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Posts Tagged ‘Batteries’

Manfrotto launches its own Canon, Nikon camera batteries and dual-bay charger

23 Oct

Manfrotto has introduced its own-brand camera batteries and a dual-bay charger that will be available exclusively in the USA. The lithium-ion batteries fit Canon and Nikon cameras, and are said to offer enhanced performance over standard batteries.

The HLX-E6N battery for Canon is a replacement for Canon’s LP-E6N, but the Manfrotto version offers 2000mAh over Canon’s 1865mAh. The Nikon alternative has slightly greater capacity than the 1900mAh of Nikon’s EN-EL15A and EN-EL15B batteries, but slightly less than the 2280mAh capacity of the EN-EL-15C.

The ProCube charger can accommodate two batteries of the same type and charge them simultaneously. The charger is compatible with batteries from Sony cameras as well as those from Canon and Nikon. An LCD panel shows charging progress as a percentage as well as in mAh, and also informs users of the health of the cells. The charging bay plate is interchangeable, so those with more than one brand of camera will be able to use the camera charging unit with different plates, and AA batteries can also be charged via a further included plate.

Sharp-eyed readers will note the striking similarity between the Manfrotto ProCube with its new batteries and the ProCube and batteries currently available from Hähnel. Perhaps existing Hähnel charging plates for other brands and battery types will also be compatible with this Manfrotto version. While Manfrotto has no track record in battery technology Hähnel does, and it is a pretty good one at that, so we can assume these will be very good alternatives to those supplied by the camera manufacturers.

Manfrotto Professional Batteries will cost $ 49.99, while the ProCube will cost $ 79.99 including adapters for European and UK plugs. For more information see the Manfrotto website.

Press release

NEW PROFESSIONAL BATTERIES AND CHARGERS FROM MANFROTTO

  • High quality batteries
  • Charge 2 batteries simultaneously, or 4 AA batteries
  • Intelligent fast IC charge control

Vitec Imaging Distribution, world leader in the photography and videography, imaging equipment and accessories industry announces their new range of batteries and chargers – the first they have produced.

High quality batteries
Exclusive to the US, Manfrotto batteries and chargers go above and beyond the standard offerings currently on the market. With faster, more efficient charging and higher quality batteries, the Manfrotto Professional li-ion batteries deliver additional capacity, extra performance and ultimate reliability. The best UL approved cells have been carefully selected to ensure an extended life cycle, performance and safety.

Think all batteries are the same? Think again. The Professional li-ion batteries have been built to withstand tough environments and extreme field conditions – each battery has been injected with silicone giving them a shock absorbing construction, superior circuit protection and additional electrical insulation. They are drop proof up to 9ft, so you know you can rely on them whatever environment you are in.

Simultaneous charging
It isn’t easy to replenish two batteries at the end of the shoot as cameras are only supplied with the means to charge one. The Manfrotto ProCUBE will give you the capability to charge 2 batteries at the same time. It features a sturdy metal shell and interchangeable plates that each accept a pair of batteries as well as a plate for charging four AA batteries. The battery holders simply clip into place, whilst the AA plate fixes magnetically onto the top of the unit. The Manfrotto ProCUBE is an essential piece of kit for professionals who use multiple cameras from the same brand.

The easy to read LCD display shows the charging status of each battery as well as a battery health check, and the USB Power Source and Car Charging Cable means you can charge wherever your shoot takes you. US, Euro and UK plug adapters are also included.

The Professional Batteries are available for Canon and Nikon. MAP $ 49.99

The ProCube Chargers are available for Canon, Nikon and Sony. MAP $ 79.99.

For more information see https://manfrotto.com/us-en/products/batteries-chargers/

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon wins lawsuit against eBay sellers accused of peddling counterfeit batteries

18 Jan

Canon USA has announced a successful lawsuit against two eBay sellers who were allegedly peddling counterfeit ‘Canon’ batteries. The camera company had filed a complaint against the defendants in October 2019, claiming the sellers were using its trademarks and that doing so could ‘mislead the public as to the source and authenticity’ of the products, potentially to their peril.

The legal victory took place on December 12, 2019, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. According to Canon, the defendants in the case were barred from ‘infringing and counterfeiting the valuable Canon trademarks.’ The sellers will also be required to pay Canon a ‘significant amount of money,’ according to the camera company.

