Good batteries aren't cheap... or maybe they are. Putting that notion to the test is Martin Cheung, who recently published a video in which he tests the recycle speeds of inexpensive rechargeable IKEA LADDA batteries against more expensive Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries using Godox TT685 flashes. The results are surprising: the LADDA batteries actually demonstrated a noticeably faster recycle speed versus the Eneloop Pros.
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The test was performed using both flashes, meaning the batteries were swapped to the opposite unit for retesting to ensure the difference wasn't due to the hardware rather than the energy cells. The one caveat is that this is a test of recycle speed only—as Cheung explains in the video, he did not test the number of flashes the batteries are capable of powering.
Looking at each battery model's specs, the Eneloop Pros ($21 per AA 4-pack) boast a 2550mAh rating, while the Ikea LADDA ($7 per AA 4-pack) have a slightly lower 2450mAh capacity. Assuming the two sets are capable of powering a similar number of flashes, however, the faster recycling speed and one-third cost of IKEA's batteries make them the clear winner in this comparison.
I'm really disapointed about this article. It clearly said that it show a clear winner only for this quick test. But a lots of peoples will take for granted that LADDA batteries are better than Eneloop Pro batteries. It could be true. I don't know. When I read comments, Like said in the article, comments tends to say that Laddda is a better value for very similar product. But I have to read comments for that. What prove that comments are right. To best of this article is that it unveil to me Ikea batteries. Thanks a lots for that. But I would prefer an article that would add a lots more details like the number of charge-discharge supported, the time the battery will take to discharge or reach (say 1.0 volt), etc. I bought more than 50 NiMH batteries in the last 10 years and the only ones which survive many years where the slow discharge batteries like Eneloop and Some Duracell (Does Ladda is in the same class ?). All others ~fast discharge (when on tablet) are in the garbage actually.
I bought 4 sets of 4 last weekend and have done a break in and test of 3 sets so far. Capacity Results mah: 2521, 2531, 2543, 2489 2528, 2545, 2510, 2542 2529, 2499, 2476, 2511
Very impressive and consistent. Not one battery less than what they are labeled.
This is clickbait by dpreview and Martin Cheung. The test says nothing and the headline is misleading by saying Ikea batteries "outperform" Eneloop. How old were the Eneloop Pros? Were they fully charged? Were they all from the same batch? Has he compared discharge rates between Ladda and EP? How many total full power dumps did he get from each set?
Did he discharge the eneloops and ladda 500 times to see which lasts longer?
I have about 80 eneloops. The ones I bought about 5 years ago are still powering flashes, radio scanners, electric pepper/salt grinder, mouse, remote controllers. I recently switched to Eneloop Pro for the extra juice. I need maximum reliabiity and Eneloop has delivered.
As stated, the article DOES NOT even show any scientific testing as done in that youtube video.
And that YOUTUBE video still does not comapre the slow discharge rates WHICH IS WHY I BUY ENELOOP.
I store my spare AA Eneloops in 2 MTM 50 Round Flip-Top Rifle Ammo Boxes. I sometimes do not use them for months but I am glad they can be used without worrying.
If you want to go real cheap I know some ebay drop-ship AA batteries with similar curves I can hook you up with for $3 for 8. Good for those high end jobs where you need to save pennies.
"Testing" recharge time without testing the number of flashes per recharge is like testing an electric car's recharge time without testing its range - a pointless waste of time.
I was under the impression that there was only one factory in Japan that made AA and AAA rechargeable batteries and that therefore it made them for IKEA and Panasonic [Eneloop]. It would seem logical to assume that they are the same batteries with a different paint job. Or different versions of the same battery. Eneloop Pro versions perhaps.
According to this, Eneloop are manufactured by Fujitsu in China. The only factory in Japan is Fujitsu's Eneloop Pro plant, so all genuine NMh made in Japan are Eneloop Pro with different branding.
