Digital Camera owners

[flytire]

Are you having any trouble with battery life?

I can put in fresh batteries one day, take a few fotos and the next time I go to use the batteries are depleted. Happens with rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

Any hints to battery life?

[Tentwing]

Norm;

Both my Olympus and my Cannon used to chew up batteries. But when I broke down and bought the ridiculously expensive ( $22 ) Lithium rechargables .....Well that fixed the problem. I haven't bought batteries in 3 years or so.

................Tentwing

[HughH]

Norm, there are two things that I can think of that might be parallels to the problem and somewhat, to the solution. All digitils seem to be battery hogs but some have functions that are running when the camera is turned off and if left this way, will draw all the power right out of your batteries. The type of batteries that you use may help a little, although I don't think that is the answer, Where you lay the camera when you're not using it may help some. (not too cool). Like, don't leave it out in the car or a room that isn't heated. The one thing that might help more than any of the things that I mentioned, is to take the batteries out of the camera when you're not using it and place them where it is normal room temperature. If none of these things help, you probably need to get a long life rechargeable battery.
Hugh

[flytire]

Thanks guys.

I was also taking some macro fotos for a fly swap and needed to use the LCD monitor on the back of the camera. I know that will suck the juice out of batteries.

The camera in question is a Pentax Optio 43 WR.

Any possibilty of taking fotos at the highest quality sucks out battery life?

I just checked the owners manual and they recommend the CR-V3 Lithium battery. Checked the net and found them for about $19 each. $44 with charger.

Thanks

[Tentwing]

Norm;

I forgot about the temperature thing. Hugh's absolutely right. It seems like too cold is even worse than too warm.
I have never noticed a difference between high rez and low rez photos and battery life , but it could be a problem too ?

The LCD function burned up batteries on my Olympus but not my Cannon; Go figure?

Tentwing

[HughH]

Norm, I'm pretty sure that I remember reading when the camera first came onto the market that one of the down sides to it was that it really ate batteries. Go back thru the archives of flyfisherman.com and see if any of those post are still on there. I believe the rechargeable that you bought will really help.
Hugh

[Tentwing]

Norm;

That price range is about right. I spent $22 a piece an $39.99 on the charger 3 years ago . On flip side I have had no trouble since and have'nt had to buy batteries again either.

Tentwing

[stretch]

Norm, I have a pentax optio and use a lithium-ion battery that came with the camera. I cannot say enough good things about this battery. I do not take tons of pics, but I think I charge my battery about once every 2 weeks or so. And when I do charge the battery is not even half way depleted.

I did have a canon before this with a recargeable battery and it needed charging much more often.

The cold factor is the only thing that I have had an issue with, but just took the battery out and put it in a warmer area and it worked fine. Hope some of this helps.
Stretch

[stuart]

I have an OPTIO 30 I really love that camera. It isn't too bad on batteries. I had an OLD HP camera it was heck on batts. I have found that one thing that kills batts worse than anything is deleting pics off the camera. So if you are worried about running outta juice delete when you get home. Well unless you need the room on the card memory. I use those "digital" rechargeable batts. from wal-mart less then $20 for the charger and 4 batt. I carry a spare set in my camera bag but seldom have to use them.

STU

[Peddler]

I have the old Pentax Optio WR-33 and it did have poor battery life. That was when I was using NiCad batts. I broke down and bought the NiMh (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries and never looked back!
They do cost more up-front but last a long, long time. They are FAR cheaper in the long run than buying alkaline batts, and far better on the environment too.
If you break down and get them, make sure thay have had least 2300 mAh or you'll be jumping outof the pan and into the fire!
Also, you have to give them a few charge/discharge cycles before they hit their best potential.