Steve'sDigicams

Unit-7285 · Jun 30, 2005, 1:43 PM

Has anyone successfully used the Nikon EN-EL1 battery in a Minolta A200?

According to Steve's Digicams A200 Review: 'the NP-800 is functionally and physically identical to Nikon's EN-EL1'

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../a200_pg3.html

Just wanted to know if this is definitely the case, or will my A200 start smoking?

Reason for my question: I've seen some Hahnel batteries at a very good price which are sold as Nikon EN-EL1 substitutes, which means they should be fine in the A200 too.

Many thanks,
Paul

carrollhale · Jun 30, 2005, 6:32 PM

I have a Nikon 995 and an A-200 and use th batteries interchangebly with no problem. I always carried a lithium 2cr5 single use as a backup for the nikon but it won't go in the A-200 holder.

Unit-7285 · Jun 30, 2005, 7:06 PM

carrollhale wrote:

Quote:

I have a Nikon 995 and an A-200 and use th batteries interchangebly with no problem. I always carried a lithium 2cr5 single use as a backup for the nikon but it won't go in the A-200 holder.

Many thanks for that info - it's set my mind at rest!

Paul

Phranque · Jul 1, 2005, 2:15 AM

I have a 'no-name' EN-EL1 and it goes into my A200 OK, but it's just fractionally bigger than the NP-800 and takes a little persuading to get it out. I try to avoid using it and just keep it as a standby.

Jim, on the DPR forum did a mountain of tests and found that many of the cheaper EN-EL1 batteries did not have adequate protection built into the product. It has been suggested that this could cause problems in the event of a battery failure. That said, I've never heard of anyone having such a problem.

Unit-7285 · Jul 1, 2005, 5:12 AM

Thanks for that very useful pointer, Phranque. I just took a look and, as you say, Jim Attfield has loads of incredibly detailed info about various clone manufacturers/resellers (including photos of stripped down batteries) on the DPR Forums. Plus, the whole lot is summarised on his own site at:

http://t5r.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/e1/clonetests.htm

(Click on the pictures for a slide show of stripped down components)

Jim's tests are done on Olympus clones, but the basic information is obviously applicable to other camera makes.

I feel a lot happier, after reading this research, about buying a Hahnel clone for my A200.

Paul

Phranque · Jul 1, 2005, 6:13 AM

OK Paul, yes, that's right, I'd remembered it as an EN-EL1 test.

Cheers

Frank

A-lex · Jul 3, 2005, 4:18 PM

I recently bought an replacement for EN-EL1, made by LENMAR (DLEN-EL1), and the problem is, that KM A200's changer won't accept that battery and refuses to charge it (led blinks), so, be carefull!

Frank Pappa · Jul 5, 2005, 1:59 AM

That's strange A-lex. I've had a Lenmar EN-EL1 replacement for several weeks now and it works 100%. Maybe you have a faulty battery...

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Jun 30, 2005, 1:43 PM	#1
Unit-7285 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 11	Has anyone successfully used the Nikon EN-EL1 battery in a Minolta A200? According to Steve's Digicams A200 Review: 'the NP-800 is functionally and physically identical to Nikon's EN-EL1' http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../a200_pg3.html Just wanted to know if this is definitely the case, or will my A200 start smoking? Reason for my question: I've seen some Hahnel batteries at a very good price which are sold as Nikon EN-EL1 substitutes, which means they should be fine in the A200 too. Many thanks, Paul

Jun 30, 2005, 6:32 PM	#2
carrollhale Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 28	I have a Nikon 995 and an A-200 and use th batteries interchangebly with no problem. I always carried a lithium 2cr5 single use as a backup for the nikon but it won't go in the A-200 holder.

Jul 1, 2005, 2:15 AM	#4
Phranque Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 128	I have a 'no-name' EN-EL1 and it goes into my A200 OK, but it's just fractionally bigger than the NP-800 and takes a little persuading to get it out. I try to avoid using it and just keep it as a standby. Jim, on the DPR forum did a mountain of tests and found that many of the cheaper EN-EL1 batteries did not have adequate protection built into the product. It has been suggested that this could cause problems in the event of a battery failure. That said, I've never heard of anyone having such a problem.

Jul 1, 2005, 5:12 AM	#5
Unit-7285 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 11	Thanks for that very useful pointer, Phranque. I just took a look and, as you say, Jim Attfield has loads of incredibly detailed info about various clone manufacturers/resellers (including photos of stripped down batteries) on the DPR Forums. Plus, the whole lot is summarised on his own site at: http://t5r.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/e1/clonetests.htm (Click on the pictures for a slide show of stripped down components) Jim's tests are done on Olympus clones, but the basic information is obviously applicable to other camera makes. I feel a lot happier, after reading this research, about buying a Hahnel clone for my A200. Paul

Jul 1, 2005, 6:13 AM	#6
Phranque Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 128	OK Paul, yes, that's right, I'd remembered it as an EN-EL1 test. Cheers Frank

Jul 3, 2005, 4:18 PM	#7
A-lex Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 29	I recently bought an replacement for EN-EL1, made by LENMAR (DLEN-EL1), and the problem is, that KM A200's changer won't accept that battery and refuses to charge it (led blinks), so, be carefull!

Jul 5, 2005, 1:59 AM	#8
Frank Pappa Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3	That's strange A-lex. I've had a Lenmar EN-EL1 replacement for several weeks now and it works 100%. Maybe you have a faulty battery...