Note: Kirk is "the Affordable Full time Professional Wedding Photographer Winsdor, Ontario". Here is the Link to KW Masters Photography.
Introduction:
The first problem that everyone encounters when using a Flash gun is that the batteries don't last very long. Today, we will look at the alternatives to making that problem go away. Typically, I change my batteries perhaps twice and can shoot over 3,000 flashes. So stay tuned.
Different Battery Types:
I could list the standard battery types that you can use in your flash. What I will list is the 3 types that I recommend.
A. Nickel Metal Hydride
B. Lithium
C. Lead-Acid and Hydrogen
Nickel Metal Hydride:
Don't even consider using the throw away batteries other than these re-chargeable ones unless it is your last hope. You will get considerable life or number of flashes from these. I try to buy batteries rated at around 3000 mAH. It is impossible for use to tell exactly if this rating is true or just on the label. Keep them charged right up to the day of the wedding. I always pack my flashes with fully charged ones on the morning of the wedding. We have about 60 batteries in total for 2 flashes. I buy them from the C- Hina company and expect about 1 month for delivery. Cost is very low. I use E-bay and never have had a problem.
Lithium:
I almost bought a big package of these from Costco until I looked at the price. The thing that I dislike about these is the price and the fact that I can't as yet, recharge them that I know of. That might change or should change in the future.
Lead-Acid:
Our biggest rechargeable batteries are our rechargeable lead-acid unit for the Quantum, at the size of a rectangular shape of your camera body. So you know that it is big and a bit heavy.
You must purchase an expensive cable for this unit that will plug into the side of your Canon 580 EX II. Our backup battery is a Hydrogen unit about the same size as the Quantum but will shoot about 4,000 flashes per charge. I carry it with a strap around my neck and plug it into the camera flash with another special cable.
Battery Packs
An alternative to using the larger battery packs is to get ones that carry either 6 or 8 or your normal AA batteries. These also plug into your camera flash.
The clear advantage of using theses types of battery packs is cost and the fact that you can use your AA rechargeable batteries. You can also get them on E-Bay made by the C-Hina company. Canon also sells similar units but the price is much higher. I noticed that you now can buy larger batter packs with a cable like about Lead-Acid units. This is a great idea and the prices are very reasonable.
Summary:
The most important piece of photography equipment after your camera and lens is your flash. As part of the flash, you need lots and lots of power. Additional battery packs have been used by professional photographers for a long time. The price of these units is and was expensive. Alternative products are available and much more affordable. The last thing that you need to happen when photographing your bride is to run out of power for your flash. Make sure that you are covered by having backup battery packs.
- Kirk is a Professional Wedding Photographer in Windsor, Sarnia, London and Southern Ontario Canada. In appreciation if you would be so kind as to give a G+ and a Facebook Like KW Masters Photography on his Facebook page.
- View Kirk Masters Profile
- Vistek.ca for your professional camera needs.
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