Can I use a generic battery for a Cannon EOS T2i DSLR camera? (1 Viewer)

[lili5689]

Or do I need to spend about $130 for a battery? I'm thinking about purchasing a kit from getondigital.com and none of the kit includes a battery and a charger with it but everything else like memory cards and free additional lens. I really don't want to spend that much money on the battery or battery charger. Any suggestion from a camera pro?

 

[eastwood]

I haven't used this camera, so don't know the answer. But every kit should normally come with a charger and a battery. May be you can look up for other reliable sellers and compare the price to see how the complete kit compares with the getondigital set + battery and charger.
As for any generic battery, someone using this camera should be able to give you an answer.

 

[Keith Reeder]

No legitimate company sells a new DSLR without a battery and charger - this is a bait-and-switch scam.

Seriously - avoid this company, Lili.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/GetOnDigital
http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/getondigitalcom-a284501.html
http://thoughts-of-dave.blogspot.com/2011/01/getondigital-buyer-beware.html
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.getondigital.com

 

[micloi]

Keith is right, as usual.

Just read here:
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.getondigital.com

 

[mikenott]

Keith is right, as usual.

Just read here:
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.getondigital.com

Well, you learn something new every day. The link above is pretty damning and an excellent warning. For other innocents out there (like me) who do not know what a bait and switch company is, Wikipedia defies it as:

Bait-and-switch is a form of fraud, most commonly used in retail sales but also applicable to other contexts. First, customers are "baited" by advertising for a product or service at a low price; second, the customers discover that the advertised good is not available and are "switched" to a costlier product. (or in this case, product(s) = $130 battery charger)

Good warning Keith and Micloi

Michael.

 

[Keith Reeder]

www.resellerratings.com is always a good site to check out when someone asks about a web-based retailer: although it's US-centric, it's a goldmine of useful information.

Bait and Switch can also - as here - be advertising a camera for a very low price, but charging hundreds for "extras" like batteries and chargers, whch are actually part of the official package.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22bait+and+switch%22+battery+camera&hl=en&source=hp&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Oh - and "if it seems too good to be true, it generally is..."

 

[Keith Reeder]

Back to the original question...

Lili, I've used generic batteries in every camera I've owned since 2005 (a Nikon D70, Nikon D200, Canon 30D, Canon 40D, Canon 7D) and would use them at the drop of a hat if I owned a T2i/550D.

And yes, they do exist.

 

[gergrd]

Lili,

I recently purchased a T3i and along with it, a spare Canon battery and a spare generic battery. I've used generic batteries in other cameras with no problems, but not in a DSLR. However, this generic battery had to be urged into the camera and got stuck. I had to use a knife to pry it out (luckily, no damage to the camera). It now gathers dust at the bottom of my camera bag. As Keith mentioned, they usually work okay, but be cautious.

 

[jimthomson]

I bougtht a couple of generic batteries for my 500D off of Amazon for about $3.00 each. The charge lasts longer than the official Canon batteries.
I also bought a charger that can be used in a wall socket or in the cigarette lighter socket of the car for around $15.
So $130 for a battery and charger is a rip-off.

 

[eastwood]

Take their expert advise, Lili. Don't let your money drain into the ditch.
As for the brand name battery, it should be cheaper to buy them in Hong Kong. eg. A Canon LP-E6 is selling at around 110+ Canadian Dollars (don't know exactly the US pricing). I can get one from a renowned retailer in Hong Kong at around HKD700. (Have no idea about the price of generic battery though).

 

[gergrd]

The T2i uses the LP-E8 battery which has a US price of $45.95 (for Canon) and about $25 for a generic clone. That suggests that the Canon battery should go for about HKD358 (if you could get an equivalent US price at current conversion rates).

The Canon LP-E6 (used in the 7D) sells in the US for $62.95 for the Canon version (why they sell for $110 Canadian mystifies me when the US to Canadian exchange rate is favorable now - Canon may be gouging the Canadians).

 

[eastwood]

The T2i uses the LP-E8 battery which has a US price of $45.95 (for Canon) and about $25 for a generic clone. That suggests that the Canon battery should go for about HKD358 (if you could get an equivalent US price at current conversion rates).

The Canon LP-E6 (used in the 7D) sells in the US for $62.95 for the Canon version (why they sell for $110 Canadian mystifies me when the US to Canadian exchange rate is favorable now - Canon may be gouging the Canadians).

Yes, gergrd, it is ridiculus. I recently bought an off-brand (Optex) NB2L to revitalise my Rebel XTi (because my youngest daughter is a Backpacker and she doesn't want to carry a DSLR around while travelling), it cost me $40 CND, and that is after a 10% of Employee discount! I guess the Canon one should be around 70-80 bucks!
Just give you a link, and you will understand why many Canadians like to shop online from the US.
http://www.shopbot.ca/pp-canon-lp-e6-canon-price-165528.html

 

[Keith Reeder]

It's the same in the UK.

The official 7D battery retails here for up to £70 ($112 US, $109 CAD), but I buy chipped/original charger compatible generics for £12.99 ($21 USD, $20 CAD)...

 

[eastwood]

and the UK price has already included the VAT, I suppose, but we still have to add 12% sale tax on, another 10+ bucks!

 

[Keith Reeder]

Yep, they're all VAT-inclusive prices.