Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/06/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Frank, I have some of the cheap batteries, but they have been variable, some fine, some lasting a short time. Overall still cheaper than new Leica battery, but, in the end I did get another Leica item. Firstly, are these batteries made by the original supplier to Leica, but which failed inspection/quality control? I do not think so, since the case has recesses for the labels which are a different size and shape to the Leica one, ie not the same mould. Secondly, I would not be surprised to find that the Leica units are made by a local German manufacturer. Thirdly it is well worth while for a Chinese battery producer to tool for Leica batteries, even if they are not an official supplier, since the market is probably quite large at their price. Fourthly, I remember Joseph Yao telling me of the serious burns they encountered in A&E on the hands of people who's knockoff 'phone batteries had gone into thermal runaway whilst they using the 'phone... So, as the owner of some cheap batteries, I am the user of Leica ones. FWIW I expect I am unusual on this list, but before the M9, which has a relatively short battery life, I never flattened a battery on any digital camera in one day. cheers, Frank D. On 7 Jun, 2010, at 05:47, Frank Filippone wrote: > To my thinking, ..... > > Leica does not make the batteries. They buy them from someone else. Given > the volume of batteries that are used by Leica of this proprietary size, > there is one or 2 manufacturers in the world. The OEM Leica batteries at > $150 or more each, are at best a $6 battery ( like those of Canon or Nikon > P+S) with a $150 price tag. So if I can find the $6 battery at a $16 > cost, > it is better than a $6 battery at a $150 cost. > > No battery is going to blow up in your camera. Under normal operating > conditions. You can worry, but it is just not going to happen. > > BTW, I have 6 batteries as aftermarket types, and they all work 100% like a > genuine Leica battery.....I saved about $900. > > As for Nathan's comment....... I did not know about the Adorama batteries > until I ran into them in looking for supplier #3...... > > I think I will try the Adorama batteries. At $30 each, as Nathan said, it > is cheap enough...... > > Frank Filippone > red735i at earthlink.net > > > OK, I'm going to sound like Mark Rabiner - but why would you spend > $2000-$3000 (at least) for an M8, and go for the cheapest batteries? If you > get a genuine Leica battery and it nurns up your camera, you wknow who to > call and who top blame. If a no name $20 battery blows up your camera, what > are you going to do? > > I can see someone using a $15 Jupiter lens if they want certain "look," but > what possible advantages are there to a cheap battery except that it's > cheap? > > On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:13 PM, Frank Filippone > <red735i at earthlink.net>wrote: > >> OK.. ordered 2 batteries from first guy on Ebay.... nothing showed up. >> Tried a second guy, nothing showed up, he claims to ship again, and > nothing >> showed up again. >> >> Got my $$$ back, but I still want my batteries..... >> >> Adorama has them for $30 each...... >> >> What good are cheaper batteries if you do not get them...... >> >> Will order from Adorama.... we'll see..... >> >> Frank Filippone >> red735i at earthlink.net >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > // richard <http://www.imagecraft.com/> > // icc blog: <http://imagecraft.wordpress.com> > // photo blog: <http://www.5pmlight.com> > [ For technical support on ImageCraft products, please include all previous > replies in your msgs. ] > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information