Batteries

[irishwhite]

I'm throwing this question in here because my DSLR (Samsung GX-1s) is a clone of one of the Pentax DSLR's, so i'm hoping this subject is one familiar with someone browsing through this section of the site.

My camera takes standard AA batteries which is good in a sense because I can always go out and pick some up if need be. Unfortuantely, last night i went through my last set of 4 and didn't realize it till i tried to transfer my photos to my computer. so, my question is two fold. First and foremost, is there any recommendations as far as rechargeable AA sized batteries? i believe at some point i had read that some people opt for the rechargeables over standard for one reason or another, but am unsure where to go to get them and what to go with. the other question i have, is if there's any recommendation for media card readers instead of using up the juice on my batteries when transferring pics? a simple SD card reader would be fine, but maybe i ought to get an all in one reader that just plugs into my computer's usb port?


last question. There have been times where i'd insert 4 fresh AA batteries into my camera, and the camera won't turn on. this happens more often then not, and i can't imagine that i just keep coming across bad sets of batteries.

any help would be truely appreciated. Thanks!

[googlit]

I highly recommend this website (and these batteries):
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/maha_2700_rechargeable_batteries.php

we just ordered a set of batteries and a Maha charger from this company, and they work wonderfully. Got these to see if an old flash I have is salvageable. It used to take up to 20 seconds to charge the flash, and the batteries died after shooting the flash 15 times or so. With the new ones, it charges in less than three seconds, and they last for SO much longer.

Not sure what other people would recommend, but that's my vote. :)

as for a card reader, I picked up this one (http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-SDDR-103-MobileMate-TransFlash-Package/dp/B000652LUG/sr=8-1/qid=1168374755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0400570-5519168?ie=UTF8&s=electronics) from Amazon, and it works fine. I like it because it's very compact and just as fast as using the cable.

re: the camera not turning on... It could be that the batteries you're using aren't fast enough or that they don't have enough juice. I've learned the hard way that cheap batteries don't do squat for electronics, especially cameras.

[irishwhite]

Thanks for your response! as far as the batteries i've been using are concerned, i generally only use energizer or duracell. mostly energizer because i can pick up a pack of 24 for $10.00. and i've bought energizer batteries that their marketing department would have us believe are better for electronics such as cameras...but i didn't notice any difference when i could get my camera to register the fact that they were new batteries.

okay, a quick edit here on my last post. i'm looking around for rechargable batteries and i've come across a few things i'm unsure of. beyond that, i'm afraid to actually look it up online because i'm always worried i'm being fed a bunch of marketing propaganda, and would rather takes someone's word who has used a product then to listen to what the company or retailer says about the product.

so, i've found a 2700 mAH Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargable battery. i've also notice different values for the mAH such as 1500, 2000 etc. i assume the higher the better? also, is NiMH the way to go? i've also seen Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), and these seem a little more expensive, so can i assume that means they're better for one reason or another? there's also Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion).

[smc1377]

I have two recharging systems, the Energizer 15 minute one and the Rayovac IC3 15 minute recharging system. Both of them use NiMH batteries. The Energizers hold 2500 mAh while the Rayovac holds 2000 mAh.

As you'd suspected, the higher the rating the better. Well, supposedly they are better. I'm like you, I'm kind of skeptical of the knock off brands online. Who's to say they can't just put any old rating on them? That's why I stuck with the two name brand systems that I bought retail. It wasn't that much more expensive to do so.

I don't think you can find the Rayovacs anymore, so I won't bother comparing the two. You can still find the Energizers at just about every major retailer. If recharging time is important to you, be sure to buy the 15 minute recharger since they also sell a regular recharger that takes hours to recharge a set of batteries. They both use the same batteries, just that one charges them in a much shorter amount of time. And of course, it also costs about twice as much.

Here's a quick link to the 15 minute recharging system that comes with 4 AA's...

