28 replies to this topic

[Art]

The last time I was out with some Photog friends, I ran into a guy with a Nikon D810.  He had this battery in his MB-D12 grip:

 

 NikonEN-EL18A.jpg   339.59KB   0 downloads

 

It is NOT a Nikon Battery.  It is a DSTE EN-EL18A 3900mAh Full-Coded Battery Pack for Nikon D800 / D800E MB-D12 Grip for $56 SHIPPED to your HOUSE in Canada!!

 

 

I have talked about DX.com on PN before as I have ordered items from them in the past.  Long shipping time but the stuff they send is nice quality for the price.

 

Go to the Website and check this out.  In the past, I have warned a lot of people about not putting garbage batteries in their grips.  This battery seems to be fairly good quality from my experience holding it.  See pic above.  They guy who owns it has had very good results with it, lasts a long time and he is pleased with his purchase!

 

Plus, it is a fraction of the Nikon battery, in terms of price.  $229.95

 

http://en.nikon.ca/n...on-battery.html

 

Nikon battery is:

Lithium Ion 22

10.8 V 2.5 Ah

27Wh

Made in China

 

Note, B+H sells these for $129US - free shipping to Canada!

 

http://www.bhphotovi...on_battery.html

 

--------------------------------------------------

The DX.com DSTE Battery is:

Lithium Ion

11.1 V 3.9 Ah

43.3 Wh

Made in China

 

http://www.dx.com/p/...88#.VhQKPtbQXJA

 

Features:

 

Other Features EN-EL18A Battery's Introduction: Capacity: 3900mAh; Voltage: 11.1V; Full coded version: Can show Battery icon in Camera LCD; Has overcharge, short circuit and overcurrent and overheat protection; 100% green environmental friendly, Not include Cd HgPb heavy metal; Notice: This battery only can use in DSTE and original camera grip.

 

Certification:

RoHS <----------- [Don't give these away.  Not familiar with the rest.... - Art ]

CC

FCC

CE

FCC

TUV

MSDS

EM

 

Thinking of ordering it simply because I saw it and the guy who showed it to me raved about it.

 

For USA.... Amazon.com

 

http://www.amazon.co...2/dp/B00N0E5KZI

[Wheatsack]

Thanks Art ...good report.

[Art]

You're welcome, Peter.

[Dennis]

hmmm.. I wonder if they have the D4 battery.

[photojazz]

Good to know....will check for a Der 605 version. B-)

[james23p]

Good info! I have plenty of D605 batteries but might need a few for my Oly!

 

Jim

[Art]

I don't know, what you should do is research a battery, maybe on Amazon, then search DX.  By my estimates. DX.com has the best prices and include shipping.

 

Just the Battery, on Amazon, was almost DOUBLE for me without the chargers!

[Gary Worrall]

All depends on your need I guess,

I bought my second EN-EL18a battery for the D4s from B&H for $129 USD

Admittedly, they are only 10.8V  2500mAh 27W but takes zillions of images

 

Cell parts come from China and the completed process is in Japan

[Art]

hmmm.. I wonder if they have the D4 battery.

 

Dennis,

 

I found this link, but I know NOTHING about this battery..... $40 US

 

http://www.dx.com/p/...57#.VhRbFtbQXJA

 

There is also an inexpensive charge for it.... $47 US

 

http://www.dx.com/p/...04#.VhRbwNbQXJA

 

Two batteries ($80 and Charger ...$47 = $127 US shipped to your door) and CHEAPER than the Nikon (1) Battery for $129 US at B+H.

[Art]

If I bought the Nikon Battery locally, it would cost me.... $229 x 1.13 (tax) = $ 258.77 CDN and I assume, I would still need the charger!  I just checked the price at a LCS.

 

My order from DX.com is SHIPPED FREE! I might (almost never get charged at these lower amounts) have to pay tax, but if I do, it will be an additional $7 + $5 from the post office.... $12.

 

$68 vs $259 + The same amount roughly for the Charger!  ZOOM ZOOM Nikon!

 

I will report back in about 30 days on how this works out and do a full review with photos.

[Dennis]

Why would I need another charger? Not safe to use the Nikon charger?

[Art]

Why would I need another charger? Not safe to use the Nikon charger?

 

Hmmm, Dennis, these are things you have to research to be safe and sure.  I can't answer.

 

The kit I have ordered comes with its own charger, car or wall....

[Gary Poole]

I am leery of anything that is priced so much lower than the original.  In this case the DSTE EN-EL18A plus MB-D12 adapter with both a AC charger and a car charger cost less than many chargers alone.  The combined package price is 1/3rd of the Nikon EN-EL18A alone.

 

The Nikon EN-EL-18A is the battery for the D4 and D4S and with an adapter the MB-D12,  DSTE does not claim that their EN-EL18A can be used with the D4/D4S.  I'd feel better if the DSTE was applicable to all EN-EL18A uses. This tells me it's not really a EN-EL18A alternative even though it's label says it is.

 

John Ruskin supposedly wrote the following in 1928:

“It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that's all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

I can't help thinking that this could apply to the DSTE EN-EL18A package.

 

I don't have a MB-D12 but I do have a D4, so I guess I not a customer anyway.

 

[Art]

Gary,

 

If I hadn't seen it, it would be zero on my list of priority purchases.  I was quite impressed with it.  And, the testimonial of a guy I see at the park all the time.  Unless there is a long term issue, it seems like a solid purchase.

