Rechargeable cr123, 2cr5, cr2, etc. batteries

j-dogg · Apr 2, 2012

My EOS system uses all three of these, and anyone else who does knows how much these things cost. In the search for doing things cheaper, as always, and in an effort to be a complete hippie and reduce waste, I searched to see if I could purchase rechargeable versions of these batteries. Low and behold, they're all over the place on that auction site for roughly the same price as non-rechargeable variants in retail and camera shops.

Has anyone used these with any success? I've already converted my flash units to rechargeable AA and AAA's with excellent results and on my 540ez with the power turned down to 1/8 and 1/4 can go a week between charges. I get good life out of the 2CR5's in my A2's, actually they were purchased when I bought my EOS 650 almost a year ago and have found their way into my A2's now and seem to be going strong, though I have only shot maybe 30 rolls this whole year. However the CR123's don't last too long in my Elan 7e and my Rebel Ti will eat CR2's like no tomorrow.

The Patient · Apr 2, 2012

Hi J-dogg,

I can't really give you information about those batteries. Just like you, and for the same reasons, I looked at them, but read some negative experiences and decidedto wait if perhaps more reputable companies start making them. My solution for now with some of my camera's, including a canon EOS 30/Elan 7, is getting a grip that uses AA batteries. I paid about 25 euro's for the grip for the EOS 30, which is about 33 dollars. More expensive than the rechargeable batteries you looked at, but using rechargeable AA's, it will pay itself back. Personally, I prefer the added bulk of a grip on most camera's.

I only have the grip for a couple of months and shot about 10 to 15 rolls in that time, so can't give definative info about battery life. I use it with Eneloops and it still indicates that they are full, so I'm pretty satisfied so far. Even if 15 rolls would be the max, I wouldn't mind to much, since I have plenty of eneloops around.

Cheers,

Daniel

ras351 · Apr 2, 2012

Please check the voltage on the rechargeables and make sure they'll be okay in your cameras. The ones I looked at a few years ago were around 3.6V rather than the 3V of normal lithium cells.

palec · Apr 2, 2012

I've used CR2 3.0V Ultrafire batteries for a while, now. They don't last charged as long as non-rechargeable lithium batteries, but I usually carry a reserve with me.

removed account4 · Apr 2, 2012

ras351 said:
Please check the voltage on the rechargeables and make sure they'll be okay in your cameras. The ones I looked at a few years ago were around 3.6V rather than the 3V of normal lithium cells.

exactly !
output voltage can be off
and mess with your gear ..

j-dogg -
i have some cr123 batteries i am not using much anymore, i bought
a box/case of them, 10 shelf life ... if you want to buy them they are way cheaper
than buying them in a store &c ( 14$ for 2 is crazy ) ... i still use them once in a while
in a nikon flash that eats them for breakfast, but i can easily sell some ...

john

wildbill · Apr 2, 2012

I tried some rechargeable 123's for a while that I got off ebay. Not worth it, they didn't want to recharge and I wasn't sure if it was the charger or the batteries.
Surefire 123's are the best deal by the dozen.

removed account4 · Apr 2, 2012

wildbill said:
Surefire 123's are the best deal by the dozen.

or by the case !

MattKing · Apr 2, 2012

In addition to concerns about voltage differences, you need to be concerned as well about the internal resistance and current production capabilities for rechargeable batteries.

There are reasons that different cameras were designed to use different batteries (besides driving photographers to distraction ).

And jnanian's batteries are a good deal (from a satisfied customer).

In my case, I have cameras that I've bought the grip/AA battery holders for - I use them with the grip when I want the additional features (extra shutter release) and I'm most concerned with battery usage, and without the grip when I want a camera that is as compact as possible.

albcamp · Apr 3, 2012

About three years ago, I bought a pair of Chinese-made rechargeable cr2s with charger, on the big auction. I used them with a Minolta Vectis S1. A full charge lasted about one and a half rolls (25 exp.).

I currently use lithiums.

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 3, 2012

My experience with rechargeable batteries is they usually don't last very long maybe one third to half as long as normal lithium batteries do, not worth the cost savings and always needing to carry extras because of the shorter life. I've also found that the rechargeable batteries do not hold their charge long even when just sitting in the bag unused. And lastly after only a couple of years they usually won't even recharge anymore.

flatulent1 · Apr 6, 2012

Like albcamp, a few years ago I bought a pair of rechargeable 2CR5 to use in my EOS. The were close to worthless though, and I donated the set to some poor unsuspecting charity. B&H has General Brand 2CR5 for $5.95; since they have a long shelf life I buy several whenever I order film. My EOS RT, like the 650, uses nothing else, and will likely be retired if/when the batteries disappear altogether. I bought a battery pack BP-E1 for each of my 1-series bodies and use either AA lithiums or rechargeables.

j-dogg · Apr 7, 2012

The only issue is I'm pretty sure the A2's don't take grips, which isn't a problem really because those 2CR5's seem to last a while. I know the 650 doesn't, not a big deal it also uses 2CR5's. The Rebel Ti and Elan 7 does have a grip that uses AA's and those are my problem cameras so I'll find one of those. A grip wouldn't hurt that Rebel it's noticeably smaller than my other bodies.

flatulent1 · Apr 7, 2012

The A2 takes the VG-10 vertical grip. I couldn't find any reference to batteries, though.

Rechargeable cr123, 2cr5, cr2, etc. batteries

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