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-15-Minute-Battery-Charger/dp/B0000DIIAS

The initial cost is a little high compared to disposable batteries, but it pays for itself rather quickly. Keep in mind that these NiMH batteries will also outlast (Energizer claims that they last 4X longer) alkaline batteries by a ton. I don't bother buying regular batteries anymore, I just have about 40 rechargeable batteries around the house at all times in various devices. Haven't purchased AA's or AAA's in years.

Hope that is of some help to you.

**EDIT**
I don't think there are any real reliable Lithium Ion AA or AAA recharging systems out there. Those AA or AAA Lithium Ion batteries that you can buy retail just really aren't made to be recharged.

**EDIT AGAIN**
My comment about no name brand recharging systems was not aimed at the Maha system someone posted above. I was talking when I was looking to buy a system 3-4 years ago, my decision was based on name brand and reputation. If someone has experience with a lesser known name brand, please post about your experience. I'm all about buying cheap as long as it works!!

**EDIT YET AGAIN**
One last thing to address. Ni-Cd (nickel cadmium) rechargeable batteries are old school technology. They won't even last as long as alkaline batteries per charge. Stay away from those!! You'll only frustrate yourself using those. If you're interested in how the batteries compare, read this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_cadmium#Comparison_to_other_batteries).

[googlit]

before we bought the batteries & charger, we did pretty exhaustive research. We were looking for batteries with the following qualities:
- rechargeable
- a high mAh for a fast charge on the flash (looked for 2700)
- NiMH (best rechargeable batteries)

we ended up choosing the batteries I linked to previously, and this charger (http://www.thomasdistributing.com/maha-powerex-mh-c204w-nimh-battery-charger.htm).

Rechargeables tend to have better life if you fully charge and discharge them a few times.

check this site out for a pretty good overview of batteries:
http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries/

[frankie]

Thanks for your response! as far as the batteries i've been using are concerned, i generally only use energizer or duracell. mostly energizer because i can pick up a pack of 24 for $10.00. and i've bought energizer batteries that their marketing department would have us believe are better for electronics such as cameras...but i didn't notice any difference when i could get my camera to register the fact that they were new batteries.

okay, a quick edit here on my last post. i'm looking around for rechargable batteries and i've come across a few things i'm unsure of. beyond that, i'm afraid to actually look it up online because i'm always worried i'm being fed a bunch of marketing propaganda, and would rather takes someone's word who has used a product then to listen to what the company or retailer says about the product.

so, i've found a 2700 mAH Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargable battery. i've also notice different values for the mAH such as 1500, 2000 etc. i assume the higher the better? also, is NiMH the way to go? i've also seen Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), and these seem a little more expensive, so can i assume that means they're better for one reason or another? there's also Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion).#
Hi lrishwhite
l use the pentax k100D with sanyo Eneloop batteries they have never
let me down,they come ready to use cost about £17:00 and around
£ 10:00 for a pack of 4 ( never needed them yet ).Would recommend
them ,spent most of the day takeing shots in -3 + wind chill conditions
on a beach with no problems apart from cold hands:D :D
SANYO ENELOOP ready 2go EN15-AA CHARGER & 4AA BATTERIES
hope this helps
Regards Frankie

[mattdm]

There are rechargeable CRV3 lithium batteries, but Pentax specifically says not to use in the K100D. Some people have reported some success with some brands -- but also, reported the camera smoking and other disasters.

I'd recommend sticking with NiMH, or alternately, using non-rechargeable Lithium AAs or CRV3 batteries. Non-rechargeable lithiums are a particularly good choice if you tend to take fewer rather than tons of pictures, or if you often go a couple of weeks between photo outings. Unlike NiMHs, they won't loose charge just sitting there, so you can be sure they'll be ready to go when you are. And, you'll get 2000-2500 shots (assuming minimal flash usage) per set of batteries. (Lasts me a month and a half without spending a single minute thinking about power.) Downside of course is that they're disposable -- make sure to recycle them at least.