Filed under: news by Jeff Servaas |
Glen from the DSLRusers.com forum recently did an extensive test of AA battery performance in his Nikon SB-800 flash, mounted on his Nikon D300 DSLR. I believe this is the first time a series of rechargeable AA batteries have ever been tested to see the real world results in a flash, and I am sure a lot of photographers will find this controlled test of real world value when choosing your batteries.
For the test, Glen compared four sets of 4 AA rechargeable batteries to see how many flashes could be achieved from each. Results are as follows:
Powerex 2700mAh = 266 flashes
Energizer 2500mAh = 242 flashes
IMEDION 2100mAh = 218 flashes
eneloop 2000mAh = 204 flashes
If you donʼt use your batteries as soon as you charge them, then test results are different. Some batteries are better at HOLDiNG their charge than others. Here are the results of the same test, 3 weeks after the batteries are charged.
Powerex 2700mAh = 250 flashes
Imedion 2100mAh = 211 flashes
Energizer 2500mAh = 208 flashes
eneloop 2000mAh =191 flashes
The Powerex 2700mAh have a higher energy retention rate than the Energizer 2500mAh. The Energizers were found to have a high self discharge rate, so much so that after just 3 weeks, the 2100mAh IMEDION batteries provide more flashes than the higher capacity 2500mAh Energizers.
Glen has noted that he is happy to conduct the test with other batteries if you want to know how yours compare to the four types already tested.
For capacity results and testing procedure details, read the full review here.
Comments (4)
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What settings were you using on your camera? How dark was the room? Can you help us by letting us know the conditions under which your flash was used?
Thanks
Comment by Garrett — September 18, 2008 @ 6:53 am
Hi Garrett
To ensure comparable test results, Glen set the SB-800 manually to 100% power. Follow this link to see the full test procedures
Comment by Jeff Servaas — September 18, 2008 @ 7:47 am
I have never tested this but from my own experience with Maha and Energisor batteries I thought the Maha’s would have produced considerably more flashes.
From my own experience I have found the Maha to provide a much better refresh rate for my SB800. This is extremely important to me as it often means the difference between a shot and a missed shot.
Comment by Jason Smith — June 9, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
@Jason, The low impedance design of the Powerex AA batteries means that the flash refresh rate is class leading. Many of our customers are wedding photographers who demand high capacity and maximum refresh rate.
My experience of Energizer AA’s is similar to yours: I have a set of Energizer AA 2500’s that will be completely flat just a week after charging them. I have had many other people have similar experiences, so the above example is best case scenario, and the performance gap of the Powerex 2700’s increases after just a few months as the Energizers degrade, both in refresh rate and in capacity.
Comment by Jeff Servaas — June 9, 2009 @ 4:32 pm