Best Batteries for Off Camera Flash (Speedlights)

by Posted in Photography Skills

If you are more than a ‘guy with camera’ you know how important off-camera flash is; especially on sunny, cloudless, days.  This article deals with battery performance for external camera flash units (‘speedlights’).

As an electronic engineer I have known for decades which type of battery to use in high-current devices.   This video by Maha Energy includes a 2 minute video which shows  you the difference.

I would like to point you to this 2 minute video on the Maha Energy website that shows you the astonishing performance benefit of NiMH battery over alkaline.  Not only do NiMH cells out perform alkaline type, they will pay for themselves and a good charger very quickly.

It is extremely important that you use a good charger with your rechargeable batteries.  If you have been experiencing crappy battery performance or battery life, it is probably the fault of your charger.  Most drugstore / fleamarket battery chargers charge for 14 hours whether the cell needs it or not.  A proper smart charger is the best thing for your rechargeable cells.

I am extremely satisfied with the Maha 8 cell charger and the 4 cell charger / analyzer.

What about lithium-ion battery technology?

Li-ion batteries are the choice for laptop computers and electric cars because they can pack so much energy into such a small space.   And that is exactly why they are dangerous… because they pack so much energy into such a small space and once they catch on fire, there is no way to extinguish the fire.   This is why it is getting more difficult every year to fly with devices which contain li-ion batteries.  It is already very difficult to ship them by “next day air” shipping services.

I expect someday soon we will see speedlight manufacturers jump on to the li-ion fad.  Be assured, I will not be buying one of them, it just will not be worth the expense and difficulty.

“When You Gotta Go” or “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way”

by Posted in Motorcycle Life, Motorcycle Racing Photography Tagged Leave a comment

Sometimes, you are determined to go racing, but do not bother to use traditional methods.

Spotted on the infield at Daytona Internations Speedway, March 2017

I would never make fun of this guy.  You have heard that phrase about ‘glass houses’, right?  So let me show you how I often traveled to Moroso and Homestead to race in CCS Lightweight Sportsman Class.

1984 Yamaha RZ350 on its way to Moroso. Probably 1995.

Got to love Ancra Tie Downs.  One on each wheel secure the bike to the bumper, and more go from the handlebars, through both rear windows, and back out and to the rear frame.  It shook and wobbled with every start, stop, or bump.

I eventually bought a one axle enclosed trailer.  One time on the way back from an F.T.R. hare scramble in Okeechobee the bumper of this motorhome suddenly broke, almost completely off.  I was able to stop in town and take care of the situation.