Any known problems using lithium AAs (rather than alkaline) in a Speedlight 550EX?

-- John (j.ohn1@ntlworld.com), April 02, 2002

Answers

That’s what I use. Much lighter than alkalines, with faster recycling time.

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), April 02, 2002.

Why don't you read the manual and see what it says? The manual for my wife's 220EX indicates that lithium AAs are OK, and it came out in 1996--no problems after many years. The manual for my 420EX also indicates that lithium AAs are fine, and it was marketed in 2000. Of course, maybe Canon got really cheap on the pro units and omitted VR.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), April 02, 2002.

Two problems:

1) On my 550EX the recycling time is not quite as fast using Lithium FR6 cells as with NiMH rechargable cells. If you shoot a lot with flash, rechargable batteries are more economical in the long run.
2) There is no such thing as a "Speedlight" 550EX. Nikon uses the term "Speedlight" for their dedicated flash units, while Canon annoyingly uses "Speedlite".

-- Julian Loke (elan7e-owner@yahoogroups.com), April 02, 2002.

I used lithium AA's for a while without problems. I now find NIMH to be more powerful in terms of recycle time, and at least as good for durability, and far cheaper. I generally do not use my aux. battery packs any more; the AA's alone work fast enough for my purposes, which involve films of EI 160-800 or even faster. The flash is often used as fill, backed off 2/3 stop or more.

-- Jonathan L Barber (jbarber1@nycap.rr.com), April 03, 2002.

I used Li AAs in my 380EX (which came out before the 550EX) with no problems. The manual doesn't say they're OK, but there's a document floating around the Internet claiming to be an official response from Canon saying that this is OK (I can't verify that the document truly is official).

As someone else pointed out, NiMH batteries are also a good choice; I use them in my 420EX.

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), April 03, 2002.