Below is a copy of the court documents, obtained by PetaPixel:

Counterfeit batteries put both the operator and their camera at risk, Canon explains on its website. These products may be poorly made and prone to overheating; they may also offer lackluster performance when compared to the real thing, resulting in frequent recharging and shorter lifetimes. Signs of a counterfeit battery include lack of an anti-hologram sticker on the bottom, modifications to the company’s logo and an inability to communicate with the camera.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kessler Mag Max 3A adapter uses ordinary power tool batteries to charge cameras

17 Jan

Kessler, a company that specializes in accessories for filmmakers, has launched a new product called the Mag Max 3A, an adapter that works with select DeWalt power tool batteries for charging cameras, smartphones and certain other equipment. The adapter can be used with the DeWalt 20v Max and 60/20V Flex Volt models.

The adapter is quite unusual, but it’s easy to see how some users may benefit from this arrangement. Power tool batteries are available at most hardware stores, are fairly affordable, compact and something many people already own.

Kessler explains the reason it launched this product, saying, ‘The Mag Max 3A was developed to fill a void in the market for an inexpensive battery solution with a readily available common battery that can be found in almost every country in the world and at most hardware stores.’

The company selected DeWalt batteries for its adapter due to the brand’s popularity in a variety of industries, according to Kessler, including filmmakers and audio recordists.

The Mag Max 3A adapter is capable of powering DSLR and mirrorless cameras, Kessler’s motion control systems, LED accessory lights, monitors and other common gear that draw up to 3 amps of power. The device is made from high-grade aluminum, includes multiple 3/8-16 and 1/4-20 mounts, embedded neodymium magnets, as well as optional accessories that include a gold mount stud kit, V-lock kit and belt clip.

The Mag Max 3A adapter is available from Kessler now for $ 250, though it is currently discounted to $ 200. The DeWalt Flex Volt battery costs around $ 129 from most retailers, meanwhile, and the DeWalt 20V Max battery costs around $ 189.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon confirms some counterfeit EN-EL15b batteries were sold by authorized retailers

29 May

Last week, B&H Photo began emailing customers who had purchased Nikon EN-EL15b rechargeable Li-ion camera batteries, advising these buyers that they may have received units from a ‘subpar batch.’ The company didn’t elaborate on what subpar meant in this instance, but did state that it would replace all Nikon EN-EL15b batteries it had shipped because it couldn’t determine which customers had received the bad units.

Following a leak that claimed as much, Nikon has confirmed counterfeit EN-EL15b batteries have been sold by authorized retailers to some of its camera owners. In a statement to DPReview, a Nikon spokesperson said:

We have been made aware that some customers who purchased individual EN-EL15b batteries from authorized Nikon retailers received defective product. These batteries are not genuine and were not manufactured or distributed by Nikon USA. Concerned users can find a guide for determining if the battery they have purchased is a genuine Nikon battery at this link.

Counterfeit batteries may be poorly constructed and cause damage to the camera hardware; lithium-ion batteries are known to be volatile and counterfeit units are particularly prone to overheating, which may result in fire or explosion. In addition to the fake EN-EL15b batteries, Nikon says it has been alerted to other counterfeit batteries intended for its hardware, including fake versions of its EN-EL11, EN-EL10, EN-EL9a, and others.

Nikon customers who have purchased camera batteries from third-party sources can evaluate their products for signs of being counterfeit using Nikon’s guide. Indications may include font differences in the logo and text on the battery and the possible inclusion of the battery model number on the front of the batteries.

B&H Photo encourages its customers to recycle the EN-EL15b batteries they received from the retailer. These customers will receive free authentic replacement batteries from B&H, which will send both order processed and shipment emails to the customers.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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US transportation agencies ban passenger aircraft from transporting lithium-ion batteries in cargo

01 Mar

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration have announced a new Interim Final Rule banning the transportation of lithium-ion batteries in passenger aircraft cargo. As well, the new rule requires lithium-ion batteries transported on cargo planes to have no more than a 30% charge.

The new rules were revealed by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao on Wednesday. The regulation is intended to help protect passenger and cargo aircraft from potentially catastrophic fires that may result from faulty lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to catching on fire and exploding when they overheat. Below is an older video shared by the FAA showcasing what can happen when a lithium-ion battery fault.

Travelers flying in passenger aircraft retain the option of packing lithium-ion batteries in their carry-on luggage. This includes devices with non-removable batteries, such as phones and laptops, as well as standalone batteries, including power banks and spare cameras batteries.

