Slower autofocus with eneloops?

Harrison · 12-09-2011, 07:27 PM

I just got a chance to finally test my AA-holder with the Eneloops I ordered, and the first thing that I noticed is that autofocus is noticeably slower when using the Eneloops. Is this just something that happens with them, or is something wrong?

wlachan · 12-09-2011, 07:29 PM

This is to be expected because the voltage is lower.

bobmaxja · 12-09-2011, 11:15 PM

First time I ear that. I dont believe it should make any difference

Philoslothical · 12-09-2011, 11:17 PM

Never heard this either. One would think it'd be a pretty common question, considering how popular eneloops are on this forum.

Kona · 12-10-2011, 04:56 AM

I use eneloops in a third party AA holder and don't notice any speed difference. The only noticeable difference is the eneloops can take twice as many photos as the supplied battery (600 odd compared to 300).

TechGuru · 12-10-2011, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Harrison

I just got a chance to finally test my AA-holder with the Eneloops I ordered, and the first thing that I noticed is that autofocus is noticeably slower when using the Eneloops. Is this just something that happens with them, or is something wrong?

Why even use them? These are certainly cheap enough to be able to have many around.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZGAEQ0

jolepp · 12-10-2011, 06:59 AM

With lower voltage one might expect lower current trough the coil of the AF motor - > lower torque = less force -> lower accleration -> lower AF speed. Otoh, Eneloops are supposed to be able to crank out respectable currents without much voltage drop and so should be pretty good for driving the AF motor (the dedicated battery seems like it would be better still though, 7.2 V nominal (?) vs. 4 x 1.2V = 4.8V seems like a significant difference).

hnikesch · 12-11-2011, 09:12 AM

I have not noticed this, I do use both so I will keep an eye on it

Hans

Mr Spocko · 12-11-2011, 05:45 PM

I've never noticed this and I've used the Sanyo batteries too (amongst others)
But I have never really let them run right down so I cannot say I have seen this issue at least not yet.

Marc Sabatella · 12-18-2011, 11:59 AM

Actually, it has indeed pretty commonly observed that NiMH-based rechargeable AA cells, including Eneloops, have lower voltage than lithium AA cells and that this can cause a noticeable difference in focus speed. The K-r uses a Li-Ion rechargeeable that has a voltage that is presumably closer to the lithium voltage than the NiMH voltage, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if there wasn't a slight difference in focus speed there just as there is between lithium and NiMH.

mpmetro · 12-25-2011, 03:58 PM

I have noticed this on my k-x. If I use the lithiums that came with the camera, the AF seems faster than with any NiMh I use including energizer or eneloops.

striker_ · 02-18-2012, 12:38 PM

Does slower AF mean more accurate AF. Anyone can confirm?

Poolhall · 02-18-2012, 01:16 PM

I've been using Enneloops on my K-r for some time now and have noticed 3 things- many more exposures compared to the lithium battery, maybe 2-3 times as many, but also slower shutter firing, particularly as I usually bracket in 3's and slightly slower af too.

jdunie · 02-18-2012, 02:00 PM

Funny thing I had similar experience with my K-X and all rechargeable batterys

12-09-2011, 07:27 PM	#1
Harrison Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Clinton, SC Posts: 35	Slower autofocus with eneloops? I just got a chance to finally test my AA-holder with the Eneloops I ordered, and the first thing that I noticed is that autofocus is noticeably slower when using the Eneloops. Is this just something that happens with them, or is something wrong?

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12-09-2011, 07:29 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	This is to be expected because the voltage is lower.

12-09-2011, 11:15 PM	#3
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	First time I ear that. I dont believe it should make any difference

12-09-2011, 11:17 PM	#4
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Never heard this either. One would think it'd be a pretty common question, considering how popular eneloops are on this forum.

12-10-2011, 04:56 AM	#5
Kona Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Victoria Photos: Albums Posts: 201	I use eneloops in a third party AA holder and don't notice any speed difference. The only noticeable difference is the eneloops can take twice as many photos as the supplied battery (600 odd compared to 300).

12-10-2011, 06:35 AM	#6
TechGuru Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 77	Originally posted by Harrison I just got a chance to finally test my AA-holder with the Eneloops I ordered, and the first thing that I noticed is that autofocus is noticeably slower when using the Eneloops. Is this just something that happens with them, or is something wrong? Why even use them? These are certainly cheap enough to be able to have many around. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZGAEQ0

12-10-2011, 06:59 AM	#7
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	With lower voltage one might expect lower current trough the coil of the AF motor - > lower torque = less force -> lower accleration -> lower AF speed. Otoh, Eneloops are supposed to be able to crank out respectable currents without much voltage drop and so should be pretty good for driving the AF motor (the dedicated battery seems like it would be better still though, 7.2 V nominal (?) vs. 4 x 1.2V = 4.8V seems like a significant difference).

12-11-2011, 09:12 AM	#8
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	I have not noticed this, I do use both so I will keep an eye on it Hans

12-11-2011, 05:45 PM	#9
Mr Spocko Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 254	I've never noticed this and I've used the Sanyo batteries too (amongst others) But I have never really let them run right down so I cannot say I have seen this issue at least not yet.

12-18-2011, 11:59 AM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Actually, it has indeed pretty commonly observed that NiMH-based rechargeable AA cells, including Eneloops, have lower voltage than lithium AA cells and that this can cause a noticeable difference in focus speed. The K-r uses a Li-Ion rechargeeable that has a voltage that is presumably closer to the lithium voltage than the NiMH voltage, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if there wasn't a slight difference in focus speed there just as there is between lithium and NiMH.

12-25-2011, 03:58 PM	#11
mpmetro Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 205	I have noticed this on my k-x. If I use the lithiums that came with the camera, the AF seems faster than with any NiMh I use including energizer or eneloops.

02-18-2012, 12:38 PM	#12
striker_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 158	Does slower AF mean more accurate AF. Anyone can confirm?

02-18-2012, 01:16 PM	#13
Poolhall New Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hindley Wigan Lancashire Posts: 6	I've been using Enneloops on my K-r for some time now and have noticed 3 things- many more exposures compared to the lithium battery, maybe 2-3 times as many, but also slower shutter firing, particularly as I usually bracket in 3's and slightly slower af too.

02-18-2012, 02:00 PM	#14
jdunie Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 19	Funny thing I had similar experience with my K-X and all rechargeable batterys