Lumedyne HV Ultracycler

Comments about Lumedyne HV Ultracycler:

I use this mostly for weddings. I needed fast recycle time than any feature and this power pack delivers. I was looking at Quantum and i can't see how they can charge so much when this unit can deliver equally or better for almost half the price. Plus their warranty is great.
The only thing i had trouble with is the CZ cable fitting all the way in the 5 pin socket of the ultracycler. Seems like the black vinyl cover of the CZ cable is too large to be able to get a full connection. So i simply trim off 3/16" off the vinyl cable (Circumsized it), and now the cable fits perfect.
I'm buying another one.

Comments about Lumedyne HV Ultracycler:

Another awesome battery produced by Lumedyne. One of the greatest things is that I can still use the old chargers that I have for my 052c batteries. The odd, not necessarily bad, thing is the padding around the battery kind of makes it hard when I take the battery off the flash bracket. Just afraid I'm going to rip it. But, on the plus side, it protects the battery.

Comments about Lumedyne HV Ultracycler:

Pro Wedding & Portrait shooter with a Canon 5D Mark II & 40D. Searched long & hard at options for fast recycle & prevent burning through batts in 580EX II. Easily stood out as top pick upon comparison. I've a fast shutter finger & shoot a ton... Always keeps up & ready for more! I no longer have to change out speedlight batts for now several portrait shoots (up to 2hrs long each) before having to. I can also do 8-10hr wedding/receptions & still have good life left. I LOVE IT!
**Note there is a setting in your Speedlight that you have to change over, for the Pack to be used as the main power source, instead of the Flash using its internal batts as the main power source and the Pack as backup. For mine it is C.Fn-12 set to 1, and then the internal batts are only needed to run the internal speedlight computer. Found in 580exII manual p.29)**
It is an absolute must have for sports team portraits. I had to take 3 pix of each football player previously, just so that I had fill for the 1st & 3rd frame for each player & changing batts constantly, next year got this & able to get 2 in quick succession of each to ensure a good take for each player & never changed the batteries.
Local Camera Gear rental store owner originally rented the Lumedynes & Quantums, but the Lumedynes outperformed & significantly outlasted, withstanding the abuse of rentals without the repair needs & replacement needs of the more expensive Q brand. (Now they only carry a few of the Q's for their diehards.)
Look at the warrantees to help decide, to see the quality & confidence backing these. They are double at 2yrs vs. 1yr, plus they've got the additional Pro-rated for a full 7ys!
Wish they came with a carry strap or carry pouch. It is about the same size and weight as my 5DM2 body. I strap it on a belt at my back hip, but by the end of the session/wedd it is a relief to take it off (though I hadn't really noted it during the shoot), but I've a smaller frame (5'8" at 125 lbs).
Had mine w/ heavy use for 2+ yrs now, love it & never a hiccup.

Comments about Lumedyne HV Ultracycler:

I did a lot of research regarding external power sources for my Canon 580 EX II and decided to go with the Ultracycler. A friend who has been shooting red carpet events in Hollywood for over 12 years uses the Lumedyne Ultramegacycler and he thought I should get the Ultracycler. This was due to the fact that he said the Ultracycler is FASTER than the Ultra Megacycler which lasts longer. So far, I haven't needed this battery for any all day events - and I am imagining even with those (weddings, corporate events) it would still last the day since you're not constantly shooting. I will be testing it out on a longer job shortly.

It was also recommended to me NOT to buy a used battery pack since you never know the remaining life left in the cells. I decided to go ahead and spend the money to get a new one. Also, B&H had the best price. I looked at every other retailer.

This pack is super lightweight. I bought a $10 strap (since it's not included) and I barely noticed the pack was there after about 90 minutes. The weight of equipment is important to me. Also, being a documentary photographer who will be spending quite a bit of time in the field in Africa, this is a great option for powering a portable strobe. I can fit this pack in my camera bag in a compartment built for a lens.

Comments about Lumedyne HV Ultracycler:

As a seasoned professional used to using Quantum battery packs, I was looking for a battery which provided fast recycling for my on camera flash unit for Press work. The Lumedyne HV Ultracycler is a welll built, simple to use piece of equipment, coupled with the right cable I can now rapidly refresh my flash unit allowing me to capture those images which I could see and miss waiting on my flash recycling.

I found it difficult to find a UK Charger for the battery, but opted for the two pin European version at 230v and used a electric saver adapter plug and it works great.

The only option which I think would help is a locking cable connection to the battery, I have so far only experienced the cable popping out once when holding the camera above head height.

The Lumedyne batteries are my only choice for the foreseeable future, lightweight and reliable it is one piece of kit I can forget about and get on with the job at hand without nursing it through a shoot.