Canon SLR Reviews

Posts Tagged ‘Battery Power’

Canon DC410 DVD Camcorder with 41x Optical Zoom

Introducing the new Canon DC410 DVD camcorder that
makes every video you shoot great. With the new
Canon DC410 DVD camcorder, its easy to capture the
extraordinary events of your life on DVD and show it on
your home theater. A 2.7-inch widescreen LCD and
simple-to-operate controls let you frame the action from
just the right angle. Stellar features like Canons 41x
Advanced Zoom for heart-pounding close-ups, DIGIC
DV II Image Processor for brillant picture quality and
true 16:9 widescreen recording will keep your audience
on the edge of their seats. Quick Start conserves
battery power between shots and makes sure youre
ready for another take in less than a second. Plus,
when youre shooting, Canons Image Stabilizer keeps
every shot on an even keel. Stylishly compact, the
Canon DC410 even has an SDHC memory card slot for
photos. Get the quality and performance youre looking
for with the Canon DC410.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Canon DC410 camcorder
Not sure what the other reviewer is talking about, but I have this camera and it definitely comes with a USB port and cable. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures.

1 Star Bad product design DC 410
Cannon’s DC 410 is a bad product by design. No USB connectivity and very difficult to use. I bought it to replace my Sony DCR 550. No match to the

Sony, esp which has USB, touch screen and extremely easy to use.

Guess what? I returned DC 410 and got a Sony DCR 650. I am not sure if

the Cannon product designers and marketing was thinking to put this product in the market. I shall probably not buy a Cannon camcorder ever and would

recommend you to not even consider DC 410 while shopping a camcorder.

4 Stars It does what we want it to do.
We bought this camcorder to document the lives of our children. So far we’ve had no trouble. It takes a reasonably clear video and we really like the zoom. I’ve been a fan of Canon since my old AE-1 in high school so we knew we weren’t going to be disappointed. I read the other reviews and wanted to make a clarification: This camcorder (DC410) does NOT have a USB connection to the computer. There’s a jack for a microphone and for AV out. The av out can go to a TV or to a computer if you have the right setup but will not connect to the average computer. This didn’t really bother me since I never planned on storing terabytes of video on the laptop!

The DC410 is very easy to use if you spend a little time reading the instructions. You might want to get an extra battery, I was lucky since it uses the same one as my digital camera (Rebel XTi).

2 Stars It falls short of my expectations
This camera has many flaws that are important to understand before buying. First is a limitation of the DVD in recording length. 30 min is the default with 60 minutes max at the sacrifice of video quality.

Consider that Mini-DV tapes will support 60 min at highest quality.

These 3 inch DVD disks are difficult to handle under perfect conditions. I wanted to use this camera for outdoors events but it would be too easy to get fingerprints on the recording surface to take chances without clean hands and dry conditions. The disks are small and have to be forced onto the spindle without touching the recording surface.

Another limitation is that the least expensive DVD disks are DVD-R write once only which makes it impossible to edit what you shoot. They can’t be erased. Scenes deleted so be sure you don’t record anything with them you might regret later. It supports DVD-RW Write Many format also but considering how easy it is to mess up the recording surface don’t expect them to last forever.

The greatest problem with this device is that the DVD drive is limited to only three brands of disks. This makes the DVD recorder not very well supported for using with the video.

The DVD drive does not support all DVD formats available. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW: YOU MUST USE ONLY DVD-R, DVD-R DL, or DVD-RW FORMATS. Notice it is a MINUS – not a plus +. (Amazon.com bundles this with a 3 pack of DVD+RW disks which are not ever going to work with this camera so don’t include it like I did.)

To make matters worse you cannot just use any 3 inch DVD-R disks. The camera claims to only support 1-layer Hitachi-Maxwell HG series disks or 2 layer Canon DVD-R DL54 and Verbatim DVD-R DL disks. (Not Sony, which is the brand Amazon.com recommends.)

If you decide to risk it and use an unsupported disk, every time the camera is turned on you will get a dire warning that using this disk is not supported and you run the risk of damaging the camera or end up with poor/no video. I could only find Maxell DVD-R DS and TDK-RW at Rite-Aid. Both will work with the camera but the warnings are enough to make me believe I should try to buy disks it won’t complain about. It is very annoying that it doesn’t support both – and + formats like most dvd recorders to start with. I would suggest that if you want a DVD camcorder, look for one that can use both +/- if possible and supports all manufacturers disks.

The camera also lacks a firewire port so you can’t use it with a computer to capture the video stream. The model 410 has an AV port and microphone jack. It does not have a USB port. The model 420 USB doesn’t support the video just the photo feature and takes the place of the microphone jack.

The last disappointment with this camera is the image stabilization feature is awful. The video becomes so shaky that people will think you have been drinking or you are filming an earthquake. Even on a stable tripod the video was not stable even if focused on inanimate objects.

