Flash Photography non-and rechargeable batteries.

[Mark 5]

I'm looking for others real use experience and advise.

Soon I am undertaking a simple project which will entail taking 3-4 thousand photographs, not every single day, say 150 per day, left a few days then start again as the mood takes me.

My Nikon camera is standard but ok, coupled to it is a Neewer Speedlight NW562 flash along with a transmitter/sensor.

I use 4 rechargeable 2800MaH AA batteries in the flash but when discharged can take hours to recharge, to speed things up will start to use disposable AA batteries.

I'm trying to have the best of all worlds, cheap to buy, ( 24 + at a time ), won't leak, good shelf life, low discharge I think.

A couple of friends use Duracell Plus AA but always grumbling they don't last long in their flash guns.

I will be doing one shot at a time so no continuous flashwork but a lot of it.

I've read so many reviews on types of batteries for flashes, from Zinc, Lithium, Alkaline, L-ion, use and cost, I'm befuddled.

Rechargeables are more appealing to me but as stated can take so long to charge so looking for disposable AA for use in a flashes.

Any real use advise would be great.

 

[winchman]

Are you in one place or moving about? I would try to replace the batteries with something like a car battery etc as you could end up spending quite a few quid on batteries?

 

[barracuda816]

Do you have a 3d printer? It may be more involved but without a doubt in my opinion the best solution would be to make an adapter to take 18650 cells. If practical an external battery pack, otherwise possibly a 18650 holder. It would make it look a bit janky but functionality would be the best. They are the fastest to charge and hold way more power than Nickel metal hydride batteries.

Or if you just want more convenience, Just buy 8 (or how ever many you need in a night) enerloop pro aa batteries and rotate them on the charger.

 

[Misterg]

Here's a list of AA batteries and their capacities - most are ~2400 mAh, Lithium are ~3400mAh.

AA Battery Comparison Chart - Power Cell Guide 2024

Looking for reliable AA Battery Comparison Chart data? I've tested top brands to help you choose the best batteries for your devices based on performance, price, and longevity

www.batteryskills.com

You may not get those capacities in a high-drain device like a flash gun.

Surely the easiest thing to do is to buy another 4 (or 8) rechargeable and have them charging while you use the others

 

[Robotstar5]

Google seems to think a set of batteries will last at least 200 shots, I would get 8 enerloop batteries and have one set on charge while you use the other.

 

[Mark 5]

Here's a list of AA batteries and their capacities - most are ~2400 mAh, Lithium are ~3400mAh.

AA Battery Comparison Chart - Power Cell Guide 2024

Looking for reliable AA Battery Comparison Chart data? I've tested top brands to help you choose the best batteries for your devices based on performance, price, and longevity

www.batteryskills.com

You may not get those capacities in a high-drain device like a flash gun.

Surely the easiest thing to do is to buy another 4 (or 8) rechargeable and have them charging while you use the others

You are probably right, at the moment I use an 8 bank AA/AAA EBL smart charger with EBL 2800mAh batteries, it works fine just so long to recharge the batteries, maybe that's it, just buy more rechargeables and rotate.

 

[voipio]

I have a couple of Ansmann Digispeed 4 chargers, which will charge AA NiMH cells at around 1800mA. These chargers are not available any more, but they work very well, and will charge 2800mAh AAs from flat within about three hours. The Ansmann Powerline 4.2 Pro is probably close. It will charge 4 AAs at 800mA, or two at 1600mA.

 

[barracuda816]

You are probably right, at the moment I use an 8 bank AA/AAA EBL smart charger with EBL 2800mAh batteries, it works fine just so long to recharge the batteries, maybe that's it, just buy more rechargeables and rotate.

I would say with EBL it is VERY unlikely they are anyway near 2800mAh. Especially considering enerloop pros (the top dog in NiMH) are rated at 2500mAh.

Fyi the IKEA 2400mAh are supposed to be good too, and MUCH cheaper.

Also not sure how good that charger is. I have never used it, but make sure its not just a timed one as it may not be optimal it charging them.

 

[Bullet2012]

would it not be more benificial to buy a studio flash ? less than £200 on amazon or ebay

 

[Parm]

When I did photography on a semi pro basis I used Mets kit with battery pack on a shoulder strap.

These days I use the system flash, fits on the hot shoe. Just keep a massive stack of spare rechargeable batteries for the flash and camera

If your doing this much work, think about studio flash, not that expensive these days and much much more controllable

 

[Ian X]

You don't mention if it has to be portable or if the location is to be fixed. Surely they have a port for an external power source, if the location is to be fixed a 6v power brick with the correct connector?

 

[Mark 5]

You don't mention if it has to be portable or if the location is to be fixed. Surely they have a port for an external power source, if the location is to be fixed a 6v power brick with the correct connector?

These will be static items and photos taken inside in one small room, a temporary studio so to speak.

 

[Mark 5]

When I did photography on a semi pro basis I used Mets kit with battery pack on a shoulder strap.

These days I use the system flash, fits on the hot shoe. Just keep a massive stack of spare rechargeable batteries for the flash and camera

If your doing this much work, think about studio flash, not that expensive these days and much much more controllable

I like the idea of this, I will look into it.

 

[Robotstar5]

I may have to upgrade my flash soon, the flashbulbs are getting hard to source

 

[Misterg]

Soon I am undertaking a simple project which will entail taking 3-4 thousand photographs, not every single day, say 150 per day, left a few days then start again as the mood takes me.

You going into competition with Aardman?

That's about two and a half minutes of film by my reckoning

 

[Mark 5]

You going into competition with Aardman?

That's about two and a half minutes of film by my reckoning

Wow!

Its just going to be a case of, plonk on a plinth and 2-3 photos of each item taken, Corgi, Dinky toys from the 30s, 50, 60,70s toys, loads of other bits and bobs, it's all going to be static stuff, point and shoot photos.

There is a lot of it, just thinking about batteries/costs, how long rechargeables for camera flash take to recharge or am I better off using disposables AAs and what type?

 

[ahebron]

Do you need to use flash lights?
I work in lighting and just did a shoot where the photographer used LED panels.
Modern cameras are making it a lot easier