And now please test again with the lower capacity white eneloops which are better suited for in flash use as they have a lower inner resistance as the higher capacity pro ones. This is known ever since the Pro version was introduced. They also discharge faster and have less charging cycles. So you buy the black Pro version for equipment that is used more often, requires more power but not high peak power, like a flashlight for example or radio transceivers. If you need a very long storage time because of infrequent use or low power draw like in a TV remote, clock or cable release or a flash you use only twice a year, or max. peak power again like in a flash go for the white ones.
I'm as well pretty surprised to see DPReview just draw attention to this one-feature test without even mentioning the many reasons why one would still pay the extra money for the Eneloop batteries
I've been using these IKEA batteries for couple of months now. Super capacity, made in Japan. Cells have quite a heft to them. Can't say if they are better or worse than my Eneloop's but given the price its a clear choice for me.
Who on earth at DPR decided to publish such a limited test? Working part-time for Ikea? Imagine doing the same for cameras... The Canon 7DII is better than Canon 5DIV as it has higher fps. We didn't think other features were worth testing.
The last eneloop pros I bought from Amazon were disappointing (maybe fake?) so I'm giving these a try. We have an IKEA in Phoenix so I stopped there today to pick up four packs. Charged two packs so far and they were about 80% full already and each battery completed at near the same time so that's a good sign. I don't have a very intelligent charger so these are general observations. I'll post again if I have any problems but I shoot daily for work and will know quickly if they perform similarly. I do think there are fake eneloops for sale out there so beware. Even though your buying from Amazon, there are a multitude of vendors selling through themand there are a lot of stories based on my quick search of eneloop pro fake batteries.
Eneloop Batteries are optimized for very low self discharge - their whole point is that you could put them into a remote control or temperature sensor (or seldom used gear) and it will have lost nearly no charge over a year or more.
They also allow many many cycles without degratation.
For energy density there have always been cheaper and better batteries - Eneloops sacrifice capacity for less self discharge prone construction.
Precisely. There is a difference between and Eneloop battery and a conventional NiMH battery. Eneloop's had an mAh rating lower than most conventional NiNH batteries were introduced, but the Pro series is higher. However, you can get conventional NiMH AA batteries with an advertised capacity of 3000 mAh or more.
The practical difference between Eneloop batteries and other NiMH batteries has almost nothing to do with recycle speed.
I you are using electronic flash units frequently, Eneloops may present no advantage, and even a higher life-cycle cost. If you have a charge management routine, look for the conventional NiMH battery with the highest real capacity or which better fits the capacity:cost sweet spot.
For online battery performance reviews, find one that is actually instrumented and shows charts/graphs. Don't rely on some nimrod's video that uses a couple of electronic flash units.
If you want better information on your own batteries, get a pulse-load tester.
I echo all the other commenters who cite the specific attributes of Eneloops that make them so desirable. Moreover, THEIR COST IS $21.00!!! I can see trying an different brand to save $500 or $2,000, but guys, we're talking about a $14.00 upcharge from an unknown, un-fully tested brand to go with the gold standard. That's fewer than four double skim lattes at Starbucks. Sheesh!
When you live near IKEA and you depend on batteries, you think otherwise. I do, and for 15 years I tested IKEA batteries through and through. They are good and the quality is stable. Alkaline are not as durable as Duracells and Energizers, but, come on, price/quality are unbeatable. Same goes for NiMH. I have not LADDA but previous series, silver/green 2000 mAh in abundance, and they are excellent. IKEA isn't Walmart or Costco in that regard. Definitely.
Eneloops (standard not pro versions) are great for infrequent use because they discharge so slowly. I couldn't care less about potential recharge time if a battery type can no longer power my flash after a month in the bag.
For studio use you can double the flashes. For wedding use, you can buy battery packs. Chasing slightly faster batteries at the expense of being able to use them at all is not for me.
Ha ha - I liked Modus and Rebecca Martinsson and Wallander and have started to like Ikea. We go there for shelves and stuff and have learned how to navigate without having to go all the way through the store. Always wondered how good their batteries are - thanks Brittany!
