Things You'll Need:
- A little understanding of your digital camera
- Knowing when to use your camera flash
- Some knowledge of different battery technologies
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Step 1
Electronic Control Means Battery Power Consumption
True, the older analog film cameras used batteries for a few camera functions which included the flash, motorized film advance and sometimes the electronic control of shutter speeds. The modern digital camera uses battery power for many functions including telephoto lens functions, the LCD viewer display and of course the flash. Some digital cameras will retract the lens to its home position after the photo session is done and the user is just viewing the photos that were shot. This is a great power saving feature. The user can incorporate some personal power saving procedures that can even double battery life of any given type of battery. Probably the simplest approach to saving battery power is to plan your photo session and try to preset the camera function settings in advance if this is at all possible. My personal battery saving approach is to shoot my photos using the "available light" method. Sometimes this creates slight movement of the image due to slower shutter speeds either auto or manual but the natural rendition of the image will far outweigh this shortcoming. Available light photography is a totally separate branch of this art. -
Step 2
Using The Right Battery Type Is The Key To An Uninterrupted Photo Session
Many camera users do not realize that some batteries available will provide much greater use between recharge or replacement. Using Alkaline batteries are the last resort, though without question they are the least expensive. They should only be used as backup when either (NiMh) or (Li-Ion) run out of power and will give you the least amount of camera session use. The (Ni-Cd) can be used but they must be fully discharged before recharging because of their "memory effect". One must keep in mind that the (Li-ion) is the latest in battery technology and will deliver more energy after being fully charged than (Ni-Mh) technology. Both (Li-Ion) and (NiMh) batteries do not suffer the "memory effect" plagued by the older (Ni-Cd) . -
Step 3
As far as which to choose between Nickel Metal Halide and Lithium Ion is mostly a matter of cost. The Lithium Ion battery is more expensive than the Nickel Metal Halide battery. They both can be recharged before being fully discharged and do not suffer from "memory effect" characteristics which is a loss in the specified total capacity of a battery which is encountered every time the battery is recharged.
Today, the digital camera is being used more and more by the average person and the analog film camera is rarely used these days. The digital camera also has many more functions that are controlled electronically.
Comments
skypilot69 said
on 11/7/2009 I will definately take this advise 5*
MrBB said
on 11/7/2009 This is good to know. I must admit the regular alkaline batteries don't last long. I always keep a spare set because you also get very little warning when they go out.
abtex said
on 10/17/2009 A very good article on How to Extend The Battery Life of Your Digital Camera. 5*
amysmarts said
on 10/16/2009 Great article on How to Extend The Battery Life of Your Digital Camera. I will have to keep this in mind with my digital camera. Thanks for sharing. 5*