Digital SLR batteries

I have a non-Canon battery for my EOS 350, I just use it as a temporary spare until the original one is re-charged.

Not completely relevant, but I bought a higher capacity generic battery for my Panasonic HD camcorder - never had any problem with it. Also had a high capacity generic to use with our earlier miniDV camcorder - again, no problems.

You get what you pay for to some extent. OEM batteries are a bit overpriced, but with little risk. Nikon did have some problems a few years back, though. If you buy the cheapest after-market option, it is likely to be crap. Buy a good aftermarket one it is PROBABLY OK.

I purchased a generic 'Jessops' spare battery for the 5D along with a genuine one.
Both plus the original that came with the camers are used in exactly the same way and I cannot tell any difference.
I may be lucky, but if the spare is just a 'spare' then generic will work ok.
One thing to be aware of, dont leave a fully charged battery to just dishcharge slowy by itself with the camera turned off, they don't like it much and shortens their life - at least that's what it said on all of the batteries I have had.

A few years ago I thought the battery in our Canon 300D had gone - so I bought a generic which came with a free non-Canon charger.

Turns out the original Canon battery was fine after I'd charged it with the new charger which also came with a car adapter.

I've had no problems with the generic battery either so a win-win situation. Always good to have a spare when you are out and about - especially now that it's getting colder again and the charge time drops significantly.

Cheers
Scott

Thanks for the input and I've ordered a generic. My main concern was that it might cause damage by leaking or something like that but it doesn't look as though that's an issue. It's only for occasional use anyway.

I don't notice any difference between my Nikon one and my generic one. They both power the camera and they both run down quicker than i'd like.