The Interim Final Rule follows the FAA’s 2017 proposal for a global ban on lithium-ion batteries in checked airline luggage. The recommendation was made based on tests conducted by the FAA, which found that fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in a plane’s cargo hold could potentially result in ‘the loss of an aircraft.’

The full Interim Final Rule can be read here [PDF].

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Escura Instant 60s is a retro-inspired instant camera that doesn’t need batteries

04 Nov

Battery-free instant cameras and printers appear to be all the rage right now. So, naturally, another company is tossing its hat in the ring. Hong Kong-based CARBON, a brand under the Graphic Guides Design Company, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Escura Instant 60s, a hand-crank Instant camera that uses the ubiquitous Instax film.

The camera, which is built with a retro 60s-inspired design, features a 60mm equivalent lens, two aperture options — F8 and F11 — and a shutter speed of roughly 1/100th of a second. There’s also a bulb shutter mode when using the optional spring shutter release cable. It’s also possible to capture multiple exposures on a single Instax print.

As with past battery-free cameras and printers we’ve seen, the process is as simple as turning the winding mechanism after capturing a shot. As you turn it, the print runs through the rollers and is fed out the top, ready to sit and be developed over the course of 90 seconds or so.

CARBON has also developed an external flash designed to be used with the Escura Instant 60s. It features the same retro design and is automatically synchronized with the shutter release.

The Escura Instant 60s is expected to ship in February 2019. Pledges start at roughly $ 55 (converted from HK$ ) for a single camera and go up as more cameras and add-ons are included. To find out more information and to secure your pledge, head on over to the Kickstarter campaign.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Holga launches hand-crank instant printer that doesn’t require batteries

12 Oct

Holga Digital has launched a new hand-cranked instant photo printer that works with smartphones. The device is being funded on Kickstarter, where the company presents an Instax printer that “looks like a Holga 120 without the lens.” It’s crafted with molded polymer and works with any smartphone camera.

The Holga Printer has a relatively unique design, requiring the user to unfold components into an elevated platform upon which a smartphone is placed. Printing requires the user to press the shutter, then hand-crank a knob to print the Fuji Instax instant photo. The device doesn’t require batteries or wireless connectivity.

Holga Digital is offering backers a Super Early Bird Holga Printer for pledges of $ 51 ($ 398 HK). The device is estimated to start shipping to backers in March 2019 with global availability. Holga plans to release a mobile app for Android and iOS that’ll launch alongside the printer. This app will allow users to apply Holga filters to digital images, as well as add text and icons. Supported effects include a color mode, black & white, double exposure, and Holga effect.

For more information and to secure your pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid

30 Sep

Road trips, and other “off the grid” travel adventures are a time for slowing down, for finding the unexpected, and for reconnecting with the world around you. Unfortunately, for us photographers, they can also be a time of anxiety and frustration. How can you keep your camera charged so it’s always ready when inspiration strikes? How can you handle batteries and backups of your photos so they aren’t lost in the mix before you return home?

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - photographer shooting in a canyon

As a consummate road-tripper and photographer, I’ve spent many years fine-tuning how to keep my camera charged, and my photos safe, for weeks of off the grid travel. Here are some tips to help you do the same.

Charging 101

Many cameras, from point and shoots to DSLRs, are powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Li-ion batteries are small, lightweight, rechargeable batteries that can tolerate hundreds of charge and discharge cycles.

They are recharged by an external charger, which comes with your camera when you purchase it. That charger plugs into a wall via a two-prong plug and feeds off your house’s Alternating Current power (also called AC power).

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - external battery

Here’s where charging off the grid gets tricky. Unless you’re staying nightly in a hotel room, two-prong AC plugs (and the charging capacity to power them) are hard to come by. In order to keep your camera battery charged, you will need to adapt.

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - camper van

Essential Charging Gear

Start out by purchasing a universal Li-ion battery charger. Universal chargers can hold almost any kind of small Li-ion battery, and come with a two-prong plug as well as a 12-volt Direct Current (DC) adapter. This adapter is cylindrical and fits into your car’s 12-volt port (traditionally called a “Cigarette Lighter” charger).

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid

If you plan to drive for long distances each day and are only looking to recharge a camera battery, this may be all you need. If you plan to charge other devices—tablets, phones, and laptops—or won’t be driving, you’ll need a power bank.

Power Banks

Power banks are essentially big batteries. They receive a charge, either from a wall outlet or an alternative source like solar panels, and hold onto that charge until you need it. Power banks vary greatly in size, weight, and capacity.

