Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
On Mon, May 01, 2006 at 10:27:41AM -0400, Cory Papenfuss wrote: La Crosse charger highly recommended. I read the La Crosse delivers a more reliable charge at 500-700ma as it can do a better job of detecting the cut off point. I was having some flaky battery problems at 200ma which vanished when I upped the charge rate. 700ma is still well below the safe charge limit. Agreed. Charging at the low rate (200mAh) makes it difficult for the La Crosse to detect the cut off voltage when charging high capacity batteries. Thanks for the tip. I had an Energiser 2500 that wouldn't charge on the low setting, but charged just fine on the higher setting. I only have a MAHA C401, so I don't have all the options of the LaCrosse, but just knowing that a faster charge was worth trying helped me.
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
La Crosse charger highly recommended. I read the La Crosse delivers a more reliable charge at 500-700ma as it can do a better job of detecting the cut off point. I was having some flaky battery problems at 200ma which vanished when I upped the charge rate. 700ma is still well below the safe charge limit. Agreed. Charging at the low rate (200mAh) makes it difficult for the La Crosse to detect the cut off voltage when charging high capacity batteries. For a good modern cell, 200mAh is only C/10. I generally charge 500mA as a minimum, and the cells don't even start to get warm until 700mA. If I am refreshing a set at 1000mA, I'll put a computer fan nearby to keep them cool. One bad battery in a set can ruin your day and you need a charger with individual circuits and a readout to spot the bad one. I have also found some NiMH can self discharge much faster than the advertised rate. Absolutely. I've been keeping track of individual cells in my La Crosse charger for a year or so now. Cell capacities change and are rarely matched in a set... even out of the box. Unless you've got the information, it's easy to dismiss NiMH batteries as not worth the trouble. If you match sets by *capacity*, they last a long time. -Cory Powell At 12:16 AM 30/04/2006 , Don wrote: If you get a La Crosse charger you'll be able to keep your NiMH cells healthy. I think a good way to shorten the life of NiMH cells is to fast charge them. I charge mine at 200 ma. -- * * Cory Papenfuss, Ph.D., PPSEL-IA * * Electrical Engineering* * Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University * *
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
- Original Message - From: Amita Guha Subject: batteries discharging quickly in *istD About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. I gave up on MiMH batteries some time ago. They are great when new, but get really flakey after not very long. I had 3 sets (24 batteries), and had similar problems with them going screwey. I switched to lithioids a year or more back, and have never had a wonky battery issue since. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
If you get a La Crosse charger you'll be able to keep your NiMH cells healthy. You'll know if they're good and also be able to 'rejuvenate' any that might not be performing optimally; a bad one will show up at once. Although needing much care and attention they're economical and I've been using them for some time. But always keep a pair of Lithiums in your bag in case of trouble. By the way I don't like the idea of re-chargeable lithium cells, they may catch fire and explode and are potentially very dangerous. Unless you fly electric model aircraft you don't need them. I think a good way to shorten the life of NiMH cells is to fast charge them. I charge mine at 200 ma. Don William Robb wrote: - Original Message - From: Amita Guha Subject: batteries discharging quickly in *istD About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. I gave up on MiMH batteries some time ago. They are great when new, but get really flakey after not very long. I had 3 sets (24 batteries), and had similar problems with them going screwey. I switched to lithioids a year or more back, and have never had a wonky battery issue since. William Robb -- Dr E D F Williams www.kolumbus.fi/mimosa/ personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams/ 41660 TOIVAKKA – Finland - +358400706616
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
I have the same NIMH batteries for abouy a year and a half (as long as my D) and never had any problem. Sometimes I let them in the camera for a month before using them. They still run fine. -- Thibouille -- *ist-D,Z1,SFXn,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ...
