Low cost batteries for Canon 5D - Glamour 1™ Putting the Glamour Back in Photography!

kgphoto · 06-13-2008, 07:59 PM

Hi Guys,

I just obtained a 7.3 volt lithium battery for a "Canon Video Camera" labeled BP511. The site said it was good for Canon 5D cameras. My "Official" battery is a BP511A and is a 7.4 volt.

Do you think this is any kind of problem? The difference in price was staggering.

I find standard batteries to be $65-$100 and these "other sites" batteries to be about $28.00. This one only cost $6.00, out the door, but it was on special.

It comes from a distributor in Arcadia Calif, but the box clearly shows it as a Chinese product. I have bought "Hong Kong" flash cables and devices and they have worked fine so I am inclined to believe this one will be fine..

I will check it with my meter once it is charged and then see how long it lasts.

**PhotoDave1** · 06-13-2008, 09:39 PM

I have an EOS 10D that uses the 511 batteries. I think the 511A batteries came out with either the 20D or the 30D. The batteries can be interchanged and and as far as I know will work in all Canon cameras that will accept that type of battery just don't mix them (ie: a 511 and a 511A in the same power pack).

I think the difference is the 511A battery has a higher milli-amp rating which means that at least in theory it will last longer.

This is what I remember and I think it is accurate but please verify it for yourself. Good luck!

jrsamples · 06-13-2008, 10:56 PM

Surprised not too many people here have posted about this... but then again, this has always been more of a picture forum rather than an equipment forum. Here's a link to the Sterlingtek equivalent. I've got 6 of them and all work wonderfully.. and longer than the Canon branded batteries. Oh yeah... good warranty and they will back it up.
http://www.sterlingtek.com/twocabp18bap.html

I forgot... if you put together a $60 order, the shipping is free. I got a spare charger and a couple of batteries for both mine and my wife's pointandshoot. Worth the free shipping....

Forgot to include...I use them right next to Canon branded batteries in my grips on my 30d (with the bg-e2) and 40d(with the bg-e2n). The grip manages them down independently anyway. Heck... you can swap a single fully charged battery into the grip and leave a partially charged battery in it and it performs just fine.

Just my 2 pennies...

**stevenD** · 06-13-2008, 11:47 PM

Personally I would never risk a $4000 camera to save $40 on a battery.

I recently bought a G9 and bought the Canon battery for $50 as opposed to the "alternate" version for $28

If a no-name battery fries your Camera, good luck with the warranty..

And I don't recall any after market batteries that are as good for as many shots as the OEM battery..

just my thoughts, if anyone has had success using them, no problem..enjoy!

Dakewl · 06-14-2008, 04:57 AM

I also have a 5D and I never buy canon batteries, here in Spain they are a little bit more expensive about 95$, I always use batteries of other brands, but well-known batteries brands, they last the same time and I've never had any problem. They cost around 30$

JoeyA · 07-03-2008, 11:24 AM

I've never, EVER had a problem with sterlingtek batteries. I used them for my Rebel XT, and I use them now for my 20D and 40D with no issues. They're at least as good as the originals.

Viajero · 07-04-2008, 12:15 PM

usually by the time I need a battery for something the manufacturer has stopped offering their brand name battery and I have to get an aftermarket one. I have done this with laptops, flashes, video cameras and everything else, never had a problem.

RVMD · 07-10-2008, 01:47 PM

We use Lenmar's from Office Depot, they work just fine and last a LONG time.

RVMD

BenE · 08-13-2008, 11:42 AM

Check with Radio Shack. I found them for $4.95 each, and when I asked why such a low price, I was informed that they are being taken out of the inventory because there is not much call for them. They want to get rid of them before they get stuck with a boat load.

These are the same batteries I paid about $50 for a year ago at Radio
Shack, and they work very well. I just used one and got 300 shots with it, which is about what I got with the original Canon.

jrsamples · 08-14-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenE

Check with Radio Shack. I found them for $4.95 each, and when I asked why such a low price, I was informed that they are being taken out of the inventory because there is not much call for them. They want to get rid of them before they get stuck with a boat load.

These are the same batteries I paid about $50 for a year ago at Radio
Shack, and they work very well. I just used one and got 300 shots with it, which is about what I got with the original Canon.

Too funny... I was just coming here to post the same thing...LOL! Work great. Right along with my OEM Canons and my Sterlingteks in my grips. Well worth the $5....