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Topic: How to better manage batteries  

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madelaide
« on: November 21, 2010, 13:49 »


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.


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eppic


Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2010, 14:06 »

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR.  I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power.  My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot.  Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.


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cclapper
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2010, 14:08 »

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?


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cclapper
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2010, 14:09 »

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR.  I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power.  My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot.  Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.

That sounds like a good practice I should get into.


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photosoup


New Member


« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2010, 14:49 »

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.


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Kone


« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2010, 18:28 »

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR.  I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power.  My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot.  Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.


Looks like you are doing it right.
Check this web site:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

However, I do not do what the above website suggests.
I have a Nikon D700 and two Li-Ion Batteries, 1500mAh.
I recharge them when my camera gives me a warning. I read somewhere that following the camera's warning is best for the batteries.
The battery life is much longer now then when they was purchased. I can take 1300-1500 images with one battery on a single charge.
The last vacation I went on, I did not even use a second battery and I took well over 1800 images with the one battery only.


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madelaide
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2010, 18:37 »

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?)


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elvinstar


Dreamstime GaugeiStock Gauge
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2010, 11:11 »

I would think that camera have to have a separate battery for date/time stuff (or it's stored on some sort of solid-state memory) otherwise we'd lose date/time when we changed batteries. Not sure though.


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madelaide
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2010, 11:59 »

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.


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Susum

New Member


« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2012, 04:58 »

Wow, thank you sharing your infomations. I think it's so useful and many points i often not pay attention to use camera batteries and take care of them.


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