Why use CR123A or MB16?

[mmaathuis]

Hi, I shot 1700 pics using 3 new pairs of CR123A.
I thought the S2 pro was expensive but these little devils aren't cheap!

Last weekend the Fuji got me really scarred when it shutdown on my when I was showing my photo's using the AC. After much frustration I found that this was only because my CR123A where empty,..pheeew...

(I read in this forum that using the AC will drain my CR123A, so I guess I'll have to accept it)

So I read the manual again on batteries and it says that I can shoot without the CR123A and just with the AA's, but the camera was not build for this and is hust their as a backup!.........

What does this mean?......

Can I shoot safely without the 2 CR123a, or can't I? I know that the inbuild flash won't work but this far that seems to be the only drawback.


Does any of you have any comments on shooting without the 2 CR123a and just the 4 AA's? Should I buy the MB16?
Are there any drawbacks to the MB16 compared to 2 CR123a?

Kind regards,

Michiel

[Tom Nolle]

I do some very cold weather shooting, and I wanted to try to use external batteries so I could keep them inside the coat while shooting. Fuji told me the Quantum models that would work with the camera, and told me that whenever something is plugged into the AC adapter jack, the 123s have to be removed.

I got the Turbo 2x2 pack for the S2 and now use it exclusively--without the 123s. I have no problems with power, focus, or whatever. I notice that if I slip the connector out of the jack and shoot with only the AAs (which still have to be installed, says Fuji), I sometimes get funky power problems. What I do is replace the 123s when I'm not shooting with the Quantum.

Tom

[mmaathuis]

Thanx Lumens for your comment.

I know you can adapt the MB16 to fit on the Fuji S2 quite easily. There are a few websites that tell you how to do this. (http://www.pbase.com/dannerw/mb16s2)

I just did not understand what Fuji meant with saying that "You can use the S2 with only the 4 AA's but the camera is not build for this and therefore should only be used as a backup"

I already noticed that without the 2 Cr123a's only the flash doesn't work, but that didn't explain why I had to use 3x 2 CR123's in three weeks time and only 1300 shots, especially since I don't use the internal flash but my SB-80.

From you translated message from Fuji I now understand that the Lithium’s are also responsible for maintaining power levels when the AA's start to fail or slow down.

In the reply from Tom Nolle, Tom also wrote about his experience with shooting with just the 4 AA's and said he "sometimes gets funky power problems" which I think now can be explained by power loss from the AA's that normally would be "prevented" by adding some of the power from the Lithium’s.

It would be interesting to hear from people who have adapted the MB-16 if the use of 8 AA's will fix this. Are the extra 4 AA sufficient in supplying enough power to the camera at all times?......

I think this whole situation should have been better explained in the Fuji manual and I think the implementation of the function that completely shuts down the camera when the Lithium’s are dry is a big mistake. It already scared the hell out of me twice, thinking that my camera was broken!

Any comments from people that adapted an MB-16 on this is much appreciated!

[Louis]

The guys from Fuji Netherlands do not know their own camera.
I have been using the MB-16 for several months now without any problems. I only use AA NiMH 2100mah rechargeables for the camera (some manufacturers now have 2300mah's). Also I have spare trays for the camera and for the MB-16.
If you want to take 2000 shots or more in one session, you can make yourself a cheap battery pack using a 4-cell C battery holder and a connector (Philmore 1.7mmx 4.0mm, TC240, $1.50). You can attach the assembly to your neck strap using a leather cellular phone case, $10).
The MB-16 makes the camera more balanced and stable, especially when using large lenses. This is another benefit.

[RacerX]

Would like to know where one would buy the MB-16 battery pack?
Plus where to get the additional trays.
Sounds like it's the hot ticket!

Thanks!

[Louis]

RacerX:
You can find the MB-16 in ebay or at www.henrys.com
The price for the MB-16 is about US $ 64. Spare trays are also available for the S2 and the MB-16, about $ 20. each.
Notice that all modifications are done to the MB-16 to fit to the S2 but none to the S2 itself.
Louis

[Zinchuk]

>I already noticed that without the 2 Cr123a's only the flash doesn't work, but that didn't explain why I had to use 3x 2 CR123's in three weeks time and only 1300 shots, especially since I don't use the internal flash but my SB-80.

I'm having a similar experience. I burned through 4 sets of 123 batteries on ~2000 shots, including one set of Duracells in just one weekend shooting 500 shots! This is getting way too expensive. Is there something wrong with my camera? The paper I work for is paying for the batteries, but at this rate, I'm going to be going through money for 123s as fast as I was money for film!

help?

Zinchuk

[mmaathuis]

Hi Zinchuk,

Could be a bunch of things. Most likely you are using bad AA's in the S2 or do lots of focussing (with either AF-S or AF lenses), or use the Depth of Field preview button a lot.

The AA's are used to power the Camera and the CR's are used for....the flash unit, but....... Whenever the AA's fail to deliver the required amount of power at the right time, this power is then delivered through the CR's. So besides the flash, the CR's are there to keep power at a constant level since they release power much much faster than the AA's to the system.

So, if you use a lot of features of the S2 that require much power at once (focussing), you'll be draining your CR's.

I also found that the CR's are very very sensitive to humidity and heat. Higher temperatures and humid air will drain them twice as fast easily.

Hope this helps you figuring out if there is anything wrong with your S2. Could be of course, but I never heard of bad power circuits in the S2.

I would recommend using the MB16. I use it now as you can see in the thread Fitting an MB 16 (http://www.s2pro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=979)

I have no problems with it and it saves me a lot of money :D