My Canon S3 uses 4 AA batteries and I’ve read here on Fodor’s that I need a charger. As my departure draws closer I’ve started to think that a battery charger may not be a good idea when you have no electricity in the tent, but that I could take some spare batteries with me. The batteries that came with the camera are non-rechargeable. So, today I went to a camera shop to enquire and was told that non-rechargeable batteries last for only 10-15 pictures and re-chargeables for about 100!!! I thought the whole point with digital cameras was being able to take thousands of photos and delete the bad ones. As I have 49 pictures (mostly unfavourable ones of my brother’s girlfriend and my cat) and have deleted some, I’m not sure that the young man at the camera shop knew what he was talking about. My brother has even used the film function (I haven’t had any time to use my own camera). I’ve got the impression that many Fodorites know a lot about these things. Could you please tell me what to do?

It all comes down to that you have two choices. No discussion necessary.

Choice number one preferred by most people is to use rechargeable NiMH type batteries (4 AA). Get the NiMH batteries called Eneloop made by Sanyo or Rayovac Hybrid made by Rayovac if you can. Get two sets (8 AA) so you have one set in the camera and one set in the charger. Get a charger for the AAs. In the USA two battery sets and a charger will cost you about $30-$40.

Second choice. Use Lithium (NOT lithium ion) batteries. Lithium (not Lithium ion) batteries are NOT rechargeable. But should take around 1,500 photos. They are expensive, a set of 4 in the USA costs around $10. BUT you do not need a charger (they can not be recharged). (They also have a very long "shelf life", they keep their charge while not in use. Five years from now you can pick up the camera and use it).

regards - tom
ps - you could pick both choices, use NiMH regularly and take Lithium as a back-up.

Nyamera, even though you will be in tents, the camps should have electricity for you to recharge your batteries. Get a rapid charger with a cigarette lighter attachment and you can probably plug it into the safari vehicles lighter. I think you'll get more than 100 out of a charge but if using the flash at night, you'll get less.

Good advice here. I have the same set-up as Tom and still have the original Lithiums (they're light weight too)Never had any problems in the battery dept and took over 2000+ photos. Have a great trip!

I've never heard of lithium batteries but will definitely buy some for the next trip. Thanks Tom and Carla!

Carla and anyone with the Canon S2 (S2 only). Please be aware that it can develop a funky battery problem. It has happened with both of our S2s and is well documented on dpreview.com. It may insist that you change out the batteries even if they have just been charged. This happens only with NiMH type batteries (no such problems wiht Lithiums). If so do it or pop in the Lithiums for a few shots.

regards - tom
ps - Carla, are you saying you got 2000 photos on a set of Lithiums? It is possible I know, just asking.

The camera story guy's estimates sound pessimistic to me. I did better than that.

I took about 20 rechargeable batteries that were fully charged up and 6 long life nonrechargebles for 10 days of heavy photography on safari. My digital camera uses only 2 batteries, but I probably have to change them more than you will with 4.

I do not rely on electricity being available and working and don't feel remote places should be forced to offer it to tourists with fancy gadgets. I do not rely on being able to use the cigarette lighter in the vehicle, especially if there are 5 other people wanting to do the same thing. I equip myself with enough batteries and keep them in my camera case or wear them in my safari vest so that my portable luggage weighs less.

I took about 1800 (maybe 2000) photos and deleted over 1000 and even did some cropping and stuff and had working batteries left when I got home. Most of those are recharged for this next trip.

Here is one hint. When my camera indicated the battery indicated it was low or out, I would remove it from the camera for photo purposes. But that is the battery I would use when I just wanted to delete pictures or crop them when I was sitting back in the tent. There would be enough juice in the low battery for that operation. I'd use those low batteries for my deleting activities until they died completely.

I understand your exasperation with digital requiring more attention to accessories. Still, I'm sure you'll love the end results.

Have a fantastic trip!

It is well documented that some types/brands of AA NiMH keep their charges much longer than others. Some will lose half of their charge in a month or less. The new "hybrid" NiMH are proving to have good storage capacity life for over six months, probably a year. Sanyo makes one called "Eneloop" and Rayovac makes the "Hybrid". There may also now be others available. The Eneloops work good for that Canon S2 problem.
regards - tom

Thanks so much! I think I’ve got it: either rechargeable NiMH or non-rechargeable lithium, or both. I have to buy a lot of batteries on Monday.

