Camera Batteries
Camera batteries are the most important accessory in any digital camera. Older cameras were all mechanical and there was no need for any battery power. Now, with the event of all the computer circuits designed into a camera, camera batteries are extremely important. Camera batteries come in a variety of different styles and shapes, some rechargeable and others are disposable. Most of the camera batteries are proprietary, which means they are designed for a specific camera. This also means a specific charger is required these batteries.
A few manufactures have used off the shelf batteries such as AA’s or AAA’s. This way there is a choice of chargeable or non chargeable batteries.
A spare battery is always a must if you are a serious photographer. There is nothing more frustrating that to have a battery go dead when the picture of the year is in front of your lens. Always rotate your batteries if two or more are being used.
Charging of batteries will always start a lively discussion. A battery left in a charger with out being used will gradually deteriorate after time. Over charging will created heat, which will in turn shorten the life of a battery. Also, a battery left uncharged will also deteriorate. One way to over come this is to purchase a timer which can be set to have the charger come on for 10 to 15 minutes every day. This way the battery is always charged, but will never be overcharged.
Temperature also plays a significant role in the current capacity of a battery. A cold battery will not produce the same amount of current as compared to a warm battery. Rechargeable batteries are more susceptible to cold weather than alkaline batteries.
The morale of the story is: Do not get caught with a dead battery. Keep your batteries charged and you will be a happy photographer.
