 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Home  Batteries-Chargers |
Newest Photos Most Popular Photos |
|
|
Battery Basics
Digital cameras need a lot of electrical power to perform their multiple functions.
That's why your best choice would be to use rechargeables. There are several types of batteries ranging from the disposable type AA alkaline to Lithium Ion batteries that are 3 times as powerful, possess excellent cold weather performance and have a shelf life of up to 10 years.
Batteries are rated in milliampere-hours (mAh). This tells you how much current a battery can supply and for how long. The most common rechargeables are Nickel Cadmium. (NiCd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) of which the latter are more powerful. They last through hundreds of recharges, yet they will lose their charge slowly if not in use. Obviously rechargeables are cheaper in the long run, but if you only take the occasional picture use lithiums which hold their power for years. However if you do a lot of shooting put rechargeables in your camera and carry a spare lithium for emergency use.
If your camera will not be used for a long time, remove alkaline batteries as they may have the nasty tendency to leak caustic chemicals.
Battery life
Digital cameras consume battery power at a very fast rate. Especially Alkaline batteries do not last very long in digicams. Newer types have been improved but only by about 30%. The reason is that alkaline batteries are intended to deliver their full capacity if the power is used slowly. Since digicams place a constant high power drain on batteries, lithium batteries are much more suitable but they are expensive and not rechargeable.
Do not confuse the Lithium batteries mentioned above with the rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. Another choice would be to use rechargeable NiMhs or NiCds in high drain applications such as digicams. A disadvantage of NiMhs, is that - if not used for some time - they will discharge by about 40% per month. Storing them in a cold place like a fridge or freezer, will lessen this effect, but keep them in a tightly sealed bag or container so they will stay dry, and let them adjust to room temperature before using them.
The one feature on a digicam that drains the most battery power is the LCD. This feature, which lets you preview images or set different camera functions, accounts for most of the power used. Switching it off while taking pictures will let you capture up to 5 times more images on a single charge. Only use it for reviewing images later to extend battery life.
Battery Pitfalls
Since our digital cameras are battery dependent, it pays to learn something about possible pitfalls when using batteries.
Disposable or alkaline batteries should be removed from your camera when not used for a prolonged period since they can leak highly corrosive chemicals. For the same reason never mix rechargeables with alkalines, as damaged electrical contacts will make your camera fit for the bin only. Lithium batteries and NiCd or NiMh rechargeables do not leak and can safely be left in place. This will also help preserve the small back-up battery or condenser which is present in almost all digicams and serves to remember the internal time and date.
Since many digicams consume some power even when switched off, recharge NiMh batteries about once a month during long periods of non-use. This will prevent damage through total discharge and ensure the camera?s clock has a reliable current supply.
Contrary to NiMh batteries, NiCds suffer from ?memory effect? and should be fully decharged before charging as they ?remember? their last state of charge and will hold less power after time. Others might argue this memory effect is negligable though and therefore we would advise you not to worry too much about it.
Many batteries contain harmful materials, so dispose of them safely.
Batteries Quick Chargers
One word of warning before we talk about charging batteries. Never try to charge nonrechargeable batteries. They might overheat or even explode.
The two main types of chargers are quick chargers and slow ones. Contrary to what some people believe, quick chargers do not reduce battery life as long as you use a smart charger, designed for your type of battery.
Most quality chargers are intelligent enough to stop charging when batteries are full. However, you can calculate charging time by dividing the capacity of the battery by the charge rate of the charger, increase the amount by about 20% to allow for a certain amount of inefficiency and then remove it from the charger.
Overcharging is the most common cause of premature battery failure, and this can happen with cheap chargers that usually charge for a fixed period of time.
Smart chargers will monitor temperature, time and current to ensure batteries are not overcharged. Trickle charging - where a continuous low charge of about 1/10th of the battery's capacity is applied, is not recommended by most manufacturers. It is better to fully charge batteries and then store them in a cold place like a refrigerator. They will hold their charge for quite a few months, but let them adjust to room temperature first before use.
Photography-Camera News Index
|
|
|
|
WE ACCEPT  |
|
|
