I am using nickel metal-hydride (NiMH), 2500 milliamp-hour (mah), 1.2 volt AA rechargable batteries. (Six in the camera at a time.) How many times can I expect to be able to recharge the batteries? How can I tell if they should not be recharged any more? Should I be using a different or better type of battery? I am usually an indoor photographer of train models with no problem having access to more batteries and a recharger. I just don't want to try to recharge one and have a fire or something as they do get hot when recharging. BTW, my recharger does cut off automatically, but I don't trust it. I am too old and have come too far to get whacked by a battery charger.
What kind of camera are you using? Does the camera literature give you another option for the type of battery you can use in the camera? Stay cool and run steam....
Nikon 5000. The battery pack is a Nikon extra. Authorized battery types are: alkaline, lithium, NiCad, or NiMH batteries. [ January 08, 2006, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: sapacif ]
Even though mine is automatic. I have similar worries. So, keep my charger right here on the computer desk. Plug it in when I am doing some serious keyboard work. Thus am present the entire time. Boxcab E50
Have you tried the NiCad or Lithium batteries at all. They might not give off so much heat as the NiMH batteries. Stay cool and run steam.....
The time between charges will shorten dramatically when taking the same number of photo's or you can't take the usual number of photo's with a single charge. So for example, if you can take 200 photo's with a charge and then it drops dramatically to 100 photo's with everything else remaining the same ( especially photo size), you'll need new batteries. Stay cool and run steam.....
Okay. Then I will just note the photo number after I charge and look at it again when I recharge. At least get some system to monitor usage. Thanks, PSG.
I'd take NiMH over NiCad's any day; they are not prone to the "memory" issues and last longer than NiCads. Lithium Ion rechargables are the best, but I don't know if you can get them in AA's. Harold
Flash: Keeping a record of the number of photo's taken with each charge is a good idea to monitor your rechargeable batteries. Stay cool and run steam.....
Why not get a charger that will shut off after it detects the peak? This way you won't overcharge and run the risk of a fire or damage the cells. In addition, you don't have to wait until the cells are fully drained to recharge. The peak detection circuit of the charger will know when to stop.
I shoot weddings and events for a living...not having good batteries is not an option. My Nikon D100's used Lith-ion batteries that seemed to last forever. L-ion is by far the best. You can recharge mid-cycle (top them off) without risk of power loss due to "memory". I have some that are almost 4 years old and they still work as well as they did new. When I purchased my Fuji S3, I learned the hard way about NiMH AA's. I went thru five different brands of batteries and chargers before I found one that could hold up against that power hungry camera. 2500mAh Energizer NiMH Rechargable Batteries and the Energizer CHDC Charger (the compact one that slides open and the plug folds out of the back). For maximum performance you need to do three things. First, charge your new batteries, then discharge them completely (like in a flashlight) and then charge them again before use. Second is to completely discharge the batteries before each recharge. After you remove the batteries from your camera, put them in a little AA flashlight and turn it on to run them all the way out. Third is to use the batteries soon after you charge them. The batteries lose power over time, one tech sheet I read said as much as 5% to 10% per week. This is from my experience...your mileage may vary
navatex: Do you have rechargeable AA Lith-ion batteries? I googled for them and found 9 volt rechargeable, but no AA rechargeable. Thanks. [ January 09, 2006, 09:38 PM: Message edited by: sapacif ]
Yes, the Li-Ion Nikon batteries seem to last forever. They have about twice the storage capacity of NiMH and three times that of NiCads. I'm averaging about 1,300 shots on both D100 and D70 before I even think of recharging. But I do carry three batteries for the two cameras. They are about $35-$45 each (one does it for the camera) but worth every penny! When I'm "hunting" wildlife, it's not unusual to click off 1,000 shots in a day. How many times in your life are you really going to see a Kodiak bear? Due to my work, I'm a little familiar with battery technology. Li-Ion is being held back a little by safety concerns which require sturdy packaging. So AAs might be a little bit in the future. Manufacturers are working on processes and materials, so the future could be pretty soon, or a while away. And they are working on other materials even more powerful.
Pete: I carry thre LI-Ion Nikon batteries for my D-50. I also had three or four for the Nikon Coolpix 4300. Stay cool and run steam....
Wow! Unless the D50 is a battery hog (I doubt it, as the D70 and D100 are most certainly not)), you've got enough power for 3000-4000 shots. In my TV days, I used to pack a large case filled only with batteries! Almost every person I know who handled a film or video camera in those days (the 70s) has a bad back. I was lucky and got into a "supervisory" position early.
Good advice! I use the Everyrady 2500's with the same charger in my handheld scanner... they perform very well and hold up for a long time! Harold
I think the mfg. stated rating on the Li-Ion battery in my Rebel XT is 450-600 shots (w/o flash). I have shot in excess of 700 in a day before the camera indicated I was getting low... The battery will recharge to full (on AC) in less than 30 mins. A spare battery (or batteries) is cheap insurance. Harold
The LCDs on the back can eat up a LOT of power. When I'm reasonably sure that my set-up is correct for things like outdoor shooting, I turn it off. For model photography at home, I use it, but don't trust it. I take shots, then analyze them on the computer with Photoshop.
