Preferred AA batteries for Nikon F5

[Chan Tran]

My Garmin GPS has settings for alkaline AA and lithium AA batteries. So there must be a difference.

Disposable Lithium AA like Energizer Ultimate Lithium has voltage up to 1.7V. When it gets down to 1.5V it's kind of dead. Alkaline only about 1.55V new but most of its life is below 1.5V and usable down to 1.2V or so.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Disposable Lithium AA like Energizer Ultimate Lithium has voltage up to 1.7V. When it gets down to 1.5V it's kind of dead. Alkaline only about 1.55V new but most of its life is below 1.5V and usable down to 1.2V or so.

So I guess the Garmin GPS is lowering the voltage when using Lithium to match the lower alkaline when it's used.

 

[Robert Ley]

I have been using first Nicads, then NiMH batteries and I really like the NiMH for my flashes. If I got some Li ion rechargeable batteries would I need a new charger? and could i use them in my F4?

 

[Chan Tran]

I have been using first Nicads, then NiMH batteries and I really like the NiMH for my flashes. If I got some Li ion rechargeable batteries would I need a new charger? and could i use them in my F4?

You should be able to use them in the F4. Yes you need a new charger. But I have used NiMH in my F4 and it works fine too. The F4 can run on 4 AA so with the F4S and 6 NiMH NiMH should have no problem.

 

[dhkirby]

Okay, that makes me wonder if I should start with lithium. The only "problem" with lithium is the choice of specs: Even at 1.5 volts, there are different power ratings among available batteries.

Is there any disadvantage to buying rechargeable batteries (instead of disposable batteries

No disadvantage to rechargable. I've taken unknown thousands of photos on my F5, only ever really used rechargables (sometimes alkaline in a pinch). Rechargables work great. I personally haven't noticed a huge difference in performance between different types of rechargables, either, beyond the general "the better ones last longer" that's to be expected. Even cheapo wal mart rechargables have gotten me through a full week of daily usage.

 

[Chan Tran]

No disadvantage to rechargable. I've taken unknown thousands of photos on my F5, only ever really used rechargables (sometimes alkaline in a pinch). Rechargables work great. I personally haven't noticed a huge difference in performance between different types of rechargables, either, beyond the general "the better ones last longer" that's to be expected. Even cheapo wal mart rechargables have gotten me through a full week of daily usage.

I only have problem using AA NiMH with the F5. It's really not a problem but the camera would stop working on low battery before the batteries exhausted.

 

[dhkirby]

I only have problem using AA NiMH with the F5. It's really not a problem but the camera would stop working on low battery before the batteries exhausted.

I think that did happen to me once with a set of cheap batteries (where the low battery essentially immediately went to dead)...but I always have an extra set in my camera bag. Quick swap and I was back to work.

The only time my use of rechargables has come back to bite me was once at a friend of mine's wedding. I took the F5 out at the beginning of the day and realized I hadn't charged either set the day before. Smh. But that's 100% my fault, and not the batteries'. Luckly I had an all-manual body in my bag, and I was a guest (not the photog), so it didn't have a huge impact. But you can bet I learned my lesson lol

 

[Oldwino]

I have been using first Nicads, then NiMH batteries and I really like the NiMH for my flashes. If I got some Li ion rechargeable batteries would I need a new charger? and could i use them in my F4?

I've been using Li-Ion AAs in my F4 for over a year now. Works great. You do need a dedicated charger for them.

 

[Angarian]

I just ordered a well-used Nikon F5 body and I have no idea what kind of AA batteries I should get for it. I have spent quite a while reading (mostly old) content on the web regarding battery advice. There is a recent discussion on Reddit with only vague conclusions.

Assuming there isn't a battery that works perfectly in all F5 bodies, which should I start with?

I am always using Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries in the F5.
Works perfectly.

 

[Robert Ley]

Picked up four EBL Li-Ion AA batteries plus charger. Took about 4 hours to charge and so far they work great in my F4. Time will tell how they work.

 

[Chan Tran]

Picked up four EBL Li-Ion AA batteries plus charger. Took about 4 hours to charge and so far they work great in my F4. Time will tell how they work.

Oh I didn't know that you have the F4 not the F4S or F4E. I have the F4S and it takes 6AA so the low voltage of NiMH doesn't matter but since you only have 4 then may be NiMH doesn't work very well. I think the Li-ion rechargeable would work well.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

As well that brand EBL has Lithium AA for a cheaper price than Energizer, I just swapped out a set in my F5. I will update when those go. I got perhaps 50-60 rolls on my last set of Energizer Lithium AA's over 7-8 months. I only recently started using a few AF-S lenses so I think I accelerated the drain recently.

 

[rcdon]

I have HW-brand rechargeable Li-ion's for my F5. A set with an 8 bay charger was $32 US. Looks like the charger is the same as the one offered by EBL, but these batteries are rated for 3500mWh vs. 3000 for EBL's. Who knows how accurate those ratings are. They have been working great for me. I always keep a set of good disposable AA's in my bag as a backup.