Hi, Doug,
I have just purchased Eneloop batteries and a charger . . . Has anyone used these batteries
I haven't used any, but from what I have read they sound very attractive.
Here is the Wikipedia article on this type of cell:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_self-discharge_NiMH_battery
Self discharge of my Ni-MH AA cells is a continuing problem, For example, I use my flash booster pack infrequently, and when I want to take it on a shoot, I need to top off all the AA cells in it before I go.
Another problematic use is my two Canon Compact cameras (A-520 and A-620), which I use infrequently, but want to have ready for use when needed.
Now, as to the salesman's claims about use, these do not have a greater capacity than other comparable Ni-MH AA cells - in fact, a little less than some I use. Their advantage in the freedom from self-discharge - from losing their charge while siting idle between uses. So if you can't shoot a whole wedding with a recently-fully-charged set of good "conventional" Ni-MH AA cells, you will probably not be able to with these.
And if you need a battery pack now, you still will. The advantage will be when you grab your battery pack before running out to a shoot, it will be ready to go (assuming you topped off the batteries when you brought it home from the last shoot)!
I just found that Thomas Distributing, my normal source for AA cells and chargers, has the Sanyo Eneloop AA cells on sale now for less than $10.00 per pack of four (the price is on a sliding scale depending on the number of packs ordered). Here is the link:
http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...extra-4-cell-battery-case-p-287.html?SP_id=50
There is also a good description of the product on that page.
And in fact I just ordered six packs!
So thanks a
lot!