7D Question.

[Stranger]

I've heard that the new Eos 7D will not accept third party batteries.
Apparently, if you use a non Canon battery, the indicator on the LCD warns that the battery has no charge, even when it's fully charged.
Can anyone comment on this ?

[flake]

The batteries are chipped and you can only use a third party one that also has a chip, these are available, but although they will tell the camera they are charged they do not have the full functionality of the Canon units.

If you buy a battery grip the camera does some clever battery management between the two to maximise the number of shots and discharges the batteries in the best way for them. If you try to mix two batteries the system is unable to do this and you can end up with one discharging before the other, which is not how it's supposed to work.

I have to say I am a little puzzled as to why someone would spend over £1200 plus a lens (close to £2000) and then think it's reasonable to save a skinny £20 on the very thing that powers it all ! The original Canon unit is available for £50 when it's added into the whole cost it's a very tiny amount, and it gives a lot of addition features the third party ones don't.

[Stranger]

Hi Flake,
I've used third party batteries in my 400D battery grip for years without any problems whatsoever so I expected to do the same with the 7D. In fact the 3rd party ones I use (7DayShop) perform better than Canons own.And at £4.99 each as opposed to £54 each it's a no brainer.
If I get a battery grip for the 7D I'll need another 3 batteries so the cost is getting silly.
£150+ for a few batteries is a rip off, plain and simple.
BTW, I'm hoping to close a deal which will get me the 7D body for around £800

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by Stranger

Hi Flake,
I've used third party batteries in my 400D battery grip for years without any problems whatsoever so I expected to do the same with the 7D.

With respect Stranger, the 400D isn't the 7D, doesn't use chipped batteries and neither are they the same type. If you are serious about getting a grip for your 7D then I think it would be very unwise to consider using mixed battery brands let alone one's that are not chipped by Canon. It's your decision of course but in this instance I personally believe Flake's advice is sound.

[anglefire]

I too agree with Flake.

There is a lot of technology in modern batteries - its not just a couple of chemicals that interact to give some power - Battery management is very important with Li Ion - they can be killed very quickly.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by Forseti

With respect Stranger, the 400D isn't the 7D, doesn't use chipped batteries and neither are they the same type.

Yes I realise that

Originally Posted by Forseti

If you are serious about getting a grip for your 7D then I think it would be very unwise to consider using mixed battery brands let alone one's that are not chipped by Canon.

Yes I've read that since my previous post was made.
Of course that now makes my battery requirement four instead of three, pushing the cost to over £200.
Canon can't seriously justify such a cost.
How can four batteries cost more than a half decent Compact Camera?
At least **** Turpin wore a mask.

Originally Posted by anglefire

- Battery management is very important with Li Ion - they can be killed very quickly.

I don't doubt it but surely that applies to all makes ?

At the moment I think it would be better to hang on until decent third party battery grips like the Targus arrive along with chipped compatibles. They're probably only weeks away and enough people will buy them to give reliable feedback.

[flake]

I'd like to see the £4.99 LP-E6 Battery, because Play.com have one at £23.00 7 Day shop only have a LP-E5 and an NB-2LH. So far as I can tell there are no third party batteries for the 7D nor are there any originals.

Based on a price of £23 and £49 (Amazon) for originals you aren't going to be saving anything like the amount you first thought.

[Stranger]

Flake if you check back you'll see that the £4.99 battery I mentioned was for my 400D (NB-2LH 7DayShop)
All I can see at Play.com regarding the LP-E6 is THIS ONE at £61.41.
There are plenty of non chipped LP-E6 compatibles for the 7D around but like we've established they don't 'speak' to the camera.Also they come with their own charger as they can't be charged with the supplied Canon one.

[anglefire]

How many shots is the standard battery good for?

My MkIII battery if the camera is used continuously (Ie not intermittent use over several days when the natural discharge and the repeated switch on/off has some effect) is good for between 4000 and 5000 shots. Some have had over 6000 on a single charge. The official specs say 1800shots. I can't believe the 7D battery life is as officially quoted - ie I would expect 1500 shots on a charge, based on an official life of ~800. I've only taken 3000+ shots in a day a few times - so two batteries for the 7D should be enough.

Of course, I guess video/live view would kill the battery quicker, so more might be needed in that situation.

Anyway, you knew the cost of the batteries before you bought the camera didn't you? Don't like the cost of spares/accessories, get a different camera.

[flake]

I knew that you were refering to the 400D but it's a little disingenuous to quote that when it's hardly a like for like comparison. A non shipped battery at £54 or £5 is indeed a no brainer, but a chipped one at £50 or looky likey at £23 without any of the supporting features isn't.

You have an advanced camera which with lens, grip, and body is probably going to be worth around £2K and you're seriously quibbling about £75 ? and that's if you buy three which you can't actually use all at the same time, and the loss of the advanced battery features, plus you can't even use the original battery charger.

Now I think that's what I'd call a no brainer.