Tip:

The Eneloops come in little clear plastic cases of 4 each. I put slips of green paper in there, one side of which is labeled "DEAD". Blank green means full, dead means dead.

Once I deplete the batteries, I flip the label to "dead" when putting the batteries back in the case when I'm out and about. Makes it instantly apparent how many charged/uncharged batteries I have on hand. Once back home I run all the sets through the charger.

+1 for Eneloops. It's the only rechargeable I buy for my camera stuff anymore.

Eneloops are the best. Made by Sanyo. They hold their charge For months. When you get them do not charge them. Run them down and then charge. They will have a full charge when you get them (depending how old they are). 1000 charge cycles cant be beat.

@Pierre - I actually used a baking soda solution to swab out my flash. I contacted Duracell, they didn't seem all that keen on helping (I can see why) they offered me some free batteries. (Why would I want more?) Silly me, I used the Duracells again anyway with the same result.

@TaoTeJared - I bought some of the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries that you suggested. I then shot more photos at a higher rate than I did with the Duracells. Afterwards I inspected the batteries...no problems and only very slightly warm.

I think I'll try the Eneloops as well.

I can say that when using Duracell batteries out of two different batches, that were purchased at Costco, I had problems with the batteries rupturing under average usage in a SB-800 flash. When I switched to the Energizer Ultimate Lithium as suggested, the problem went away.

Given the value of these flash units, I would avoid the Duracell batteries.

Yes R8R, why are people using non rechargeable batteries for camera equipment? don't you care about the environment?

Buy some NiMH batteries.

I use 11 eneloops in my sb-800. 5 in the flash and 6 in nikon sd-8a. recycle time is lightning fast, the flash doesn't overheat and the batteries don't explode.

I use a La Crosse charger to test the actual capacity of the batteries. It even came with some good 2400mah that are actually 2100. I also have sanyo 2700mah batteries that are actually 2300.

Best batteries available at Costco are the Sanyo Eneloops. They work great in my SB-800 and I've yet to have a problem with them.

WAY easier on the wallet and the environment too. They re-charge up to 1000x and they hold a charge for weeks.

For the battery leak, there are cleaner/neutralizers on the market, baking soda paste works great. If the contacts have corrosion afterward, try rubbing them generously with a pencil eraser.

This battery stuff is very acid and can spell disaster on electronic. If
I was you, I would try to neutralise the acid with baking soda (cow
brand) and a bit of water (until it stops reacting) or get it serviced asap.

You should try to contact the manufacturer of the batteries.

Thanks TTJ, that is actually what I was wondering. I have never experienced batteries beginning to pop & hiss after half a dozen reasonably paced shots. I suspect that something in the manufacturing process must be different for the batteries that are provided in the big box packages. I'll buy some of the Energizers and see.

@msmoto - next time you use your SB-800 listen carefully. I found my batteries leaking immediately. Interestingly enough, the weren't really hot when I took them out.

I have not had the batteries from Costco explode, but I did find I needed to remove them when not using the SB-800. Cleaning out battery crude with Q-tips is not my idea of fun. I will monitor for any other unusual issues when I use the SB-800 from now on. Thanks

Eric said:
(I used more new Duracell batteries from Costco)

That could be the problem. I had a friend in college who worked at a Duracell plant and said Walmart forced them to change stuff to make them cheaper so they had a separate "Wally World" line. Just unbelievable.

You may have just got a bad batch of them. I have had batteries pop in flashlights before, but thankfully never in a flash. There could be a short in the flash but I would think that would be very doubtful. Odd indeed.

I have always used Energizer Ultimate Lithium and never had an issue. They last about 3x longer as well. Not sure why, maybe it is because I read a book about a vampire bunny once, but I have always used Energizer and never had an issue with them. I got caught in a bind once and used just the plain Rayovac brand and they don't last as long as the Lithiums, but for a cheap option, I have never had a problem with them.

A few months ago I was shooting and I needed an on-camera flash. So I took out my SB-800, put in new Duracell batteries and proceeded to take a photo. Pop! from inside the flash. Everything seemed to be working fine, but I took out the batteries to see what was going on. Upon inspection, one battery had blown a big crack around the end and sprayed white goo all over the inside of my flash. I pulled the batteries, cleaned out the flash as best I could (trying to neutralize the acid) and set it aside to dry completely. Last Sunday I took out the flash again, (I used more new Duracell batteries from Costco), I took several photos, (not too quickly) and then noticed a popping and sizzling sound. Sure enough when I pulled the batteries, several had ruptured and were leaking.

I am going to try a different brand of battery but I was wondering, has anybody else has experienced this problem? I have heard of the SB-900 and the SB-800 overheating, but never batteries rupturing. As an aside, was it really the SB-900 getting too hot, or was it the batteries overheating and heating up the SB-900 from the inside?