Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: BP-511A  (Read 4462 times)

cookielida

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 29
    • http://
BP-511A
« on: October 06, 2006, 05:09:04 am »

Hey all!
I have been looking for purchasing a backup battery for my 20D.
Interestingly (but not so surprising), the difference in price between the Canon original battery and the replacemnt can get as high as 100% (!) here in Israel...
As this is the case, I am asking those of you who have experince with both original and replacment brand of the BP-511A, if there is a REAL difference other than the name tag on the plastic cover? Do you really feel that the Canon original yield more juice or is more reliable than the replacement options? If the difference is marginal, which replacment brand did you buy?
Thanks for your time,
Chen
Logged

Ronny Nilsen

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 361
    • The Quiet Landscape
BP-511A
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2006, 06:18:27 am »

Quote
Hey all!
I have been looking for purchasing a backup battery for my 20D.
Interestingly (but not so surprising), the difference in price between the Canon original battery and the replacemnt can get as high as 100% (!) here in Israel...
As this is the case, I am asking those of you who have experince with both original and replacment brand of the BP-511A, if there is a REAL difference other than the name tag on the plastic cover? Do you really feel that the Canon original yield more juice or is more reliable than the replacement options? If the difference is marginal, which replacment brand did you buy?
Thanks for your time,
Chen
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=79285\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I use a GP battery with my 20D, and now in my 5D, and it worsk just the same as the one with Canon marked on it. I have both the GP and and the Canon battery in the grip at the same time, and it works.
Logged
Ronny A. Nilsen
www.ronnynilsen.com

david75

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10
    • http://ennegativo.blogspot.com
BP-511A
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2006, 08:12:44 am »

I use a Hama battery and works perfectly  
Logged

kaelaria

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2223
    • http://www.bgpictures.com
BP-511A
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2006, 08:45:10 am »

Canon does not manufactuer the battery, it's mearly rebranded and passes through a few more people to mark it up to you.  I have bought 10+ generic batteries off eBay for less than $5 ea. and they ALL last as long if not longer than the OEM branded.  Don't waste your money on OEM branded batteries!!
« Last Edit: October 06, 2006, 08:45:44 am by kaelaria »
Logged

DarkPenguin

  • Guest
BP-511A
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2006, 10:50:00 am »

The generic replacement I bought at Walmart ended up with corroded contacts in under a year.  The sterlingtek batteries I bougt for $11 are still going strong.
Logged

Gordon Buck

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 458
    • LightDescription
BP-511A
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2006, 11:19:31 am »

I've used a number of Sterlingtek BP511 batteries in my Canon G3 and 20D.   Those batteries seem to work well although my general impression is that  occasionally one doesn't last as long as the average.  As a test, I marked the last four with the date of purchase (Dec 2005) and all are still working fine.
Logged
Gordon
 [url=http://lightdescription.blog

Andrew Teakle

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 90
    • http://www.andrewteakle.com
BP-511A
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2006, 05:36:58 pm »

We have 4 generic batteries as well as the 2 Canon batteries that came with the 20D & 5D. I have found no difference in reliability or power output between them.
Logged
Andrew

thienanhpham

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5
BP-511A
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2006, 06:14:57 am »

I have 2 canon batteries and 4 other generic  bateries.... to use on 5D and 10D.. there are no differences... I guess i beat everyone's price here...i paid 2 cents for each generic battery and $8 shipping.... so $8.02 total each .....

Check ebay ....
Why do people still buy genuine canon baterries for $40 or $50 ?????  

<----- OPPS....just realize that i didn't beat kaelaria's price  
« Last Edit: October 13, 2006, 06:16:02 am by thienanhpham »
Logged

kaelaria

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2223
    • http://www.bgpictures.com
BP-511A
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2006, 08:07:12 am »

Because a lot of people let fear rule thier lives!!  Oh my goodness if I don't use this $60 CANON battery my camera will burst into flames!  lol
Logged

benInMA

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 186
BP-511A
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2006, 02:54:54 pm »

Go Generic... get whatever has the same voltage rating as the Canon battery and the largest mAh rating you can find.

I have had 2 Canon batteries, the one that came with my 10D, and the one I have that came with my 5D.

The one that came with the 5D has a higher mAh rating then the one that came with the 10D, but neither matches the rating of the $10 ones I got off Ebay when I had the 10D.  The $10 generic ones last longer, quite a bit longer.

Generic BP-511/BP-511A batteries are everywhere here in the US, almost all of them are probably fine.  It's not even a weakness to have to use a proprietary battery cause almost all camera stores have them.  (As long as you're here in the US)
Logged

Hutch

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 25
BP-511A
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2006, 11:45:39 pm »

I guess I am the odd person out on this string.  When I bought my 20D almost 2 years ago I purchased a $20 generic brand as my backup instead of a Canon $50 OEM.  Within the first year I noticed no difference.  However now the life of the generic is terrible and I get a small fraction of the shots before its dead with the generic as compared to the Canon battery that came with the camera.  From this experience I am going to spend the extra $30 next time.  Hell, I spent more than 10 fold on the body and initial lens purchase, so I'm not quite sure why $30 was such a big deal at the time.  I definitely got my $20 worth out of that battery though so I am not complaining.

Eitherway keep in mind that Lithium Ion batteries are both a blessing and a curse.  Yes they don't have a memory like NiMH however once LI batteries are manufactured their life is ticking away as they slowly deteriorate internally.  That is why you should only buy what you need initially and then plan to add new batteries in the rotation as time goes on.  

Hope that helps.  

Hutch
Logged

Eric Myrvaagnes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22814
  • http://myrvaagnes.com
    • http://myrvaagnes.com
BP-511A
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2006, 11:09:44 am »

Quote
I guess I am the odd person out on this string.  When I bought my 20D almost 2 years ago I purchased a $20 generic brand as my backup instead of a Canon $50 OEM.  Within the first year I noticed no difference.  However now the life of the generic is terrible and I get a small fraction of the shots before its dead with the generic as compared to the Canon battery that came with the camera.  From this experience I am going to spend the extra $30 next time.  Hell, I spent more than 10 fold on the body and initial lens purchase, so I'm not quite sure why $30 was such a big deal at the time.  I definitely got my $20 worth out of that battery though so I am not complaining.

Eitherway keep in mind that Lithium Ion batteries are both a blessing and a curse.  Yes they don't have a memory like NiMH however once LI batteries are manufactured their life is ticking away as they slowly deteriorate internally.  That is why you should only buy what you need initially and then plan to add new batteries in the rotation as time goes on. 

Hope that helps. 

Hutch
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=80806\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
True. But my experience with batteries is different. I now have about 5 batteries for my 10D and 5D. Three are original Canons and the other two are cheaper generics. All but one have worked flawlessly for a couple of years (well, the one that came with the 5D is only a couple of months old). The one that loses its charge rapidly (in or out of the camera) is one of the Canons.

To me that suggests that battery failure is probably random, and the maker's name means little. I buy my replacement batteries at B&H, where even the "off-brands" seem reasonably respectable.

Eric
Logged
-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)
Pages: [1]   Go Up