IWC Doppel Posted January 24, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 24, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a spare replacement (non leica, bought for £30 from a dealer) and the original battery. I find I have to charge up the Leica and spare before a weekend and I often have to change the battery during a day out. The Lieca old is much better than the replacement. Any advice regarding alternative batteries as another £70 is a lot for another spare battery from Leica. Plus should I turn on for each shot (which I currently do) or leave on S when I have my camera in hand. Thoughts and advice would be appreciated as I have to behave like a cub scout with preperation not to be caught out with no battery.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 24, 2012 Posted January 24, 2012 Hi IWC Doppel, Take a look here Batteries again. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted January 24, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 24, 2012 Why not just buy another spare Leica battery if you need one?. Expensive as they are, compared to camera and lenses the cost is peanuts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted January 24, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 24, 2012 :-D you're not implying being a good cub scout and being prepared is a bad thing, are you?:-D Two thoughts to share: a- jaapv is right, the easiest and straight forward-est way to replicate a Leica OEM battery is to buy one. Saving the fifty odd pounds getting a non-oem part inherently means opting out of the comforts an oem part offers. It's neither a condemnation of the el-cleapo or a praise of the oem supplier, it's just the way things are in life. b- It could be possible that the aftermarket battery has a defect or qc issue holding back it's performance. Lesser standards at manufacture is usually a key part of being cheap with these things, imho :-). Maybe get another cheap one and have that, your oem one, and this lesser cheapo, to give you a trifecta of power supplies for when you're shooting. c- If you do find a seller with a lovely knockoff battery for your M8, it doesn't mean the next battery was made as well or even by the same outfit who made your first battery. Yet another of the joys of non-oem buying. I wish you well and hope whatever battery or batteries you end up with are wunderbar. Sincerely Ricahrd in Michigan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 24, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 24, 2012 I've had very good experiences with bestbatt.com. (I have no affiliation with them.) The Canon camcorder battery I ordered had a big disclaimer that it wouldn't be compatible with the Canon's battery indicator and not to charge it on the camera. However, it lasted almost 4 hours compared to the 1 hour of the stock Canon battery and was 1/3 the price, so it was worth the tradeoff. It also came with both a wall and car charger. The M8 battery I ordered from there works just like OEM. Neither battery has caused any problems whatsoever with my cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted January 24, 2012 Why not just buy another spare Leica battery if you need one?. Expensive as they are, compared to camera and lenses the cost is peanuts. I guess it's just the principle, there is nothing magic about the battery, just good qaulity and not made by Leica. Having spent years with OEM parts for other products and finding alternatives that are non OEM branded but identical (same source of supply) I was kindof hoping. Leica lens hoods and caps is a case in point of how to overcharge for accessories and given how often you can lose the cap on the 35 Summicron you can probably see my thinking ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted January 24, 2012 PS I have zero problem paying the right money for well made and well designed parts and have no desire to take advantage of a manutacturer. I wish manufacturers did the same Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted January 24, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) :-D you're not implying being a good cub scout and being prepared is a bad thing, are you?:-D Two thoughts to share: a- jaapv is right, the easiest and straight forward-est way to replicate a Leica OEM battery is to buy one. Saving the fifty odd pounds getting a non-oem part inherently means opting out of the comforts an oem part offers. It's neither a condemnation of the el-cleapo or a praise of the oem supplier, it's just the way things are in life. b- It could be possible that the aftermarket battery has a defect or qc issue holding back it's performance. Lesser standards at manufacture is usually a key part of being cheap with these things, imho :-). Maybe get another cheap one and have that, your oem one, and this lesser cheapo, to give you a trifecta of power supplies for when you're shooting. c- If you do find a seller with a lovely knockoff battery for your M8, it doesn't mean the next battery was made as well or even by the same outfit who made your first battery. Yet another of the joys of non-oem buying. I wish you well and hope whatever battery or batteries you end up with are wunderbar. Sincerely Ricahrd in Michigan I was a cubscout I cant recall if I had a photography badge, I remember woodwork though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted January 24, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 24, 2012 I have two Leica originals and two aftermarket batteries. Often, I cannot tell a difference which one is loaded in the camera - they all last about the same and display their status in an identical way. It has been said that the aftermarket batteries behave better when used up completely and than fully recharged but, I do that with all my batteries regardless, whether NiCd, NiMh, Lithium etc. With aftermarket batteries for the M8 being available on fleabay at about US$40.00 for three batteries, I see no reason (economical or sentimental...) to use Leica originals. