DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS
Battery care is critical to picture taking
By PETER WEINBERGER
Has this shooting situation happened to
you?
That perfect moment finally arrives. With
camera in hand, you are ready to capture the image. And then,
without warning, the lens retracts and the camera goes dead.
You forgot to replace the batteries.
Because digital cameras perform functions
such as downloading images to a computer and image review on
the back monitor, batteries can drain even after shooting just
100 pictures. Although rechargeable batteries cost up to $60 or
more, it's an important investment to make. Over time, these
batteries will save you money and last far longer than the
standard AAs. Here are some guidelines.
Finding the right battery
The two most common battery types used in
point-and-shoot digital cameras are standard AA and proprietary
lithium-ion. Whatever type fits your camera, they must be
rechargeable. The prices for good AA rechargeable batteries
have dropped. Most office supply stores carry them, with a set
of four costing around $10. The advantage with AA batteries, if
you ever run out of power, is it's easy to find replacements.
The more expensive cameras will come with their own lithium-ion
battery and charger. These batteries have more power, but can
be hard to find. In either case, I recommend carrying at least
three sets of batteries.
Temperature will have an impact
Camera batteries are the most susceptible
piece of equipment to extreme weather. With temperatures near
freezing or above 85, performance will be impacted. With severe
cold or heat, your camera's low battery indicator can flash
within minutes. By keeping batteries in your pocket, it will
not only keep the temperature more stable, it can bring cold
batteries back to life.
Limit your use of the LCD
Looking at just-taken images on the
camera's rear monitor is fun, but it's also the biggest power
drain. Check the menu options on the back of the camera to
limit the time the rear monitor operates. I recommend using it
only when reviewing images. Cameras with big zoom lenses such
as the Coolpix 8800 and Canon Powershot Pro 1 use electronic
viewfinders that need additional power. Since SLR cameras such
as the Canon Rebel or Nikon D70 use no power to see through the
viewfinder, they have extended battery life.
Peter Weinberger is director of photography
at The Charlotte Observer. Send questions to:
snapshots@charlotteobserver.com. See digital more tutorials and
photo galleries at www.peterweinberger.com
Batteries come in all shapes,sizes and
power levels. The charger and battery (top) for several goes
with several of Canon's higher end point-and-shoot cameras.
Rechargeable AA batteries (bottom left) give you the most
flexibility and are less expensive. They also won't last as
long as the lithium-ion battery for the Nikon 5700 (bottom
right).
