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Overread2000 12:30am, 7 February 2011
Ok so I've got both a 580EX2 and an MT-24ex flash units and I was wondering about using the external battery packs to give me a faster recycling rate (mostly on the twinflash) so that I've got a better chance of doing handheld focus stacks for my macro work (so short bursts I know full well I can't do long bursts because it will overheat the flash).

However canon's own brand battery pack sits at £155.99 in price whilst ebay lists several far further down in the £20-40 price bracket. So I'm wondering if this is case that these 3rd party options are cheaper because they'll melt/cook/break something in my setup or because canon like to put a £100 price on their Canon name

So has anyone any direct experience of these?
Trent Chau Posted 13 years ago. Edited by Trent Chau (member) 13 years ago
From what I've read the 8 battery ones work fine, the 6 battery ones were a little wonky. (the Six battery ones were on ebay about 4 years ago). The annoying thing is you will probably have to spend $60~$80 on Double A chargers that won't cook your batteries in the long run.


For spending $420 on a flash, and $800 on a macro flash it's surprising to see you worried about $150 for the battery pack.

The CP-E3/Cp-E4 was actually a very good alternative at the time for what was on the market such as the Quantum Turbos ($450 with CZ cord) or Quantum Turbo 3 ($680 with cord). So to you $150 may seem like a lot, but to me $150 was a steal.
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Art- 13 years ago
I've never used one of the ebay knockoffs but for what it is the Canon packs are pricey. I bought mine used on FM where CP-E3's and 4's sell for $80-$100.

I also have a Canon NiCad Transistor Pack E which is bigger and heavier but works great. I have never run it down when using it with my MT-24EX, if you can find one they are a real bargain.
I have some experience with both --

I originally bought the CP-E4 (Canon) for my 580EXII and loved it. With 12 batteries total, it lasted all day and sped up recycling times a bit.

It was very expensive, required 8 batteries in the pack to operate and would still become slow once you took a few hundred shots (I like to go to conventions/events and take hundreds of photos - at which point the batteries just take a while to recharge the flash, even with the battery pack), and I end up swapping them out.

I've heard bad things about some 3rd party ones - specifically, some will only add to the battery life (so rather than it speeding up recycling times, it acted more like a spare battery when the main ones get low).

About a year ago there was a new one though - the Pixel TD-381.

This looks like a cheap knockoff of the Canon CP-E4 (cheap plastic, cheap nylon case), but actually has some great features not found on the Canon. You can use either 4 or 8 batteries, both will speed up recycling times, and with 8 batteries it's VERY fast (faster than the official canon). Recycle times were just about a second at full power.

It's gotten to the point that I don't even use the Canon CP-E4 any longer, only using the Pixel, and highly recommend it.

These have also been recommended by many, and seem to be the "best" as far as the external packs go.

The one odd thing that is a bit scary at first is that the pack makes a ticking noise when plugged into the flash (something the canon doesn't do). With that said, no problems since I've been using it (which is every time I go out).

Despite the above, I consider this one of those times when the 3rd party product improves on the original (another example being the Yongnuo ST-E2 flash transmitter)
JohnVPhotos 13 years ago
Another vote for the Pixel TD-381. It's been very reliable for me shooting weddings and parties.

Had a different eBay brand before the Pixel and it died during first job. Was reluctant to buy the Pixel TD-381 but really happy with it.
BoldPuppy 13 years ago
How about a black box from Al Jacobs: www.aljacobs.com/my_products/ ?
Trent Chau 13 years ago
Thanks for the recomendation! I'm selling my Cp-e4 today actually to get one of those and a Turbo 3. It's why I love this forum.

BP I read a review on the blackbox that they help capacity, but flash recharge was slow. Any idea about that?
Overread2000 13 years ago
Mike the Pixel TD-381 sounds ideal!

Though I'll have to be careful when using the twinflash with it around other people. The sound of "Whiirrrrrbzziiiiiiiiiii" of the flash with the "tickticktickcrackle" of the powerpack might have them ducking for cover before the thing explodes ;)
Trent Chau 13 years ago
this post has inspired me.

b&H is sending a new Nissin batery pack for me to test out.

I'll compare it to the quantum turbo, and the cp-e4.
Photodude Images 13 years ago
Yongnuo SF-18 Very reliable, fraction of the cost of the Canon unit
anscochrome 13 years ago
Is not this functionally the same as the aforementioned Pixel TD-381?

www.cowboystudio.com/product/c14/p1401-03.php
Overread2000 13 years ago
The design looks very similar to the pixel, but the description makes no mention of the duel charging feature of the pixel - and you can only remodel an 8 battery pack holder so many ways. It might only be offering you the regular 8 battery recharging feature of other battery packs rather than the pixels faster recharging method.

Also my Pixel arrived today, not able to compare it against others, but for its price its worked very well indeed. On my 580EX2 the refresh rate (tested at full power) is insanely fast whilst the (older design) twinflash takes a little longer, but is massively improved over its original recharging speed.
The ticking sound is there but its very minor (one of those put your ear to it to really notice sounds). an the charging whine of my twinflash drowns it out.

Pack is a bit long to idealy fit on the base of the camera, though the screw fit is appreciated. However the waist belt pack should work easily. Only wish that it had a slipknot type setup rather than just a band, but the pouch does have gaps to see the charging lights on the pack.