Jump to content
🇩🇪 Neu: Leica SL3 Reporter ×
🇺🇸🇬🇧 New: Leica SL3 Reporter ×

X1 Spare Battery

Steve Lane

By Steve Lane
in Leica X

Recommended Posts

Steve Lane

Steve Lane

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Folks,

 

I am gong to be collecting my X1 this weekend and was wondering about spare batteries; I have taken a look around the web and cannot find a third party battery made by a reputable manufacturer such as Hahnel or Uniross. I have come across a few other unfamiliar makes, but am a bit wary of them.

 

Have any of you good people purchased anything other than the genuine Leica version? If so, what has been your experience?

Link to post
Share on other sites
bluebear

bluebear

Posted
Posted

I bought a spare Leica battery on the basis that, after paying as much as I did for the X1, (which I bought on eBay for well below the new price), I wasn't going to skimp on the battery by getting a third party one that might just not be 100% compatible or do harm etc. I'm sure most third party ones are fine, but I simply wasn't going to chance it!

Link to post
Share on other sites
wda

wda

Posted
Posted

I share bluebear's attitude. I have always bought genuine Leica batteries for my Digilux and digital M cameras. I haven't had a failure and the D2 batteries have lasted since I bought the camera in 2004! (That is over seven years. Perhaps I shouldn't tempt fate!) Why penny-pinch when you buy quality equipment?

Link to post
Share on other sites
Steve Lane

Steve Lane

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Why penny-pinch when you buy quality equipment?

 

This is what I am thinking; I am about to spend the best part of two grand on this piece of kit (with accessories), so another seventy quid should not really matter.

 

I have had some interesting results with third party batteries in the past; I purchased a Uniross one for my E-1 many years ago and it is still performing well today - better than the original Olympus one. I purchased Hahnel and no-name ones for my 10D and the Hahnel was still going strong when I disposed of the camera last month. The no name ones gave up a year or so after purchasing them. None have ever harmed my cameras, but I would not want to risk damage or warranty problems with my X1.

Link to post
Share on other sites
rkglover

rkglover

Posted
Posted

I suppose the reason one might pinch pennies when buying batteries is that sometimes pennies are short, and not having an extra battery on hand when the day is not yet done can be very frustrating. Plus having no spare battery can render my very nice camera very useless at times.

 

I was also concerned about using third-party batteries with my X1, so I researched it as best I could before selecting the batteries I purchased. Fortunately, I have had zero problems with them and I was glad to have them when I needed them.

 

Having said all of that, I would be interested in knowing if there is any evidence that third-party batteries will harm the X1 or affect its warranty. I can live with a battery not lasting as long as the Leica brand, because the price is significantly less. I am not interested in using a battery that will harm my camera.

Link to post
Share on other sites
lykaman

lykaman

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi,

I purchased a spare Leica battery, why spoil a high end piece of technology with a krap battery... Just My View.. my Leica batteries at Low, seemingly manage more images than when in the Full -> Low power curve..

I also run my batteries right down at least once a month..Then a Full recharge..

Having used 3rd party batteries in my original D-Lux & having them die at irregular intervals I learned my lesson.."If it's Leica, it's All Leica" --- ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites
rkglover

rkglover

Posted
Posted
Hi,

"If it's Leica, it's All Leica" --- ;)

 

I appreciate Leica quality as much as the next person. I have an M9 and three batteries for it, all of which are Leica batteries. However, as I noted in my earlier response, I have purchased Wasabi Power batteries as spares for my X1. I have had zero problems with these "krap" batteries. I get the same performance with them as I do with a Leica battery on my X1.

 

Again, I appreciate Leica quality, but does it make sense to pay 3-4 times the price for a Leica product if another one works just as well or perhaps only slightly less well, without impacting image quality or enjoyment of the camera, just so I can say "If it's Leica, it's all Leica?" Will these off-brand batteries damage the camera or affect my warranty? To the best of my knowledge, the answer to both those questions is "no." I'm asking these questions in all seriousness and not to argue for the sake of arguing, because If using these batteries will affect my camera or my warranty, I will toss them today and shell out the funds for Leica batteries.

 

Oh, I will also admit that I own Luigi cases for my X1 and my M9. Do you use only Leica cases for your Leica cameras? :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
Steve Lane

Steve Lane

Posted
  • Author
Posted
...If using these batteries will affect my camera or my warranty, I will toss them today...