[Gary Poole]

Gary,

 

If I hadn't seen it, it would be zero on my list of priority purchases.  I was quite impressed with it.  And, the testimonial of a guy I see at the park all the time.  Unless there is a long term issue, it seems like a solid purchase.

Fortunately the cost is low enough that possibly losing the gamble is not a big loss.  One of the reviews says "Level of the battery, doesnt show medium, it just jumps from full to almost no chargue."  That would bother me.

 

For me the lack of D4/D4S applicability keeps it off my list  The battery and the adapter for the MB-D12 are a single unit.  The D4 uses a different adapter so the DSTE won't fit in a D4.

[Art]

Gary,

 

I don't think it is much of a gamble only because I actually saw the product.  That reduces the chance it will be a bust by a substantial amount.  I did my usual due diligence trying to find something really negative about the battery and I could find nothing, other than a post that you refer to.  I am not too worried about that.

 

I currently have:

 

2 EN-EL 15 Nikon batteries.

• 1 fits in the camera itself

• the other has a tray with the MB-D12 grip

1 AA Battery Tray

 

and now, this new one.

 

If it goes dead, I am more than covered with extra juice.  For $50 .... worth a shot.

[james23p]

I'm in tha camp of caution when it comes to batteries but seeing is believing and first hand reviews help.

If they have the Olympus battery cheap I might give it a try.

Jim

[Rebel]

It might be safer to simply use 6AA rechargeable batteries. I have some eneloop batteries for backup (because they hold their charge) and a genuine Nikon battery in the grip that was half price from Amazon (not from a reseller) when I bought it.

I'm quite wary of third party lithium ion batteries myself.

[Peter]

I am leery of anything that is priced so much lower than the original. 

 

 

Gary, remember we're talking about Nikon here; the company that sells, for instance, pennies worth pieces of plastic (lens and body caps) for ridiculous prices, when knock-offs work just as well for a fraction of the price. But I know a piece of plastic is pretty basic, we are talking about a battery. In the battery industry the prices on dx.com are not out of line with other LiPo batteries with similar specifications on other websites. The Radio Control industry has driven battery technology for the past 40 years, from NiCads to NiMH to LiPo, to the point where $50 can buy you a pretty decent battery these days. Nikon is just doing what they have always done - making most of their profit on accessories. But with some items they seem to get greedy.

 

Art, you should have no problem with that cell.

 

Peter

Edited by Peter, 09 October 2015 - 06:59 AM.

[Art]

Well, Peter, I am counting down the days, so you can be sure to get the full review after I have played with it for a week or two.  I will charge it, use it till it drains, then measure how long it takes to charge, then let you know.

 

Peter, Nikon is greedy? Who knew?!

[Art]

Hey Mr. Postman!

 

Lookie Lookie!

 

 Battery_1.jpg   370.95KB   0 downloads

 

 Battery_2.jpg   342.71KB   0 downloads

 

 Battery_3.jpg   389.23KB   0 downloads

 

I love the Chinese.  In the summer, I ordered some parts for my car, got this massive empty box and inside, 3 small boxes that would fit INSIDE what you see above... I think that cost me $40 to ship from American Muscle!!

 

This package cost me... NOTHING, the shipping was included in the price.  Unbelievable.

 

So, here it is, plugged in the Wall.... waiting to go!

 

 Battery_4.jpg   353.7KB   0 downloads

 

Keep you posted on how long it lasts, how much of a fps improvement I notice and if I think this was worth the $50.... TO MY DOOR!!

 

Right now, I have to say to Nikon Canada and their outrageously priced kit.....

 

 Not_Interested(850px).jpg   43.61KB   0 downloads

[Art]

Well, 40 minutes later.... GREEN LIGHT!!

 

Must have shipped partially charged.

 

Running to get my camera!

 

 Battery_5.jpg   331.02KB   0 downloads

[Art]

First impressions out of the box.

 

Nice quality.  No complaints for what I paid.

 

Took about a month to arrive, it was slightly delayed as it was refused as Air cargo.  It shipped from the Netherlands.  No idea how it actually got here.

 

Charged in 40 minutes.  Impressed with that.

 

I just put it in my camera, nice snug fit, no issues.

 

Shot in FX, same speed as regular Nikon batteries.

 

Shot in DX, noticeable difference in shutter speed.  Same as AA batteries.

 

Weight, acceptable.  About the same as the Nikon battery the camera comes with, can't feel any noticeable increase.

 

Lets see how long this holds a charge and lasts!

 

So far,

 

 IMPRESSED(850px).jpg   46.63KB   0 downloads

[james23p]

Looks good Art keep us updated! Shipped from the Netherlands hmm maybe Herman's secret Nikon inspection team intercepted it and partially charged it!

Jim

[Art]

You never know, Jim, you never know.  So I know have more battery power than I know what to do with.

 

I can safely say, I should never run out of juice!

 

I wish I could say the same for the money pouring out of my wallet....

[Art]

I have shot close to 1600 images, I figure, and it is still not discharged 100%.  I have just pulled it out to recharge, just to see how long it takes.  Hopefully, it charges in the next hour before I go to bed.

 

 

 Battery_6a.jpg   546.59KB   0 downloads

[james23p]

Looking good Art.

 

Jim

[Art]

Well, not sure how long it took this time.  It was over an hour and under 6 hours.  Fully charged and ready to go, again.

[Dennis]

sounds good.