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01/17/2007 10:19:52 AM · #1 |
Do you use rechargeable NiMH batteries in your camera? And if so, how long do they last for you, not just number of shots but number of days if not taking many shots?
Why I ask is because of this situation. Last fall I had a problem with my camera suddenly drawing too much power when I tried to use the USB upload port. As it is still under warranty, I sent it in to Pentax to have the problem fixed.
Since getting my camera back, I am finding that even when the camera is turned off, it will drain my NiMH batteries in less than a week. I used to be able to get at least 500 shots over the course of 2 weeks before having to recharge the batteries. Was this unusual? Thinking that it might be that the batteries had worn out, I bought new ones but the same thing still happens.
So before I send it back to Pentax again, I wanted to be sure that my battery life expectations were not out of line. |
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01/17/2007 11:32:30 AM · #2 |
I just replaced a set if 2500 mA batteries that were 1 1/2 years old because they wouldn't hold a charge for a full week even without use. I would try a new set off batteries before sending your camera back to Pentax.
Another consideration, if one battery has less charge than another before charging , the less charged battery maynot fully charge if your charger shuts off when the first battery to reach full charge is done.
Edit: for another consideration.
Message edited by author 2007-01-17 11:35:08. |
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01/17/2007 01:02:22 PM · #3 |
I use two sets of the 2500 mAh batteries. They will last a few hundred shots when shooting RAW and not using the LCD to review every shot. I default the screen to no preview.
One thing to try (if using more than one set of batteries) is to mark them as a set and to not mix them. Charge and use them as separate sets.
To save battery life when shooting, turn off your LCD preview (only previewing what you need to preview); turn off image stabilization if it is not needed (fast shutter speeds, tripods, etc.); turn off the wireless remote shutter sensor when not being used; don't use a flash unless absolutely necessary; use a card reader to transfer images; take advantage of the sleep feature instead of turning on and off the camera many times within a short period of time; only use continuous focusing mode when absolutely necessary.
I realize that not all of the above will be possible, but I just wanted to enumerate some items that don't contribute to prolonged battery life.
Oh, and cold weather locations will rapidly zap the life out of batteries, too.
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01/17/2007 01:13:58 PM · #4 |
My 2500mah batters seem to work great.
I get 1000+ shots out of a set of batteries.
I shoot basketball games three day's a week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Saturday I do tournaments. Saturdays is when I end up taking 1000+ photos durring the day for three different games.
I alway's have a extra set of batteries charged and ready to go, but I never end up having to switch them on game day's.
They seem to hold a charge good too, but then it is only a few day's in between that they are not being used.
I also carry a set of cr-v3 lithium batteries, but have never had to use them yet.
Message edited by author 2007-01-17 13:14:38. |
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01/17/2007 01:18:22 PM · #5 |
I use two sets of the 2500 mAh batteries. They will last a few hundred shots when shooting RAW and not using the LCD to review every shot. I default the screen to no preview.
Wow, that seems kind of low. Does raw take that much more power?
On the basketball games I am doing jpg and most of the time manual focus.
I do use the lcd a lot to look back at what I got.
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01/17/2007 02:27:47 PM · #6 |
Thanks for your responses.
The batteries I have been using are maH 2500 NiMH rechargeables and prior to Pentax "fixing" my camera, I never had any concerns with how long they lasted. As I said in my OP, I bought a new set in case the old ones were the problem, but my camera still seems to drain them quickly even if it is not on.
I do not use the LCD preview screen very much at all, or any of the other things mentioned. It sounds to me as if the battery life I was getting previously is more the normal one than what is happening now.
Thanks again for your input.
Message edited by author 2007-01-17 22:08:27. |
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01/17/2007 10:09:40 PM · #7 |
| Bump one last time for any other responses from anyone? |
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01/26/2007 02:22:20 AM · #8 |
| You may want to check out the Eneloop batteries by Sanyo. They are a new NiMH battery technology that is supposed to make for little or no drain on batteries between use. They aren't that much more expensive than the standard NiMHs and you don't need any special charger for recharge. I haven't yet used them, but have heard great things about them. They're worth a try. |
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