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(More customer reviews)If you shoot weddings, news, sports, or fast moving toddlers, and you are tired of missed shots because the flash on your digital SLR wasn't recharged yet, then you need this battery! If you are using NiMH AA batteries in your flash, then you are probably waiting 5-10 seconds (if you are lucky) for the flash to recharge.
I'm using this battery with my Metz 54 on a Nikon D80 and the flash recharge is instantaneous. I can click away without even giving it a second though. I can concentrate on the picture and know I will get great lighting.
Quantum makes a few different models, but this one was the best for most number of flashes and recycling speed! They claim 700 full power flashes and recycle speed of 1.0 seconds. I was NOT using full power and saw instant recharge and have never totally drained it yet. It takes around 3 hours to fully charge.
The nature of Nickel Metal Hydride batteries is that they lose a little bit of charge every day they sit there. Quantum recommends just fully charging it the night before you have a big event or need for it. You don't have to worry about the dreaded "memory" effect with this battery since it is NiMH.
The 2x2 model is special in the fact that it can power both a camera and your flash at the same time with 2 different cables (sold separately). I don't use it for that though. I just have the flash pluged in using the Metz cable. I use a vertical grip with 2 Nikon batteries which gives me a ton of power for camera use.
You will need to purchase a cable specific to your flash. Check Quantum's website to find the right one.
I don't find the battery overly heavy. NiMH is lighter than other technologies like lead-acid. It has a belt clip and once you send in your registration card, I believe Quantum will mail a strap to you to fasten to the clips on the side so you can wear it over your shoulder. I have used it both ways and I'm not sure of which is my favorite. It might depend on your situation.
If you make money from your photography, or you want to begin doing so, then shooting without this would be very difficult. I guess you could work on some jokes to tell your subjects while you wait for the recharge.
You don't have to be a professional to get use out of this battery. I also grab it when I want to just shoot shots of my 3 year old running around the house. You can bet I will have it on the flash this Christmas as she opens presents so I can catch that 1 in a million expression!
The only downside to this type of battery is the fact that it is VERY powerful. If you do any research on these you have probably read that you need to be careful about repeated full-power flashes. Apparently it is possible to burn out your flash by overheating the flash tube and flash manufacturers don't warranty that type of thing. I have never had a need for repeated FULL power flashes though. And as long as you have some rest periods in between to give the flash tube a chance to cool down, you should be fine. Just don't go crazy with it and you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Happy shooting.
--- updated ----
Just a quick update on my review here. I've done some more research and a repeated number of lower power shots can damage a flash. Heat builds up in the flash and can not dissipate if you dont give it a chance to cool. Your flash should be rated to some number (usually 14, 24, 30, 36, etc..) of consecutive quick paced flashes.
Quantum also makes something called a Qflash T5d-R which DOES withstand rapid continuous full power flashes. I've never used it, but that must be some serious flash!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Turbo 2x2 Battery
The Turbo 2x2 Battery Pack is a heavy-duty portable power source for shoe and handle mount flashes, or digital cameras; with double the power and even smaller size than its predecessor, the Turbo. It has the fastest recycling and the most shots per charge of any Quantum Battery.With dual outputs this battery pack is ideal to be used to power a pro-digital camera outfit. The Quantum Turbo 2x2 provides programmable low voltage for your digital camera and high voltage for your flash at the same time. Now your flash keeps up with your camera, and camera with flash. Or use it to power two separate flashes!
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