DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Nikon confirms some authorised retailers were selling counterfeit EN-EL15b batteries

May 28, 2019 by John Aldred 11 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Last week, B&H emailed customers who’d purchased EN-EL15b batteries from them. They said that some of the batteries were “subpar”. It was suspected that this was a euphemism for fake, and according to a statement released by Nikon to DPReview, the suspicions were correct.

We have been made aware that some customers who purchased individual EN-EL15b batteries from authorized Nikon retailers received defective product. These batteries are not genuine and were not manufactured or distributed by Nikon USA. Concerned users can find a guide for determining if the battery they have purchased is a genuine Nikon battery at this link.

While many photographers have been using 3rd party batteries for years without issue, they’ve bought them knowingly. They’re advertised as 3rd party batteries and haven’t claimed to be the genuine article. Counterfeit batteries claiming to be Nikon originals, on the other hand, offer zero guarantees about what’s actually inside them. Nor is there anybody to come back to them in the event that they… Oh, I don’t know, do what lithium ion batteries occasionally do and blow up your camera or set fire to your house.

And don’t think it can’t happen (sure, the chances might be slim, but “can’t” is an absolute). If a company as big as Samsung can face issues over exploding batteries, how much do you think a company that puts the blame on Nikon cares about your kit and your safety? Or about how accurately they clone genuine Nikon batteries? This is why B&H has requested that you safely dispose of the batteries if you received some and not risk returning them.

So, get in touch with B&H if you’ve purchased one or several of the batteries (you should have an email, double check it’s not in your spam folder), and you will be issued with free replacements.

Nikon says that they have also received reports of fake EN-EL9a, EN-EL10 and EN-EL11 batteries, as well as others. If you’re not sure if a battery you have purchased is genuine, Nikon has a guide. Nikon’s statement also says “retailers”, although, besides B&H, I’ve yet to see a statement or email from other retailers regarding this issue. So, check Nikon’s guide if you’ve bought an EN-EL15b recently, just to be safe.

[via DPReview]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

B&H offers free replacements for “subpar” (fake) Nikon EN-EL15b batteries Canon wins lawsuit against counterfeit battery sellers on eBay Photographing Portraits, Lifestyle, And Counterfeit Fashion With A $9 Budget Per Shoot UK retailers jump the gun on the Panasonic S1 and S1R mirrorless cameras

Filed Under: news Tagged With: b&h, Battery, EN-EL15b, Fake Batteries, Nikon

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« Pegasus ripped the guts out of Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses and put them into cinema housings
After 16 years, I’ve finally found another backpack that I love – The Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • SpaceX shares unique view of Earth in latest video
  • Get ready to photograph two total solar eclipses this year
  • How I started (and succeeded) photographing space from my backyard
  • Insta360’s new teaser says they’re entering the gimbal market
  • Users report blurry photos from Samsung Galaxy S23/S23+ cameras

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy