dSLR Batteries

[Critter]

I am wondering how many batteries you guys have for your dSLRs. I had 7 for my Coolpix 5700 because they didnt last very long at all. It seems from what I have been able to read on the net, that the dSLR batteries last a lot longer than with P&S.

I am considering getting a spare even if the life is enormous - nothing more annoying than having to wait for a battery to charge...

What have your experiences been like?

[blacknstormy]

Hi Critter - I've got a D70 and 2 batteries, but to date, have never had a battery run out on me.

But better to be safe than sorry - I just make sure that I rotate the batteries, so each gets a bit of a work out

Rel

[wendellt]

simply because the dslr cams dont use motordrive focus most tiems with an af-s lens

the motordrive focus on your coolpix eats up the batteries

i had a coolpix too along with 5 batteries and now after a few hundred charges they are all useless

[Critter]

sorry, this is probably a stupid question but isnt there a motor driving the focus on slr lenses? Why would it use more power on a coolpix?

[Justin]

A lot of lenses have the focus built in which is more efficient (I think it is the AF-S designation)

older AF uses a motor drive in the camera.

Does the coolpix have zoom W/T buttons? That would suck a lot of battery as well

[Critter]

yeah it does have the W/T buttons, that makes sense.

[gstark]

Don't forget that the coolpix 5700 also has to drive video viewfinders only. It has no optical viewfinder, and the live video feed chews batteries.

The difference in battery usage is amazing. My D70 battery is over two years old, and I am starting to see this and will be buying a second battery soon.

But I've used the D70 for days on end without bothering to recharge, whereas you just need to think about making an image with the 5700, and the batteries will already be discharged.

For the moment, I wouldn't worry too much - you should see something like 800 or more images from the battery in your soon to arrive D80, and once it arrives, you can see how that goes.

Besides, Poon doesn't have spare batteries available at the moment anyway.

[losfp]

The big differences are:

- No LCD live preview
- I believe the sensor is only active when a photo is being taken, as opposed to all the time as would be required for live preview
- No electronic zoom control

The D200 seems to last around 400-500 shots, which is low for a DSLR. Any of the compact digicams I've ever owned have struggled to get more than 100, 150 shots depending on LCD usage.

I have 2 batteries for my D70s, and barely had to use the second, except for when I've been away for an extended amount of time.

I have 2 batteries for the D200, and usually have spare AAs in the bag for flashes, so I'm always covered in case I run into trouble (the D200 vertical grip has an adapter to allow you to use AAs). Never had to, but you're better safe than sorry...

[Yi-P]

I have 2x EN-EL3 and 1x EN-EL3e for the D70.

Originally, I only had one EN-EL3e until I got the 3rd party battery grip which came with 2 extra EN-EL3... Never had to charge them... until last night out with plenty of long exposures, one of them down 'one bar'

[moggy]

The D70/D70s have phenominal battery life and you really only need a couple of batteries for normal shooting. The 5700 on the other hand as you've found out is dreadful. I have the battery grip for my 5700 which takes 6 AA batteries. You can always use a 2CR5 at a pinch as well.

[kenny12]

3 for my 20D

but each battery seems to take about 700 shots so i've never used more than 1 battery on one trip