21 Sep 08 How to Make Your Digital Camera Batteries Last Longer
Author: Mitz
A few years ago I started selling on Ebay, Which in turn, demanded the use of a Digital camera. I would take at least 50 photos a day, and sometimes up to 100. You would not believe how many batteries I went through until I realised how to save and preserve my precious digital cameras battery life. Take it from me, I never loose that great photo opportunity because my batteries have unexpectedly run out.
Get the right battery for your digital camera
I was lucky because my digital camera came with a lithium rechargeable battery and also took AA rechargeable batteries also. However, since I was a total amateur with digital cameras, I promptly ruined the lithium battery by not letting it run out properly before charging it again. Now I just use Ni-MH AA rechargeable batteries with at least a mAh rating of 2300. I have had rechargeable batteries that had a rating of 1600 and they were absolutely hopeless!!! You must have rechargeable batteries, wether it be a nickel cadmium, lithium ion or lithium polymer battery.
Turn off your flash on your digital camera
As I was taking pictures in broad daylight, there was no need to use my flash. Not only did it ruin the photo with a bright glow, but it consumed my battery power like a hungry animal. To find out how to turn the camera flash off I had to search the internet as I had lost my digital camera user manual.
Using the Lcd Screen was a big power user
I quickly learned that instead of browsing through the photos on the camera, I would wait until I had transferred them to the computer. The little harmless LCD screen on the back of most digital cameras is a total power hog.
Also if you do not need the LCD screen on, your batteries will last so much longer. Don’t forget that you can still look through the viewfinder to take a picture (like they used to in the good old days). Also see how to clean your LCD screen
Use your Power Saving Mode
Turn on your power saving mode for your digital camera. It almost works like a screensaver and can put your camera in sleep mode if left on by accident. It is usually a simple setting in the menu of your camera.
Avoid zooming in and out.
If you were just playing with your digital camera and started zooming in and out constantly, your batteries would be dead within 10 minutes, whereas they would usually last 2-3 hours. They may even be dead flat within 5 minutes, depending on what type of zoom you have.
Taking video clips with your digital camera
This is a big power user. The camera is made for digital stills and usually has the extra feature of being albe to take video clips. Not only does it take up room on your storage space, but it also uses your battery power
very quickly. If you do plan to take video clips with your digital camera you should be sure that you have more batteries on hand. I usually take videos with the leftover battery power I have left when I have finished taking all the photos I need.
In cold weather, keep your camera and batteries warm in your jacket until you are ready to use them. The cold drains batteries very quickly.
Carry spare batteries at all times
Why risk loosing that great photo opportunity because your batteries in your digital camera just happen to run out. Carry a spare set of digital camera batteries, it’s not rock science. For example, at one of my children’s sports day carnivals, another mother had to ask me to take photos of her child as well as mine, as her batteries in her camera just died unexpectedly. Because she was not prepared, she had to trust that I would catch that special moment for her child.
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21 Sep 08 Caring for Your Digital Camera
Author: Monty Alexander
Most of the digital cameras have auto-focusing which enables even a kid to take decent photography. The LCD viewer helps in getting the right composition of the image. The preview of the images clicked allows keeping the best one from the lot and deleting the rest thus saving on space for more clicks.
Digital cameras don’t come cheap. With the kind of features and utility levels of a digital camera a good one costs above ten thousand. Good brands included Canon digital camera, Nikon digital camera, Sony digital camera etc. A digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) would start from thirty thousand and run into lakhs. Digital SLR’s are hi-end cameras with professional features and good image quality. When one spends so much on a good quality digital camera taking care of it is also very important. All parts of the camera should be taken care of and there are equipments available in the market for the same. These equipments are one time moderate investment in keeping your expensive camera in good condition.
Camera parts like the lens, viewfinder and the LCD screen are the most essential elements of a camera. These parts should be regularly cleaned and taken care of. There is a blower available in the market which helps to dust off the dirt on the lens. One should never touch the lens, the viewfinder or the LCD display with fingers. The blower helps in removing the dirt and a lens cleaning solution helps in removing the sticky particles on the lens or viewfinder. The cameras lens cover should be put on when not in use this is the best way to protect your cameras eyes. Once the lens and viewfinder are cleaned the camera assures clear pictures and good view of the image.
Digital camera batteries should be taken out when not in use. If you intend to store your camera for a long time the batteries should be removed and on the next usage they should be charged and then used. Batteries discharge over a period of time and using them without recharging or storing them may hamper your camera and its performance. Also the camera should be stored in a cool dry place. Keeping your expensive Canon digital camera inside your car in summers will hamper the camera and you will have to bear a heavy price for your carelessness. Camera accessories like the extendable memory card should also be taken care off. The card should not be taken out while transferring pictures and should be stored properly when not in use. This enables good performance of the card otherwise it could be corrupted and will turn useless. Thus taking mediocre care of your digital camera and spending a little amount on its care would help in maintaining and making your camera viable for years together.
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