Canon battery problem

Ali · 13-04-2008, 19:02

Just wondering if anyone had had a similar experience or any thoughts about an 'odd' battery?

A while back I bought a spare Canon battery pack - BP-511A. It came in standard Canon packaging and was sold by a Canon reseller. On the occasions that I have used the spare I've found it lasts for about half the shots/time of the original battery (supplied with camera).

The batteries look identical but when I was changing them over earlier I noticed what felt like a weight difference. So I weighed them. The original battery weighs 79grams but the spare weighs only 57grams. I also noticed that the original has "61CG" 'engraved into the plate next to the + and - signs, whereas the same space on the spare is blank.

Having peered closely at the 2 batteries, there is one more small difference that I can see. The circular mark/indentation in the centre of the underside of the battery - on the spare it's white on the original it is not.

What do you think?

Spare top / original bottom

fionaB · 13-04-2008, 19:12

hmm given all the differences etc it looks like it could be a dodgy battery, i would get back in touch with the people u bought it from.

FI

**stepheno** · 13-04-2008, 20:04

Given all the differences I would say it's a clone

AQ · 13-04-2008, 21:16

I have just looked at the battery that came with my 40d. It weighs 78.8g and the spot is colourless. The number is different though - mine says 7YGC so i guess that this is some sort of serial number. The blue label is different it looks as though it has been redesigned.

The weight is probably the most telling factor here.

A quick Google search found this link and the following reply to the original question. You may be in luck if you contact Canon

Possible counterfeit / fake canon battery - AVForums

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Just an update for you guys and anyone else wondering about Canons policy on counterfeit products....

I received this email from Canon this afternoon:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email.

In order for us to verify the authenticity of your product can we please
ask you to send the battery to the following address:

Alex Dodge
European Intellectual Property Manager
Canon Europe Limited, 6 Roundwood Avenue,
Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1JA,
United Kingdom

We will replace the battery with a new one if you can provide us with
the battery, packaging, all invoices and names and details of where you
purchased the product and refrain from contacting the shop directly.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Canon Web Team

silkstone · 13-04-2008, 21:39

Agree with everyone else. Also the battery moulding doesn't look as crisp as the original, and there's no number stamped in the lower right corner.

**Dabhand16** · 13-04-2008, 21:46

And the labels are more rounded in the corners too.

JMitchell · 13-04-2008, 22:38

Er...shame on you lot, call yourselves photographers...didn't you notice

!?

"Exclusive" is spelt wrong on the - and it definitely is - counterfeit.

silkstone · 13-04-2008, 22:48

Oops!

No Exckuse for that!

Ali · 13-04-2008, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Er...shame on you lot, call yourselves photographers...didn't you notice

!?

"Exclusive" is spelt wrong on the - and it definitely is - counterfeit.

Well spotted, Eagle-eyed Mitchell!

Thanks all for the info, and for the link AQ

I've been sat with these 2 batteries in front of me and the more I look the more I find.
The casing is not well defined, t the blue label is a slightly different hue, the fonts are is slightly different, word spacing not the same, the " C E" is thinner on the fake. The list gets longer...

The battery came from a supposed 'genuine Canon' reseller and was in sealed Canon packaging (which I still have) and it all looked the real deal. Seems like I've been well and truely diddled. Communcation drafted to retailler listing all the difference and including comparison pictures, but I don't hold out much hope for any action being taken . I've had the battery a few months - although I've barely used it hence not noticing the difference until today while I was fiddling about with my kit.

Ho hum!

JMitchell · 13-04-2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

Oops!

No Exckuse for that!

paulstan · 15-04-2008, 10:07

Speaking of Canon batteries, I purchased a Lenmar LIC511 at Sears yesterday for my new 40D on sale for $14.95 and it seems to work fine... Before I buy another battery at that price, I wondered if anyone else here has had any experience with this battery... Thanks

**Markulous** · 15-04-2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Er...shame on you lot, call yourselves photographers...didn't you notice

!?

"Exclusive" is spelt wrong on the - and it definitely is - counterfeit.

I thought that was dellibarate Kwanon spilling!

