Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras - Retail Packaging by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras - Retail Packaging
Digital camera Review: Buy this, not an off-brand battery
Summary: 5 Stars
The real question is whether to buy the Nikon brand battery as opposed to one of its cheaper competitors. The answer comes in two parts. First, do Nikon brand batteries do the job well, and, second, are independent-brand batteries a cost-effective alternative?
As for the effectivness of the Nikon batteries, I have been using them in my Nikon D70 for over a year. I carry a backup but have almost never had to use it. The batteries have worked flawlessly all this time. I went on a 7-day climbing trip without having to change. The only time I ever ran down a battery in one session was using flash to shoot all the recipients at a large awards banquet.
As these batteries are not cheap, you may be tempted by attractive prices on off-brand batteries with output claims: "1700 mAh!" beyond that of the Nikon battery. This raises the second question, are the Nikon batteries worth the extra money or would an off brand be worthwhile? The answer is clear. With some products, off brands will perform about as well for far less money. But this is not the case with lithium-ion batteries.
For one thing, the off-brand's performance claims are exaggerated. Direct comparisons show that, despite their more modest claims, brand name rechargable batteries actually outperforms their imitators.
More importantly, the off brands put your camera at risk. If a Nikon brand battery were to damage your camera, Nikon would replace both. With the off-brand, you would be out of luck. This is not an idle "what if." Lithium-ion batteries are dangerous if something goes wrong. The batteries (actually battery packs) are full of safety circuits and other measures; that is why they are expensive. And even then, Nikon recently had to recall thousands of lithium-ion batteries due to a fire hazard. If this happened with a recognized company that has its own cameras at stake, what are the risks with a no-name manufacturer that markets a product for an eighth the price and has little to lose if something goes wrong?
Just buy the Nikon battery. It is the only sane way to go.
Digital camera Review: Buyer Beware...
Summary: 1 Stars
I love the battery, and have several of them for my various Nikon cameras. But I gave this a low review because of the issues that I had with the battery that I got. The battery that I got in the mail when I ordered this worked in my D200 but not my D300. Doing some research, it turns out that I got a counterfeit battery. These batteries work (probably not quite right) in the D200 but not the D300. Looking at the battery it is easy to tell the fake battery, by looking at the Nikon hologram. When you look at the hologram at a 30 degree angle, it should look Green, while the fake one continues the orange tint.
Just beware when buying...
-Matt
Digital camera Review: Camera Batteries
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had not problems with these batteries, which I've been using for about 5 years. I've been told, by the company from whom I bought the Nikon D 700, they they are better than the imitations.Digital camera Review: Can't go wrong with an original
Summary: 5 Stars
Stick to the manufacture original. Ordered one as a backup battery. I swap between 2 batts during charges but I will tell you they seem to last forever. I have never needed to change a battery during a shoot when fully charged. I use a D700, no pop up flash, no VR lens and lcd viewing is average. I have shot off 500+ frames at a wedding and the battery meter only went down one notch!
UPDATE: still going strong. Latest wedding shoot: D700, 600+ frames, about 200 shots used built in pop up flash as remote flash commander with monitor preflash. Often reviewing on LCD screen. Switch between several different lenses, one of them being 70-200 f/2.8 with VR ON. Camera was always on during 8 hr day. Battery meter only went down to half! I'm starting to think I don't need a backup battery. ha.
Digital camera Review: Chinese Knockoff
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this item on the assumption that it was a Nikon brand battery. Upon receiving it I found it to be a Chinese made knockoff. A previous battery I purchased from another supplier was a knockoff and its longevity was half of the Nikon brand. If it is a knockoff it should be advertised as such. I will never buy from this supplier again.