Camera Batteries

[Mike Farley]

I must admit that I have never really thought about what goes into a camera battery and why the OEM versions are so expensive, so this article on Imaging Resource was quite an eye opener. Lithium is a volatile substance which requires a number of precauitionary features to be safe in use. As the article says, even reputable manufacturers using the best components and highest construction standards have had the occasional problem. There are potentially serious consequences when corners are cut.

While I would never even think about purchasing a "genuine" battery via eBay, on one occasion when I needed a spare I bought an inexpensive third party unit through Amazon. It never had the same capacity, the number of shots between indicating a full charge and being empty is very low and sometmes it has been warm when removed from the camera. As I was only using it as a backup and it never exploded or burst into flames, I did not worry too much. This article has made me realise the risk I have been taking and the only place that battery is going now is in the bin.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/20 ... with-risks

[davidc]

I think this is a very well crafted piece of marketing. While the problems with Li batteries are real the idea that all counterfeits are some kind of scourge to be avoided is simply untrue. The reason being that the vast majority are produced in the same factories by the same people - the so called "third shift". Same with handbags, clothes... the Chinese factories so often used do not have the same limitations, employment practices or incentive to adhere to copyright law etc. that they do elsewhere so once the official production run has ceased the workers just keep going using the same materials to build things they can sell for their own profit.

This is why "legit" batteries are just as bad as counterfeits when it comes to catching fire. I too have bought and used counterfeits that have lower capacity, shots per cycle, recharge times etc. but by far and away they are absolutely identical - and in one case, better - than the "real" ones.

The very, very small section of the pie which are "genuine/bad counterfeits" made using cheaper materials and with far lower tolerances do exist and in many cases can't usually be told apart from others. Who is going to spend the time spotting real counterfeits from fakes? Sometimes it's obvious and they can be avoided.

It's in the camera companies' best interest to instil a sense of fear and paranoia in their consumers so they can sell them overpriced versions of the same ones on ebay. "You pays your money" of course, but don't assume everything you read is correct and with the best of intentions! Always look at these things with skepticism & with your critical thinking hat on!

[Mike Farley]

Undoubtedly part of the problem is price gouging by the OEMs, which opens up opportunities for third parties, some of whom will be more scrupulous than others. Even if Canon et al did price their batteries more reasonably, the bottom feeders would always be there.

This is why "legit" batteries are just as bad as counterfeits when it comes to catching fire. I too have bought and used counterfeits that have lower capacity, shots per cycle, recharge times etc. but by far and away they are absolutely identical - and in one case, better - than the "real" ones.

There seemed to be a spate of battery caused fires a few years back, but I have not heard of any recently. That does not necessarily mean that they are not happening, just that they are not sensational enough to be worth recording. As so often happens with the media, news outlets report inaccurately and lose interest after the initial story, so the actual facts following an investigation frequently do not become widely known. I did wonder at the time how many of the incidents were down to inferior third party batteries. The OEMs have had their share of problems, but they are more easily regulated.

To be clear, I have never used a counterfeit battery. Why I would want to trust someone who is deliberately misleading me as to what it is I am purchasing, whatever its provenance? Probably a better course is to stick with the more reputable third parties and pay a bit more, while still saving on the OEM price.

[davidc]

I think there's a distinction between "counterfeits" and "alternatives" too. I have bought many alternatives knowing full well they weren't legit OEM batteries rather than a counterfeit I assumed was the real thing. None of the ones I bought are branded Canon but perform just as well.

ON the subject of lithium batteries, this may be worth reading

http://petapixel.com/2015/10/15/psa-nev ... en-flying/

I don't know about you but those little orange plastic protective covers that batteries are shipped in are usually the first thing I throw away. Maybe it's time to start keeping them!

[Mike Farley]

I believe those FAA restrictions have been in place for some years. I did take a look at the regulations, but could not make much sense of them. If you do fly with spare batteries and do not have a cover for the terminals, insulating tape looks like the best option and only carry them in hand luggage.

[Rose]

I always carry my camera equipment as cabin baggage, including batteries, and didn't see ay sign of this advice when flying out of the USA a few weeks ago.