Battery replacement for Leica cameras…the latest recommendations?

[dave lackey]

Ok, it’s time to talk about battery replacements. 🙁

For now, I need to replace the original Leica batteries for the X1. But I am also interested in the experiences of this community in using cheap Wasabi and other battery brands for other Leica cameras including Leica M digital cameras.

Thank you in advance for your kind sssustance!👍

 

[dave lackey]

For the X1…. I read about swelling batteries, decreased performance, great longevity, just like the original, etc…

What is the truth?

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Personally, I've had no luck with anything but OEM Batteries when it comes to my Leica M-E (and those for the Epson R-D1),
In my case I found that soon after purchase and charging a few times the cheap (Chinese) batteries can no longer keep up with the peak power-requirements of the camera and it tends to go into sleep mode after every photo you take. Their charge capacity seems to degrade rapidly as well.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Got two new ones from some odd local site. Works after two weeks waiting.
These days if it made in China, rest just adds 100% on retail price for same from AliExpress.
Later ships to Canada within very reasonable time and cost.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Dave,

I cannot speak directly about Leica branded batteries. I can however tell you that after owning digital cameras from Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus and Panasonic all with OEM batteries and 3rd party batteries I have experienced one battery failure. It was an Olympus OEM battery that simply failed to take a charge.

No camera manufacturer makes their own batteries. All lithium batteries are 3rd party batteries with different labels, some labels cost 3 or 4 times what other labels cost.

I always buy additional 3rd party batteries and find they perform within spec with OEM batteries in every camera. But I'm the kind of person that doesn't put the manufacturers motor oil and filters in my vehicles either. YMMV.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Personally, I've had no luck with anything but OEM Batteries when it comes to my Leica M-E (and those for the Epson R-D1),
In my case I found that soon after purchase and charging a few times the cheap (Chinese) batteries can no longer keep up with the peak power-requirements of the camera and it tends to go into sleep mode after every photo you take. Their charge capacity seems to degrade rapidly as well.

No idea from where you got those. For my M-E 220 I got just MIC as it is written on OEM one. First two after getting camera in 2016. Two. One which still holds charge most is no Leica ripoff MIC.
Got another two earlier this year, they are also working flawlessly.