Testing batteries is an old and serious bussiness, and there are a few sites where results of serious tests are published. In comparison, the test of Mr. Cheung is rudimentary. The problem with cheap batteries is the large batch variability. Few years ago Lidl had also great AA accu's, but the currently ones are not so great. I will stay will Eneloop.
Cotnrary to what the name suggests the Eneloop "Pro" are not a "better" version of the normal ones, they're a different compromise that gives more capacity at the high cost of lower discharge current ability and much shorter cycle life (see the detailed datasheets). They're only advantageous for very specific slow discharge applications i.e. exactly the opposite of a camera flash. You should have tested the normal white eneloops, even with the lower capacity they'd likely last just as many flashes but with faster cycling thanks to lower losses.
Actually the Eneloop Pro batteries is able to keep voltage up a lot better under load than the regular Eneloop. I have measured them under a 1A load, and the Pro batteries (4 in a series for a total voltage of 4.8V) kept their voltage about 1V higher. This will definetely result in better performance for demanding high current applications. In fact, my bicycle light warns for low battery after just a few minutes at full power with the regular eneloops, but not with the Pros.
The regular ones have a lot lower self discharge though, and will keep most of their charge when stored for a long time, whereas the Pro will lose their charge much faster when stored.
Pro for demanding high power applications like flashes, powerful flashlights, toy RC cars and similar, and the regular ones for low power applications like remote controls, wireless keyboards/mouses, handheld GPS units or anything else low in power consumption.
(Sorry for any bad spellings, written on iPad on screen keyboard)
What is wrong with my most popular review site? Klickbait in its purest form. Yuckk. Incomplete and extremely misleading. And the strangest part is YOU CANNOT EVEN BUY THIS ITEM ON .... AMAZON!! Was DPR HACKED!
Although this flash test says differently. Maybe the eneloops had a few cycles on them and the LADDA were fresh and new? Don’t remember if that was addressed in the video.
Besides the differences seen in the video, the specs are different. Eneloops are rated to last 2100 cycles, whereas these say 500. Half the price for less than 1/4 the number of cycles would not be a bargain for me.
Eneloop Pro has a 500 cycle rating. You are however correct in that the regular white Eneloops have a 2100 cycle rating.
Eneloop: Capacity: Up to 2000 mAh Cycles: 2100 Retains 70 % capacity after 5 years in storage
Eneloop Pro: Up to 2550 mAh Cycles: 500 Retains 85% capacity after one year in storage
Both are shipped fully charged and ready for use (but charge level at time of purchase may vary depending on how long they have been on the shelf)
There seems to be a lot of confusion between the regular Eneloop and the Eneloop Pro. It's really less than half the price for the same amount of cycles. Compared to the regular Eneloops though it's about half the price for 1/4 of the cycles, but they can't deliver high current without significant voltage drop due to their relatively high internal resistance.
Thanks for that link! I honestly had not realized there were such big differences in eneloops. All of mine were made by Sanyo. Which not only dates them, but speaks to their longevity.
They are different tools for different purposes. My standard eneloops are the only batteries I’ve had that still works fine after a couple of years. I just got a set of eneloop pros a couple of months ago, and initial testing and measurements confirm their better high current performance.
I’m going to get some IKEA LADDA to test out too. I do live in the home country of IKEA after all.
Didn't watched the video but I saw another vid with the same discovery. The Ikea battery is virtually the same as the Eneloop Pro. However, this discovery has little value as there is little use for AA batteries anymore now that lithuim ion batteries are just better and cheaper. I can't think of a device in my life that needs rechargeable AA batteries except a camera flash which I haven't used in years. This might be the reason why rebranding these Eneloops and selling for a lot less.
My triggers, flashes, and my Canon battery grip all use AAs and that`s 20 batteries right there, but so does my flashlight, Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad, aircon remote, stereo remote, and microphone.