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
From: Amita Guha [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2006/04/30 Sun AM 04:13:19 GMT To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: batteries discharging quickly in *istD About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. Welcome to the world of modern battery technology. Yes, you can get massive energy supplies in small packages - the downside is shortened shelf life compared to older technology. Others are worse. Lithium-ion batteries have a shelf life of two years. I need a new Li-ion battery for my laptop but have yet to find a supplier that will tell me the manufacture date of their brand new!!! units. mike - Email sent from www.ntlworld.com Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software Visit www.ntlworld.com/security for more information
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Well a bad battery will make the whole pack work substandardly. And if your charger does not charge them individually it will cause you to have a mischarged pack that will not last long. Rechargables really need to be used regularly. For my use I gave up on them and went to AA Lithiums. They can sit around for years and still be good, and even used heavily (for me these days) they last me several months. None of that is istD specific as I do not have one. graywolf http://www.graywolfphoto.com http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf Idiot Proof == Expert Proof --- Amita Guha wrote: About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Amita
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
I keep hearing that one. How come the li-Ion in my laptop is 3 + years old and still has 3/4 capacity (3+ hours run time)? From what I have read on the net a lot of people abuse these batteries badly, then they bad mouth the battery. A quote, After my battery shuts off, I can still get another 30 minutes out of it if I... Li-Ion batteries do not like to deep cycle, and they do not like to be overcharged. Shelf life if not overheated is quite good --for a rechargeable. They will eventually go below the safe charge level so they need to be charged every six months or so even if not used. An unactivated (never charged) one has a shelf life of several years, however because people do not like to have to slow charge the battery the first time they use it many manufactures now activate it at the factory. Overall Li-Ion are simply the best rechargeables currently available. graywolf http://www.graywolfphoto.com http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf Idiot Proof == Expert Proof --- mike wilson wrote: From: Amita Guha [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2006/04/30 Sun AM 04:13:19 GMT To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: batteries discharging quickly in *istD About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. Welcome to the world of modern battery technology. Yes, you can get massive energy supplies in small packages - the downside is shortened shelf life compared to older technology. Others are worse. Lithium-ion batteries have a shelf life of two years. I need a new Li-ion battery for my laptop but have yet to find a supplier that will tell me the manufacture date of their brand new!!! units. mike - Email sent from www.ntlworld.com Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software Visit www.ntlworld.com/security for more information
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 08:57:48 +0100, Thibouille [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have the same NIMH batteries for abouy a year and a half (as long as my D) and never had any problem. Sometimes I let them in the camera for a month before using them. They still run fine. -- Thibouille -- *ist-D,Z1,SFXn,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ... The fourth post down has some interesting things to say: http://www.pentaxuser.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2320highlight=battery+grip It would seem that it is best to avoid NiMHs if you use the battery grip, unless you have checked that ALL eight batteries are equally charged and of identical capacity. John -- Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
I use batteries in the D grip all of the time. LIthium AAs in the grip and camera. I get approximately 2000 exposures. Always. Tried NIMh for a while. Gave up on them. I think they require considerable discipline in regard to charging and care. I don't have time for that. Paul On Apr 30, 2006, at 12:31 AM, David Nelson wrote: Were you using the batteries in the battery grip by any chance? I've now given up using batteries in the grip as I suspect there's a contact problem somewhere along the line that leads to erratic battery performance. Alternatively, do you trust your charger? I've had trouble there in the past as well. Ideally a charger should charge each cell independently and offer a discharge option. Cheers, David Amita Guha wrote: About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Amita
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Bill's wasn't talking about rechargeable lithiums, nor was I. The throwaways give you a couple thousand exposures with the grip. They're worth the money. Paul On Apr 30, 2006, at 3:16 AM, Don Williams wrote: If you get a La Crosse charger you'll be able to keep your NiMH cells healthy. You'll know if they're good and also be able to 'rejuvenate' any that might not be performing optimally; a bad one will show up at once. Although needing much care and attention they're economical and I've been using them for some time. But always keep a pair of Lithiums in your bag in case of trouble. By the way I don't like the idea of re-chargeable lithium cells, they may catch fire and explode and are potentially very dangerous. Unless you fly electric model aircraft you don't need them. I think a good way to shorten the life of NiMH cells is to fast charge them. I charge mine at 200 ma. Don William Robb wrote: - Original Message - From: Amita Guha Subject: batteries discharging quickly in *istD About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. I gave up on MiMH batteries some time ago. They are great when new, but get really flakey after not very long. I had 3 sets (24 batteries), and had similar problems with them going screwey. I switched to lithioids a year or more back, and have never had a wonky battery issue since. William Robb -- Dr E D F Williams www.kolumbus.fi/mimosa/ personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams/ 41660 TOIVAKKA – Finland - +358400706616
RE: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Agreed, Lithiums eliminated all my Battery Wierdness issues. At well under 1 cent per exposure they're the only way to go for me. Don -Original Message- From: Paul Stenquist [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 6:23 AM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD I use batteries in the D grip all of the time. LIthium AAs in the grip and camera. I get approximately 2000 exposures. Always. Tried NIMh for a while. Gave up on them. I think they require considerable discipline in regard to charging and care. I don't have time for that. Paul
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
NiHM's need to be regularly charged to work at peak efficiency. It takes a few charges/discharge cycles for them to regain capacity if they've been lying around unused too long. Amita Guha wrote: About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Amita -- When you're worried or in doubt, Run in circles, (scream and shout).
