Canon 7DII with legacy batteries

[Tronhard]

I have a whole bunch of LP-E6 batteries that I have been standard for my 60D, 7D and 5DMkIII. I am considering a purchase of a 7D MkII, which takes the slightly uprated LP-E6N. I am curious if any 7DMkII users can tell me if they have used the legacy LP-E6 battery in the new body, and if so, how it has performed. Really I want to know if one really needs to get a new set a batteries for this body.

At this stage I am not inclined to a discussion on alternative bodies, or brands!

[Geoff F]

Just checked my batteries. One LP-E6 and one good quality third party equivalent. Everything works fine and until now I didn't realise there was any difference.

ps. Just read my instruction book. Battery information states Load a fully charged Battery Pack LP-E6N (or LP-E6) into the camera.

Possibly the new battery has better performance in some way?

[Tronhard]

Just checked my batteries. One LP-E6 and one good quality third party equivalent. Everything works fine and until now I didn't realise there was any difference.

Thanks Geoff! What is your experience with 3rd party brands? Where did you get yours?

[Geoff F]

I'm using a Canon battery plus a Baxxtar (designed in Germany made in China). Both ordered with camera from Amazon UK.

I have used a mix of genuine Canon batteries and good quality third party items for many years with no noticeable differences between them. Extra cheap alternatives may be a bit risky though.

[Tronhard]

I'm using a Canon battery plus a Baxxtar (designed in Germany made in China). Both ordered with camera from Amazon UK.

I have used a mix of genuine Canon batteries and good quality third party items for many years with no noticeable differences between them. Extra cheap alternatives may be a bit risky though.

Yes I agree. Getting a good quality 3rd party battery is important. Some of them will not report to the camera, others don't hold a full charge or die fairly quickly. I think that $70-120 is a bit steep for a genuine battery though!

I downloaded the 7DMkII manual and they state one can use the LP-E6 battery unit in the body, so I am encouraged that I will not have to invest in a whole new kit!

[Tronhard]

Why it's good to read the manual!
I have about 12 LP-E6 batteries I can potentially use currently in 5 bodies. Having just looked at the manual for the 7D MkII, on P470-471 there is a statement that the camera body will accept registration for performance purposes for only six batteries. I was wondering why my bodies were saying they could not communicate with some batteries while other bodies could!

[ktuli]

I have both a 7D and 7DII and a mix of both LP-E6 (4x) and LP-E6N (2x so far). I have grips on both of my cameras, so I will make a point to not mix types - I have no idea if it would cause a problem to mix them but I'm not going to take that chance. As expected, I have used the LP-E6s in the 7DII and got the same performance from them in the 7DII as I got previously in my 7D. Obviously, being newer and having fewer charge cycles on them, the LP-E6Ns appear to run a tiny bit better, but to be honest, with the grip on it battery life is rarely a concern for me. I've read reports that the 7DII is a bit more of a battery hog, but I also believe that the majority of that is if you keep the GPS receiver turned on you will obviously get more drain. For photography around home, I am highly unlikely to geo-tag them, and I'm sure that will trip me up when I do want to tag them and forget to turn on the receiver (and I'll also have to read up on the legality of using GPS in foreign countries as the manual recommends).

For what it is worth, I have always been a stickler for sticking with Canon batteries. I know they are usually twice the cost of 3rd party batteries, but if something were ever to happen as a result of the battery, Canon can void your warranty for using 3rd party batteries. I suppose after the manufacturer's warranty is up, I could then start using 3rd party batteries, but by that point, I already have Canon batteries that are working just fine.

- Bill

[Tronhard]

I know they are usually twice the cost of 3rd party batteries, but if something were ever to happen as a result of the battery, Canon can void your warranty for using 3rd party batteries. I suppose after the manufacturer's warranty is up, I could then start using 3rd party batteries, but by that point, I already have Canon batteries that are working just fine.

- Bill

Hi Bill:

You make good points and I agree about mixing battery types. I also completely concur with the issue of using Canon batteries and I stick to the OEM units through their 1 year warranty. So far all but one of my cameras is now free to use the generic ones.

With regards GPS use, I would agree the GPS is an energy hog. I have another camera that has GPS and when it is on the batteries drain significantly faster. For my own purposes I do not tend to use GPS on a day-to-day basis so it will be off unless location is critical.

[ktuli]

Hi Bill:

You make good points and I agree about mixing battery types. I also completely concur with the issue of using Canon batteries and I stick to the OEM units through their 1 year warranty. So far all but one of my cameras is now free to use the generic ones.

With regards GPS use, I would agree the GPS is an energy hog. I have another camera that has GPS and when it is on the batteries drain significantly faster. For my own purposes I do not tend to use GPS on a day-to-day basis so it will be off unless location is critical.

Sounds like you are all set!

[Bobobird]

3 LP-E6 (1 3rd party) and 1 LP-E6n, intermixed with both the 5D3 and 7D2 with no issues.