Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Speedlite 420EZ/540EZ/550EX/580EX

Manufacturer:	Canon
List price:	~~$219.99~~
Our price:	$142.49 that is 35% off!

Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Speedlite 420EZ/540EZ/550EX/580EX

Average rating: Stars

Just keeps shooting

I'm using the CPE3 with my 20D and 580EZ. I'm shooting over 500 wedding flash shots before I notice any slow down in the recyle time. Recycle is about 3 seconds after a full discharge and hardley noticeable for anything less. I am using "Digital" brand 2200 mAh NI-MH batteries. The Pack uses 8 batteries to recharge the flash capicitor while the 4 batteries in the flash are running the flash electronics. I am very happy this combination. By the way I'm using the Stroboframe Pro-RL flash bracket and it great. The battery pack of the CPE3 straps right to the bracket.

Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Speedlite 420EZ/540EZ/550EX/580EX - Canon

Functionally good, but...

I'll start by saying that anyone who takes a large amount of flash pictures (especially event photographers) in one session will benefit from the features of this unit. It does what it says it does, and that is nice.

I deducted one star because of the price - $130 for a plastic box and a proprietary plug is obscene.

I deducted one more star because the person designing this unit apparently never actually tried mounting it on the camera with the supplied tripod mount. I have the 20D with the vertical grip/battery pack, and this pack not only looks bad when mounted on either the camera or the grip (hangs over the edge - does not fit with the lines of the camera), but more importantly, it slips out of place easily (it it only held with a single screw and a rubber friction mat). Since it hangs over the edge of the camera, I am constantly having to tighten the pack every time my hand pushes it out of place.

Also, with the vertical battery grip, it is nearly impossible to take vertical pictures with that shutter release - it is much easier to take them with the primary shutter release. I didn't want to take another star away for that though.

All in all, I would say that this was a good idea, but was poorly executed by Canon. This is the only Canon product that has been a disappointment to me. But if you need the extra flash power, it will get the job done.

Canon - Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Speedlite 420EZ/540EZ/550EX/580EX

Increased cycle times, uses your own rechargeables....

I bought this because I needed top recycle speed from my 550EX flash unit without spending a huge bundle. I shoot karate demos with my EOS Rebel digital, lots of fast action in a rather large space (meaning many full power flashes). With the digital Rebel set to ISO800 mode and the flash set to +1 stop exposure I can adequately cover the action in a basketball court sized gymnasium. Using this battery pack with 2000MaH AA sized batteries (about 6.50 for a set of 4 at walmart) I've taken over 400 pictures with no slow down in cycle speed.

This particular pack uses 8 AA cells and is compatible with Lithium ion cells. The older version of this unit used 6 cells I believe, and was not compatible with Lithium ion batteries.

The unit is very simple. A box with a light on it, a space for a strap (though none is included) a slide out battery tray with locking button and of course the connector with a coiled cord that hooks into the side of the flash unit. I'm sure they do it for reasons of resistance, but the cord is kinda short, thus limiting you to where you can hang the battery package. If your tripod socket is free they do include a screw designed to mount the battery package to the bottom of the camera (kinda useless if you ask me). The battery box comes with a fairly nice padded nylon case that includes a velcro strap, this is what I use to hang the battery package from a camera or bag strap and it works fine. Eventually I'll get around to finding something I can use for a strap as that will worry me less (with 8 batteries in this thing it's a bit heavy to be trusted to velcro if you ask me).

The unit works the way it's intended but I think the price is exhorbitant for a hunk of plastic, the price should be about half what it is. If you can't go all-out and buy the top end with the rechargeable battery or a true professional (what they used to call 512) battery package then this is enough for most of us.

Best Buys Electronics