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
My experience is similar to others. I use the grip, but for my own convenience, I only put batteries in the grip. I get about 800-1200 shots on a set of lithiums. These will last several shooting sessions for me, so I don't feel the need to load two sets of batteries in the camera. I got tired of babysitting several sets of NiMH batteries after only a few months. I would only get 300-400 shots on a full charge. But if the cameras sat unused for a few days, the batteries would naturally discharge. It just wasn't worth the trouble. The NiMH batteries are now happily being cycled through a couple of radios and single-use Lithium Ions batteries power the D. By the way, you can by extra battery holders for the grip. I keep a loaded one in the camera bag. When your hands are full or you're in an awkward position, it's much more convenient to exchange the battery holder than fumble with individual batteries. See you later, gs
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Paul wrote: LIthium AAs in the grip and camera. I get approximately 2000 exposures. Always. AA lithiums, huh? I'll have to look into those. In the meantime, I have been using CR-V3s, and have been completely satisfied with the service they give me. Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Joe
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
La Crosse charger highly recommended. I read the La Crosse delivers a more reliable charge at 500-700ma as it can do a better job of detecting the cut off point. I was having some flaky battery problems at 200ma which vanished when I upped the charge rate. 700ma is still well below the safe charge limit. One bad battery in a set can ruin your day and you need a charger with individual circuits and a readout to spot the bad one. I have also found some NiMH can self discharge much faster than the advertised rate. Powell At 12:16 AM 30/04/2006 , Don wrote: If you get a La Crosse charger you'll be able to keep your NiMH cells healthy. I think a good way to shorten the life of NiMH cells is to fast charge them. I charge mine at 200 ma.
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. In the FWIW department, I'm pushing 1500 exposures on a set of 4 Energizer AA Lithium batteries, and there's no indication that the batteries are losing effectiveness. The indicator shows a full charge. Shel [Original Message] From: Joseph Tainter LIthium AAs in the grip and camera. I get approximately 2000 exposures. Always. AA lithiums, huh? I'll have to look into those. In the meantime, I have been using CR-V3s, and have been completely satisfied with the service they give me.
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Joseph Tainter wrote: Paul wrote: LIthium AAs in the grip and camera. I get approximately 2000 exposures. Always. AA lithiums, huh? I'll have to look into those. In the meantime, I have been using CR-V3s, and have been completely satisfied with the service they give me. Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Joe By default, it's only the proprietary rechargables, but the available battery grips will also take AA's in an emergency (All of the non-1 series Canons, and the Nikon D200 and D100 offer grips, 3rd party grips are available for the lower-end Nikons). -Adam
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. Me: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw Adam: By default, it's only the proprietary rechargables, but the available battery grips will also take AA's I've never warmed to grips, so for my use the Nikons and Canons are fatally flawed -- in at least this area. Joe
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
On 30/4/06, Joseph Tainter, discombobulated, unleashed: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Quite a few Canons use the BP-511 or similar: http://tinyurl.com/o66gm 1D series use the NP-E3 http://tinyurl.com/lmmbu Personally I have 2 NP-E3s and a Quantum Turbo 2X2 which will also power the camera (simultaneously with the flash) if necessary. I didn't quit Pentax digital because of batteries, but if the *ist D had been released at the same time as the D60, it would have been the nail in the coffin for me. I wanted to get away from AA's. YMMV Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
- Original Message - From: Cotty Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD Quite a few Canons use the BP-511 or similar: http://tinyurl.com/o66gm FWIW, my old Canon G1, which I expect is 5 or so years old now, is still running just fine on it's original BP-511 Lithium-Ion battery. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
- Original Message - From: Joseph Tainter Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. No. They are not a direct replacement, in that they generally won't fit the battery bays of flash units. The battery bay is the istD and grip are shaped in such a way that they can fit either AA or CR-3V. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Joseph Tainter wrote: Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. Yes, if the unit can handle the voltage difference (AA lithiums are 1.25 volt) and different internal resistance. They are distinctly superior in flash units (As are NiMH's) as the internal resistance difference from Alkalines means that the flash will recharge twice as fast with Lithium or NiMH's as compared to Alkalines. Me: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw Adam: By default, it's only the proprietary rechargables, but the available battery grips will also take AA's I've never warmed to grips, so for my use the Nikons and Canons are fatally flawed -- in at least this area. Joe Yeah, if you don't like grips, that's an issue. But the proprietary packs are relatively cheap, so buying several is a definite possibility. -Adam
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Bill, I don't understand your comment. What's the difference between AA's and AA Lithiums wrt size and dimensions. An AA is an AA, is it not? Shel [Original Message] From: William Robb - Original Message - From: Joseph Tainter Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. No. They are not a direct replacement, in that they generally won't fit the battery bays of flash units. The battery bay is the istD and grip are shaped in such a way that they can fit either AA or CR-3V. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
They should fit, but whether or not they are the proper choice is beyond my knowledge. AA defines size and dimensions - so anyplace regular AA's (I suspect you mean Alkaline) can be used, an AA Lithium should fit. Shel [Original Message] From: Joseph Tainter CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks.