I still prefer AA wherever suitable. Devices that run on AA will work fine even after the Li-Ion battery has gone bad and no replacements are available. My handheld Garmin GPS runs on AA, my flash runs on AA, my flash triggers run on AA and I have a lot of old devices that would be useless today if they didn’t run on AA. Lithium batteries are great for where they are truly needed, but I don’t like when they are used where AA or AAA could do the job just fine.
They also have the added advantage of being able to switch out empty batteries for fully charged ones in a seconds (as opposed to built in non-replaceble Li-Ion) and even if the Li-Ion is replacable they are usually device specific. AA can also be bought at most places in an emergency. I even have an old cellphone that can be run on 4 AA. That thing is huge though, and going with Li-Ion in phones is the right way of doing it. But leave my damn flashes alone 😛
Several people here are extolling the virtues of eneloops, based on the claim that they have low self-discharge rates, i.e they can be stored for long periods ("30 days", "60 days") without losing charge.
Forgive my ignorance, there may be a logical explanation, but I don't really see the benefit. Surely all of us use our equipment much more frequently then that? And is it really THAT much of a hassle to recharge batteries a day or two prior to a job?
I personally would value faster recycle times and overall longevity much higher than low self-discharge rates.
If you had 5 speedlites that take 4 batteries each plus four back-up sets, you would understand. If you don't use all of the batteries every time, you don't want to have to recharge 40 batteries every time.
Nothing worse than finding out your "back-up" set of batteries have self discharged without ever being used.
I use them in TV-remotes, clocks, wirless keyboards and other things that last for a year or two on a charge, so yes it is important. I also have a bunch of charged ones ready that can sometimes be waiting around for 6-12 months.
The problem with this is that they can’t deliver as much current, so it’s a compromise but that’s what the Eneloop Pro are for. They are not low self discharge and will provide much better high current performance
Also, if you regularly let your NiMh batteries sit around long enough for them to fully discharge they will go bad pretty quickly. Low self discharge batteries don’t need to be managed as much. Just charge and leave them for when they are needed. It’s great!
I use to use Enloops for my Canon flash. Now with the Godox 860II I don't need them anymore. The rechargeable battery included is fantastic. Gets me through at least two events. And an extra one is like $45? I'm done with AA's.
I hopy you can replace all the proprietary accus in 20 years, too. AA will very likely still exist... I always thought the same but today I'm lucky if i can use an old flash from the 80ies without needing an expensive, maybe unavailbale NIMH/NiCD/LithiumIon-Accu ;)
Well, I'm not using the same equipment I was 20 years ago. Not even 10 years ago. Or even 5! Maybe a lens or two. So I doubt in 20 years I will need anything for what I currently own.
Trust me, the way battery technology is headed, AA's or ANY current battery will be non existent in 20 years.
@vscd Lithium ion AA batteries are not ready for prime time. I also have a few Nikon SB-800 and SB-900 for emergencies and the SB-800's are abotu 10 years old and I do not have to worry about finding correct battery or some phased out lithium battery.
Fact is that @the edge of the world in asia, africa or europa you will find AA on a kiosk or any airport. Try that with specific Lithium-Nikon-Whatsoever-Accus. ;)
We ALL depend on battery specific devices every single day. You just wrote on something that uses one. Phone, tablet, laptop, PC.
They also have places at airports to charge those devices if need be.
I have a 10 hour event to cover tomorrow. It's comforting to know I have ONE battery in my Godox that will probably last all day. It has several times before. And if it doesn't, a quick change to my backup will take about 30 seconds.
Good lord. If I knew I was going to a place I could not charge anything, and they do have electricty in Africa, I’d surely bring what was needed. Did you use your camera’s batteries last time you were there? They do make an adapter for AAs but rarely does anyone use it. Camera batteries are very specific. If I can recharge my camera batteries, I can charge my Godox as well. Plus, no plans on going to any remote places anytime soon.
