Extra Camera Batteries

[Loves2Read]

How many extra camera batteries (Li-Ion) do you usually take to the park with you? I currently have one extra and the package says it is good for 220 photos. Should I be buying more extra batteries? Thanks!

 

[alloyd1170]

Depends.....what camera do you have? I take it that it uses a special battery, vs standard AA's or AAA's. Do you use the flash often, as this will drain the battery life quickly? Do you tend to shoot lots of photos, or are you selective in what you shoot? Do you like to look at them on the camera for long periods/frequently?

To me, 220 shots is not much battery life at all. I can go all day, shooting in burst mode and taking well over 1000 and still have half a battery life. Then again, I'm shooting with a dslr and the battery life is amazing (I still carry at least one backup battery, and swap them out each time so they get even wear).

Knowing my shooting style, I'd pick up another battery, or risk carrying my charger and finding a spot to recharge while eating (usually not an easy thing to do plus it's time consuming). I know batteries can be expensive, but sometimes you can find some on Amazon for a lot less (they won't be the brand batteries, so do your research to make sure they will hold up).

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

On one body, I have a vertical battery grip which means two in the camera and then I carry a spare for a total of three. For the second body, I carry two spares. As can be seen, I'm deathly afraid of having no power when the shot of a lifetime presents itself. Its probably a little overkill, but you just never know! Its the same as when I served in Nam, I carried a bunch of extra ammo, because what do you do with a empty plastic M-16? It doesn't even make a good club!!

 

[C&B Young]

On one body, I have a vertical battery grip which means two in the camera and then I carry a spare for a total of three. For the second body, I carry two spares. As can be seen, I'm deathly afraid of having no power when the shot of a lifetime presents itself. Its probably a little overkill, but you just never know!

We do the same - battery in camera, plus 2 spares. Have occasionally needed to swap out the initial battery after a long day of shooting, but have never used 3 in one day. Better safe than sorry though!

 

[krb2g]

I have one battery in the camera (D40) and a spare that I carry. I've never run through the main battery in a day, much less the spare. Now the SB-700 eats batteries like no other (and I haven't bought spares for that yet), so I might need to invest in that before the trip...

 

[Snappy in OK]

I have one in the camera and I keep a spare in case the battery in the camera dies during the day. If the battery in the camera is fully charged, I have not run it out during the while shooting. If it is not fully charged, I make sure the spare is fully charged anticipating that I will need to swap batteries during the day.

FWIW, I have a Nikon D90 and I do not use a grip.