Has anyone had any experience with Wasabi batteries in a Leica? I have read reviews where people have used them in other brands successfully.. I would like some opinions before actually buying one.

Jay OC wrote:Has anyone had any experience with Wasabi batteries in a Leica? I have read reviews where people have used them in other brands successfully.. I would like some opinions before actually buying one.Hi, I've used those batteries in my old V-Lux 40, they are ok.. personally, I won't use 3rd party batteries on my newer current Leica's (CL/D-Lux7) On my now sold Leica's (M-P240/X1/XVario/V-Lux 40/D-Lux 4) once again only Leica batteries.. Regards. L

There are people on another forum who swear by them - not at them.

Jay OC wrote:Has anyone had any experience with Wasabi batteries in a Leica? I have read reviews where people have used them in other brands successfully.. I would like some opinions before actually buying one.For the premium bodies stick with Leica.

JDLaing50 wrote:Jay OC wrote:Has anyone had any experience with Wasabi batteries in a Leica? I have read reviews where people have used them in other brands successfully.. I would like some opinions before actually buying one.For the premium bodies stick with Leica.For the Q and SL series, I don't even think there are third party options. I have 3 batteries for 2 cameras.

I have given up the hunt for 3rd party batteries. They do not exist for the M10-R. There are some for the CL. Both Panasonic and I believe Sigma have them.

I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods.  I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).However, in this case, I’m not sure that there are any on the market - certainly for my Q2.

Jay OC wrote:Has anyone had any experience with Wasabi batteries in a Leica? I have read reviews where people have used them in other brands successfully.. I would like some opinions before actually buying one.I understand the question, but why put cheapo batteries in a $5-6k piece of electronic equipment? Would you put cheapo, plug leads, plugs or air filters in a current Porsche? How about a new $2-3k lens with a cheapo filter from the local flea market? Really!  L

Wolf's Head wrote:I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods. I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).However, in this case, I’m not sure that there are any on the market - certainly for my Q2.Your comments are noted. L

I think this argument is not without merit - but I also think that’s how manufacturers of luxury items scare us into paying silly prices. I used to own a big Jaguar saloon which shared an engine with several other makes of car and spares bought from Jaguar were more than twice as expensive as the identical part from the other companies.

Wolf's Head wrote:I think this argument is not without merit - but I also think that’s how manufacturers of luxury items scare us into paying silly prices. I used to own a big Jaguar saloon which shared an engine with several other makes of car and Jaguar spares were more than twice as expensive as the identical part from the other companies.Absolutely agree with your thoughts, but life experiences tell you, premium products incur premium prices for servicing, spares or accessories.. L

I currently use Leica and Sigma batteries with my CL. The Sigma and Panasonic batteries are identical to the Leica CL batteries, all made in the same factory according to rumor. Right now my Sigma batteries are giving a longer life than the Leica ones I bought with the camera 4 years ago. The Sigmas also come with a cute pouch for holding the batteries. I tried Wasabi batteries and they had a poor life time in the camera, much shorter than the Leica batteries I had at the time. Pluses for Wasabi, they have a nice USB charges I got with the batteries and have clip on covers that I use. If you are getting batteries for your CL, go with Leica, Panasonic or Sigma.

Tomm111 wrote:I currently use Leica and Sigma batteries with my CL. The Sigma and Panasonic batteries are identical to the Leica CL batteries, all made in the same factory according to rumor. Right now my Sigma batteries are giving a longer life than the Leica ones I bought with the camera 4 years ago. The Sigmas also come with a cute pouch for holding the batteries. I tried Wasabi batteries and they had a poor life time in the camera, much shorter than the Leica batteries I had at the time. Pluses for Wasabi, they have a nice USB charges I got with the batteries and have clip on covers that I use. If you are getting batteries for your CL, go with Leica, Panasonic or Sigma.Care to share the actual battery details of the Panasonic/Sigma’s i.e. model number etc.. Regards. L

I was going to ask the same. I have 2 batteries for the CL. I would not mind having two more.