Good lord, anything but agreements gives you a headache. Live with it. This was about AA cells from IKEA, no need to give us your Godox-specs.... cheeech.
I just posted my thoughts about AA's in general and I feel their days are numbered. You're the one who responded. You didn't have to. I disagree with what you posted. Deal with it. You don't have to agree or disagree. It's just me opinion. I really don't care. A battery is battery. Rechargeable or not, anyone can be "prepared" with any type.
So, you react to a test of two AA-vendors with a comment "I'm done with AA's" and you wonder if someone responses? In fact the Mignon cells were introduced in 1907, they will very likely survive us... believe me. Regardless of what your cameragear uses. ;)
THis is what THIS site is all about. Learning new things. They post a story about AA rechargeable's and simply stated how I won't be using them much anymore. Big deal. Maybe someone will read it and look into flashes with their own recharge battery. I wasn't aware Godox made such a flash until I read something about it on here. Again, so what? I'm done. You can keep responding but I can find more interesting things to talk about on the forums than to keep this silly discussion alive.
I don't think you need to be a member of Amazon Prime to buy their Amazon Basics batteries - at least not in my country (I guess their policy may change based on region). But you are correct, a years membership to Amazon Prime is $99 - if you do the monthly payment it works out at $155.88 (#themoreyouknow :D) Sorry hencho no commission for you this time!
Cool Martin got a mention there's hope for me yet 😊😊😊😊
Fyi my black eneloops aren't holding a full charge going into this year's wedding season they've only done42 weddings so far... I guess for total sum of £250 I should get new ones each year.
Also agree the black Amazon basics batteries work best. The green Duracell ones have issues with the covering coming off and some leaking
If you're going to charge and use your batteries in the same day then Eneloops are a poor choice to begin with considering their price and, as the video shows, discharge rate. Get a conventional NiMH battery. They won't have much charge in a month but if you remember to put them back on before your next gig, you're probably better off.
Save your expensive eneloops for remote controls and other low-drain devices that mostly sit off for long periods of time.
This is like saying an econobox car is cheaper and faster than a minivan. Yes, but what's the point of that comparison?
Eneleoops are long distance runners designed to deliver power after months if not years of being idle. These other batteries are about capacity and price.
If you want a cheap rechargeable with decent capacity, don't buy a battery designed to hold the majority of it's charge for 5 years. Shocking.
Now how would you change your comment if you were told that both batteries use exactly the same chemistry, made by the same company and then branded differently?
If I were told that they used exactly the same chemistry, made by the same company and then branded differently, I would then have to ask what was the flaw in the article's experiment that produced significantly different results from otherwise identical batteries (with different labels).
the best value battiers are amazon basic ...thay are rebadged Eneloop i get the 2500ma and they all tested the same in my C9000 charger as Eneloop pro do at around 2460 to 2485 mh ..the same as the pros tested so i dont mind mixing them www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HZV9WTM/ref=asc_df_B00HZV9WTM50493047/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22110&creativeASIN=B00HZV9WTM&linkCode=df0&hvadid=205183279106&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5394522229828642480&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9047021&hvtargid=pla-332122495393
AA batteries are commodities. The only way you can charge more for a commodity is to convince the consumer via expensive marketing that the product is somehow "special".
I remember having my ancient Pentax *ist-DL and K-x and trying seemingly every brand rechargeable AA battery under the sun....non held their charge for even a couple weeks...until I tried Eneloop. Given Eneloops work reliably for years, I am unconcerned about saving a few dollars per decade on batteries.
"he did not test the number of flashes the batteries are capable of powering" so a more accurate title would be: cheaper Ikea batteries recycle faster than Eneloops. To which the collective reaction would be: yawn!
This is how you distinguish between more and less serious publications: accuracy vs click bait.
Makes you wonder why nobody makes a 2S LiPo pack in a 4xAA form factor for flashes. Unless the internal resistance, and insanely fast cycle time, would overload the typical flash head. Good 2S packs can push 35C vs AA rechargables which rarely exceed 4-5C.