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - power bank

Small USB power banks are perfect for powering cell phones and tablets. Depending on their capacity, they can recharge a phone or tablet anywhere from two to eight times.

Though they are harder to find, some small power banks also have a two- or three-prong port for plugging in a Li-ion camera battery charger. For quick trips where a little backup is needed, these power banks are just right.

If a little backup isn’t what you’re looking for, it’s time to call in the big guns. Portable power stations range in size from 150 to 1250 watts and are designed to be a full-service power solution. Power stations offer three-prong ports for AC power, multiple USB ports, and a 12-volt port.

They can charge camera batteries, laptops, tablets, and cell phones with ease (charging capacity varies by model).

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid

Portable power stations are relatively large, as well as heavy. To illustrate, they are great at a campsite but too bulky to hike comfortably into the backcountry. These power stations are recharged by plugging them into a wall outlet, or by connecting them to solar panels and allowing them to charge for 8-12 hours.

If you’re looking for serious charging power, or plan to be off the grid for long stretches, a portable power station is a wise investment.

Note: Portable power stations cannot be brought on airplanes, though smaller USB power banks often can.

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - battery in use at campsite

Photo Backups

Is there anything worse than returning from travel and finding your image files are corrupted or missing? A savvy photographer will avoid this scenario by doing daily backups of their images.

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid - on the road

Backing up images online to the cloud is an option if you have fast, reliable Wi-Fi at your disposal. Set the backup to happen overnight, and you’ll wake up knowing your images are safe.

Fast Wi-Fi is hard to find. Hotel and coffee shop connections are often sluggish, so always be prepared with another backup plan. If you’re traveling with a laptop you can either back up the images directly to the computer or carry a rugged external hard drive. If the images are critical, such as a wedding gallery or a shoot for a client, back up the images to two different locations.

Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid

When traveling without a laptop, invest in a portable backup device like a Gnarbox. These small drives have an SD card slot and will copy and store all of the card’s images. Again, if the shoot is extra-important, be sure to back up the images to at least two locations.

Conclusion

Keeping your camera and other devices charged while on the road can be a challenge, but is made easier with a few pieces of essential gear designed to meet your charging needs. Together with regular backups, you can take images off the grid with ease and peace of mind.

The post Batteries and Backups: How to Shoot Off the Grid appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Video: How to safely and legally fly with camera batteries

18 May

Photography tutorial website The Slanted Lens has published a useful YouTube video guide on how to fly with lithium-ion camera batteries. These batteries are known for their volatility, an issue that reached mass public awareness during the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall. The FAA likewise raised concerns last year over lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage, citing their potential fire risk.

In its video, The Slanted Lens outlines all of the different types of batteries photographers may fly with, including ones installed in devices and standalone/spare li-ion batteries. Though some devices with built-in lithium-ion batteries can be packed in checked luggage, the team explains, the TSA requires others—such as a spare/standalone battery—to be packed in a carry-on.

It’s a useful guide if you ever fly with your camera, and especially if you fly to shoots with multiple cameras, spare batteries, drones, etc. Check it out for yourself up top, see a written version of the guide here, and if you’re even more curious, the FAA also has a guide on batteries, which you can find here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Comparison: Cheap IKEA LADDA batteries beat Panasonic Eneloop Pro recycle speed

01 Mar

Good batteries aren’t cheap… or maybe they are. Putting that notion to the test is Martin Cheung, who recently published a video in which he tests the recycle speeds of inexpensive rechargeable IKEA LADDA batteries against more expensive Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries using Godox TT685 flashes. The results are surprising: the LADDA batteries actually demonstrated a noticeably faster recycle speed versus the Eneloop Pros.

The test was performed using both flashes, meaning the batteries were swapped to the opposite unit for retesting to ensure the difference wasn’t due to the hardware rather than the energy cells. The one caveat is that this is a test of recycle speed only—as Cheung explains in the video, he did not test the number of flashes the batteries are capable of powering.

Looking at each battery model’s specs, the Eneloop Pros ($ 21 per AA 4-pack) boast a 2550mAh rating, while the Ikea LADDA ($ 7 per AA 4-pack) have a slightly lower 2450mAh capacity. Assuming the two sets are capable of powering a similar number of flashes, however, the faster recycling speed and one-third cost of IKEA’s batteries make them the clear winner in this comparison.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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