lenmar batteries?

joe, i've used lenmars in my canon 1-series bodies for awhile now. as good as the OEM batts, charge-wise, and a lot less expensive. i swapped OEM end plates on a couple to improve the fit slightly, but didn't really need to do so.
 
i just discovered that a local shop has them in the np80 form that fits the rd1 and am wondering if they are worth the difference in price from the $5-7 chinese ones from ebay.
they go for around 24 canadian here.
 
Seconded. After 20 charges, they continue to hold a charge much better than the ebay generics. You can get lucky with the cheapies but you'd be in the minority. There are some quantified comparison tests floating around the net.
 
if the web data are reliable on the eBay specials, meaning shorter charge lives and a fairly bad dud rate, the lenmars are probably a better buy over the long term.

but this is conjecture on my part. i have no experience with the eBay batts - my decision was to go with lenmars first.
 
maybe dumb luck but i have been happy with the ebay batteries so far...none the less, i just ordered 2 lenmars. they can be my 'go to' batteries and the others can be the back ups.
thanks for the help!
 
I was mostly sort-of happy enough with the ebay ones, but was unlucky enough to have 2 (of 3) that I bought at the same time go to ten minutes on a charge during a vacation with some but not ample recharge opportunity.
 
bummer!

i bought from 2 or 3 different vendors and got batteries with a higher than 1500 mah, not sure if that helped or not.

my 3 epsons are old and don't hold a charge anymore...i should throw them out i guess.
 
back alley said:
my 3 epsons are old and don't hold a charge anymore...i should throw them out i guess.
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How long would you expect the batteries to last in your R-D1?

I bought mine 2 months ago just got back from a trip with it where I found I was lucky to get 150 shots from any of the 3 batteries I took along before the camera started to misbehave (dials zeroing, mostly, and then coming back to life with a bit of coaxing via the shutter button and/or the On/Off switch). The 3 batteries were 1 x Jessops and 2 x anon from internet sources, all rated at 1500mHa. Never had one last >24 hours.

I did find if I kept the chimping screen shut they seemed to last a bit longer, but that screen is one of the main pro-points of digital shooting for me, and I'd kind of resent having to work without it.

Do you think my R-D1 is at fault here?
 
They're expensive, but thanks to the continued existence of the R-D 1x you can still get original Epson batteries from Japan Exposures:

Link
 
jlw said:
They're expensive, but thanks to the continued existence of the R-D 1x you can still get original Epson batteries from Japan Exposures:

Link
Click to expand...

Thanks jlw-

Expensive indeed, but OEM batteries always are. in this case, I'm not too impressed by the advertising copy at Japan Exposures, as they seem to make the USP the 1500mHa, and that's not so unique...

However, if you're saying that you've used their stuff and it's good, I'll take that as a recommendation!
 
i have been using generics mostly and have had no problems with them. i don't count exposures per but i doubt that i get 200 shots per battery.
the epson batteries i have came with my 2 rd1 bodies so i don't know how old they are. none of them was great when i got them, one was really poor.
i just ordered 2 of the lenmar from ebay at half what i could get them for locally. i will keep records when i start using them and report back.
i hate the idea of paying 90 bucks for one battery, that is robbery pure and simple.
and i'm sorta cheap...
 
Jim-st said:
I did find if I kept the chimping screen shut they seemed to last a bit longer, but that screen is one of the main pro-points of digital shooting for me, and I'd kind of resent having to work without it.

Do you think my R-D1 is at fault here?
Click to expand...

No, your experience squares with mine when i had an R-D1. my routine was to carry 3 spares with me when out for a day of shooting. on trips always brought the charger as well.
 
MCTuomey said:
No, your experience squares with mine when i had an R-D1. my routine was to carry 3 spares with me when out for a day of shooting. on trips always brought the charger as well.
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Interesting... guess I'll have to live with that then. I'm sure my Canons performed better in terms of charged longevity.

No better in terms of price, though, and if <150 shots per is par, then maybe I'd be better to buy another charger than more batteries before my next trip!
 
jlw said:
They're expensive, but thanks to the continued existence of the R-D 1x you can still get original Epson batteries from Japan Exposures:

Link
Click to expand...

I just received one from Dirk at Japan Exposures. I needed an extra one for a trip, in a hurry, and I was really pleased with his service.

I am one of those who has sworn off cheap generics after bad experiences.
 
I've been using the Lenmars in my Canon 1D series as well (MkI and then MkII). I bought them on Amazon and have had no problems. They hold a charge well, charge fast and fit just like the originals. I don't know what Epson charges, but Canon is notorious for overcharging for their peripherals. The Lenmars are at least as good for less than half the price.

Chris
 
I should clarify, a little, my sweeping statement about my experience with generics. An exception was the one I bought from B&H at the time I bought my first R-D1. I think it was CTA. While it didn't survive as long as the Epson, it was fine for about 3 years. And it never caused a shutter freeze or just stop working like some others.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Lenmars -- although I think I'm alright now.
 
I was asking about DSLR batteries recently on a 99.9% digital forum. More than one person vouched for the Lenmars in Canon 1D and 1Ds service. As I recall, the Lenmars were about $100 less than the Canon originals.
 
venchka said:
I was asking about DSLR batteries recently on a 99.9% digital forum. More than one person vouched for the Lenmars in Canon 1D and 1Ds service. As I recall, the Lenmars were about $100 less than the Canon originals.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of lenmars with my Oly E510. Approaching 3 years and they are doing as well as the OEM as far as I can tell.

A lot of people swear by the Uniross ones for Oly at least. They even tried doing this quantitatively and did a fairly reasonable job IMO.

http://t5r.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/e1/clonetests.htm

Cheers,
-Gautham
 
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