37
votes
Why do mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life?
Using an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen to compose the image uses more battery life than a standard viewfinder
Using an LCD screen for the majority of device settings uses more battery life than ...
- 45.7k
32
votes
Should I carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit for a 30 day trek in Nepal?
If having a solar charger, you should note the limitations of law of energy conservation.
Sunshine at best produces 1000 watts / square meter. However, best single junction solar panels are around 20% ...
- 6,032
25
votes
Accepted
Is there really no way to power a DSLR by USB?
Is there really no way automate a DSLR to shoot every 24 hours without having to pick it up, charge/replace its battery, and put in back on the same spot ?
Canon and Nikon cameras can be connected to ...
- 31.2k
22
votes
Why do mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life?
The main reason is because the batteries for MILCs are almost universally smaller than DSLR batteries.
Some mirrorless batteries:
The LP-E17 battery for the Canon EOS M5 has a 1050 mAh (milliamp-...
- 31k
22
votes
Will my Canon battery charger work on 220 V power?
I can only surmise that the potential confusion comes from the two apparently conflicting certification marks.
The first is for Japan, [PSE] & 2nd the US [CULUS]. I didn't dig into the depths of ...
- 19.6k
21
votes
How can I extend my camera's battery life?
Just buy as many batteries as you need, plus a charger for all except the one currently in the camera. [When travelling by plane, you're not supposed to carry Li-ion batteries outside of their 'device'...
- 19.6k
18
votes
Will my Canon battery charger work on 220 V power?
The label says it is compatible from 100V to 240V, 50 or 60 Hz. Thus, a 230V (perhaps 220V) 50Hz mains, as found in Sweden, will work fine with this charger. You'll need to adapt the U.S. plug style ...
- 2,434
17
votes
Why do cameras use proprietary batteries?
Although only the manufacturers themselves know for sure and there could be different reasons from one manufacturer to the next there are two obvious possibilities that receive most of the attention ...
- 167k
16
votes
Why are battery consumption numbers for flagship Nikon and Canon cameras so different?
CIPA ratings between two cameras from the same generation and from the same manufacturer can sometimes be useful. Comparing CIPA ratings across different brands is pretty much meaningless.
Here's why....
- 167k
16
votes
Why do mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life?
A mirrorless camera consumes more power mostly because the circuitry is constantly running. Both the sensor and EVF or LCD have to be powered continuously in order to maintain the Live-View which is ...
- 101k
15
votes
Accepted
What drains the battery of DSLRs the most?
LCD screen and any wireless features like Bluetooth, WiFi or GPS would be the heaviest drain. This would be followed by flash/focus-assist then auto-focus, image stabilization would probably be next. ...
- 667
14
votes
Would a Nikon FG 20 film SLR camera take pictures without batteries?
The Nikon FG-20 has an electronic shutter, which will not work properly if no battery is inserted.
You can, with limited capabilities, still use the camera without a battery. Light metereing will of ...
- 2,809
13
votes
Has anyone successfully restored or revived a completely discharged Profoto B2 Lithium Ion Battery?
Do NOT do this.
Please read this post from Electrical Engineering SE regarding Li-Ion battery.
Li-Ion have one failure mode. Fire. And it's not a normal, lighter fire, or even a stove fire. It is ...
- 377
13
votes
Accepted
Is it okay to not use the spare battery?
I don't know that there is a "best course of action", but here's what I do... I have multiple batteries, and I numbered them. When battery #1 gets low, I put in battery #2 and charge #1. If they've ...
- 5,012
12
votes
Why do cameras use proprietary batteries?
Partially functionality and partially profit. With my Canon 5D Mark iii, I use a battery grip. The battery grip provides two power options. One, I can use 2 of the typical Canon proprietary battery ...
- 34.4k
11
votes
How long should I charge a DSLR battery for the first time for best results?
In general I'd recommend charging the battery fully before 'playing'. However this probably isn't necessary with modern lithium ion batteries, which don't suffer from memory effects.
The idea of ...
- 1,118
11
votes
Should I carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit for a 30 day trek in Nepal?
I trekked for 14 days in nepal. I also bought a solar charger and extra batteries. Buy the highest wattage solar charger you can find and bring like 4 extra batteries. You can get away with charging 2 ...
- 211
10
votes
Accepted
My Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is asking if the inserted battery is original or not. What are the implications of my answer?
Having a transcript of the English error message brought the solution, so thanks to all that helped out here and made me do the necessary stuff. On https://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2015/...
- 941
10
votes
Would a Nikon FG 20 film SLR camera take pictures without batteries?
It depends on the specific camera. The Pentax K1000, for example, only requires the battery for metering, but everything else is mechanical. On your camera, shutter timing is electronic and requires a ...
- 140k
10
votes
Should I carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit for a 30 day trek in Nepal?
If space is not a critical issue. You should probably bring a few extra batteries as well as a solar charging unit. That way, if you ever run out of battery in your camera while on the field, you can ...
- 101
9
votes
Accepted
Why don't camera flashes use proprietary batteries?
The ergonomics and weight balance of a camera are more important than that of a flash. By incorporating a proprietary battery into the camera design the manufacturer has more flexibility on its size, ...
- 206
9
votes
Accepted
Should I carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit for a 30 day trek in Nepal?
(this answer assumes digital photography)
Carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit?
Carry the batteries. juhists answer explains why a solar charger is not practical.
...
- 1,402
8
votes
Accepted
Turning camera ON/OFF to preserve battery?
A lot can depend on the settings you have on the camera. Most cameras, when not used for a certain amount of time, will go into powersave mode to save battery for you. Yes this will still use a ...
- 349
8
votes
Is it okay to not use the spare battery?
What you're doing now is fine. Li-ion does not need to be fully charged for storage. In fact, the best state to store them in is between 30-70% charge, but I'd probably only bother with that if ...
- 218
8
votes
Should I carry extra batteries in the field or bring a solar charging unit for a 30 day trek in Nepal?
Depends on the camera. If a DSLR, you can get around 1000 shots per charge. If a mirrorless or some other camera that eats batteries, then 500 shots per charge, perhaps less. I can get by with two ...
- 2,434
7
votes
Accepted
Can I trick the Pentax K1000's meter to "turn off"?
The K1000 needs darkness in order to turn off the meter. Changing the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture will just change what the meter is looking for to balance the needle.
The circuit that controls ...
7
votes
Why do cameras use proprietary batteries?
The battery being 3.6 gives it away. It is a lithium battery. Lithium batteries are dangerous, they can explode if not charged correctly or protected from physical damage properly. You don't commonly ...
- 179
7
votes
Accepted
Does shooting at high ISO have a practical impact on battery life compared to exposure time?
SImple answer: not to a measurable extent.
Difficult answer: A high ISO-equivalent setting cranks the analog gain up. More gain requires more power per electron (or milliVolt if you prefer), but ...
- 1,849
7
votes
My Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is asking if the inserted battery is original or not. What are the implications of my answer?
If they worked just fine in your EOS 5D Mark II, you won't likely brick anything using them in your EOS 5D Mark IV.
From a Canon Digital Learning Center article titled: How to protect yourself ...
- 167k
7
votes
The battery in my Nikon D3400 dies after 50 shots. What shall I do?
This is not right. I'd try Nikon again. Explain that you understand that the battery is a consumable that might not be good in a year, but that it is brand new. If that doesn't work, take it back to ...
- 140k
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