional (staying power is traded off to quick refresh time). I have the 1700mAh version of batteries and am very happy with those.

if you added a SD-8A battery pack, think you would get more than twice the useable life, as the batteries dont have to work as hard to refresh your SB800 capacitors (many hands make light work).

I have seen a member in here, "hudo", use SB800 a lot in his recent shoots, PM him he may have better feedback. he uses SB800 on location and shoots thru umbrellas, ella, ella...

Question: are SD-8A battery packs in stock now, are they were made of "unobtainium"

[servaasproducts]

...I have Jeff's batteries in my SB800s.

2000 shots in a shoot? my god, I thought I was trigger happy. I have used SB800s with the 5th battery attached to each, and using the TTL commander mode, one at EV+1, and the second at EV+2, and we shot for about 500 shots. Refresh time (ready time between shots) got slower toward the end. that is a trade off, refresh time, and battery power capacity are inversely proportional (staying power is traded off to quick refresh time).

Thanks for the feedback

I have the 1700mAh version of batteries and am very happy with those.

Do you mean 2700mAh?

I have seen a member in here, "hudo", use SB800 a lot in his recent shoots, PM him he may have better feedback. he uses SB800 on location and shoots thru umbrellas, ella, ella...

Cool, will do, thanks for the tip.

[Oz_Beachside]

I have the 1700mAh version of batteries and am very happy with those.

Do you mean 2700mAh?

umm... yeah, the 2700mAh. they are about 12 months old and still going strong.

[ATJ]

I, too, use 5 Powerex 2700mAh batteries in my SB-800 but have never paid attention to how many shots I get. I just have 2 sets and swap them when the first set get down too far.

[Hudo]

Hi all,

As you know we use the SB800's on location a fair bit. Our latest shoot with SB800's below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpdwuGBz5eo

In fact we love them so much we are aquiring 2 more this month. Jeff asked me to drop by and give some thoughts. What are thedse batteries you speak off that give you 2000 flashes per charge? Want them, need them and will get some. Katie and I where actually only discussing this coming home from a shoot yesterday as I left the freshly charged batteries at home. With 4 x SB800's we need 20 batteries and a second set for each SB800. Currently with the purple I think 2500mha) Jaycar battiers and using their $55 dollar 10 slot charger we on average would get 300 flashes per charge. Now in fairness the battey age is 1~2 year old and they are all mixed (in age that is all the same capacity). Also we would have at least charged each of them 40~50 times. Battieries are like about $4.00 Each from Jaycar.

Love the plastic battery cases will need some of those.

Hope this helps but if a Battery an give 2000 flashes be recharged more then 50 times and cost $5.00 a piece then that's a benefit as poor flash power on location sux.

Mark aka Hudo

[ATJ]

I think people are misreading this thread.

Gary says he gets 2000 shots out of a set of 8 batteries. He's talking about using them in the MB-D10 on the D300 not in an SB-800. And the 2000 shots wasn't in one shoot.

[servaasproducts]

I, too, use 5 Powerex 2700mAh batteries in my SB-800 but have never paid attention to how many shots I get. I just have 2 sets and swap them when the first set get down too far.

Thanks for that, how many shots would you say, at guess, that you are gettingbefore the recharge cycle is slowing down and you are swapping to the other set?

[ATJ]

Thanks for that, how many shots would you say, at guess, that you are gettingbefore the recharge cycle is slowing down and you are swapping to the other set?

Jeff,

To hard to guess. I don't always use the SB-800 (especially underwater ) but now that I know exactly when I last changed the batteries (after DSC_2370), next time I change them, I should be able to work out how many shots I got.

[aim54x]

I use 4 2700mAh Inca rechargables in my SB-800 and either 8 of the same batteries or a EN-EL3e in my MB-D10. I have to check how much life i can get out of the MB-D10 with the AA's but i am a lil worried about the rate of consumption of my en-el3e's. I have two and both of them usually average 700 shots or so before registering empty regardless if they are in the grip or in the camera. can i really be using the review that much???

the Inca batteries do a pretty good job on the 800, i got over 300 shots the other day and then recharged them, although i did notice that using the 800 as a remote flash seems to take more juice out of the batteries, the recycle time on the off camera 800 slowed a lot faster than that on the camera.