LeicaEye wrote:Tomm111 wrote:I currently use Leica and Sigma batteries with my CL. The Sigma and Panasonic batteries are identical to the Leica CL batteries, all made in the same factory according to rumor. Right now my Sigma batteries are giving a longer life than the Leica ones I bought with the camera 4 years ago. The Sigmas also come with a cute pouch for holding the batteries. I tried Wasabi batteries and they had a poor life time in the camera, much shorter than the Leica batteries I had at the time. Pluses for Wasabi, they have a nice USB charges I got with the batteries and have clip on covers that I use. If you are getting batteries for your CL, go with Leica, Panasonic or Sigma.Care to share the actual battery details of the Panasonic/Sigma’s i.e. model number etc.. Regards. LI figure 4 batteries was enough. So I have 2 Sigma BP-51 batteries, I don't have any Panasonic. B&H had them for around $40. Found them by searching B&H for Leica CL batteries. The Leica battery is a BP-DC12. As I said the Sigmas perform slightly better than my older Leica batteries.

Wolf's Head wrote:I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods. I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).My experience is otherwise. Several years ago I purchased a couple of 3rd party batteries for an Olympus Pen-F. After a couple of years of use of all three batteries - the Olympus battery that came with the camera plus the two 3rd party, with use pretty evenly divided between all three - I had to discard the 3rd party batteries because they had swelled slightly and no longer easily fitted the camera's battery compartment. The Olympus original was still fine.

Nick Payne wrote:Wolf's Head wrote:I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods. I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).My experience is otherwise. Several years ago I purchased a couple of 3rd party batteries for an Olympus Pen-F. After a couple of years of use of all three batteries - the Olympus battery that came with the camera plus the two 3rd party, with use pretty evenly divided between all three - I had to discard the 3rd party batteries because they had swelled slightly and no longer easily fitted the camera's battery compartment. The Olympus original was still fine.Yes, but they caused no damage as the swelling was noticed outside the camera before it became a problem and they worked for a couple of years after which it would be cheap to replace them.  At such low prices, it’s possible to do this several times before exceeding the cost of one OEM battery.  I’m not strongly advocating this - I repeat my first sentence: “I think people worry too much…”.

Wolf's Head wrote:Nick Payne wrote:Wolf's Head wrote:I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods. I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).My experience is otherwise. Several years ago I purchased a couple of 3rd party batteries for an Olympus Pen-F. After a couple of years of use of all three batteries - the Olympus battery that came with the camera plus the two 3rd party, with use pretty evenly divided between all three - I had to discard the 3rd party batteries because they had swelled slightly and no longer easily fitted the camera's battery compartment. The Olympus original was still fine.Yes, but they caused no damage as the swelling was noticed outside the camera before it became a problem and they worked for a couple of years after which it would be cheap to replace them. At such low prices, it’s possible to do this several times before exceeding the cost of one OEM battery. I’m not strongly advocating this - I repeat my first sentence: “I think people worry too much…”.So, you offering a personal guarantee if a 3rd party battery damages my camera YOU will cover the cost of repair or replacement? - wow. L

LeicaEye wrote:Care to share the actual battery details of the Panasonic/Sigma’s i.e. model number etc.. Regards. LI use Power2000 for Panasonic DMW-BLG10PP in my D-Lux 7. I've used Panasonic batteries in other Leica cameras. (D-Lux 3, C Typ 112)

LeicaEye wrote:Wolf's Head wrote:Nick Payne wrote:Wolf's Head wrote:I think people worry too much about third party batteries - as long as they’re not left in an unused camera for long periods. I’ve used them in every digital camera I’ve owned over the last 20 years without problems (if ever a statement was tempting fate!).My experience is otherwise. Several years ago I purchased a couple of 3rd party batteries for an Olympus Pen-F. After a couple of years of use of all three batteries - the Olympus battery that came with the camera plus the two 3rd party, with use pretty evenly divided between all three - I had to discard the 3rd party batteries because they had swelled slightly and no longer easily fitted the camera's battery compartment. The Olympus original was still fine.Yes, but they caused no damage as the swelling was noticed outside the camera before it became a problem and they worked for a couple of years after which it would be cheap to replace them. At such low prices, it’s possible to do this several times before exceeding the cost of one OEM battery. I’m not strongly advocating this - I repeat my first sentence: “I think people worry too much…”.So, you offering a personal guarantee if a 3rd party battery damages my camera YOU will cover the cost of repair or replacement? - wow. LThat’s an odd way to express it.  It’s a risk that I’ve assessed and found acceptable.  Others must go through the same process and reach their own conclusions.