Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I've read the batteries are good for about 3 years. I bought 2 VML units about 5 years ago. I haven't done much outside work in a couple years but had the opportunity for a location shoot a few months back. It was a quick shoot and they worked fine but I'm concerned when they fail, will it be without warning or will it slowly have less and less power as time passes.

I used to do all day shoots with kids sports and needing full power to very small power as the sun went down. But I quit doing that and enjoy senior shoots and events but mostly use speedlights for that. I can't justify the cost of just buying new batteries if there going to last me a few years yet.

So I guess I'm looking for answers form experience, photographers that have enjoyed there VML and had wore out the batteries. At what age were the batteries and what symptoms did you have to know it was time to replace.

Much like a laptop or camera battery (as they are typically the same composition), the demise of a VML battery can result in a complete loss of power from the internal circuitry, or it could be a gradual decline on useable power. Either can happen, even with optimum storage and maintenance.