All the reasons I wanted to get this camera are total disappointments for me. I wish I would have chosen a different camera with better DVD support or one that records to flash memory, and probably not from Canon.

P.S NO software with the camera for editing the video or the photos!

Buy/More Info

Zeikos ZE CBG50 Battery Power Grip for Canon 40D and 50D

Runs on either Lithium batteries or six AA size batteries Works with AA-size alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), Lithium and nickel-manganese batteries.. Provides added stability with extended shooting potential.. Multi-power battery pack holds 2 BP-511 Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, effectively doubling your total shooting time.. Can also hold AA battery holder (included), so users can use AA batteries as power backup.. Multiple power battery pack cannot provides an AF-on button, front and rear command dials, have shutter button only.. Dimensions: 142.7 x 110.5 x 75.7mm.. Net weight: 320g

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars AWESOME
Very nice deal, all buttons and roller knobs are there, perfect fit!, the rubber on it is slightly more grippy than the canon 20Ds own grip areas and the tone is 98% exact..all in all its 100% worth the bargain price.

would definitely buy again

5 Stars Great alternative to factory Canon grip
I purchased this battery grip for my wife’s Canon 50D. I examined it thoroughly and played with it for some time now and so far, I can’t see anything wrong with it. It’s just like the Canon version. I can’t see spending another $100 for something that’s so close to this aftermarket one. I’m sure there are differences, but it’s nothing that I’m concerned about. In the end, my wife likes her new grip and that’s what really counts!

5 Stars Just like the Canon OEM BG-E2N Battery Grip except for price
I must confess, that I am one of those Canon OEM snobs. I always purchase the Canon product, so everything matches perfectly. Both visually and as far as function. I am often asked for lens, camera, and accesory advice by friends and in online chat forums.

And I always say that its better to by the Canon grip, because of the higher build quality, the feel, and how it looks attached to your camera.

I have three Canon BG-E2N Battery Grips (20D, 40D, 50D,), but my Canon 20D did’nt have a grip on it. I purchased the Flashpoint battery grip since it was so cheap, and my 20D was just sitting around gathering dust.

The build quality of this grip is awesome! It looks exactly like the Canon grip, and has all the same buttons and features. The faux leather on the grip is much softer than the Canon, and want slip in your hands as easily.

Very well constructed, snug fit, grip feels great, and the price is the icing on the cake. It comes with an AA battery tray adapter just like the Canon, and is handy when you run out of power. Looks like it came from Canon.

The setup of the shutter release and other buttons is ergonomical and feels good. It also doubles your shooting time. Give you a stable feeling when using big heavy “L” lenses. And the vertical shutter button allows you to take vertical portraits much easier and more comfortably.

I’m still a Canon OEM snob, but will have to consider this companies products.

5 Stars Good Bargain.
I ordered from Amazon and order came from Adorama, Flashpoint brand I think. I thought the build quality of this battery grip was great. Has a slight tacky feel, which I liked. Plastic felt solid and not cheap. All buttons functioned perfectly. I would definitely buy one of these again over OEM

5 Stars Expectional Value!!!
Normally I just buy the Canon brand and pay the extra money but this time I went “off brand” and purchased the Zeikos Battery Grip Power Grip. Cost was the primary reason for not buying Canon (the Zeikos is about $85 less) and since I plan to use the battery grip occasionally I thought this might be a good way to save a little money.

Out of the box I am very impressed with this product. It has a good sturdy feel, seems well designed and is very easy to attach to the Camera. It comes with instructions that are clear and easy to follow.

A couple of things to know: The instructions say the grip can be used with Canon 20D/30D/40D/50D cameras. Why they only advertise the 40D and 50D is a mystery to me. The grip can function with one or two BP511A batteries installed. The grip will also accept 6 double AA batteries but the instructions say this is for emergency use and some camera functions will be slower when using double AA batteries. The grip also makes shooting from a portrait orientation much easier and the shutter button on the grip functions and feels the same as the shutter button on the camera.

I guess the one remaining question is will it hold up? Time will tell BUT I paid for it with my Amazon VISA card so the original warranty of 1 full year is automatically increased to 2 full years at no additional cost. All you have to do is keep your receipt so you can prove you paid with VISA and call the 800 on the back of the card if you have a problem.

The combination of price and quality make this an exceptional value!!

Thanks to everyone who wrote a review. Your comments made me decide to buy this product and I’m very happy I did.

Buy/More Info

Canon ACK E6AC Adapter Kit for Canon 5D Mark II Digital SLR

Designed to power the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera from any standard household power outlet for studio use / AC adapter included

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Works well, good quality
Pretty standard piece of equipment, with typical Canon quality. No issues with cabling. I prefer the Canon unit over after market brands sold on e-bay because Canon’s cables do not stiffen up and get brittle at low temperatures. I shoot outdoors in the field (astrophotography) at temperatures down to 15F (I use this adapter connected to a 12V-110V converter as camera batteries die quickly when cold). Many cheap cables get extremely brittle at temps below 30F and may break if flexed. This adapter keeps working fine with no issues.

