Canon 430ex Flash Help

[madronemedia]

I'm new to the Canon system, coming from using an Olympus E-500 for a few years. I just purchased the 430ex flash and have a question for other users.

Does the battery life just suck on your flash? I only got 30-40 shots using freshly-charged NiMH batteries that are 2100ma. I know the specs say I sould get much more.

The 580exII is almost beyond my budget, but wonder if it uses batteries more efficiently? I can still return my 430ex.

Any advice?

[cmason]

I understand that you need 2500ma or higher. I have 2500ma energizers and they work for a long while, basically never had them fail when I needed them.

The 580EX is a more powerful flash, and if anything would suck your batteries more, I am not aware of anything that makes it better on batteries over the 430EX

I dont think this is a flash issue..have you tried regular alkalines?

[James S]

Well I have never counted the images off my flash with my batteries. I have Energizer 2500Mah batteries and the 430EX seems to work fine everytime I need it.

[Tee Why]

It seems way too low. Is there a chance that the batteries are getting old and not holding as much charge?

[madronemedia]

It seems way too low. Is there a chance that the batteries are getting old and not holding as much charge?

I do have one new set of NiMH batteries that I'll charge up and try. Thanks for the ideas, I'll keep you posted.
Mark

[Cuong]

I agree with Tee Why that the batteries might be old and lost their capacity. I have used 2100mAh batteries in the 430EX and easily got over a couple hundred photos on a single charge.

Cuong