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Maybe it isn't an issue for most of you, who are probably shooting frequently, but  only use my DSLR like once a month, when not traveling.

When I'm going to use it, the battery in it is often discharged.  So I use the backup and recharge the first, even if only one is going suffice for that shooting.  Next time I normally find this backup ran out and replace it by the first one. 

So I wonder what is better for the batteries:
- Charge them only when going to use
- Charge them only when they lose charge completely
- Charge them as soon as they lose charge, even if partially, after a session

The point is not about always having the camera ready, but about what is better for battery life and operation.

In case it makes any difference, I use a Canon 400D and this battery is a Lithium-ion technology.

It's my understanding that lithium batteries do not have a "memory". In other words, if you charge them before they are completely discharged, you are not shortening the usage time of the battery. So I don't think it hurts to partially charge them. Usually a few hours before I know I am going to shoot, I charge both of my batteries.

My question for someone more knowledgeable is if you charge your batteries fully a few days before a shoot, do they lose the charge just sitting there? You mentioned that when you are going to use yours, madelaide, that it is often discharged, so maybe this is a question you are asking too?

I also take out the camera and shoot about once a week.
When I'm scheduled for a photo shoot session, I charge both batteries (both originals) the night before the shoot. When I'm not scheduled, meaning just shooting for fun, I just used whatever left of previous charge just because I know in case of emergency, I have an extra battery with me.

I only charge a battery (immediately after a shoot) when it is used 3/4 or almost died.

As I said, my concern is not having the batteries ready, but making what is best for its life.

If that site Kone posted is accurate, I should recharge them more often:
"Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one."

2-3 year life?  Gosh, I should be buying new batteries then!

cclapper, the battery that I often find discharged is the one that remains in the camera after a shooting (without further recharging), so it is already "used" and I understand the camera uses it even if off (otherwise it would lose the date/hour setting, right?)

I presume the camera loses date/time if batteries are removed for a long time. At least in my P&S it is so. It can stay minutes, maybe hours, without batteries, but at some point it loses date and other settings.