A7r: Sony's evil plan

[Nikos]

Be warned:
The A7r is an evil plan by Sony to sell batteries

I'm pretty spoiled by using Canon 5D Mark II batteries (LP-E6), two at once in the grip.

Canon LP-E6: 77g, 1800mAh
Sony NP-FW50: 57g, 1080mAh | Sony fake batteries: 37g, supposedly 1500mAh (not true)

As you can see, the difference is pretty dramatic.
The Sony battery is also a lot smaller in physical size.

It is not realistic to expect much more than 150 shots out of each battery charge with the A7r.

This is going to become a real issue for me outdoors.
Using 4 X Canon LP-E6 I could make it for 3-4 days in the forest, shooting as much as I like (e.g. 2000 shots plus some video).
This is NOT going to happen with the A7r.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the original Sony battery is way TOO expensive.
If you find a good alternative to Sony original batteries, let us know!

[Lloydy]

I needed a spare battery for my NEX 5 and was also dismayed at the price of a genuine Sony, so after a lot of research I bought a Bluemax 900mAh which is slightly lower in capacity to the Sony at 1080mAh, and I thought it would be the 83% less 'powerful' than the Sony. But it isn't, it lasts about 1/3 of the time / shots of the original Sony.
It's OK as a backup, but no good as the main battery. I shall buy another Sony or at least get another one with the same rating.

[Nikos]

Sony made me not buy a genuine battery, for the first time ever

I have tried 2 or 3 not genuine Sony batteries.
Avoid the ones claiming to have 50% more mAh than the original battery.

I have ordered one of these, which seems promising.
http://dx.com/p/fw50-compatible-7-2v-1020mah-replacement-battery-pack-for-sony-nex-5c-nex-3cv-a55-a33-59555

[cyrano]

Interesting link, I like the discount and free postage, I'm sure duty and tax will be non existant on this purchase.
I've ordered to 3rd party batteries already but they are 7.4 volt and 1500 milliamps so I'm not expecting much. If they don't do the job properly I shall give your suggestion a go. Thanks for the heads up.

[philslizzy]

I have 2 spare batteries for my NEX 5 and they last way longer than the Sony. So much so that the Sony is used as a spare. My Nikons have 3rd party batteries too. I was unaware there were issues with 3rd party product until I came to this forum.

Never had a problem myself.

[ManualFocus-G]

Turn on flight mode and disable the automatic image review function to extend battery life. I bought a cheap ExPro battery from amazon, and matching charger. They both work very well (and charge much faster than with the crappy ish charger).

[iangreenhalgh1]

[Nikos]

[miran]

A couple of years ago I bought a couple of noname replacement batteries on ebay for I think around 3€ (with free shipping!). They claimed to be 1500mAh but were physically a little lighter so that can't possibly be true. They didn't last appreciably less in my NEX-5 though, I'd say they were about equivalent to the original. For 3€ a piece!

The problem was when I bought a NEX-6. It refused to work with those fake batteries. It turns on, everything looks like there's no reason it shouldn't work, but then after a couple of seconds the camera says the battery isn't genuine and then refuses to work. So yes, Sony is evil. In every new camera they make they put in extra hardware and/or software to make sure your 3rd party batteries won't work and you'll be forced to buy originals at 20x higher prices. Bastards!

Btw, it's the same story with chargers. Newer Sony chargers refuse to charge many non-original batteries.

[Nikos]

Interestingly, the no-name batteries I bought two years ago for my NEX-5N, work fine with the A7r.

[OPAL]

I was informed by the FUJIFILM Service, that These Kind of batteries, generally reach their fully capacities, after 6-8 recharging cycles.

[cyrano]

I understood that as long as they were not completely discharged and flat they could be used for a lot longer. Their life is only short or of limited use once you start discharging them completely before re-charging.
Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

[memetph]

Is it true that the A7r takes 3 seconds to start ?

[Nikos]

[memetph]