Good idea? Using different brand (EN-EL3e) batteries together.

[SoulBlade]

Hi

I intend to buy a grip for my Nikon D90. The problem is that I can get 3rd paty batteries at a more affordable price.
Is it a good idea to mix different brands in the grip? Or will it only result in one battery dying quicker than the other?

Nikon EN-EL3e

• Type: Lithium-ion
• Capacity: 1500mAh
• Voltage: 7.4
• 30-day warranty

Phottix EN-EL3E

• Type: Lithium-ion
• Voltage: 7.4
• Capacity [mAh]: 1600
• 6 months Warranty

Thanks
SB

[Robbie A]

Defnitely not a good idea to mix and match batteries especially those with different capacities and discharge rates. Mixed batteries tend to give inconsistant valtages which is def not healthy for your equipment.

[Andrew Roos]

I found this warning at a review of the MB-D80 grip. I can't vouch for it, though.

One thing I will caution you about is that the MB-D80 doesn’t like non-Nikon EN-EL3e batteries. Even if you put in an off-brand battery with a Nikon battery it will tell the camera that the batteries are too low to operate and you will get the flashing battery symbol in your LCD display.

[Anonymous]

Just did a quick test with my 7D's battery grip and it alternated between the two batteries on a per shot basis so I wonder just how much of a difference it would actually make, at least with that camera.

[SoulBlade]

Thanks for the input guys. I can always just lug an extra 3rd party battery around.

On the other hand, getting 2 same brand 3rd party batteries might solve the problem? I want to buy a non-Nikon MB-D80 grip.
http://www.camerastuff.co.za/shop/ph...um-series.html
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/32322..._Batterie.html

[Skyelark]

I've never had a problem with generic batteries or grips incl mixing original with generic batteries

Although if you are a extreme shooter - ie many shots per hour then different capacities and discharge rates may become a factor
Then small power inconsistencies & heat build-up become a problem as the equipment is driven to the edge of their capabilities
That is why Pro's normally stick to original despite the exorbitant prices

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Never a good idea to put different batteries together... by different I mean different capacities/discharge rates... just like a battery with a dead cell, the one battery will try and "charge" the other battery, generating heat, and generally reducing the per charge battery life of the set, and overall battery life altogether...

2x 1500mah or 2x 1600mah won't make much of a difference in the performance of the camera... in theory the 1600mah should last a bit longer... that said... if you have a system that can test, you might notice that the claimed "1600mah" is actually closer to 1300mah (exactly how do you think they get the battery sooo much cheaper?) this is not always the case, but keep it in mind.

You can see that phenomenon easily on AA size rechargeable batteries, where the stated value is actually "best-possible-achievable-capacity-in-perfect-conditions-as-worked-out-on-paper-not-considering-other-influences-like-heat-or-age-mileage-may-vary"

I stopped using third party batteries on my 20D already... they typically lasted more than a year shorter than my sets of actual canon batteries before becoming literally unusable... keeping in mind this is many moons and a lot of technology ago, I now stick to the brand.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Never a good idea to put different batteries together... by different I mean different capacities/discharge rates... just like a battery with a dead cell, the one battery will try and "charge" the other battery, generating heat, and generally reducing the per charge battery life of the set, and overall battery life altogether...

2x 1500mah or 2x 1600mah won't make much of a difference in the performance of the camera... in theory the 1600mah should last a bit longer... that said... if you have a system that can test, you might notice that the claimed "1600mah" is actually closer to 1300mah (exactly how do you think they get the battery sooo much cheaper?) this is not always the case, but keep it in mind.

You can see that phenomenon easily on AA size rechargeable batteries, where the stated value is actually "best-possible-achievable-capacity-in-perfect-conditions-as-worked-out-on-paper-not-considering-other-influences-like-heat-or-age-mileage-may-vary"

I stopped using third party batteries on my 20D already... they typically lasted more than a year shorter than my sets of actual canon batteries before becoming literally unusable... keeping in mind this is many moons and a lot of technology ago, I now stick to the brand.

[robbiemillar@telkomsa.net]

Not since the very beggining of the time when Nikon manufactured thie first item/product (sometime in the 40's I am led to beleive)...have they or did they ever own a factory or facility the manufactured camera batteries. Nikon have always bought the batteries out....most liklley from the Hahnel factory in Germany, which then relocated to Ireland.....from where it operates to this day. NB Ferrari dont make their tyres, Rolls Royce dont either.................and Nikon DONT make batterie's.

Google Hahnel, choose batteries....choose Nikon....choose camera model......for all make of camera in the world....plus remotes, cables and all other camera acessories.....all at half the price....sooooo ................."go buy where NIKON buy's.....and save a fortune...gd'luck

[Henk Coetzee]

Not since the very beggining of the time when Nikon manufactured thie first item/product (sometime in the 40's I am led to beleive)...have they or did they ever own a factory or facility the manufactured camera batteries.

Consulting the oracle, I find....

Nikon Corporation was established on 25 July 1917 when three leading optical manufacturers merged to form a comprehensive, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kōgaku Tōkyō K.K. Over the next sixty years, this growing company became a manufacturer of optical lenses (including those for the first Canon cameras)

So now we know.

Nikon have always bought the batteries out.

Can anyone give a rough idea of when the first Nikon camera actually used a battery at all?

[Leo Theron]

Consulting the oracle
Can anyone give a rough idea of when the first Nikon camera actually used a battery at all?

Depends… meter only?

If it is for a clip on, incident meter which fitted on the Nikon F… 1959

If is for a TTL meter, Photomic Ft with two PX13 mercury cells, 1965

Sources:

1. http://www.mir.com.my/michaeliu/came...meterprism.htm

2. http://www.cameraquest.com/nfinder.htm

Body?

Must have another look. Can be the F motor drive with its own battery pack.

=====
Hahnel from Germany as a battery supplier to Japan? Do not think so - Sony is still a leader in the OEM supply and onboard management of Li-Ion battery systems for portable devices - cameras, computers and music devices. Remember the exploding and burning Li-Ion batttery scare of a few years ago?

Hahnel is doing well to supply after market batteries for virtually everything, but the source of those cells? Most likely China.