(a 2S pack would be nominally 7.4v - the same as 4 Energizer Ultimates - but potentially 8.4 at full charge, about 0.25v over, per cell).
This is a virtually useless review! The unique quality of eneloop batteries is their low self discharge rate. Many batteries may have a slightly lower internal resistance than the eneloops which would explain the slightly faster recycle time of the flash unit. I wish dpreview would be more selective in the reviews they're publishing lately.
While they did not test them in that regard, the conclusion of the review was that they are likely to be just branded differently. In this case they would share the low discharge rate.
The difference in recycle time in this test is so minor it could be accounted for by sample variation, different age of batteries or even just one of the 4 being slightly under performing.
Charge them, wait 30 days, then test. Charge them, wait 60 days, then test. There are plenty of NiMH batteries cheaper than Eneloops, but we pay for their slow self-discharge capability.
And that ultra low self discharge is known to have compromises in capacity and current delivery capability.
Actually I was shocked to see 2550 mAh Eneloops - I haven't seen ULSDs over 2100-2200 before.
The LADDAs do say "ready to use" so they might be ULSD, but it's not entirely clear. If they are not ULSD, that explains the difference in this use case.
And no, unless you only rarely use a flash and want it always "charged and ready to go" without occasionally topping it off in your Maha - you don't want to use ULSD cells to power a flash unit.
For a flash, I prefer to charge them before shoot. I want the speedlight to charge as fast as possible, that is the only thing that matters to me.
I can see the benefit of slow discharge AA in flashlights, remote controls, keyboards.... Personally, I cannot think of any use where the slow discharge would be critical.
i have around 30 eneloop white batteries, i bought them at 2014 and 2015. I don't use much. I may use less than 5 cycles every year for each set. I recently found that the battery seems to have much lower performance during 2017 weddings. I also found that even if they are capable to store 80% after a year, i still charge them before job regardless. There were once I had last min event and didn't charge turns out not enough battery. I may have to buy a tool to measure if some of them are already half dead.
So my take is, it doesn't matter to much if I have eneloop. I rather get these Ikea batteries and a charger. But i upgraded to Godox with rechargeable battery. so no more AA ;)
@davev8 - I have rarely found the "advanced" modes to be particularly effective, however - the charger is wonderful in general for basic functionality. Individual cell charging/monitoring is a huge boon. At work I was able to verify that a particular piece of equipment we were working with wasn't going to shut down early because of using NiMHs - when some fool leaves it on, batteries rated 2000 mAh take 2200 of charge so it's pulling every last drop. (Obviously charging inefficiency explains most of this...)
Funny thing - we had no problems with people leaving that equipment turned on but I had work order a C9000 and batteries just in case. Now we're charging 1-2 sets/week...
"Assuming the two sets are capable of powering a similar number of flashes"
Why ASSUME, why not just test them...you have everything you need.! Perhaps there's no big difference but its also important to know how many flashes you will get from these batteries!
With that higher capacity you loose the recharge cycles that non-Pro can do. Eneloop pro has rated recharge cycle of 500 while non-Pro are rated for 2000 cycles.
lidl batteries are hit and miss ...i have a c9000 analyzer and one time i get 5 packs 0f 2300mh and they tested to be 1300mh . i take them back ..the glitter colour ones seem ok ....the only time i had some test better than stated was some tesco 2000 mh that was over 2200...te amazon basics are rebadged eneloops
I have for many years now used cheap rechargeable -- and in my practical use I have noticed no difference. IKEA here is singled out for no good reason -- Costco, B&J's... They all come from the same supplier with different wraps. I think it is actually better to get the cheaper ones, so you can replace then every now and then, since they perform better when they are new. My Canon 270ex is ready in about 1/2 time with fresh batteries comared to ones that have been used almost daily for two years.