5 Stars A must have if you own a Canon 5D Mark II and shoot a lot…
I payed $140. for this AC adapter kit and it will more then pay for itself in less then a years time. Rechargeable batteries slowly degrade as they’re recharged again and again until they’re of little use. I’m using this adapter during long studio sessions while shooting from a tripod and while having the camera plugged into a computer for lengthy down loads, etc. (which drains batteries very quickly), etc. Also, I shot totally RAW almost all the time which drains off battery power more quickly too. I’m saving a lot by not having to purchase fresh batteries as often. ~~~~~~ I have little to no use for the 5D Mark II ‘live view LCD shooting’ mode and/or it’s ‘movie’ mode, however, from all the sources I’ve read or heard from the modes drain batteries so quickly that, this adapter is all but a necessity. ~~~~~~ The adapter is constructed well and sturdy enough to last. And, I feel I can highly recommend it and suggest that it’s a must have for 5D Mark II owners who shoot a lot of RAW still shots all the time or plan on making use of the cameras ‘live view LCD’ and/or ‘movie’ modes frequently. ~~~~~~ Happy shooting…

Buy/More Info

Canon ACK E2 AC Power Adapter Kit for Canon 30D 40D 50D and 5D Digital SLR Cameras

Canon is a leader in professional business and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. By developing innovative, high-quality business solutions Canon makes it easy to create, manage, and share images and information better, faster, and more efficiently.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars It’s what canon Left OUT of the Kit
This is what Canon left out of the kit. Well, not really but it would have been nice to find one in the box. Though it’s really only good for stationary studio work.

But, that is exactly why I bought these adapter. I can leave Liveview running full time while I do product shots and never have to swap out batteries after a couple hours or so…I would say for me it’s worth it;s weight in gold. Just slips into your battery compartment and on the 40D the cord exits sort of out the front of the body. There is a small rubber flap I never noticed until I bought the adapter and had to figure out how it was going to work given the battery door…hehehe…turns out Canon was thinking ahead on this one.

I highly recommend this to anyone who shoots a lot of static studio product shots and needs Liveview. It will save you 2-3x it’s cost in the first year you use it since you won’t need extra BP511A batteries for your studio time. There is pretty much no strain on the camera from the adapter so you could, with a long enough extension cord and some nimble feet, move around a bit with the camera off the tripod.

5 Stars Great Idea!
I don’t have to worry about battery power when taking many photos at one time.

4 Stars Works as advertised
Plugged it in, worked like a charm. Could stand to be cheaper… if you can get a hold of a cheaper, reliable alternative, go for it.

4 Stars Canon Adapter Kit
Compareble cheap and high quality item. I also admire that Amozon delivered it on time. Thanks a lot.

5 Stars Power for indoor shoots that doesn’t fail
I use these adapter kits to power my cameras on indoor professional shoot sessions. They are reliable and easy to use in my Canon EOS digital cameras.

Buy/More Info

Canon ACK E5 AC Adapter Kit for Canon Digital Rebel XS and XSi Digital SLR Camera

AC power supply unit for powering your EOS 450D camera while taking pictures or downloading images

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Canon ACK-E5 AC Adaptor Kit
I purchased this primarily for portrait photography and for time-lapse exposures. Very handy for any situation where the camera is used in a stationary position, for any time when the battery could run down, and where AC power is available. I gave it four stars only because, for the price, I expected the cable to be higher quality. The two-conductor cable between the power supply and the DC connector is very thin zip-cord and could wear out with long use, or could break easily if pulled on or tripped over. Otherwise works exactly as advertised and expected. BTW, it is an adaptor (device), not an adapter (person)!

5 Stars Great for Time Lapse, Long Photo Uploads
The Canon ACK-E5 AC Adapter Kit is precisely what I needed to set up my Canon Rebel XSi for time lapse photography. All I need is the ACK-E5 AC Adapter Kit, a wall outlet, tripod, my camera connected to my laptop, and the camera does the rest! The Adapter Kit also permits the user to upload pictures to a computer without wasting precious battery power.

The packaging includes the converter battery (DC Coupler) and power cords. Check out the pictures I uploaded regarding the design and equipment for the Kit and how it fits into the camera.

Buy/More Info

So if ever you are having battery problems with your camera during an important photo shoot, try out the new AC power supply unit in powering your EOS 450D cameras.  It is so convenient to use anytime your battery runs out of power and anywhere as long as there is AC power supply available, from actually taking pictures or downloading images from your computer.  In any given photo shoot situation where you experience low battery with your Canon camera, all you need is a Canon ACK E5 AC Adaptor Kit, a power outlet, and the camera will do the rest.