looking for a reliable source for LiIon batteries

[JimS]

I just bought a Canon T2i as an upgrade from a D300. I'm looking to buy an extra battery for it. Canon lists the batteries as $70. No thanks. Ebay has lots of listings in the $5 range, even some that aren't direct from Hong Kong, but I don't know if I should trust anything that cheap for my expensive camera. Is there a known reliable US source for known reliable batteries? I see that NewEgg has their Rosewill brand for $15, but there are no reviews on it. I can't remember where I bought the spare batteries for my D300 from 7 years ago, but at least one of them was a short-lived piece of crap anyway.

 

[syee]

A lot of the folks on the photography forums seem to like Sterlingtek. (they have an eBay store as well as their own website). I've personally only used them once and wasn't real happy with the battery but maybe it's a one off)

I usually use Lenmar branded batteries. Somewhat better than generics (as far as no-name ebay generics are concerned), a one year warranty and you can find them at retail stores like Frys as well as on Amazon and other places for under $20.

 

[sygyzy]

Vote for Sterlingtek here. I've bought extra batteries for every one of my camcorders and cameras (a lot through the years) and have never had any issues.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I just bought a Canon T2i as an upgrade from a D300

Really?!? Should have been a great deal in an "upgrade", you could have sold the D300 and pocketed about $300 in difference.

 

[JimS]

I meant to say 300D, I didn't switch from Nikon to Canon.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I meant to say 300D, I didn't switch from Nikon to Canon.

Makes more sense.

On the battery, I've heard of problems with the cheapest li-ion batteries skipping some of the overcharge/overdischarge/safety tech in the battery and damaging electronics when the batteries fails. I tend to buy name-brand batteries. Just can't see putting a $15 battery in my $1000 camera and risking it.

JR

 

[Lalakai]

i've used this place for years; the few times i've had issues, their CSR's were polite and the issues were taken care of very quickly. good luck

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/

 

[angry hampster]

Sterlingteks from ebay are reliable and cheap. Used them for about 3 years now.

 

[randomlinh]

if it's available, definitely sterlingtek. Depending on use, I get 1-2yrs out of them. But at $10-$15 a piece, that's fine with me (though, from an environmental POV, not so friendly)