battery preference.

[dxrocnxj]

what do you all prefer for an external flash? i have the sb600 and i just had to ask what batteries work longest or are worth using.
what type of batteries; lithium, regular na batteries?
is it worth it to buy rechargeable ones?

[LR Max]

I bought two sets of rechargables. I started with the energizer 2500mah ones, then bought NUONs. They are pretty much the same things (NUON is the brand for Batteries Plus).

I use my strobe a lot, thats why I bought 2 sets. It'll save you a lot of money in the long run. They don't last *as long* as the high end energizer high-dollar AA batteries, but they work very good. Generally, I can go out and do a whole photoshoot, using my SB-800 all day on one set of rechargables. If it dies early or takes too long to recharge, I just swap to the second set. No biggie. I go home, charge the dead set. It usually takes all night to recharge them. Then good to go.

The cheap-o AA batteries suck in the strobes. Just FYI.

[K1W1]

The only thing to watch with rechargeable NiMH batteries is that the batteries do not seem to hold charge as long as LiION or NiCAD's when they are not being used.
Make sure that you charge the batteries immediately before you are going to use them to be safe. Don't assume that because they were charged last week or last month and haven't been used they are okay.

[colemanr]

While that's good advice, "hybrid" rechargeable batteries go a long way towards minimizing charge loss while the batteries are sitting around. GE/Sanyo (marketed under "Eneloop") and Rayovac make versions that you can get at Walmart or Target, usually with a charger (although any NiMH charger will work).

Lots of folks on the Nikonians Speedlight group swear by them.

Rob

[Rooz]

i used to use the energisers until someone here, i think it was jcon, put me onto eneloop. by far the better battery. they are superb.