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
The fourth post down has some interesting things to say: http://www.pentaxuser.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2320highlight=battery+grip It would seem that it is best to avoid NiMHs if you use the battery grip, unless you have checked that ALL eight batteries are equally charged and of identical capacity. Yes, this is the sort of thing we do: we have about 8 or 9 groups of four batteries, all labelled, and we never mix and match the batteries. Everything we have that takes AAs (camera, image tank, flash, grip) takes 4, so it's easy to keep track of them. I just found it a little weird that three batches seem to be dying at once, but I guess it's not so strange since we bought them all around the same time. Anyway, thanks for the help, everyone! I think I will stick with NimHs for now. It's still more economical than LIs. I just need to find the best place to buy good ones online. Thanks, Amita
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
William Robb wrote: - Original Message - From: Joseph Tainter Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. No. They are not a direct replacement, in that they generally won't fit the battery bays of flash units. The battery bay is the istD and grip are shaped in such a way that they can fit either AA or CR-3V. William Robb Bill, I think he was asking about AA Lithiums, not CRV3's. -Adam
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
My wallet is glad the istD can take either. The difference in price can be significant. The local Target store prices a two-pack of CRV3s at $14.95 and a four-pack of AA's at $9.99. See you later, gs http://georgesphotos.net On 4/30/06, William Robb [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: - Original Message - From: Joseph Tainter Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD Shel: CR-V3's ~are~ essentially AA Lithiums, just packaged differently. Okay -- can one use AA lithiums (pl: lithia?) in anything where one might use AAs? In a flash unit? Thanks. No. They are not a direct replacement, in that they generally won't fit the battery bays of flash units. The battery bay is the istD and grip are shaped in such a way that they can fit either AA or CR-3V. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
- Original Message - From: Adam Maas Subject: Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD I think he was asking about AA Lithiums, not CRV3's. I noticed that after I had posted. William Robb
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Anyway, thanks for the help, everyone! I think I will stick with NimHs for now. It's still more economical than LIs. I just need to find the best place to buy good ones online. I've had great luck here: http://www.thomas-distributing.com/ Really good info. -Ryan Thanks, Amita
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
My Nikon D2H on a full charge gets close to 500 jps,even though Nikon and Moose Peterson claim 1200 or so.Ichimp every equine shot, so that may hurt it alot. I have 2 batteries,so i'm good for 1000 pictures. My D200 takes an En-3a battery whuch is supposed to get 700-800 per, but i have not had it long enough to test. If i get the grip for it, it takes two en=3a's or 8 AA's. My istD never gets anymore than 200 or so on rechargables and maybe 700 on Liths.Again i chimp a lot Dave Quoting Cotty [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On 30/4/06, Joseph Tainter, discombobulated, unleashed: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Quite a few Canons use the BP-511 or similar: http://tinyurl.com/o66gm 1D series use the NP-E3 http://tinyurl.com/lmmbu Personally I have 2 NP-E3s and a Quantum Turbo 2X2 which will also power the camera (simultaneously with the flash) if necessary. I didn't quit Pentax digital because of batteries, but if the *ist D had been released at the same time as the D60, it would have been the nail in the coffin for me. I wanted to get away from AA's. YMMV Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _ Equine Photography in York Region
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
On Apr 30, 2006, at 9:14 AM, Joseph Tainter wrote: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Nikon and Canon, and most other makes, use proprietary (more 'custom form factor' than proprietary, since many vendors sell the batteries for those cameras...) rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. -The downside is that you must have the correct batteries for the camera and you must have some means of recharging them when in the field (as well as a sufficient number to handle your immediate shooting needs). -The upsides are: a) they pack a lot more power into a smaller/lighter package, b) they hold their charge much much better than NiMH batteries do, c) you change ONE battery, not two or four, meaning less time lost fumbling with a battery in the field, and d) they recharge 