HU. Cheep M8 batteries now available.

Andy Aitken

Andy Aitken

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Just noticed the appearance on ebay of a Hong Kong seller with M8 compatible Li-Ion batteries:D At US$20 inc shipping (that's just over 10 UK pounds these days anyway:eek:) I thought I'd give them a try.

Other cheap batteries I've bought from HK have been fine but I'll report back here on this one when it arrives.
 
At that price their lifespan could be 20% of the real thing and they'd still work out cheaper. In any case HK batteries I've had before (for Ricoh GRD and Canon G series) have been just as good as the originals. I'm thinking for some trips it'd be better to take 4 or 5 of these fully charged cheapos and leave the charger at home.
 
Battery prices from the camera manufacturers are a rip-off. I have bought and used many batteries from third party suppliers and they all worked fine and I have not noticed any difference in life span. They hold the charge just as well as the original batteries.
 
It's amazing they can still sell them profitably at $20 each given the low volume of M8's in the world. I wonder if it's possible they're made in the same factory where the Leica-branded batteries are made?
 
RF-Addict said:
Battery prices from the camera manufacturers are a rip-off. I have bought and used many batteries from third party suppliers and they all worked fine and I have not noticed any difference in life span. They hold the charge just as well as the original batteries.
Click to expand...

In principle I agree, and have used third party batteries without qualm in various DSLR's, but here is one difference - Leica told me - a long time ago- that the Leica batteries are integrated into the camera electronics, especially the frame counter part by some proprietary circuits in the battery. This seems to be borne out by the relationship between the dying M8 problem and the batteries, as reported on the Internet. I would be very hesistant to use third-party batteries in this case.
 
An inexpensive purchase price suddenly becomes oppressively expensive the instant the item doesn't perform up to the requirement of the moment.

Saving money when buying items for M8 is enticing to be sure, but I'm still in favor of purchasing authentic product from an approved and local dealer.

-g
 
This is exactly what the manufacturers want drilled into the heads of people who might be superstitious.

There are various tear-downs online which have been done on other OEM brands of batteries and then they are compared to the clone versions. (finding that the clones are equal or superior to the originals)

I would strongly suspect when the same is done to "Genuine Leica" batteries, they will reveal the lack of any mysterious Klingon circuitry added by Solms elves.

Millions have been made on the "stereo interconnect voodoo" market on similar principles.


Grober said:
An inexpensive purchase price suddenly becomes oppressively expensive the instant the item doesn't perform up to the requirement of the moment.

Saving money when buying items for M8 is enticing to be sure, but I'm still in favor of purchasing authentic product from an approved and local dealer.

-g
Click to expand...
 
There are some people who will accept without questioning that a Leica battery or a Leica IR filter, or even a Leica neckstrap are the only ones that will work properly and/or bring out the full potential of an M8. Some people will only put a Leica lens on it. Personal choices.
 
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Edward Felcher said:
This is exactly what the manufacturers want drilled into the heads of people who might be superstitious.

There are various tear-downs online which have been done on other OEM brands of batteries and then they are compared to the clone versions. (finding that the clones are equal or superior to the originals)

I would strongly suspect when the same is done to "Genuine Leica" batteries, they will reveal the lack of any mysterious Klingon circuitry added by Solms elves.

Millions have been made on the "stereo interconnect voodoo" market on similar principles.
Click to expand...
Still - M8-s are crashing in connection with original Leica batteries. Maybe third party batteries are better - or worse. I won't be the one to find out....
 
>that the Leica batteries are integrated into the camera electronics, especially
>the frame counter part by some proprietary circuits in the battery

If this is the case then is simply more shame for those responsible in Germany.

It truly saddens me how recent event have destroyed Leica in my eyes. I am just one person, speaking for no one else, but an organzation, a heritage, and product line has been perhaps irreparably soiled.

Even the film cameras are losing their luster for me. I just bought a second Hexar RF with the idea of selling off my M7.

I don't think that anyone can deny that the mystic, prestige, etc. is a big part of the rationalization that is required to justify spending 3x to 5x more for a Leica camera then an equivalent Bessa, Hexar, or Zeiss.

When one has lost the feeling, how long before the rationalizations crumble?
 
RF-Addict said:
Battery prices from the camera manufacturers are a rip-off. I have bought and used many batteries from third party suppliers and they all worked fine and I have not noticed any difference in life span. They hold the charge just as well as the original batteries.
Click to expand...
Actually, I bought three third-party batteries for my Canon dSLRs; one of them died, the other can't hold much juice any more (and I have put it out of commission), the other one is still holding OK. Since then, it's reinforced my belief in the axiom "that which is cheaper is more expensive".

Unfortunately, brand companies know third parties are accountable to no-one (they will still sell), while they have a brand to protect. And the price reflects that. Not a defense. A poor reality.
 
AUS DLK: I don't know why it is shame on Leica. Why haven't you included the many other brands that essentially do the same.

Don't virtually all manufacturers recommend that you use their own propietery batteries (or other bits and pieces for that matter Flashguns - etc) - many say that warranties will be invalid if it is discovered that you use third party equipment or at least suggest that you will not get optimum performance as a scare tactic.

Leica is a business and that means they are in it to make a profit. If I was Mr Leica I would be trying my best to sell the Leica brand extensions - why not - everyone else does it - wouldn't you ?.

I don't really care about Leicas past. It seems that a lot of people here reminisce so much so that they just can't bring themselves to accept we live in a digital world.

The Leica film cameras are of course stunning and will remain so for those who want to use them. Maybe the fact that I don't share Leicas past makes my observations null and void. Or maybe - I just accept things as they are at the moment.

So for me it's what happens now that counts. And that means that at this point in time Leica are producing a very very very good digital camera.

Note: this of course is my opinion and having never had any problems with my M8 I'm bound to say it is good because - well frankly, it is.

;-)
 
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AusDLK said:
>that the Leica batteries are integrated into the camera electronics, especially
>the frame counter part by some proprietary circuits in the battery

If this is the case then is simply more shame for those responsible in Germany.
Click to expand...



???:confused: :confused: Why? There is nothing wrong with this.
 
You won't catch me stuffing no-name batteries in my gear! I've had no-name NiMH batteries for my Motorola radios leak and short.
 
Ken Ford said:
You won't catch me stuffing no-name batteries in my gear! I've had no-name NiMH batteries for my Motorola radios leak and short.
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So you're going to base your decision about modern digital camera lithium-ion batteries on one bad experience with NiMH batteries for an old Motorola radio?

"Well, once a Lockheed Constellation lost an engine on takeoff on my flight to California. I'll never get on a flight to California again!"

And you've never heard of a leaky Motorola OEM battery?
 
So, when I try the battery presumably I should use the self timer in case it blows up and takes my hand off - or worse goes critical and takes out half the city...
 
There are so many problems being reported with the OEM Leica M8 batteries that there is a big chance these 3rd party can be better...

I have used 3rd party Li-Ion batteries for my Canon DSLRs and never had a problem.

I would only be concerned if there was an official statement from Leica announcing one could void the camera's warranty if it got damaged for any battery-related issue.

Best,

Ed
 
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