 

I have wondered this myself regarding the warranty, so I took a look in the X1 manual, which states;

"Only the battery type specified and described in this manual, and/or

battery types specified and described by Leica Camera AG, may be used

in this camera."

 

If I am reading this correctly, Leica are saying that any type is OK and do not caution about using other brands?

Link to post
Share on other sites
rkglover

rkglover

Posted
Posted
I have wondered this myself regarding the warranty, so I took a look in the X1 manual, which states;

"Only the battery type specified and described in this manual, and/or

battery types specified and described by Leica Camera AG, may be used

in this camera."

 

If I am reading this correctly, Leica are saying that any type is OK and do not caution about using other brands?

 

Well, the user manual is a great place to look! This also prompted me to look more closely at the Leica Warranty (which I just extended on my D-Lux 4 by downloading the certificate). Looks like I am ordering new Leica batteries today for my X1! :eek:

 

Here's what the warranty says:

 

"Claims under warranty are null and void if the defect has been caused by improper

handling – which also can include the use of non-Leica accessories – if the Leica digital

camera has been serviced by unauthorized persons or workshops, or if the serial

number has been obliterated." [emphasis added].

 

Thanks to all for the discussion on this topic. But I'm not giving up my Luigi cases, as I don't think they will cause any problem! :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
rkglover

rkglover

Posted
Posted

Quick update - I have acquiesced and true to my word I just ordered two Leica batteries on Amazon. Good news is they were only $79.90 each, reduced from the full retail price of $140. Still a good bit higher than my krap batteries, which go for $15.99 each. :D

Link to post
Share on other sites
prk60091

prk60091

Posted
Posted

my concern with "off brand" or "krap" batteries is not the longevity - but the safety....i have had ebay purchased LiOn batteries recharge on my wood desk -get hot enough to blacken the wood.... I am concerned about the "off brand" "krap" batteries being safe and not blowing/or burning up my camera.... i bought a spare OEM battery - it is worth the extra money to me- to know that I am not going to burn my house down or melt my camera with inferior batteries.......

 

i do not know enough about battery manufacturers to know which are "ok" and which are "krap" nor is there a reason for me to do a lot of research- I am fortunate I can buy the OEM battery and not have the cost affect my lifestyle.... for those who cannot afford the OEM- i guess they will have to take their chances or do a lot of research

Link to post
Share on other sites
shinglj

shinglj

Posted
Posted

I bought a non genuine Leica X1 battery from a reseller here in Australia for A$29(US$29) and it has worked just fine for the past 6 months . The local price of the genuine Leica battery is silly money . Apart from the labelling on the battery the locally supplied item seems identical .Why waste your money ? The pricing of batteries by all the camera manufacturers seems to have a lot in common with the pricing of ink jet cartridge refills by the printer manufacturers . The Australian word for it is "gouging".

 

shinglj

The Rolling Road

Link to post
Share on other sites
iwh88

iwh88

Posted
Posted

I also purchased a couple of batteries from an Australian company ($29 each), they give a guarantee against damage to a camera caused by a faulty battery (up to $10k). I would have considered buying the Leica battery at $79, but here the price is way far above that.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
jpjansen

jpjansen

Posted
Posted
Folks,

 

I am gong to be collecting my X1 this weekend and was wondering about spare batteries; I have taken a look around the web and cannot find a third party battery made by a reputable manufacturer such as Hahnel or Uniross. I have come across a few other unfamiliar makes, but am a bit wary of them.

 

Have any of you good people purchased anything other than the genuine Leica version? If so, what has been your experience?

 

Steve

 

This is a no-brainer. Get the Leica spare battery. And get a spare power supply at the same time OR get used to carry your power supply in your carry-on luggage.

 

There is no point in wasting money on what are politely called "unbranded" batteries. I've had quite a few for various SLR/miniDV/other cameras; they are not always accepted by the manufacturer's power supplies, do not last very long and are a waste of money. Your mileage may vary.

 

Jos

 

PS Uniross, for certain Canon devices, aren't bad

 

 

Jos

Link to post
Share on other sites
lykaman

lykaman

Posted
Posted

Many years ago I bought 2 third party batteries for my original D-Lux, they never lasted in camera as long as the Leica battery, they charged quickly and got hot to boot..

I ditched them & took into account the cost of Leica batteries in my overall costing for my Nikons & Leica's..

I just gave my sons stepson my D3000 with it was a spare Nikon battery..My new D3100 + Nikon spare battery offers total peace of mind, as did the D3000/spare battery..

Yes by all means buy third party batteries, buyer beware...:eek:

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...