3rd party batteries (Leica)

[SnappingShark]

So I'm looking for an extra battery or two for my Leica and besides the $129 official batteries, I don't see many with reviews (on amazon).

Anybody got any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[gsgary]

I wouldn't use anything but a Leica battery, they are also particular which SD cards you use, make sure you go over to Leica forum and find out before you buy a card

 

[SnappingShark]

I've already found out about the SD cards - so long as they are SDHC compatible they're generally OK.

Had one of my SD cards work, and then just stop! That was weird - but am all good now!

 

[tirediron]

Agree with Gary; I know many people have used third-party with no issues, but I've heard enough horror stories about cheap, offshore crap that I NEVER use anything but the real McCoy!

 

[gsgary]

I used to use them in my Canons and have 2 for my A7 but if I ever get a digital M I would only use Leica but my film M's are battery free

 

[Derrel]

Agree with Gary; I know many people have used third-party with no issues, but I've heard enough horror stories about cheap, offshore crap that I NEVER use anything but the real McCoy!

I might have to do a post on my official Nikon D2x battery...the one I got with the camera on May 3,2005. I charged it last night. On the lifespan scale, which runs NEW 0-1-2-3-4 REPLACE, this thing is now at "3"...and has been for about two years or more... This is the ONLY battery I own for the camera, which is my third-level backup now. Still, a DECADE of use on one, single battery. Not saying the Leica batteries and chargers are as good, but who knows.

Maybe Leica has the same level of battery condition, battery monitoring, and periodic re-conditioning of their batteries to a level approaching what Nikon premiered with the D2 series over a decade ago; if they do, then the $129 battery will be well worth its price in reliability and peace of mind. Have you seen what can happen when some of the cheap knockoff batteries explode or leak? You've got a seven thousand-plus dollar camera now...do you want to trust it with a knockoff, made in China $29 battery in it?

 

[SnappingShark]

Totally true! And yes, I think that $129 is more than enough to ensure no 3rd party batts explode. Thanks for slapping me round the head!

 

[Derrel]

YOU are in the Big Leagues now mister!!! None of that cut-rate stuff. Nikon, and Sony, and other manufacturers, have done recalls on massive numbers of batteries. A few years back, there were the exploding laptop batteries, which caught fire! Lithium-ion is extremely,extremely flammable material. On the Boeing Dreamliner, the "battery box" took three HOURS for firefighters to extinguish the fire once they were on-board and this was in a static, tarmac-parked aircraft. of course, that was dozens of li-ion batteries in one big box, but still...even with direct access,the fire crew fought that fire for three hours straight!!! That **** burns like a mix of...I dunno...let's say diesel fuel, gasoline, and magnesium shavings!!

 

[SnappingShark]

I remember the exploding laptop batteries - and the phone ones which would just catch fire.
I always used Wasabi on my Nikon/Olympus cameras and trusted them, but can't find for Leica.

Oh well, official it is, and up in flames it ain't!

 

[gsgary]

Just look at the price difference
Battery for LEICA BM8 M8 M8.2 M9 14464 1600mAh Amazon.co.uk Camera Photo

 

[beagle100]

So I'm looking for an extra battery or two for my Leica and besides the $129 official batteries, I don't see many with reviews (on amazon).

Anybody got any recommendations?

Thanks.

don't know about Leica but I've been using 3rd party batteries for Canon DSLRs for years - Sterlingtek is one brand

 

[gsgary]

So I'm looking for an extra battery or two for my Leica and besides the $129 official batteries, I don't see many with reviews (on amazon).

Anybody got any recommendations?

Thanks.

don't know about Leica but I've been using 3rd party batteries for Canon DSLRs for years - Sterlingtek is one brand

I used them in Canon but I wouldn't in a Leica it's like using ford parts in a Rolls Royce

 

[astroNikon]

I remember the exploding laptop batteries - and the phone ones which would just catch fire.
I always used Wasabi on my Nikon/Olympus cameras and trusted them, but can't find for Leica.

Oh well, official it is, and up in flames it ain't!

Ironically if I use too much Wasabi on my sushi my nose goes up in flames.

All the battery issues I heard of draining fast, causing circuit problems, though rare, scared me away from 3rd party batteries. So I have all OEMs. With the price of a Leica, it's just a bit to not have to worry about it.

 

[jessiewonka]

I would love to hear from some satisfied third-party folks on this, and see real data, rather than second-hand rumors from the party faithful.

Does indeed the M9 battery have a chip? I would expect so. Has no third-party reversed this after all these years?