One exception to cheap is just as good, is that apparently someone has come across a container full of OLD nickel cadmium batteries, that have been re-labeled as Ni-Mh, and sold. So right now getting cheap rechargeable AAs from e-bay is not a good idea. I come across BTY3000's that power my Logitech keyboard for almost and hour!
I hate to be "that guy" but do you have the branding on what they are called at Walmart and other retailers? Or are you saying that any rechargeable batteries sold by those companies are basically just re-branded "LADDAs"?
Basically my experience with various brands from reputable sellers has been equal, be it store brands, Enercell, or Varta. As long as they are 2000+ mAh. I was a just being careless when I wrote they come from the same manufacturer -- I do not know that. I meant that it seems as though they might be.
@LKFX_House - Because there have lately been some very poor quality fakes, and given that store brands are no more than one or two dollars more for a 4-pack, why take the risk
BREAKING NEWS!! A posse of infuriated Eneloop fans have broken into IKEA's stores at Wembley and Stratford and caused massive destruction. All battery packages were ravaged. They managed to paralyse security guards by blinding them with flashguns. The police are still trying to identify the perpetrators. Still no word from Eleloop representatives, though a Varta PR person stated they deplore such acts of "vandalism".
In Elizabeth, NJ, the Swedish tourists have interrupted their pilgrimage to "IKEA in New York" to defend their Most Sacred Site from terrorists attacks, and plan to rise barricade 'Hinder' They are currently all gathered for the Study of the Instructions of Assembly.
...after successfully defending their shrine, the Swedish tourist group gathered for a delightful lunch of meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.
Yet there is something about it that triggers the Swedes to feel that IKEA is a representation of themselves. Just look at the number of Swedes that were drawn to this thread just because IKEA was mentioned in the title! You don't see the Italians flock a site just because a Fiat or Ducati is mentioned. BTW that thing about the Swedes pilgrimage to IKEA in New Jersey is only half joke -- it is nearly impossible to visit that store without stumbling on some visiting Swedes. Yet what they are selling in NJ is no different from what they are selling in the stores home in Sweden..
nomoreheroes: you're wrong. IKEA is so Swedish every Swede should fall defending its reputation - with their chipboard, self-assembled weapons and shields.
@Jtuuti Fiat is now FCA, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, its holding is in the Netherlands and it pays taxes in the UK. Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is owned by Audi through Lamborghini.
There are several thorough comparisons online and it seems that the Laddas are actually rebadged regular Eneloops, made in the only factory left in Japan. I cba to look for the links, but there are several on YouTube and elsewhere. I will soon buy some to compare to my Eneloops and Eneloop Pros.
Google HKJ's review on Candle Power Forums (one of the better resources out there for this kinda thing)... There's no mystery to this, the IKEA batteries are the same thing as one of the 3 different capacities Eneloop sells.
Whether they're much cheaper in your corner of the world might vary, I've never found Eneloop Pros to be worth the premium given their reduced lifetime, but the price of regular 2000/2100/whatever can vary a lot. I've seen some pretty good deals on them at Costco when they put the packs without a charger on sale.
FWIW, I'm a big fan of Eneloop but the Pros are not worth the premium more often than not. Unless you really really need that extra bit of capacity and need to prolong swapping just that much longer, the math over their lifetime favors the regular cheaper Eneloops; which would've made for a more sensible comparison.
In addition to the runtime or number of flashes not tested, I would think the condition of the batteries plays a role too.
Also, yeah, if the IKEA ones aren't low self discharge I wouldn't care anyway... The entire point of Eneloops is that they retain most of their charge for months/years and don't ever leak, so keeping them charged and stored becomes much less of a nuisance.
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Nikon's Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S 'Plena' strives to be the best light gathering beast
Nikon Zf: first look at Nikon's full-frame retro-inspired mirrorless
Have your say
Would you rather have a Canon EOS R8 with three prime lenses or a top-of-the-line camera with only manual mode and OOC images for the rest of your life?
