Lets see, you spend $5,500 on your Z9, $300+ on your Cfexpress card, a minimum of $2500/$8000 for your lens and for $120 savings, you take a chance on loosing your warrantee plus your investment. Check your all risk insurance policy and see if your covered using non Nikon approved batteries.
Z9 battery question / wasabi power BTR-ENEL 18 D/ anyone use ?
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Roy
Well-known member
wasabi are better than most OEM battery makes 
ccyeung
Active member
I have been using a Wasabi battery with my Z9 for 5 months without issues. I can't tell any difference between the two in m daily use.
And like clockwork, that same tired cliché gets trotted out...insurance companies, car dealers and electronics manufacturers live for people with such an attitude.
It's not an attitude and not a miss leading statement in my trade. As I design, install, service and maintain fire signaling systems according to the NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code and the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. As an example when using a specific manufacture's fire panel, I'm only permitted to use authorized listed components for that panel or system. NOT installing the listed equipment will void the panels warrantee and WILL cause me problems with the Authority having Jurisdiction and will most likely, I'll loose my professional license. It's not attitude, but in my profession, there are consequences to my actions.
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fcotterill
Well-known member
Early 2018, I bought 3 ENEL18 Hahnel batteries for the gripped D500 and added the D850 later, with a 3rd party grip. The biggest saver at the time was buying a Wasabi charger from Amazon. I was told by the manager of London Camera Exchange branch selling me the batteries that they found Hahnel were reliable, as they'd had very low failures with the brand. At the time, this was a substantial saving: Wasabi charger £44.10, Hahnel EN-EL18 £118.79 (and Mcoplus Grip £85.99 with Ex-Pro Nikon BL-5 £10.95). We've had previous peaks in sharing of 3rd party solutions to save costs to afford the Nikon innovation of the year!
As I can remember, the Hahnel's gave many months of reliable service until early 2019. Then these batteries failed to charge fully, even though the charger confirmed Full. Calibration failed. Far worse, I had the odd power crashes in both DSLRs , this being a blank LCD that would then recover.
When I upgraded to a D5, 2+ years ago, I finally owned the genuine Nikon MH26 charger. This also failed with these same Hahnel's, to full charge or calibrate. No idea if this was their cryptic age or glitches after firmware updates of my cameras. Yet the in-camera battery check ranked all the Hahnel as New! (?).
My primary lesson stands in the 2 genuine Nikon ENEL18's, I also bought in mid 2018: when the first batch of the updated 18c's shipped, but there wwas still old stock. So after I grabbed discounted 18'b I also added one of the new model. Both these batteries still work fine today in the D850, D6 and when they were needed, early 2022, in the Z9.
Looking back, the 3rd party batteries did me okay, considering the price; I guess expect the mileage considerate on their price. Be wary of unexpected errors. My main concern is impacts of future firmware updates. Considering where I photograph in central Africa, and the high costs invested, I minimize all obvious sources of gear failure.
I now only buy genuine Nikon batteries. I'm also confident they all charge reliably - calibrate etc - on the new USBC PD MH33, which is one of Nikon's better ideas. This is a big leap forward for travelling and off grid etc. Compared to DSLRs (assuming comparable mileage/day/week) MILCs run down quicker = frequent recharging. Yet another factor is the GPS is always on in my D6 and Z9. Arguably, I expect batteries to have shorter half lives, even though the ENEL18d is 3300 mAh compared to the 2500 mAh of the ENEL18c.
As I can remember, the Hahnel's gave many months of reliable service until early 2019. Then these batteries failed to charge fully, even though the charger confirmed Full. Calibration failed. Far worse, I had the odd power crashes in both DSLRs , this being a blank LCD that would then recover.
When I upgraded to a D5, 2+ years ago, I finally owned the genuine Nikon MH26 charger. This also failed with these same Hahnel's, to full charge or calibrate. No idea if this was their cryptic age or glitches after firmware updates of my cameras. Yet the in-camera battery check ranked all the Hahnel as New! (?).
My primary lesson stands in the 2 genuine Nikon ENEL18's, I also bought in mid 2018: when the first batch of the updated 18c's shipped, but there wwas still old stock. So after I grabbed discounted 18'b I also added one of the new model. Both these batteries still work fine today in the D850, D6 and when they were needed, early 2022, in the Z9.
Looking back, the 3rd party batteries did me okay, considering the price; I guess expect the mileage considerate on their price. Be wary of unexpected errors. My main concern is impacts of future firmware updates. Considering where I photograph in central Africa, and the high costs invested, I minimize all obvious sources of gear failure.
