SLR Digital Cameras

[Peakbagr]

Or do what businesses do with pool cars do. You take the car, you gas in up just before dumping it back in the lot.

 

[DougPaul]

All cameras benefit from rechargeable batteries, so a Canon S5 with AAs will still need someone to charge the NiMH. If not, you pop a set of alkalines in there and people will complain when the camera only takes 30 shots before it dies. The best solution would be a set of Enloop rechareables that have long shelf life and someone to recharge them when they come back in.

I'm fully aware of the benefits of rechargeables. The fact still remains that they require forethought to make sure that the batteries are charged. Poor primary batteries are better than discharged rechargeables. BTW, lithium AAs work in cameras--long shelf life and long operational life all available over-the-counter.

Or do what businesses do with pool cars do. You take the car, you gas in up just before dumping it back in the lot.

OK if you use long life rechargeables (eg Sanyo Eneloops) and you can count on the last user having indeed charged the batteries. (And with AAs, you still have the backup of buying primary batteries.) BTW, Lion rechargables only have a medium shelf life.

Doug

 

[Grumpy]

Batteries

I’m not quite sure how this thread got sidetracked into a discussion of batteries to run digital SLR cameras, but it is a worthwhile consideration. I’d say this is especially so if a camera has multiple users.

I’ve worked as a pro photographer for 40 years. The first time I ever had to bail on an assignment because of equipment failure was about five years ago.

I was sent out with “pool” equipment – a Nikon D1H camera and two rechargeable battery packs. The pack in the camera was nearly discharged, and the backup turned out to be completely discharged. I managed about 20 shots and was out of business. As the cameras and battery packs aged, this kind of thing became a more frequent occurrence. I have little faith in rechargeable systems for multiple users.

The batteries in my Nikon D2Hs are hugely better than the notoriously bad packs in the D1H. So is the battery monitor. That helps a bunch.

My preferred solution would be to have a camera that will operate on either a rechargeable battery pack or off-the-shelf non-rechargeable batteries (preferably AA size, which are readily available). The Nikon D200, D300 and D80 cameras can be set up that way.

I recommend lithium batteries.

My Nikon F5 film camera ran on a set of 8 AA batteries. I learned there is a huge difference in performance between regular (non-rechargeable) AA alkaline batteries and AA lithiums. I could typically get about 12-15 rolls of 36 exp film through the camera with a set of alkalines; with lithiums, I could run 80 rolls or more per set.

Lithiums are much more expensive up front. But Cost per roll (for batteries) worked out about the same for me. Plus, the lithiums inspired confidence and provided peace of mind that the alkalines did not.

Lithium batteries also function better in cold weather, have extended shelf life, and are much lighter in weight than alkalines.

G.