need camera advice
 

I received a digital camera last Christmas, my first, and I'm considering taking it to England with me in June. I'm new at digitals, so I've just played with it a bit, but the batteries sure seem to expire quickly. I bought some rechargable Ni-MH batteries, and I've been using those.

But when I travel, what do I do? Can I assume that I'll have to recharge the batteries every day, and always carry a fresh set? Where can I buy a recharger that will work on European/British current?

Machines are my greatest challenge. Thanks.

Hi M,

I always have two sets of batteries with me. One fully charged and one in the camera.

When the set in the camera runs down, it goes into the charger that night.

You need a 110/220 Volt charger - available anywhere.

You will need a plug adapter for the UK and another one for the Continent.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

The charger will say something like 100-250 volt 50-60 cycles (or Hz). The major battery makers sell them along with AA or AAA batTeries. I picked one up at Staples. You will indeed need a plug adaptor but not a transformer. I recommend 3 sets of batteries, as you can run through A RECHARGEABLE SET IN LESS THAN A DAY IF YOU TAKE A LOT OF FLASH PICTURES OR KEEP THE SCREEN ON TOO LONG. cHOOSE BATTERIES WITH THE HIGHEST CHARGE RATING AS THEY CLEARLY LAST LONGER.

(oops, hit the capslock)

Yes, I have noticed that I can run through a set of batteries in one or two days, if I leave the camera on. Sometimes you do if you're distracted by other things. I'm still learning.

I checked at Target tonight, and they don't carry a dual voltage recharger. The clerk said a lot of people just buy a "brick" of batteries, and take those along. I will check at Staples to see what they have in stock.

One of the drawbacks of all this high-drain digital stuff is charging the batteries, huh. Ah, progress....

have you tried those energizer e2 lithium batteries? They are not rechargable, but they last forever. I just went to africa for 2 weeks and HEAVILY took pics. At least 1500 and spend plenty of time zooming, reviewing, and just generally waisting battery power. I didnt have to change the betteries once. These batteries are definitely more expensive, if you have time id buy online or costco/sams have good deals. Heres what they look like:

http://www.atbatt.com/images_d/27/L91BP-8.jpg

If you go with rechargeable, get 2 sets as Ira suggests. In addition, take one set of regular non-rechargeable batteries for backup. That will cover you for pretty much anything. If you go through one set of rechargeables in a day, you'll have the second set. If something goes wrong with the overnight charging (or you forget to recharge), you'll have that backup set of regular batteries to cover if you need it.

Much easier and cheaper than buying a brick of batteries. Not to mention, running out of batteries midtrip and having to buy a set in the middle of a tourist area (i.e., expensive place to buy things like batteries and film).

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion to use a camera that's happy with rechargeable AA cells.

The charger should be able to accommodate at least two loads of cells - one set for the camera, and one for a hot spare.

I have been doing this for years using NiCd cells with great results, depleting each set as much as possible before recharging, to avoid the "memory effect".

Thanks, you guys. I shouldn't use lithium in my camera, so that's out. I'm still exploring using a recharger. In any event, I'll be taking some regular alkaline batteries for my alarm clock and such.

merseyheart, just to clarify something that was written above...the big drain on the batteries is using the display screen. So if you are low, and don't have readily available replacements, don't use it. Use the viewfinder. And don't go scanning through your pictures. Just take them, and look at them later.

that's assuming you have a digital camera with a regular optical viewfinder.

.....I shouldn't use lithium in my camera, so that's out.....

Why ??? That does not make sense. The lithium were especially design for electronic usage such as a d camera. Using them in a flashlight is a very different issue.

I agree with all the posts. You should get at least a 4 pack of the e2 batteries and keep them with you because sometimes you don't get a full charge. If you are still having a problem finding a charger you should check with Ritz camera. Convertors and adapters can be bought at Walmart which has one for almost every country.

I hope you have a wonderful trip and will enjoy taking lots of pictures, that's the great thing about a digital camera you can always delete the pictures you don't like.

I was amazed at how long a pair of AA lithium batteries lasted. About 500 pictures over 7 days before having to put in the 2nd set. This is compared to alkaline which don't seem to go more than 2 days of moderate usage. I do keep the flash off except for special shots.

One thing I wasn't expecting was that when they ran down it was quick. I started the day with the battery symbol showing "almost" full charge but it drained down to empty within a few hours. Had left the 2nd set at the hotel so had to borrow wife's camera a couple times.

I bought a voltage converter at Best Buy, and plan to take the recharger I already have. I've been using the Ni-MH batteries, because the instruction booklet expressly says "don't use lithium".

As zohngalt points out, digital cameras drain any battery pretty quickly. I'm new to this sort of camera, so others may take that for granted. I used a 110 and an APS camera for years, before I finally went to a 35 MM film camera. So, the digitals are a mystery to me!

Hey, I'm proud of myself that I can get my e-mail to work! :)

Is there a possibility that your camera has built in charge. Some do. The rec to not use Lit batteries doesn't make any sense unless they do not want your to recharge the Lit rechargeable. Also, I doubt if you need a voltage converter for your charger since most of these devices will accept dual voltage. Check input tag on all of your equipment carefully.

Assuming that your camera uses only AA size, your best choice is the NIMH rechargable. There are some cameras, e.g., many of the kodaks that do not take the lithium AA (e2). You say that your users guide tells you not to use lithium. Although the e2 makers tout them for digital cameras, the lithiums have a slightly higher voltage than the others and a different discharge rate. Most digitals are built to accept that range but some are not. It seems that yours is not and you run the danger of "cooking" your electronics if you use them.

A growing number of cameras can use several different battery types. For example, many kodaks and others can use either plain AA, NI-MH OR CRV3 lithium ion rechargables. Lithium ion is NOT the same as lithium.

The person in Target did not know what he/she was talking about. Almost all, if not all sets of rechargable NI-MH that come bundled with a charger have a dual voltage charger. It would say on the package. In that case, all that you would need is a plug adapter.