This bounced to me because... never mind, complex. Hate to sound like a highschool English teacher, but setting a subject and adding paragraphs breaks would help readability :-) ------- Start of forwarded message ------- >From "Richard D Scherrer http://northernexposuresphoto.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject Re: nikon-digest V4 #265 Dan, There is nothing wrong with your F-5. I have never heard that claim of 250 rolls.The truth is that the F 5 has 5 Microprossors and lots of RAM, for a camera, and although the amp/hour drain isn't that high it is enough to drain AA batteries very quickly especially when left on over night. The prossors use energy to run even if the meter is off. The meter actually draws the least wattage. The lithium batteries were thought to be far better than alkaline when first releases, but in reality they are the most unstable batteries especially in cold weather. Yes that is opposite what we were told but I have the documentation that states that quite clearly. Your troubles are small in comparison to what I have experienced. With my 500AF-S photographing birds, the skittish little devils being as they are, the lense is always refocusing as they move maintaining perfect focus at all times, but, devouring alkalines to the tune of 1 set of 8 AA batteries per 3 rolls of Provia 36 exp. So I got the Nikon Ni-MH battery packs and all my battery problems are solved. One Ni-MH battery lasts for weeks of heavy shooting. Like a NiCad and Lithiums they maintain full voltage and then simply drop dead, instread of the steady voltage decline of the alkalines. So it is a must to get 2 Ni-MH for total battery security, but security is exactly what you will have.The alkalines with their steady voltage decline will have the motor drive gradually get slower in any camera, whereas NiMH, NiCAD and Lithums keep a constant Voltage which keeps the Motor Speed Steady, however the Ni-MH are the only truely stable battery. The charger is really first class Nikon. It has 2 connectors to charge 2 batteries at 1.5 hours per battery. After the first hour and a half a light comes of telling you the first battery is charged and that the second battery is charging. There are 2 refresh buttons, one for each battery to deep cycle the batteries every once in a while and restore their capacity to like new. A really first class system, worth it's weight in gold. When considering the alternative, although they are expensive, they easily and quickly pay for themselves. The Ni-MH batteries do not have to be run down completely like NiCAD's before recharging and cannot be damaged by overcharging. Also the charger stops charging when it detects that the batteries are fully charged. A MUST have for the F-5. Take care and Happy Shooting Regards, Richard [You Wrote] >I got my F5 in mid-January and put in 8 new lithium AA's in it, which are >supposed to last 250 rolls. I've shot about 15 since then and they're >already dead. I did accidentally leave the camera on twice overnight, but >there was nothing that was keeping the meter activated. The camera didn't >give me a battery-low warning until it was flashing and the shutter >wouldn't fire. What's wrong? Dan -- Richard D. Scherrer Northern Exposures Photography Phone: (406) 837-6911 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] WWW: http://www.northernexposuresphoto.com ------- End of forwarded message -------
