I just bought an F5, and I'm curious about using Ni-Cads with this camera. In the manual, the power sources mentioned are alkalines, Lithiums, and Nikons Ni-MH Battery pack MN-30. Since the manual doesn't mention anything about Ni-Cads, is it safe to use it on this camera?

Rodger

-- Rodger B. (rb643@yahoo.com), December 25, 1998

Answers

Be careful. Nicads are usually rated a little below the voltage for comparable alkaline batteries. This may or may not be a problem. In addition, they don't last very long and when they die, they die very quickly. Personally, I would stay away from them.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), December 26, 1998.

Hi Rodger, I would agree with the previous post about Ni-cads, I've had good luck with the lithiums and even the new "ultra" from everready. My first choice being lithiums. I'd like to try the Ni-MH but that's an expensive experiment. If you haven't found out already, running the auto focus on a steady basis with a big lens will eat up your batteries. Once you learn to run the F5 conservatively I believe you'll love how versatile it is and I think you'll find that batteries don't have to be a problem. Enjoy it!

-- Robert Smith (glle@ptdprolog.net), December 27, 1998.

Nikon does not recommend any rechargeables for the F5 except for the MN-30 NiMH packs.These packs have the correct open-circuit voltage because they have the equivalent of 10 cells.

Use either AA lithiums of the MN-30's if you want the best performance (I use MN-30 backed up by lithiums, but two MN-30's do 50-60 rolls, so I rarely need the lithiums). If you use lithiums, get a few extra MS- 30 battery holders and keep them filled with fresh batteries, so you're always ready with spare power. Expect about 40 rolls per set of lithiums, although it can vary quite a bit depending on temperature, lens and your own shooting habits..

-- Danny Weber (danny_weber@compuserve.com), December 28, 1998.

Thanks to everyone for answering my question. I'll stay away from the nicads and try lithiums (right now i'm using alkaline cells). At first, I was reluctant to try lithiums because I heard that they had a high initial current that could affect the cameras electronics. I guess that doesn't apply to the newer cameras. Maybe later, when funds permit, I'll purchase the MN-30 battery pack and charger.

-- Rodger Bantigue (rb643@yahoo.com), December 29, 1998.

One other thing to add. After I got my F5 I called Nikon and asked one of the service techs if I could use lithiums in my F4. He said it would not be safe as the voltage was too high. He said lithiums in an F4 would work for a while, maybe, and then the motors would burn out and if I was real "lucky" the surge from the motor burning out would fry the rest. He also said flashes were different and could handle the excess voltage with no problems.

-- John Fisher (jfisher@ionet.net), December 29, 1998.

Nikon officially approves the use of AA lithiums in the N90s, F5, F100 and SB-26/7/8 flashes.

Everready says that they will replace or repair any device that is damaged by their AA lithiums, but I never tried them in my F4S either.

-- Danny Weber (danny_weber@compuserve.com), December 29, 1998.