Nikon D3100 help

[hreeves]

Hello

I am new to photography with a DSLR and just recently purchased a Nikon D3100.

My question is does it hurt the battery and/or camera by turning the camera off/on for certain pictures. For example...I enjoy taking pictures of clouds but as you know it could be a few seconds or minutes between shots. I have been turning my camera off and on for the shots but then I have started just leaving my camera on since it goes into a type of sleep mode but is ready at a moments notice when I see that cloud picture I want to take.

I just don't want to damage the camera and/or battery.

Thanks for any advice on this subject.

Hollye

[kcoppock]

It certainly won't damage the battery, and I've heard (but haven't verified) that leaving it on has more or less no effect on the battery life. I always just leave it on when I'm out shooting -- except for the occasional habitual mistake, when I end up clicking the shutter wondering why nothing is happening.

[OsmosisStudios]

The trick with the D#### bodies is that they use the LCD on the back to show exposure data (unlike your D80, kcoppock). So you will experience a bit of a drain, depending on how long you set the camera to wait before it sleeps.

I turn mine on and off all the time: no issues.

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The trick with the D#### bodies is that they use the LCD on the back to show exposure data (unlike your D80, kcoppock). So you will experience a bit of a drain, depending on how long you set the camera to wait before it sleeps.

I turn mine on and off all the time: no issues.

Ah, good point, thanks for pointing that out. Yeah, the LCD's going to be the main battery drain most of the time. You could just get in the habit to make sure to half-click the shutter to mute the screen after shooting.

[hreeves]

Thank you for the information. It was very helpful in my decision.

But now I have another question. I have a UV filter on my lens. In between shots of clouds when leaving my camera on, should I put the cover back on the lens?

Thanks for your help

[kcoppock]

That's just a judgement call, really. Personally, I leave the cap off while I'm out shooting, and I don't even have a UV filter on. It might come back to bite me one day, but I've not damaged any of my lenses yet.