Hi Carl,
The Energizer Lithium AAs solve a couple of problems. Since its release about ten years ago, the Mamiya AF/AFD series and each successive generation (until the latest DF) suffered from power drain on the AA batteries in the body. On early iterations, this wasn't a real big deal as when you had a "half battery icon" showing, you knew you had enough juice to finish a roll of 220 film. Competing cameras were also battery hogs. Later generations on the AF/AFD continued with the battery suck, and this became more of an issue with digital backs in use, and that damned "battery icon" (even on the DF) is woefully inaccurate and lacking by today's digital standards.
The Energizer Lithium AAs hold up really really well to the battery drain---yeah, go ahead and leave that battery tray in the body. They just keep going. Other advantages are they perform better under harsh temperatures and are much lighter.
Lock-up and MFDBs. I don't know how much recent firmware upgrades/updates have solved the camera lock-up/MFDB lock up issue---but I am convinced it was a "power issue." Half battery icon showing?
Too late. Rechargeables just don't give enough consistent power and I would not use any rechargeables (except the new Lithium ion battery pack :thumbup
The Energizer Lithium AAs really helped to resolve this issue imho. The best solution is the new Phase or EJJI rechargeable Lithium Battery packs (for latest generation bodies). Not even close. But be aware that the battery charger is not interchangeable between the EJJI branded packs and the latest Phase battery packs. The EJJI/Phase pack has an incredible reserve of power---
I wish the MFDBs had this type of power!!
No new EJJI or Phase battery pack? Then the Energizer Lithium AAs (and an extra battery insert with Energizer Lithium AAs in your bag) is the best alternative.
ken