Finished challenges
Bamburgh Dawn by Gloomy1 from Castles
Mandarin Duck Resting by arniebook from Ducks Unlimited
Bald Eagle on the Hunt by skygardener from A Big Year 2024
avocet - tanzania by breeze_of_wind from Birds - Color BLACK and/or WHITE
Mount Corcovado - Rio de Janeiro by wam7 from Misty Mountain Scenes
Ulanzi's latest smartphone camera accessory is a MagSafe-enabled holder with six filter options ranging from an ND filter to a selection of color effect filters.
Sony has announced major firmware updates for four of its current full-frame range, bringing many features and behaviors up to its latest standards and adding C2PA authenticity verification capabilities for pro users.
Ricoh has developed a "highlight diffusion filter" that slots into the optical path of new versions of the GR III and GR IIIx premium compacts, giving images a soft effect.
The Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art is a fast, comparatively lightweight prime lens aimed at travel, portrait and street photographers. We ran the new lens through its paces in and around Seattle.
Fujifilm US has canceled a large number of X100VI Limited Edition orders from the last week, citing "suspicious" details in the orders. Buyers will have a second chance to snag one through a raffle. We'll update this article with information on the US and other markets as it becomes available.
The latest Lumix puts a Four Thirds sensor in a full-frame body with boosted AF and a wealth of stills and video capabilities to create a Swiss Army Knife of a Micro Four Thirds camera.
Astronomy expert and photographer Dr. Tyler Nordgren thinks you should "see your first eclipse, photograph your second." But if you do plan on taking photos, here are a few tips from someone who's been there.
Instant cameras continue to grow in popularity. There's more than just FujiFilm's Instax line to choose from, with offerings from Kodak, Leica, Lomography, Canon, Polaroid and some indie projects joining the fray. With prices ranging from $50 to several $100s, it can be hard to pick one out, but fear not, we've cut through the noise to break down which ones are worth the price of admission.
We're working on finishing up our review of the Panasonic S5II and S5IIX cameras, so when we went to Japan last month to attend the CP+ camera expo, we took the S5IIX along for the ride for some additional testing. Check out our sample gallery, and stay tuned for our review in the coming weeks.
Since its launch in January, users have complained of a camera bug on Samsung S24 Ultra. In a recent post on its community forum, Samsung acknowledged the bug, noting the company is working on a fix.
7Artisans' first autofocus lens, a 50mm F1.8 for full-frame Sony E-mount bodies, is now available. From a spec point of view, this "nifty fifty" offers a metal chassis, STM lens motor, aperture ring and support for all of Sony's autofocus features.
Following the launch of the X100 VI, we interviewed Fujifilm's Yuji Igarashi and Jun Watanabe about the importance of the series, how they balance stills and video and what's going to drive the industry next.
We've continued to push through the final review of Sony's a9 III, accumulating a fair few images along the way. See how Sony's latest sports shooter fares with sports and still-life subjects alike in our latest sample gallery.
We're almost a quarter of the way through the year already! Here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far, with more (and more and more) to come as the year goes on!
With nearly 20 edits to a now infamous photo altered by the UK royal family, it's a reminder of just how easy and normalized misinformation can become if we don't call it out and preserve the need for truth in images.
As part of our ongoing review, we've added the Panasonic G9 II to our studio test scene. This allows you to compare its performance and download Raw files.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.
Firmware v5.0 for the Nikon Z9 enhances Auto Capture, adds Rich Tone Portrait color mode, along with a series of feature tweaks and refinements across the camera.
Nikon has updated its SnapBridge remote control and image transfer app, adding an "Easy Shooting Setup" for entry and mid-level cameras, from the Z30 up to the Zf.
An eBay user briefly listed the Fujifilm X100VI Limited Edition camera for a whopping $18,000. While that particular listing has since disappeared, others are selling for over $4,000.
The Sony World Photography Awards has announced its category winners for the 2024 Open competition, including portraiture, landscape, travel, street photography, lifestyle and more. Take a look at the winning pictures to see what got the judges' attention this year.
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