madman on a scooter!

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Permalink Reply by Ian Phillips-McLaren on March 29, 2008 at 1:42pm

Hi Richard

Sounds like there's something wrong with your camera / battery. The flash batteries work independently from the camera batteries and neither shouldn't affect either at all.

The battery pack that you've seen press guy's with (quantum) are more powerful but also more cumbersome. Quantum battery packs are generally used for faster recycling times, only problem with that is, if you use your flash on to many bursts you can burn out your flash and the camera (expensive to repair) - it happened to a friend of mine a few months back with the canon 1 ds mark 2 and the 580 ex flash, needles to say the quantum got chucked in the bin.

I tend to use Uniross rechargeable 2300mah batteries with a Uniross sprint 15 charger (takes 15 mins to charge 4 batteries) they last for ages and I just have a shed load of spares recharged in my bag ready to go, even then I never seem to have to change them.

Ian

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Permalink Reply by Richard Pentin on March 29, 2008 at 6:05pm

Thanks Ian. From what you say it sounds like the flash isn't faulty which is good news. What's more of a worry is if my camera is draining my batteries - I'd better get that checked out before I end up on another commission without any juice!

Thanks for the top tip about quantum too - I'll cross that off the shopping list!

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Permalink Reply by Colin Beck-Mackay on April 9, 2008 at 6:57pm

Hi Richard
I know that this will not be a great help- but for flash - go Nikon. Sorry

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Permalink Reply by Ian Phillips-McLaren on June 17, 2009 at 5:24pm

Hi Richard, I'm curious, did you ever get your camera / flash problem sorted out.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Pentin on June 17, 2009 at 5:42pm

Thanks for asking Ian,
It transpired that my Canon 5D was the guilty culprit. I've had it serviced and repaired but it's still been a bit temperamental ever since. That'll teach me to buy camera bodies from Hong Kong! Decided to bite the bullet and get the 5D Mark II from Jacobs which is a lovely piece of kit, so now I just keep the old 5D as back up.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Phillips-McLaren on June 17, 2009 at 6:36pm

Well, you weren't to know that. I hear the 5d mark 2 is pretty good so good luck with that.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Paul Fuller on July 17, 2009 at 2:41pm

Although you have sorted your problem I would like to add (for general interest) that I find that the Speedlite 580EXii eats my rechargeable AA batteries but not so much with standard AA's. Again may be faulty batteries and no problem with the flash but always lose power in them after about 30 mins of intermittent shooting.

BTW The 5Dmkii is lovely isn't it?

Take care

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Permalink Reply by Richard Pentin on July 17, 2009 at 2:48pm

It's a good point Adam. The rechargables don't last quite as long especially if you've had them a while. Always good to have a few sets up your sleeve as back up, as they say!

Yes, the 5D Mark II is a beauty. Perfect for what I need - which is mainly portraits and weddings - as the quality is superb and it's not too heavy to lug around all day. That said my kit bag is still an absolute killer by the end of the day!

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Permalink Reply by Lesley Gracie on August 4, 2009 at 2:26pm

Yikes that sounds a bit rubbish. I use a Nikon with a battery grip and a SB800 speedlight, never encountered camera battery drain much, but I eat up the AA's in the strobe like nothing on earth! I also carry around loads of spare NiMH batteries as backup buy jeez they add weight to an already bulging kit bag!

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