Nyamera, just got back from some 15 nites in Tanzania with S3 camera. Used both the rechargeable Rayovac AA and an off-brand AA batteries. Recharged what I needed each nite at the lodge/camp. Also, had couple of sets of regular AA's just in case. Most I used was two sets on one particular day. Really liked the S3 but now wish I had practiced more with the optional settings, spot metering and the like. Didn't think I would bother with panoramic pics or movies. Then, once I got caught up in the wildebeast migration I started to play around and quality left a bit to be desired. So,strongly recommend getting quite comfy with camera. Have a great trip. Dick

Do most of the camps/lodges have power converters for US plugs or do you have to bring your own adapter? The whole battery & charger situation has been a big question for me too...

I have a similar question for what I might do in Zanzibar since I believe the hotel we are staying at does not have electricity - only generators...Thanks!!

Though my charger for AA NiMH batteries is slow for recharging, many camps actually have fast chargers for client use. Even if camp doesn't provide electricity/outlets in individual camps, they have generator power for their refrigeration units and yes, even their computers (if the latter not running off a satellite phone).

I have 3/sets of 4AA, 1/in camera, 1/extra set while on game drives, 1/recharging at camp. While I didn't take near 2,000+ pics on this trip or any other, for that matter, I've never had to use all 3/sets of batteries. Alot depends on your camera, type of batteries, etc. etc. It's just a good idea to have what you need with you and schedule recharging accordingly.

Generators at camps/lodge/hotels provide sufficient juice to recharge batteries, and as mentioned are needed for refrigeration units. It's rare to be totally in the wilderness where you have to resort to using the vehicle lighter for recharging.

Dick, it’s a bit late for me to get comfy with the camera!

i have the canon S3 and have the rechargeable batteries with battery charger, it's very small and even fit into my camera bag. i took an extra set of rechargeable batteries and was able to charge at night at the camps. i also brought a big package of throw away AA batteries, and never used one of them.
i do not think anyone mentioned it but if you only look through the camera viewfinder to take pictures and not use the monitor it really saves on batteries.
hopefully you have an extra memory card, so you can take lots of pictures.

I take my Canon S3 on all my safaris. With 4 fresh batteries in the camera and one 8-pack of Energizer litium e2 batteries, you should be set for a full journey worth of photos. The lithium batteries are incredibly light and unbelievably long-lasting -- well worth the cost, plus the convenience of not having to bring a charger.
http://www.energizer.com/products/lithium/

Those are the same Lithium's I use Mister Aviator.

It seems like most folks on here use the Cannon S3 or similar. Anyone use the Nikon D80? I just got it, as I have multiple lenses for my Nikon film camera, and hope any of you who may have used this camera can talk about the battery life of it. It takes its own Li-ion battery pack. I am wondering for a four night safari if two of them fully charged will be enough. I will not be doing in-camera editing and trying not to use the monitor much. This is my first Safari, so I can't tell how many pics I will take.

There is an optional battery pack that can use regular AA batteries, but I didn't was to have the added weight, both for packing and lugging around.

Any Nikon people out there? If so, do you know if the charger has dual voltage (I may not be stating the terms right) so that all that I need is the plug adapter? I have looked through the instruction manual, but can't seem to figure it out. I won't have any other electronics, so I am hoping not to have to take a converter if I won't need it.

Thanks in advance. Only 11 days to go!

godmother- look on the back of your charger or plug to the charger. if it says input 120, then it's not dual voltage. if it says something like 110-240, then it's dual.

matnikstym, it says at the top
Input : 120V~60Hz 0.25A
Output:8.4V --0.9A

And then in a box below it says
Foreign
Input:100-240V~50-60Hz 0.25A
Output: 8.4V---0.9A

So then I assume it will work. Let me know if I am wrong.

Thank you.

Yes, the 110-240V is what you want. Common today for chargers ("wall warts&quot. You need the plug adapter only.
regards - tom