battery prices

David Lyga · May 2, 2012

Some battery prices are truly outrageous. I hate autofocus cameras but was 'forced' to take in a Canon Rebel 2000 with sharp kit lens (28 - 80) in a deal, for peanuts. But there are no batteries in it so I do not even know if it works. The camera looks to be in mint condition. What is it worth?

This model takes two CR2 batteries. I went to various venues in search of batteries (Radio Shack, other stores, etc) and was quoted about $16 for two batteries. They are 3 volts each and really nothing special, other than lithium (wow).

I do know that Canon offered a AAA battery pack that is able to convert this mess into a more user friendly mode, but I often wonder if the 'esoteric' battery requirements are more to promote battery sales (a deal made here?) or what. I refuse to pay $16 in order to check whether the camera actually works. I even got creative and used two 6V alkaline batteries that had been halfway used up but the indicator on the camera said 'battery low' so even that potential 12V (combined) was not enough.

If I do not get an answer here I will try to hook up, with wires, four fresh AAA cells just to check things out. Obviously, I am not the type of person who spends freely like most 'consumers' are prone to do in a culture that encourages such. - David Lyga (not cheap, but frugal)

ath · May 2, 2012

Using a 12V battery on a 6V design will most probably destroy the electronics if the batteries are strong enough. Probably you were just lucky. These AF Cameras demand quite a bit of current - button cells simply break down hence the "lo bat" sign.
The idea to hook up 4 alkaline (AA not AAA) cells in series is a good idea - thats what the battery packs do. Double check the polarity!

Personally I'm fine with cameras which take 2CR5 and avoid the 2*CR123 or 2*CR2 ones exactly for this reason.

Moopheus · May 2, 2012

David Lyga said:
The camera looks to be in mint condition. What is it worth?

If it's a 35mm slr, then the answer is "not very much."

CGW · May 2, 2012

David Lyga said:
Some battery prices are truly outrageous. I hate autofocus cameras but was 'forced' to take in a Canon Rebel 2000 with sharp kit lens (28 - 80) in a deal, for peanuts. But there are no batteries in it so I do not even know if it works. The camera looks to be in mint condition. What is it worth?

This model takes two CR2 batteries. I went to various venues in search of batteries (Radio Shack, other stores, etc) and was quoted about $16 for two batteries. They are 3 volts each and really nothing special, other than lithium (wow).

I do know that Canon offered a AAA battery pack that is able to convert this mess into a more user friendly mode, but I often wonder if the 'esoteric' battery requirements are more to promote battery sales (a deal made here?) or what. I refuse to pay $16 in order to check whether the camera actually works. I even got creative and used two 6V alkaline batteries that had been halfway used up but the indicator on the camera said 'battery low' so even that potential 12V (combined) was not enough.

If I do not get an answer here I will try to hook up, with wires, four fresh AAA cells just to check things out. Obviously, I am not the type of person who spends freely like most 'consumers' are prone to do in a culture that encourages such. - David Lyga (not cheap, but frugal)

Ditch/swap it for an older Nikon AF model that runs on AAs, e.g., 8008, 8008s, N90s and others. Don't fry it with ill-informed hacks.

A few months back I saw a rack of fresh Energizer CR223 on sale for cheap(like 3 bucks). Know that these are just two CR123 dressed in a plastic case. A couple of my Sekonic meters take these usually pricey single CR 123s. Trick is just to remove the cells from the CR223 case. Voila! 2 CR123s for $1.50 each.

Terry Christian · May 2, 2012

David:
I don't know if there is one near you, but I've had great luck with the Batteries Plus chain of stores. You can visit in person or they do mail order, and their website even has a nifty table detailing which batteries are required for most makes of film cameras. Their prices seem to be less than most retailers, too. If nothing else, it would be a nice source of information on the going price of a battery, in case searching eBay for batteries is a better solution for you.

Paul Goutiere · May 2, 2012

I've had some very good luck on Ebay sourcing batteries. Like the PX625 silver cells and LR44 silver cells.

I see CR2 batteries from China for $4.91 for a pair free shipping. Yep, it will take two or more weeks to get but the price is right.

lancekingphoto · May 2, 2012

I bought a pair of rechargeable CR2 batteries - with a charger - from eBay for about $12, as I recall. Again, they're shipped from China but it's hard to beat that deal.

sandermarijn · May 2, 2012

I use these (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/panasonic-cr2-5-pack-904?item=1), $6 for a five pack. They're excellent (the shop as well as the batteries).

MattKing · May 2, 2012

I have 2 Rebel 2000 bodies and the associated BP200 grips that take AA (not AAA) batteries.

They are good little cameras. They must have been very popular in their heyday, because they sell for very little money now. I think I paid about $20.00 for each of them - with kit lenses.

I picked up the BP200 grips at a camera swap - $10.00 for both of them.

I also bought a few CR2 batteries through eBay, because without the BP200 grip the Rebel 2000 is fairly small and incredibly light. Here is a typical eBay listing - 4 batteries for less than $8.00 http://www.ebay.ca/itm/4-CR2-CR-2-D...t=US_Single_Use_Batteries&hash=item1e6da1697c

Diapositivo · May 2, 2012

Lithium batteries last long than one may imagine. I think I probably changed the Lithium battery of my Yashica T3 twice in its life. They seem to be immune from auto-discharge. You only "pay" the energy that you actually consume. IIRC I changed the battery last in 2004.

With my Yashica T3 a 6V Lithium battery 2CR5 is declared to last around 60 rolls of 24 exposure when 50% of them is taken with flash. They also die slowly, so that you don't really need to have some spare battery with you.

For photographic purposes they tend to be superior to rechargeable batteries, because they don't let you suddenly without energy. If you plan to use the camera only occasionally a Lithium battery is probably the best option you have.

MattKing · May 2, 2012

I would agree with the previous post, except for one factor. The Rebel 2000 uses battery power to wind the film, so batteries tend to be used up quite quickly.

Diapositivo · May 2, 2012

Matt, the Yashica T3 which makes 60 135/24 rolls half of them with flash also has an electric winder/rewinder. I really am amazed at how long those batteries can last.

MattKing · May 2, 2012

Diapositivo said:
Matt, the Yashica T3 which makes 60 135/24 rolls half of them with flash also has an electric winder/rewinder. I really am amazed at how long those batteries can last.

For the Rebel 2000, Canon says 24 rolls with 50% flash use (24 exposure rolls at 20C).

I expect the EF lenses use a fair bit of battery powers.

Mike Wilde · May 2, 2012

Try the local electronics wholesaler if there is one near you.

The big one in the GTA is a chain called Sayal. They often sell batteries for half or less of thier retail price. the are sold in a plastic zip bag, uncarded and unbranded.

I have also bought cards of alkaline watch batteries there - each has 5 batteries of 10 different kinds for $5. It keeps watches, digital thermometers, pH meters, light meters (bridged kinds), etc in service. If they don't last as long as the $2.5 per cell varierty, I am still happy.

BobD · May 2, 2012

Batteries can be quite cheap on eBay, especially from Asian sellers. I buy from them regularly and never had a problem (except slow shipping at times).

As for Canon Rebels -- they may be good but I run from them. I can't give 'em away.

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