Nikon D80 - battery

[Byron Gale]

For any Nikon D80 (or D200) owners in the market for a EN-EL3e battery...

I wanted a second battery for my D80. After checking stores and sites, I found that the price was always right at $60. Even the non-Nikon version at Best Buy that's only 1400mAh was the same price!

Then I checked Amazon.

I am now holding, in my hot little hand, a brand new NIKON EN-EL3e, for which I paid Amazon $35.98. No tax. No shipping. (I *could* have had it for $33.98, but the price went up from one day to the next before I placed my order!)

If your camera needs this battery, and you are considering getting a back-up... this is the best deal I found.

[lowbone]

If you want a good deal on batteries google Sterling Tek. I have used their batteries on my Canon cameras for a couple of years. They are excellent batteries at a fraction of the price that Nikon and Canon charge.

[kimh]

Thanks for the info. I am wanting a second battery for my D80 so appreciate the information.
Kimh

[LeeOtsubo]

I second the SterlingTek (http://www.sterlingtek.com) recommendation. I have eight BP-511 replacements for my Canons. Two just died after 3 years so I ordered 4 more. At ~$12 each, they're the best deal going.

While we're on the subject, be careful of buying Li-Ion batteries from unknown sources. I don't know if it's still prevalent but there used to be fake Li-Ion batteries with Ni-Cad guts. IOW, phony batteries. Recharging Ni-Cads in Li-Ion chargers can result in nasty surprises.

[BonzoDog]

I understand that Nikon has some special code associated with its battery that may not be reflected in OEM batteries. It may not affect battery life but may reflect the information passed to the camera. Personally I find that the battery has so much life that, at worst, it only needs a daily top up. I guess if you are hiking for a few days it could be a problem but not for me.

[Byron Gale]

I second the SterlingTek (http://www.sterlingtek.com) recommendation...Lee,

Thanks for the endorsement. I will keep my eye out in case they decide to offer a Nikon EN-EL3e equivalent.

Byron

[LeeOtsubo]

Byron - SterlingTek offers EN-EL3e equivalent (http://www.sterlingtek.com/enbafornid2d.html) batteries for $25.

BonzoDog - Just so we're on the same page, I always thought OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) meant the equipment mfg, in this case Nikon. A company that mfgs compatible components or accessories has always been a 3rd Party manufacturer.

[Byron Gale]

Byron - SterlingTek offers EN-EL3e equivalent (http://www.sterlingtek.com/enbafornid2d.html) batteries for $25...Lee,

(wiping egg off face) Thanks for that.

For some strange reason, they do not list that battery if you follow the links Accessories by Camera > Nikon.... which is what I did.

I should have searched for it, specifically, I see...

Byron

p.s. It is interesting that they refer to the "Nikon Coolpix D80 SLR" and the "Nikon Coolpix D200".

[Chuck S.]

Lee, those prices are truly amazing. I'm using cameras now that take the BP511a rather than the BP511, but, sure enough, SterlingTek has a 511a replacement listed for that same $12 you're paying for the 511. I'll certainly give them a try; not much to risk.

Thanks,

Chuck

p.s. Byron, sorry if some of us Canonites hijacked your thread....all in the interest of identifying cheap battery sources for both Nikonians and Canonites!

[Byron Gale]

...Byron, sorry if some of us Canonites hijacked your thread...It's all good, Chuck! :D

[genevh]

I found a EN-EL3a 1500mAH LI-IO for $19.95 at www.bhphotovideo.com . You have to pay shipping ($4.95 in my case) but if your ordering more items than that, it could work out to be another good deal. They also carry a mini charger for it that also works in the car for $18.95. :D I could get both for the same shipping charge if I wanted.

[Byron Gale]

I found a EN-EL3a 1500mAH LI-IO for $19.95 at www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com) ...Yes... I found that the EL3a is less expensive than the EL3e required by the D80 and D200.

[Chuck S.]

Byron, I was hoping you or someone else would point out that distinction among the Nikon batteries. I posted some bad information in another thread re the interchangeability of the batteries; when I found out I was wrong, I killed my post. (One of the great features of this forum: you can reconsider and revise your posts!)

Canon has a lot of confusing choices for its DSLR's and G-series cameras: BP511, BP512, BP511a. I'm not going to even try to sort them out; that's one circumstance where the best advice is RTM!

:)

Chuck

[genevh]

My bad....gotta be these glasses!!! :eek: Guess it does help to compare apples to apples, plus you made me get out my camera to see what I actually do have in it (an EN-EL3a btw) because I need to get a spare just in case. Went back and looked and the 3e is $44.95 on BH, so no deal there. So, now the big question.....what is the difference between the 3a and 3e and is the 3e worth the extra money? I have a D70s.

[TonyW]

Well I must admit I broke down and got the MB-D80 battery pack and use rechargeable AA's that I have a lot of from previous cameras. The 2500 maH Energizers last for a very long time and if you like a solid feel to a camera then you sure get it with the battery pack attached :)

Tony

[Rusty]

I'm confused (nothing new there),

I have the Nikon D50. My manual tells me it uses the EN-EL3a.

I got all excited by this post and went to the SterlingTec website -- couldn't find that number.

Then I followed Lee's link to EN-EL3e and see it described as for, among others, the D50. Now I see a bunch of posts with, apparently, the same questions I have.

Are these EN-EL3whatever interchangeable? Should I stick with "a" or should I simply get whatever has the best price??

Rusty

[Byron Gale]

...what is the difference between the 3a and 3e...Gene,

The 3e has a third contact. The D80 and D200 somehow utilize this contact to read information from the battery. These cameras won't work with a 2-contact battery.

The 3-contact battery CAN be used on 2-contact cameras, though.

All of the above based on my understanding of different sources.

Byron

[genevh]

Thanks Byron...I noticed the 3rd contact on the 3e in the pictures I saw. Guess I'm better off with a 3a since the 3rd contact would be useless to me. The one I have has been a good performer so far.

Rusty:

SterlingTec does have an EN-EL3 equivalent that is guaranteed for the D70 and D100 for $17.95. They don't say anything about the D50 in their ad. Might want to call them about it if your interested.

[BonzoDog]

Byron - SterlingTek offers EN-EL3e equivalent (http://www.sterlingtek.com/enbafornid2d.html) batteries for $25.

BonzoDog - Just so we're on the same page, I always thought OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) meant the equipment mfg, in this case Nikon. A company that mfgs compatible components or accessories has always been a 3rd Party manufacturer.

Absolutely right - I am 180 wrong