Rechargeable battery life w/ Mamiya 645AFD3

[2jbourret]

Mamiya users all have to deal with the very short battery life of the 6 AA cells, whether in the camera, or in the off-camera battery pack.  Rechargeable AA batteries tend to have an even shorter life, but I'd really like to not be feeding the landfill w/ a constant supply of single-use batteries (I do recycle them, but who knows where they really end up).

Has anyone found a rechargeable AA battery that has a satisfactory life in the camera, and through repeated recharge cycles?  I shoot mostly landscapes, outdoors and sometimes in very cold temps, so this seems like a tall order, but if there is something good out there, I'd sure like to know about it. I am not aware of a rechargeable battery unit for the 645AFD series. If one exists, I'd like to know about that, too.

Thanks,

Jamie

[Guy Mancuso]

Sanyo Eneloops are all I have had in the AFD II, III and DF make sure you set your custom function 7 to ni-cads. They hold there charge extremely well when not in use and have a nice recharge life as well. I use these in everything

[michele]

me too the Eneloop, and thanks to you Guy for this
Oh remember to order right now the MAHA recharger!!

[Guy Mancuso]

Yea get the charger it is a very good one that can do reconditioning as well. I will go about a year on these batteries than just replace them. More for security reasons than anything else. I buy like 24 at a time since I use them in my Metz also but keep camera batteries separate just because. LOL

[2jbourret]

Thanks for the info. I've ordered a set (and charger) and will try them out. Guy, where can you order in such a large quantity?

Cheers.

[Guy Mancuso]

I order from Thomas Distributing. Been very reliable over the years


http://www.thomasdistributing.com/?iorb=4764

[Guy Mancuso]

This is the charger that i use

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/mah...cepcf9ikhbatek3

Batteries come in 4 packs

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/san...nrsllit8gi3gna7


BTW I always do carry a extra battery clip with me so if I get low than i just pop in a new clip. On the DF i get a lot of mileage off a charge, the AFDIII will burn batteries faster than the DF for sure so if you are shooting the AFD models than you may want to think about a extra clip. B&H sells them for like 60 dollars or get in touch with a dealer. Also don't forget to set Function 7 correctly it will help battery life. I think 1 is alkaline and 2 ni-cad.

[gotspeed]

you should get a discount from them, i just got  this setup.

[Doug Peterson]

BTW I always do carry a extra battery clip with me so if I get low than i just pop in a new clip. On the DF i get a lot of mileage off a charge, the AFDIII will burn batteries faster than the DF for sure so if you are shooting the AFD models than you may want to think about a extra clip. B&H sells them for like 60 dollars or get in touch with a dealer. Also don't forget to set Function 7 correctly it will help battery life. I think 1 is alkaline and 2 ni-cad.

We'd be glad to ship you an extra battery module.

The custom function setting will help with the accuracy of the battery meter - it does not effect the actual battery life.

Doug Peterson
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[Guy Mancuso]

Thanks Doug for the correction on battery life.

[Guy Mancuso]

you should get a discount from them, i just got  this setup.

I wish. LOL