How to Troubleshoot a Camera Battery
There's no worse feeling than lining up the perfect shot only to have your camera's battery die mid-photo. Camera battery problems are among the most frustrating issues photographers experience, especially with new digital cameras that exhaust battery power quickly. Most battery problems relate to the battery running out and there isn't much you can do short of replacing or recharging the battery, but there are ways to extend battery life.
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Instructions
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Open the battery compartment door. Remove the batteries from the camera.
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Clean the inside of the battery compartment with a clean, soft cloth, especially the battery terminals.
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3
Return the battery to the compartment. Line up the positive and negative symbols on the battery with the symbols inside the compartment. Firmly shut the compartment door to push the batteries down.
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Remove the battery from the compartment if the previous steps do not help. Recharge the battery, replace it with a new one or connect the camera to an AC adapter.
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Place the batteries in your pocket or rub them in your hands if shooting in a very cold location. Load the batteries into the compartment just before you take a picture.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the type of battery specified by the manufacturer for your camera. This information can be found in your user's manual.
For film cameras, check the battery's charge by pressing the battery check button. If the meter registers in the replace range, it's time for a new battery.
If you have a digital camera, put it in power saver mode if possible. The camera will turn off on its own after a few minutes and increase battery life.
Replace alkaline batteries with lithium or rechargeable NiCd or NiMH batteries. Alkaline batteries are quickly drained by digital cameras. By switching to rechargeable NiMH batteries, you will be able to shoot nearly twice the number of frames before the batteries run out.
Avoid storing NiMH batteries for long periods of time without use. They will lose 40% of their power per month and cannot be restored to the original power level. Storing them in a freezer or refrigerator in a sealed bag or container can help reduce power loss. Allow the batteries to reach room temperature before using them.
The LCD uses more power than any other part of the battery. Only use the LCD screen for reviewing pictures and switch it off when you aren't using it, such as when you're taking pictures. You'll capture five times more images before the battery runs out.
If the camera gets wet, disconnect the AC power adapter and/or remove the batteries to avoid shock.
Neither Lithium nor alkaline batteries can be recharged. Do not attempt this.
Only use the battery charger designed for your specific type of battery. Using a different charger can cause batteries to leak and lead to fire or injury.
If a battery leaks and makes contact with your skin or eyes, rinse the area with water and call for medical help.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit battery image by Aditia Patria Warman from Fotolia.com