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 24, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 24, 2012 LiIon batteries will last longer if you do not use them down to zero, they like being recharged when not quite empty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted January 24, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 24, 2012 Jaap, I can appreciate that however, there are a few schools of thought about this. I have been using the same method for mobiles, cameras etc. As an example - my Samsung mobile phone battery lasted as long as the phone when after using it for 14 years I entered 21st century and got myself an iPhone..... And it is still going strong when used occasionally. When storing Li Ion batteries in the fridge (i.e. my laptop ones), they get stored with about 40% charge left in them - apparently that is the way to do it.... Cheers, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy S Posted January 24, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 24, 2012 Shortly after I got my M9 last May I purchased a couple of non OEM batteries as backup because original spares were not available, at least in the UK, for a few months. For the first couple of charges they were fine, then they would only take 40% charge and now nothing at all. Its a false economy imho, fortunately Leica OEM batteries are now widely available. If you love your M8 or M9, give them the real thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWatts Posted January 26, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 26, 2012 I have a spare replacement (non leica, bought for £30 from a dealer) and the original battery. I find I have to charge up the Leica and spare before a weekend and I often have to change the battery during a day out. The Lieca old is much better than the replacement. Any advice regarding alternative batteries as another £70 is a lot for another spare battery from Leica. Plus should I turn on for each shot (which I currently do) or leave on S when I have my camera in hand. Thoughts and advice would be appreciated as I have to behave like a cub scout with preperation not to be caught out with no battery.... I have been using DSTE batteries for over two years and have had no problems either charging or using. At two for £18 very good value. If they only last a few years thats O.K. for me. Find on eBay of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted January 26, 2012 I have been using DSTE batteries for over two years and have had no problems either charging or using. At two for £18 very good value. If they only last a few years thats O.K. for me. Find on eBay of course. Any links ? I can't seem to google Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWatts Posted January 26, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 26, 2012 Just go on to eBay and type DSTE batteries Leica M8 and take your choice. Good luck with them David Watts. Cornwall. U.K. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 26, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 26, 2012 ...The M8 battery I ordered from there works just like OEM... Interesting thanks. First time i've heard of this. In my experience, one must discharge the battery in the camera before recharging, failing which the camera meter gives false results. Do you mean that you don't need to discharge yours this way? Just to be sure before ordering one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 26, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 26, 2012 Interesting thanks. First time i've heard of this. In my experience, one must discharge the battery in the camera before recharging, failing which the camera meter gives false results. Do you mean that you don't need to discharge yours this way? Just to be sure before ordering one. I've never had to do that with any camera. When I get a new battery, I usually just top it off on the charger for an hour or so, then throw it into normal rotation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 26, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 26, 2012 Just a problem with M8 & M9 in my experience. All the third party batteries of my M8.2 need to be discharged completely until the camera stops, otherwise the meter of the camera give false results. Would you confirm that this problem does not exist with yours? Perhaps you bought it recently? Sorry to insist, just to be sure.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 26, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 26, 2012 I don't know how to be any more clear ... the M8 battery I bought from bestbatt.com has worked just like the OEM battery that came with my camera. No special charging or discharging required. No errors with the battery indicator. I purchased it almost a year ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted January 26, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 26, 2012 Just a problem with M8 & M9 in my experience. All the third party batteries of my M8.2 need to be discharged completely until the camera stops, otherwise the meter of the camera give false results. Would you confirm that this problem does not exist with yours? Perhaps you bought it recently? Sorry to insist, just to be sure.. I am curious, sir - could you elaborate more specifically on the circumstances of experiencing false meter readings? It sounds like an odd thing to be linked to batteries, but the mysteries of electronics and their magical maladies never ceases to surprise me. I know enough to keep my fingers out of light sockets, batteries always in right way round, and to go get someone else to fix my wiring in the house. OH! and per Adam Savage of Mythbusters Fame: There is Magic Blue Smoke inside of Electronics, but once you release it, electronics don't work anymore. :-D Sincerely, Richard in Michigan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 26, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 26, 2012 I am curious, sir - could you elaborate more specifically on the circumstances of experiencing false meter readings?... Richard, this had been discussed in length here and on RFF already. I happen to have used 4 third party batteries from different makers which all behave the same way more or less and i've got the feeling that all other posters had the same experience as mine. Reason why i'm much interested by what JeTexas and DWatts said above as it is the first time i read this. I trust them 100% of course but i happen to own a couple of DSTEs (http://tinyurl.com/7a3vr9t) already and they behave the way i describe i must say. More precisely, the battery meter of the camera remains 100% full all the way until the camera stops which is not very useful to say the least. Now i've just ordered one sample from BestBatt.com and will report accordingly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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