I suppose it's no surprise really, given that they're counterfeiting all manner of computer parts these days, including iPods (there was also the battery scam where the contents wasn't a Li-ion but 3 x NiMH - despite the resulting voltage being incorrect!)

AQ · 15-04-2008, 12:48

I want a second BP 511 battery and have just looked on Ebay. There are a lot that are labled Generic so the sell is up front about not being genuine Canon but at £0.99 + £1.99 postage each I wounder how good they will be

Perhaps I will pass on these.

silkstone · 15-04-2008, 13:22

The ones I've had from 7dayshop have been fine.

7dayshop.com - Online Store

13-04-2008, 19:02	#1 (permalink)
Ali Forum Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mid Sussex Posts: 955	Canon battery problem Just wondering if anyone had had a similar experience or any thoughts about an 'odd' battery? A while back I bought a spare Canon battery pack - BP-511A. It came in standard Canon packaging and was sold by a Canon reseller. On the occasions that I have used the spare I've found it lasts for about half the shots/time of the original battery (supplied with camera). The batteries look identical but when I was changing them over earlier I noticed what felt like a weight difference. So I weighed them. The original battery weighs 79grams but the spare weighs only 57grams. I also noticed that the original has "61CG" 'engraved into the plate next to the + and - signs, whereas the same space on the spare is blank. Having peered closely at the 2 batteries, there is one more small difference that I can see. The circular mark/indentation in the centre of the underside of the battery - on the spare it's white on the original it is not. What do you think? Spare top / original bottom

13-04-2008, 19:12	#2 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,344	Re: Canon battery problem hmm given all the differences etc it looks like it could be a dodgy battery, i would get back in touch with the people u bought it from. FI

13-04-2008, 20:04	#3 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,482	Re: Canon battery problem Given all the differences I would say it's a clone

13-04-2008, 21:16	#4 (permalink)
AQ Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 942	Re: Canon battery problem I have just looked at the battery that came with my 40d. It weighs 78.8g and the spot is colourless. The number is different though - mine says 7YGC so i guess that this is some sort of serial number. The blue label is different it looks as though it has been redesigned. The weight is probably the most telling factor here. A quick Google search found this link and the following reply to the original question. You may be in luck if you contact Canon Possible counterfeit / fake canon battery - AVForums ----------------------------------------------------------------- Just an update for you guys and anyone else wondering about Canons policy on counterfeit products.... I received this email from Canon this afternoon: Dear Customer, Thank you for your email. In order for us to verify the authenticity of your product can we please ask you to send the battery to the following address: Alex Dodge European Intellectual Property Manager Canon Europe Limited, 6 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1JA, United Kingdom We will replace the battery with a new one if you can provide us with the battery, packaging, all invoices and names and details of where you purchased the product and refrain from contacting the shop directly. Thank you for your cooperation. Best regards, Canon Web Team __________________ AQ

13-04-2008, 21:39	#5 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,292	Re: Canon battery problem Agree with everyone else. Also the battery moulding doesn't look as crisp as the original, and there's no number stamped in the lower right corner.

13-04-2008, 21:46	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,759	Re: Canon battery problem And the labels are more rounded in the corners too.

13-04-2008, 22:38	#7 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,433	Re: Canon battery problem Er...shame on you lot, call yourselves photographers...didn't you notice !? "Exclusive" is spelt wrong on the - and it definitely is - counterfeit.

13-04-2008, 22:48	#8 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,292	Re: Canon battery problem Oops! No Exckuse for that!

15-04-2008, 10:07	#11 (permalink)
paulstan New here Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 33	Re: Canon battery problem Speaking of Canon batteries, I purchased a Lenmar LIC511 at Sears yesterday for my new 40D on sale for $14.95 and it seems to work fine... Before I buy another battery at that price, I wondered if anyone else here has had any experience with this battery... Thanks

15-04-2008, 12:48	#13 (permalink)
AQ Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 942	Re: Canon battery problem I want a second BP 511 battery and have just looked on Ebay. There are a lot that are labled Generic so the sell is up front about not being genuine Canon but at £0.99 + £1.99 postage each I wounder how good they will be Perhaps I will pass on these.

15-04-2008, 13:22	#14 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,292	Re: Canon battery problem The ones I've had from 7dayshop have been fine. 7dayshop.com - Online Store