Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? Shel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
I've been using a set of Power2000 2400mah AA rechargeable NiMH batteries since I bought the DS in January 2005. They come packaged from BH with a matching fast charger (with both AC and 12V power adapters) for about $30. Reliability has been very high, to the point that I added a second set some time ago for backup and for the flash unit. I charge them once a week, whether they need it or not, and my average weekly shooting puts me in the neighborhood of 200-400 exposures. I've never run out of power on normal usage. When shooting a heavy session, I've gotten as much as 700 exposures out of a charge. I've noticed that if I let them sit in a body for two weeks, I get a reasonable but small number of exposures before the camera warns me that they're about exhausted. I bet there are less expensive alternatives and better chargers around, but this has done me well for over a year and a half. It's a good power solution when you're (On travel, I pack five sets of AA Li disposables and eschew battery maintenance.) Godfrey On Oct 5, 2006, at 2:55 PM, Shel Belinkoff wrote: It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
On 10/5/06, Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? I picked up two sets of the Energizer 2500maH rechargeables at my local Target after I bought my DS2. I think I paid $20 for the set with the wall charger, and $10 for the additional set. So far they seem to be working nicely, though I haven't done a full day's shooting with them. It seems that with the NiMH rechargeables, the battery indicator goes from full charge down to empty very quickly when the batteries are exhausted, so it's probably a good idea to keep a fully-charged spare set in the bag with the camera. I'll probably pick up a third set of batteries sometime soon to have in rotation. -Mat -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? The Promaster Xtra Power batteries I got at my old job are really good. They've got a variety of chargers, too, from overnight to less than an hour for a full charge. You may want to take a look at those next time you're in Walnut Creek. However, I primarily use single-use CRV-3 batteries in my D. They tend to last months before giving up the ghost. John Celio -- http://www.neovenator.com AIM: Neopifex Hey, I'm an artist. I can do whatever I want and pretend I'm making a statement. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? Shel I have been using RCR-V3, Energizer 2500 Sanyo Eneloop NiMH. I prefer RCR-V3 for the extra punch on AF performance, not a lot, but every bit helps for an already deficient AF performance. http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/image/59260475 Regards, Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
We've tried some NiMH with the DS, but found that they can cause sporatic momentary hesitation under heavy use such as full speed continuous shooting with autofocus engaged on a big lens. They recover almost immediately though, and are also used in our flash units, changed out several times during a wedding. We are currently using some rechargable CRV3 batteries, recently discontinued from the radio place national retailer. 2 in 10 were dead right out of the packaging, but the other 8 are doing a great job as main and backup sets of batteries for two DS units. Some of these were purchased at the 70% off prices at a place which was being shut down, and others at a discontinuation discount price. We do not use the on-camera flash, which supposedly might be damaged by the higher voltages in the R-CRV3 batteries. One set per camera lasts a full gig of 800 photos each, with another set plus some regular AA lithiums plus the original CR-V3s which came with the cameras as backups. If we did not use the cameras so heavily then we would just use AA lithiums. The rechargables have paid for themselves, though, at the rate we use them. Brian -- Brian Dunn Photographic http://www.bdphotographic.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Thanks Alan ... is there much difference between a 2400 and a 2500 battery? Shel [Original Message] From: Alan Chan I have been using RCR-V3, Energizer 2500 Sanyo Eneloop NiMH. I prefer RCR-V3 for the extra punch on AF performance, not a lot, but every bit helps for an already deficient AF performance -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Thanks Brian ... your scenario is not at all an issue for me. Shel [Original Message] From: Brian Dunn We've tried some NiMH with the DS, but found that they can cause sporatic momentary hesitation under heavy use such as full speed continuous shooting with autofocus engaged on a big lens. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Ahhh so 2400 whatevers (amps, volts, erggs) is the power needed. Good to know. Thanks! Shel [Original Message] From: Godfrey DiGiorgi I've been using a set of Power2000 2400mah AA rechargeable NiMH batteries since I bought the DS in January 2005. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Thanks ... I'll be going past a Target later today and tomorrow. Maybe I'll drop in and see what they've got. Shel [Original Message] From: Mat Maessen I picked up two sets of the Energizer 2500maH rechargeables at my local Target after I bought my DS2. I think I paid $20 for the set with the wall charger, and $10 for the additional set. So far they seem to be working nicely, though I haven't done a full day's shooting with them. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Thanks Alan ... is there much difference between a 2400 and a 2500 battery? Shel I only have 2100 2500. The latter seems to last much longer. Regards, Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
mah == milliamp-hours, a measure of battery energy capacity. ;-) Godfrey On Oct 5, 2006, at 10:42 PM, Shel Belinkoff wrote: Ahhh so 2400 whatevers (amps, volts, erggs) is the power needed. Good to know. Thanks! I've been using a set of Power2000 2400mah AA rechargeable NiMH batteries since I bought the DS in January 2005. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
I've been using 2300 mah Rayovacs in my *D for the last 2 and a half years. I bought 8 with their 15 minute charger a cigarette lighter plug in. Normally take both sets with me can generally shoot all day on one set. Haven't kept track of shots per charge but its in the several hundreds. Kenneth Waller - Original Message - From: Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS It seems that my shooting scenario may benefit from the use of rechargeable batteries at times. Although this has been discussed here before, I've not paid a lot of attention as the use of disposable AA bats were satisfactory for the then current situation. So, what's the opinion/consensus of the better rechargeable choices? Shel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Super! Thanks! Shel [Original Message] From: Godfrey DiGiorgi mah == milliamp-hours, a measure of battery energy capacity. ;-) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Theoretically 100 mAh. Shel Belinkoff wrote: Thanks Alan ... is there much difference between a 2400 and a 2500 battery? Shel [Original Message] From: Alan Chan I have been using RCR-V3, Energizer 2500 Sanyo Eneloop NiMH. I prefer RCR-V3 for the extra punch on AF performance, not a lot, but every bit helps for an already deficient AF performance -- Things should be made as simple as possible -- but no simpler. --Albert Einstein -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
In case you might look for cheap RCR-V3, the ebay seller from Taiwan willbattery is selling the same RCR-V3 charger I am using. He is willing to accept Paypal and shipping to Canada/US is reasonable. Regards, Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Rechargeable Bats for the istDS
Thanks, but I'll probably buy locally, or, failing to find what I want around town, through a US mail order source like Thomas or Newegg.com, places that I've done business with before. Shel [Original Message] From: Alan Chan In case you might look for cheap RCR-V3, the ebay seller from Taiwan willbattery is selling the same RCR-V3 charger I am using. He is willing to accept Paypal and shipping to Canada/US is reasonable. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net