Replacement batteries: Yay or Nay?

ed_lee83

ed_lee83

Well-known member
Everyone knows how much cheaper replacement batteries are. But I've heard on good authority (when I was shooting with canon DSLRs anyway) that because these replacements do not have memory chips, they have a danger of burning out the camera. I don't know the exact science behind it but the danger is there. Plus, their battery life is usually worse than indicated. Buying the official battery from the official manufacturer surely is the ultimate pay off?

So, right now I've been searching everywhere for official GH2 batteries (for full day filming) but they are seemingly either sold out everywhere or sold for extortionate prices due to the situation in Japan. I really don't want to use replacements but I may have no choice. Yes, I live in the 'fake electronics capital' of the world so the urge is there!

What are everybody's opinions on replacement batteries? Reliable? Worth the risk? (apologies if there is another relevant thread)
 
Hey Ed! I'm from Hong Kong too. I'd suggest maybe Giving Sogo's Panasonic Showroom a try? If not, Mong Kok might work. I ended up finding two extras from a store there... Though it was more expensive than retail. Sadly, my shoot had already ended by then.

I was filming in an office when I ran out of battery. So I used one I quickly bought in Wan Chai. It ran ridiculously hot and there was no battery indicator - which personally... I consider to be a huge issue. What I did was charge my Official Battery whilst using the Wan Chai Alternative. Though I really do not recommend it.
 
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Hi there, I asked all those places already. I even called Panasonic (Shun Hing) and they said it would be back-ordered between 1-3 months! But I actually grabbed a second hand one yesterday! Still looking for one more as I have a shoot on Tung Ping Chau - i.e. no power! This c-hing on dchome.net are showing off a seemingly workable power supply: http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=1020612&highlight=
 
Wow! That should be an interesting place to film in! If you're in a hurry, I could lend you one. I'm most likely too coursework-filled to do any filming in the near future.

And that power looks like an interesting solution - especially seeing the Battery Indicator works. Depending on the costs, it could be worth a shot. (But after having the Alternative Battery heat up so rapidly... I do have fears about non-official batteries now!).
 
I find it extremely funny that the people from Hongkong, the very soul of product piracy, is looking for original batteries.

I used to be anti-3rd part batteries but they usually last longer + basicly free. Funny though yesterday i actually got an electric shock burn from GH2, was cleaning the film gear locker and then just got this very weird burn on the arm when accidentally touching the camera. Yup, pirate batteries in it :P
 
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I believe these 3rd party batteries I'm talking about are not construed as "pirated" goods. Lithium Ion batteries are not a registered trademark, any manufacturer can make them for whatever camera. In fact many Western companies source their goods from OEM manufacturers in China etc.
Now, if they were to blatantly stamp the Panasonic logo on it and sell it as Panasonic goods, that sir, would be piracy.
So no, I don't see how it's funny why I want a Panasonic battery.
 
Martin Oller said:
I find it extremely funny that the people from Hongkong, the very soul of product piracy, is looking for original batteries.
Click to expand...

I hope you're okay from that burn! But really, despite being from Hong Kong (Which is really close to the real source of Piracy : China), I generally like to stay away from it as much as possible. Simply because I've been exposed to the stories of fake thing.

And I guess reliability really matters to me!
 
Martin Oller said:
I find it extremely funny that the people from Hongkong, the very soul of product piracy, is looking for original batteries.

I used to be anti-3rd part batteries but they usually last longer + basicly free. Funny though yesterday i actually got an electric shock burn from GH2, was cleaning the film gear locker and then just got this very weird burn on the arm when accidentally touching the camera. Yup, pirate batteries in it :P
Click to expand...
At 7.4V flat DC you most have really thin skin to even feel it...
 
ed_lee83 said:
This c-hing on dchome.net are showing off a seemingly workable power supply: http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=1020612&highlight=
Click to expand...

Since I can't read Chinese, can you explain what this arrangement shown in the link consists of and how much it costs? On top, there appears to be what looks like a GH2 battery with a lead coming from it, terminated in a yellow plug. On this "battery" it states 8.40 V + 0.05 volts. Is this "battery" actually some sort of regulator, and not a battery?

This "battery" sits on top of a much larger device. Is this larger device the actual battery that feeds the smaller device on top, and that is plugged into the GH2 where the normal battery goes?
 
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