1000+ times at least without loss of capacity. While I'm perfectly happy to deal with whatever Pentax does, and the CRV3/AA form factor compatibility is a plus for some things, I would be happy with a good quality Lithium-Ion rechargeable or (like Sony) Info-Lithium rechargeable too. I had/have both now, and, believe me, the Sony batteries are the best. Absolutely accurate on time to exhaustion, light, fast recharge, power the R1 for 400 exposures or more, hold their charge for MONTHs with no maintenance at all if the camera is not being used much. When I've traveled with Sony, Canon or Konica Minolta equipment, I carry two spares and a charger, and have *never* run short of power in the field no matter how many hundred exposures I make. A charger equipped with an automotive adapter is all that is necessary when I'm traveling. Godfrey
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: On Apr 30, 2006, at 9:14 AM, Joseph Tainter wrote: Don't the Nikon and Canon models take only proprietary rechargeable batteries? I consider that a fatal flaw, not least because sometimes I work in the northern Sahel, where there is no electricity. I hope Pentax keeps their current DSLR battery options in the new models. Nikon and Canon, and most other makes, use proprietary (more 'custom form factor' than proprietary, since many vendors sell the batteries for those cameras...) rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. -The downside is that you must have the correct batteries for the camera and you must have some means of recharging them when in the field (as well as a sufficient number to handle your immediate shooting needs). -The upsides are: a) they pack a lot more power into a smaller/lighter package, b) they hold their charge much much better than NiMH batteries do, c) you change ONE battery, not two or four, meaning less time lost fumbling with a battery in the field, and d) they recharge 1000+ times at least without loss of capacity. While I'm perfectly happy to deal with whatever Pentax does, and the CRV3/AA form factor compatibility is a plus for some things, I would be happy with a good quality Lithium-Ion rechargeable or (like Sony) Info-Lithium rechargeable too. I had/have both now, and, believe me, the Sony batteries are the best. Absolutely accurate on time to exhaustion, light, fast recharge, power the R1 for 400 exposures or more, hold their charge for MONTHs with no maintenance at all if the camera is not being used much. When I've traveled with Sony, Canon or Konica Minolta equipment, I carry two spares and a charger, and have *never* run short of power in the field no matter how many hundred exposures I make. A charger equipped with an automotive adapter is all that is necessary when I'm traveling. Godfrey The new Nikon EN-EL3e's offer everything the Info-Lithium's do with a compatible body (Currently only the D200, although the battries work without the extra info in any body which uses EN-EL3's). -Adam
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
It's good to hear that. I haven't tracked the other makes very closely of late. Godfrey On Apr 30, 2006, at 2:39 PM, Adam Maas wrote: The new Nikon EN-EL3e's offer everything the Info-Lithium's do with a compatible body (Currently only the D200, although the battries work without the extra info in any body which uses EN-EL3's).
batteries discharging quickly in *istD
About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Amita
Re: batteries discharging quickly in *istD
Were you using the batteries in the battery grip by any chance? I've now given up using batteries in the grip as I suspect there's a contact problem somewhere along the line that leads to erratic battery performance. Alternatively, do you trust your charger? I've had trouble there in the past as well. Ideally a charger should charge each cell independently and offer a discharge option. Cheers, David Amita Guha wrote: About a month ago, I tried to use my *istD, but the batteries were dead. The other two sets of Nimh's I keep for it were dead as well. I wasn't too concerned because I hadn't used the camera in a while. A couple of days ago, I charged up all three sets, and today I headed out to shoot. My first set lasted about 6 minutes/11 exposures, the 2nd set lasted about the same, and the 3rd were dead when I put them in the camera, even though they'd been fully charged. When we got home, we found out that at least two batteries were bad. The rest seemed to charge up normally pretty quickly in the one-hour charger. Now I am trying to figure out if the problem is with the camera or the batteries. We bought all the batteries at about the same time, a year and a half ago. Is the *istD known to develop problems reading batteries? Nate thinks we might need to change the little battery for the *istD's computer. I am hoping it is just a simple matter of the Nimhs going bad all at once. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Amita
