Battery question

[DWjunkie]

I got my first DSLR camera (Canon XS) this past Feb. The battery is not holding a charge for very long. This is the battery that came with the camera. I put it on to last night, snapped a few pics this morning before the kids went of to school and the battery light was blinking.

What is the average battery life?
Could this be a problem with the camera?:scared1

TIA for any help.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I have the Canon XSi and my battery stays charged almost all day (when I'm shooting constantly on vacation). Probably 600+ shots but that's a very rough number. I bought both batteries (one came with the camera, one is a backup I bought separately) back in August of 2008. I'm not sure if the XSi and XS have the same battery but I know every Canon battery I've had has kept a charge for a really long time. My mom bought a P&S and her canon battery lasts much longer than her non-name brand backup.

Has it always had this problem? Do you let the charge go down all the way before recharging? Do you wait for the green light to appear on the charger before removing it? I would think it's a battery problem and not a camera problem but I don't know. Possibly defective battery?

 

[DWjunkie]

I do not always run it competely out before charging. (I know that was an old school rule with cell phones) I only have the one battery. It has just recently started with this problem. Until recently it would last all day even when shooting all day long ...vacation, field trips etc...

 

[WillCAD]

Most likely your battery has died. New batteries are not terribly expensive, especially if you go with an after-market battery instead of the Canon brand. I use Sterling Tech batteries in my Canon Digital Rebel; Sterling's batteries generally come with higher mAH (milliamp hours) ratings than the Canon brand, which basically means they store more juice so they last longer.

Most rechargable lithium ion batteries will last at least a year under normal usage before they die. But you may simply have gotten a bad battery from the factory that didn't last as long as it should; if it's still under warranty, you might be able to get Canon to replace it for you. In the meantime, get yourself at least one Sterling battery as a spare (I prefer to have two identical batteries and rotate their use to increase their lifespan, same as I do with my memory cards).

 

[tiggr33]

Just curious, how do you store your camera and battery when not in use? It could be a build up of dust or dirt. Before investing in a new battery, I'd suggest to clean the contacts first. Some batteries are very sensitive to dirt, fingerprints, or other "debri" on the contacts of both the battery and the camera's battery compartment. Use a rocket or other bulb air blower (NOT A CAN OR AIR) to clean out the compartment. As for the battery, the lowest tech method to clean the contacts (that I use) is to run them across your jeans.

 

[bob100]

I got my first DSLR camera (Canon XS) this past Feb. The battery is not holding a charge for very long. This is the battery that came with the camera. I put it on to last night, snapped a few pics this morning before the kids went of to school and the battery light was blinking.

What is the average battery life?
Could this be a problem with the camera?:scared1

TIA for any help.

the battery life depends on the number of pics - just spend $5 and get another battery !

 

[REL1203]

the battery life depends on the number of pics - just spend $5 and get another battery !

$5... for a dslr batter? hhaha.. good luck with that... My Canon 7D battery last about 1100 shots (but it cost like $75 from Canon)

 

[bob100]

$5... for a dslr batter? hhaha.. good luck with that...

here's some "good luck"
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20710

 

[boBQuincy]

Battery life is measured in discharge/recharge cycles, a reversible chemical reaction. After a number of cycles the reaction becomes difficult to reverse and the battery will no longer hold a charge. Most lithium cells should surpass 500 cycles but that depends on a large number of factors, yours may just be a defective battery (or charger).

My Xsi batteries run for hundreds of exposures although I rarely use the LCD for more than a few seconds. Battery prices seem to run from $5 to $75 and there is no way to know what we are getting for our money. I buy Canon batteries and consider the extra $$$ as insurance.

 

[dburg30]

I have used and been VERY happy with sterlingtek batteries as I think willcad posted. The only thing I've gotten from them that I was less then happy with was rechargable AA batteries, and I just think there arent many good ones out there, or I'm expecting too much out of them...

But as far as batts for my canon 40d, my little point and shoot (1100 I think) and my canon vid camera, those batts have worked VERY well and hold their charge well also!

 

[REL1203]

here's some "good luck"
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20710

Sorry Bob, should have been more clear. I also only buy Canon batteries after a bad incident with 3rd party ones.... My fault, i didnt type what my brain was thinking

 

[WillCAD]

here's some "good luck"
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20710

I've bought plenty of stuff from DealExtreme (I'm particularly happy with their black keychain flashlights), but I've had a few disappointments with their electronics. I won't buy their batteries and stick them in my camera or flash units.

If you need a new battery for your camera, stick with either the manufacturer's branded battery or SterlingTech. Sterling is used by many pros and is a high-quality, reliable battery brand, and of course you always know what you're getting when you get the manufacturer's branded batteries.

 

[bob100]

I've bought plenty of stuff from DealExtreme (I'm particularly happy with their black keychain flashlights), but I've had a few disappointments with their electronics. I won't buy their batteries and stick them in my camera or flash units.

for others - I've been using that $6 battery for several months with no problems - it seems just as good and just as long lasting as the original Canon battery.

 

[DWjunkie]

Thanks for all the help...but you have to read the "rest of the story"

...bought a new battery, charged it, popped it in the camera....same thing. Great! its not even a year old and broke. DH is going to FLIP!! (since he bought it for me) So I consult the user manual to see if there is any hope....the flashing light.....NOT FOR THE BATTERY!!!! The light blinks while saving the image to the memory card. There was nothing wrong with the battery! Should have figured it out when the real battery indicator was fine. Complete USER error....sorry guys.


Very happy back in business! Thanks for all of the helpful comments.

(BTW...my previous camera, now dd's, has the blinking light in the same place for the battery)