I have two Nikon flash units that mention Panasonic Oxyride batteries in the instructions by name. Problem, I can not seem to find them anywhere. Called Panasonic and got handed around and disconnected so often I almost gave up. That is, until I was given a toll line to call for the "battery unit". Imagine that 5 calls and only on the last one am I given a toll number to call to talk with someone in the battery company. Have searched online until my computer is likely infected with malware but can not find Oxyride AA batteries anywhere. Anyone got any suggestions? I am going to make the toll call and will post here if anyone cares.
Panasonic Oxyride AA Batteries - in the instructions but can't buy them anywhere
(7 posts) (3 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Oxyride batteries are low internal resistance non-rechargeables.
The reason Alkaline batteries tend to, frankly, suck, in speedlights is that they have a high internal resistance. Since speedlights recharge their capacitors (for the next "pop") at a high amperage rate, the voltage drop caused by high internal resistance is significant, and wastes much of the battery's potential power as internal heat.
The reason they were mentioned by name in many product manuals is that they have a nominal voltage of 1.7v, as opposed to the 1.5v of alkaline chemistry.
Oxyride batteries are near impossible to find in brick and mortar stores in my experience (USA), but can be easily found through google shopping.
They never really "caught on" as the advent of so called "Hybrid" NiMh batteries with low self-discharge rates inexpensively closed the gap between the long shelf-life of Alkaline and Lithium non-rechargeables and the short shelf-life / low internal-resistance of traditional NiMhs.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Helpful Drab. But I can not find them, "can be easily found through google shopping" has not worked out in several total hours of online searches. I am just learning about flash photography and have never exploited the full value of rechargables. If you like a particular brand of these hybrid NiMh units I'd be very interested in giving them a try. Oh, and if you can find the Oxyride for sale in the USA where they are not out of stock I'd appreciate a tip for that as well. There are times when I simply can't find what I am looking for on the Internet and this well may be one of them.
Thanks again for the input. The CLS is like a full lighting course all by itself and I'll thank my youngest Pug rescue to quit eating the manuals I am reading...
Posted 2 years ago # -
http://www.google.com/search?q=oxyride+AA
If you're in the USA click on the "Shopping" option to your left...
And Target sells the Rayovac brand "Hybrid" rechargeables. They are the most common retail brand.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Found it in one search...
$40 for two batteries seems a bit steep. I can't recommend the Eneloop AA batteries enough for Nikon speedlights. I use 5 batteries on my SB-800 and can shoot literally hundreds of pictures without wearing down the batteries noticeably. I can also shoot 3-5 shots at 3 fps and have it flash for each shot (though the flash intensity drops).
I have had the Eneloops in the flash for about 3 years now and they just keep going and going...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ah, that other link from Drab makes way more sense. A 10pk for $12.
Still recommend the Eneloop.
One other thing. The link provided by Drab has this information at the bottom that might be helpful if you aren't in the US.
Edit: You can search on Oxyhydroxide battery and find other manufacturers that way
Posted 2 years ago # -
Drab, all the hits I got were for AA that were out of stock or for AAA that I don't want.
I will have a look at the Rayovac. Thank you for the efforts though.
JorPet, Thank you, I will have a look at these Eneloop AA. I am liking this feedback.
Interestingly I've never participated in Forums and have been using the Internet since it was 1 UNIX box in the info center only available to the top sys admins of my college. It does make one feel like they are giving back when a solution is recent and can be articulated.
Posted 2 years ago #
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