[gstark]

EDIT: Maybe I'll just have to switch from Pentax to Nikon and buy an SB800 'for research purposes"

Jeff,

I can only commend such a course of action.

Of course, you'd also need a camera to drive the SB800; might I suggest a D3?

Oh yes ... glass .... 85 f/1.4, 14-24 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8. I think about PP13K would see that kit!

[servaasproducts]

EDIT: Maybe I'll just have to switch from Pentax to Nikon and buy an SB800 'for research purposes"

Jeff,

I can only commend such a course of action.

Listening to the twipphoto.com podcast it seems I am not alone in pondering such a course of action

Of course, you'd also need a camera to drive the SB800; might I suggest a D3?

Yes, an amazing piece of kit eh? A little out of my budget for athe few hundred shots I take each month, but HP have a interesting deal at the moment - buy 15 laser toners, get a free Nikon D40X. I looked at it, but a D40X limits glass options, right? And the D60 is in the same boat, so I would need to look at the D80 at a minimum. And that model is surely due for a refresh in the next few months, right?

Oh yes ... glass .... 85 f/1.4, 14-24 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8. I think about PP13K would see that kit!

I could live with just a 14-24 f/2.8 and a 24-70 f/2.8

[Grev]

Guys, I get asked this question all the time from Nikonians contemplating a battery purchase. For those of you using Powerex batteries in your SB800, can someone give some feedback as to how many shots you get, and what power level you are using the flash on?

Oh yeah, Jeff does business well and corrects problems quickly and efficiently.

I have bought 16x Eneloops, 16x Imedions and 16x Powerex 2700 of him (yes I'm buying happy, but it's good for Jeff ) and I have to say all of the mentioned batteries works well in the flashes or the MBD10. I was going to get the SD8A but I have decided to put it off as I read the refresh time (at full power) for the SB800 with the SD800 (fifth battery) is about 2.9 seconds and the SB800 with the SD8A is about 2 seconds, and I can live with that for now. Anyway, I mainly use the 2700s and the Eneloops in the flash while I use the Imedions in the MBD10 (since seeing people's 'tests' on other forums showing the Imedion is the least efficient in high current drain devices, but it's still good, don't get me wrong) and the performance is amazing, since the batteries will stop functioning because it's empty instead of dropped below working voltage (therefore still have capacity in them). PS Jeff, how did you go with the cr2 and cr123 rechargeable lithium batteries and chargers? Also I will need a 9V battery charger and batteries because of effects pedals and portable amps...

Of course, you'd also need a camera to drive the SB800; might I suggest a D3?

Yes, an amazing piece of kit eh? A little out of my budget for athe few hundred shots I take each month, but HP have a interesting deal at the moment - buy 15 laser toners, get a free Nikon D40X. I looked at it, but a D40X limits glass options, right? And the D60 is in the same boat, so I would need to look at the D80 at a minimum. And that model is surely due for a refresh in the next few months, right?

The D40x isn't limited by glass really, just need AFS (not AF) lenses to focus and since you'll be acquiring all new lenses anyway, most of the lenses Nikon is offering would be AFS.

A 16-85mmVR and a 70-300VR is a good all around kit with the D40x.

[servaasproducts]

 PS Jeff, how did you go with the cr2 and cr123 rechargeable lithium batteries and chargers? Also I will need a 9V battery charger and batteries because of effects pedals and portable amps...

Not so good. There are no local suppliers, so I looked at importing. I would need to land 100 units, but I am not sure there is enough demand for them. I also have issues with not being able to find a factory who can supply a unit with C-Tick approval. As a business it is high risk to sell electronics goods that are not approved - the fine is up to $20K. As a customer, you don't need to worry about importing a non C-Tick approved item, so my suggestion is to buy from a HK seller on ebay.

Hope that helps!

Jeff
Supplier of the worlds best AA batteries and battery chargers: Powerex - http://servaas.com.au Learn more at http://servaas.com.au/blog

[Grev]

I do know that at http://www.dealextreme.com/ they have them for sale as well, maybe a bit more consistent than ebay sellers in Hong Kong too.

