Sunday, February 21, 2010

Case for AA batteries

I am looking for a small case to carry extra batteries (I have 17 rechargeable batteries in total) and other small camera accessories on my belt or in my pocket for easy access. I am thinking of buying this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Case-Logic-MEQB-1M-Eva-Hardshell-Small-Digital-Camera-Case-Blue/10297714


For $8, it's pretty cheap uh?

For a cheaper alternative, there is this DIY battery case:

http://www.diyphotogear.com/AA%20Battery%20Case.html

However, there is no belt clip or carabiner.

BTW, about those Duracell batteries I just bought ... I used them yesterday (after the Energizers failed to work) -- these Duracells worked great.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Rechargeable batteries for my SB800

I had to throw away a couple of rechargeable Energizer 2500mAh AA batteries that I used in my SB800 speedlight. Below are the two batteries I threw away. Notice the white blotches on the side wall of the batteries and white powder residues on the edge of the negative terminal. I don't know what caused the white blotches and the residue -- the negative terminal is made of one piece, like those pressed aluminum cans of Coke, so it's not like something leaked out. In any case, I threw these two batteries away and bought some new Duracell 2000mAh Pre-Charged rechargeables. These Duracell rechargeables behave like the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables in that they will maintain 80% of their charge for up to a year, unlike normal rechargeable batteries.

Just to be clear ... you should not mix the different types of batteries when used in the speedlight. I will keep the Energizer set separate from the Duracell set.



For more information on the Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables: http://www.duracell.com/en-US/product/pre-charged-rechargeable-batteries.jspx

Invasion of What?

What are these bugs? I've never seen them before. I saw them at my parents' place the other day. Lots of them in soil or grassy areas.