I now only buy genuine Nikon batteries. I'm also confident they all charge reliably - calibrate etc - on the new USBC PD MH33, which is one of Nikon's better ideas. This is a big leap forward for travelling and off grid etc. Compared to DSLRs (assuming comparable mileage/day/week) MILCs run down quicker = frequent recharging. Yet another factor is the GPS is always on in my D6 and Z9. Arguably, I expect batteries to have shorter half lives, even though the ENEL18d is 3300 mAh compared to the 2500 mAh of the ENEL18c.
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Hi Roy, I understand what you are saying however just a couple of points of clarification.I Mainly use Genuine Batteries but bought OEM when I had to.
OEM usually work fine but usually less battery life.
When Li-ion batteries fail they swell up and cane even burst or catch fire.
Never charge third party OEM batteries in the camera - It the go wrong they could expand and detroy you cameras.
They could expand when being used but the chance is signifigantly less...
OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer hence “genuine” and OEM are the same thing. Therefore “third party OEM” is actually contradictory.
Third party is that manufactured by other than the OEM. They are also termed “after market”, “generic“, non-genuine or “compatible.
For me, I only use genuine and never had a problem. I reckon if you drop $5k on a body a few extra dollars on the battery is insignificant.
I am staying with Nikon Batteries (EN-EL18D)-- I have one spare for each of my Z9 bodies and have not needed to use either on any one-day shoot todate.
Take great care when using non-Nikon batteries in high end Nikon bodies.
I carry a RAVPOWER (26800 mHh) power block and so can top up as needed. Not that I have har to use this for camera batteries either.
Take great care when using non-Nikon batteries in high end Nikon bodies.
I carry a RAVPOWER (26800 mHh) power block and so can top up as needed. Not that I have har to use this for camera batteries either.
Roy
Well-known member
I bought some Nikon EN-EL18c because EN-EL18d weren't available yet - work fine but quite as much storage...
Other than the much larger capacity (Battery capacity of the D is 3300mAh -vs- 2500mAh of the A, B or C) - the principle difference us the D uses the much smaller MH-33 battery charger rather than the MH-26/26a. The MH-33 takes a USB-C/T3 power in and I prefer this over the mains powered MH-26 when in the field. I use a Power bank and/or any of multiple Apple power blocks (96 W or 140W) and other USB-C power hub sources I carry with me.I bought some Nikon EN-EL18c because EN-EL18d weren't available yet - work fine but quite as much storage...
I know the D takes in camera charging, whereas only the C and B do. The original 18 and 18a do not.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Besides EN-EL18d's, I also charge a ENEL18c in the MH33 on the mains EH-7P PSU, or off a RAVPower block with a Nikon UC-E25 cable (but no lights at all show on RAV nor MH33 using the UC-E24 USB cable plugged into the type A port on the RAV block).
So I no longer need the MH-26. There have been reports of some 3rd Party batteries failing to charge on the MH-33. Equally, there're substandard USB products sold that won't work properly even if labelled USB-C. So off mains it's wise to get a decent higher spec powerbrick eg ANKER with sufficient charge, and make sure a 3rd party USB-C cable works on the relatively new PD spec. It's simpler IME to use Nikon OEM cables.
Here's a full list of what works with what for Nikon batteries
So I no longer need the MH-26. There have been reports of some 3rd Party batteries failing to charge on the MH-33. Equally, there're substandard USB products sold that won't work properly even if labelled USB-C. So off mains it's wise to get a decent higher spec powerbrick eg ANKER with sufficient charge, and make sure a 3rd party USB-C cable works on the relatively new PD spec. It's simpler IME to use Nikon OEM cables.
Here's a full list of what works with what for Nikon batteries
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dorthzyx
Member
I have had the wasabi d for about7 months with the z9 and it works well. I think it does not hold charge as long as the Nikon but its not been enough to make any real difference.
Roy
Well-known member
To power the Z9 the cable and power supply needs to be PD USB ...
I got a two pack. No issues so far. No charger and haven't needed one since I have three batteries. In a pinch I could charge one in camera and one in the Nikon charger.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Yes, and the PD spec is often a challenge to resolve, as some USB C devices / accessories are not compatibleTo power the Z9 the cable and power supply needs to be PD USB ...
Useful link here to a DPR video
https://bcgforums.com/index.php?thr...r-camera-battery-recharging.20436/post-229890
I have been using a En-EL 18d in my Z9 for more than a year. Nikon was not avalable as a spare at that time. I have probably 50 cycles on the battery and no problems. I only charge it using the external charger.
Roy
Well-known member
External charging is much safer. - The Z9 battery is a great relief for a mirrorless camera...