And would be fun to see how large amounts of lithium batteries 'mishandled' and being turned into a lithium bomb, would be good to see on Myth Busters. Just want to know how strong they are.

[servaasproducts]

I do know that at http://www.dealextreme.com/ they have them for sale as well, maybe a bit more consistent than ebay sellers in Hong Kong too.

Yes, dealextreme have the batteries, but not the chargers. If you just want the batteries, I can help. Batteries are easy to source. There is very little regulation on them. It is the charger that is hard to source. Because it plugs into the 240V it has to be C-Tick tested, which is mainly a test for EMR, but it is a test that is not paralleled anywhere in the world, so the compliance testing is a big barrier to selling electric powered equipment in AU. Give the small size of the CR123 market, and the low cost of the CR123 chargers, no-one has been willing to put up the several thousand dollars to get a CR123 charger C-tick approved, as they are not likely to sell enough chargers at $20 each to make back the cost.

Note, if you do find a charger from a US supplier, be sure to check the power supply can handle 240V, and not just 110V. That is one of the reasons to source from HK rather than the US, as HK is 220V, and the chargers they list on ebay.com.au are 220V

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[DPowell]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been covered but I noticed this thread was nice and current and seems filled with people who know their battery stuff.

I've got the SB800 flash and am looking to get some new NiMH batteries for it.

I've read quite a few reviews of different batteries, but alot seem to contradict.

Ie 15min Charge with IC3 or like technology (eg varta ready2use) vs low self discharge eneloop/imedion vs higher capacity (2700-2900mAh).

I'm not out that often using the SB800 but I usually know when I will be and try and plan ahead for charging purposes, but as most of us, will occassionally decide to head out on the spur of the moment.

What opinions do you have on what would be the best bet?

Thanks,

David

[Glen]

Hi David and welcome to the forum. I would suggest the Eneloop/Imedion technology, the average NiMh rechgargeable loses 1% a day so you don't have to leave them long to feel the need to recharge, the Imedion/Eneloops remove that problem. If you are after the best life and maximum capacity being charged into your batteries I would suggest one of the Maha chargers, acknowledged as being one of the best. The Australian importer for Maha (and seller of Imedions and Eneloops) is http://servaas.com.au They offer a small discount if you say you are from dslrusers but really they offer good service to all. Jeff' Servaas is a member here and his post is the post above yours.

[servaasproducts]

Ie 15min Charge with IC3 or like technology (eg varta ready2use) vs low self discharge eneloop/imedion vs higher capacity (2700-2900mAh).

15 minute chargers force-feed batteries to the extent that they shoten the life of the batteries quite a lot.
LSD vs high capacity depends on your usage patterns.
2700mAh is the highest papacity achieved to date, anyone who claims their batteries have more are being optimistic. Check results from people with battery analyzers to verify this

I'm not out that often using the SB800 but I usually know when I will be and try and plan ahead for charging purposes, but as most of us, will occassionally decide to head out on the spur of the moment.

As Glen has already said, the low self discharge batteries would best match your usage pattern.

[DPowell]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies to my question, there are so many choices these days with everyone claiming their batteries are best. eh, what's new about that? lol

Now all I need to do is decide which sort of charger I should look at lol

Since I often take several sets with me, would I be better off with a charger that can handle more batts eg MAHA C801D, 808M?

But I do like the look of the C9000 for all the information and functions it provides - especially being in-car capable.

I guess once the initial charging period is done, the liklihood that I will need to be charging several sets at once will diminish.

Regards,

David

[Glen]

David,
I just recieved the Maha MHC 9000 Wizard One yesterday, I have a number of chargers here, including some quite useful one like the Angeleyes, etc, I must say on first use (one day) the Wizard One is easily, by a couple of country miles, the best AA charger I have ever used. At $89.95 it is a little more than some (but less than all the other now junk ones I have combined) but worth it if it prolongs the life and increases the capacity of the multitude of AA and AAA rechargeables which reside in my establishment. I will do a full review of it later, comparing it to the other chargers and also comparing the batteries.