> As I am considering to buy the EOS-1D II, so I am checking on all the > extra's that I need to buy with it. Besides the standard camera I > will most > likely buy two extra batteries. At B&H the price for an original > Canon NP-3E > battery is $119.95, but at the link below non-Canon batteries are on offer > for just &37.99. > > The manufacturer claims to Provide better batteries, and also offers a > seriously better price. In the Netherlands the original Canon NP-E3 > batteries are on sale for Euro 163.00 each, which converts to > roughly $200. > As you can see I would save myself about $320 buying two non-Canon copies. > > Does anybody have any experience with these kinds of batteries, or can you > suggest any other options ? >
Don't bother with the knock-off for two reasons: - you will get over 1,000 pictures per charge with the stock battery pack in real life usage, I use EF100-400 with the IS on, and got over 1,000 images before I have to put the battery back on charge, so the two extra batteries you buy won't get used much at all, at best you can buy one just to know you have a back-up right away if it ever becomes necessary, that is unless you are planning to be shooting well over 1,000 images before being able to charge the battery. - the cheap battery from the place you mentioned is having a lot of mixed reviews on www.dpreview.com website, a few people seem to have no problems but most people have negative comments on the rubber seal, the clip hardware, the fitment, the electrical connector, have concerns if the pack has internal temperature sensor to cut off charging etc., quite a number of them have problems getting the battery to charge properly with the Canon charger. If I were you, get the real thing if you must, but else wait for someone else more reputable to come out with a pack that is compatible, you DON'T want to take a chance damaging the Canon charger or have the imitation battery pack fail on you when you need it the most. At US$39 for this imitation pack, the price alone should tell you the quality is probably not to par, and I would happily pay the extra $80 knowing I've got a good battery pack that I can trust. Ken * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
