Monthly Archives: May 2011

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Sanyo Eneloop KitSanyo Eneloop
find-price-button Sanyo Eneloop Battery Kits

I purchased the original set of Eneloops (white) from my local Costco about a year ago, and I have not had to buy AA, AAA, C Batteries, or D Batteries since. The set came with these very cool 'spacer' shells that transform simple AA batteries into C & D size batteries so you could use them on most portable electronics (not to mention all the kids toys and video game remotes).


Screen shot 2011-05-01 at 12.14.19 PM
Sanyo Eneloop Spacer AA to D size
Screen shot 2011-05-01 at 11.54.40 PM
Sanyo Eneloop Spacer AA to C Size

Sanyo has also released a higher capacity XX (Black and Grey) Eneloop battery rated at 2500mah, which holds a charge capacity of 75% up to one year in storage. This is not a replacement for the original version. The new XX battery should charge on the original Sanyo Eneloop charger, but if used with the optional 'boost' charger, a single battery can be brought to full charge in about 40 minutes. I honestly don't know anyone using the new XX version, and the (white) original ones I'm using seem to do perfectly fine.

Sanyo Eneloop XX
Sanyo Eneloop XX Batteries

Besides the Eneloops's slow drain abilities during storage, these batteries will power any of your devices up to 5x longer than just standard alkaline. Definitely worth it in the field, and will save you money over time. I've used them with the AA battery adapter on DSLR Battery Grips, LED Video Lights, Portable Audio recorders, Flash Triggers, Canon Speedlights, to Wireless Microphones. It's an investment up front to get started with Eneloops, but i've been rocking all of my batteries for more than a year in constant rotation on the charger, and these have to be the best rechargeable batteries i've ever owned.

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I've been shopping for a smaller point and shoot type camera and was really leaning towards Fuji's sexy new rangefinder like X100. The disaster in Japan delayed inventory on the Fuji, and to my benefit has given me more time to think about this next camera. I've come to realize that the Fuji X100 is just too high priced and comes with a fixed lens that I might outgrow quickly. Instead, I went for Panasonic's latest GF2 Micro Four Thirds camera. Sure it's technically NOT a point and shoot, but i'll be working mainly with a Lumix 14mm f/2.5 Lens, the LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 or if I could ever afford the Voigtlander 25mm F/0.95.

GF2 EVF
Shown with optional EVF - Electronic View Finder

The GF2 is a replacement for the popular GF1, and carries the label as the smallest interchangeable lens camera with a built in flash. Even with the built in flash, there's a hot shoe to support an optional EVF, or if I wanted to mount a bracket to support a Zoom H1 and Rode VideoMic. The GF2 comes in with quite a few new specs over the GF1 including full 1080p Video and touchscreen controls. (The video above should give you an idea of it's capabilities)

As soon as it comes in, i'll give it a good run through. After many weeks of research and checking out all the reviews and samples, i'm pretty happy with my decision. Especially because it comes in at half the price of the Fuji X100, and I still have the ability to interchange and adapt just about any lens on the market.

Panasonic GF2 Micro Four Thirds
find-price-button Panasonic GF2 Interchangeable Lens Micro Four Thirds Camera