Cheap 5D batteries

I mostly use Canon LP-E6 although I do have a few other just for emergency use. I would steer clear of the really cheap no-name eBay specials as they don't last as long as the proper ones & have an annoying tendency to suddenly cut out when just moments before the battery gauge looked OK. If you are going to buy non-Canon batteries then at least buy reasonably decent brand name ones like Hahnel or Delkin. They will be about half the price of Canon batteries & more reliable than the ultra-cheap ones.
 
Personally, I stick with Canon. I purchased a cheap-o battery for the 5D and it stopped working after two charges... If anyone has a reputable source, though, I'd be willing to give it another shot!
 
Are you really going to risk your $2100 camera body (and reputation if the battery explodes or dies during a shoot) to save $30?
 
Just get them from here. Taky is a reputable user here and on another forum. Bought some stuff (including his old T2i). I vouch for him.
Link for 5D batteries here.
 
I've used 2 different kinds of aftermarket batteries for the 5D and 7D over the past few years extensively along with the Canon batteries and the aftermarket batteries have been very noticeably of less capacity since new.

That said, I have used the high capacity Comer batteries from LA Color Online for the EX1 and they are friggin' awesome.
 
I own two OEM and six off brand, I think something like Maxtech. Never had an issue. Generally stick to the OEM in the camera and use the aftermarket in the monitor, but certainly have used them in the camera as well.
 
nigelbb said:
I would steer clear of the really cheap no-name eBay specials as they don't last as long as the proper ones & have an annoying tendency to suddenly cut out when just moments before the battery gauge looked OK.
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Just wanted to add a +1 to this.

Also, a word of caution to any camera newbies shopping on eBay: there's lots of low-priced batteries on eBay sold as genuine that aren't. Sometimes included with grey market brand-new cameras.

Fake batteries don't communicate with the camera and don't hold as much charge, they drop out suddenly at the worst moment, and I'm not aware of any foolproof method to distinguish them from the real thing (though, if you Google, you'll find some suggestions).

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
 
I have one 3rd party battery and it worked exactly like the Canon for the last year ..........until suddenly the camera wouldn't recognize it. Then the camera wouldn't turn on after the battery was fully charged.
The Canon battery has a very long life on a full charge, so I think in the future I will stick to them.
I have one half price battery in the recycle bin, so in the end you may only pay half, but end up with nothing.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll just point out that I don't intend to use these batteries for an actual 5D, they are for an external monitor. But I figured as long as I'm getting some batteries I might as well get some that could serve another purpose if I needed.
 
Some 3rd party batteries are about 20% of the cost of the original. If they are for other gear that does not communicate with the battery they will probably be more cost effective. Just do the math and hope for the best. But I would find the most user recommended 3rd party batteries to hedge your bet.
 
I have both official and cheap and nasty ebay batteries. Official £70, nasty ebay £7. The Canon ones don't last 10 times as long, or anywhere near. Maybe 3 times as long so yes as everyone says, they're not great, they do cut out without much warning but I use canon ones for crucial can't miss it type shots and just have a bag full of the cheapies for not so important bits. It only takes 5 seconds to change a battery so sometimes I don't know why people are so disappointed with the dirt cheap ones.
 
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