Quick questions from a noob

[SolRayz]

Hi, Im new to the forum. I just bought a Canon Powershot S1 IS. I know this section is for EOS cameras but maybe you guys could help a noob. Im have come to a sobering conclusion after 36 hours and three new sets of alkaline battieries, that Im going need NiMH rechargeables. Can anyone recommend a brand of NiMH's and a charger. I am interested in quality products that will serve me well and for a long time, even if I must pay more for it. So what do the professianals use and recommend! Also I read somewhere that Uniross 2300mAh rechargeables are good. Can anyone else vouch for those. Your help is much appreciated! Thanks!
Marc

[vvizard]

Is the S1 using "normal" roundshaped batteries? My old cam did, and I went with batteries and chargers from "GP" (I think) after recommendation from my local camera-store. They served great, and gave far better results than the camera itself :roll: Those where only 1800mAh though.

[SolRayz]

The Canon S1 IS uses 4 AA's. Im amazed by how fast I went through 3 sets of four batteries in the last few days! Thats ridiculous. Im now trying the "new & improved" Energizer e2 Titanium but I read an article saying that its mostly hype.

[Ballen Photo]

I have a friend that had the same problem with his Nikon CP2100, until he got some Lithium Ion rechargeables, I think they are Duracel batteries. Anyway, he said these new batteries last a LOT longer.
...........Bruce

[SolRayz]

That is another question of mine. According to the manual its says to never use manganese or lithium batteries, as they tend to overheat in the camera. Is this true? Ive seen those Lithium AA Duracells but Im too scared to try them.

[Ballen Photo]

That is another question of mine. According to the manual its says to never use manganese or lithium batteries, as they tend to overheat in the camera. Is this true? Ive seen those Lithium AA Duracells but Im too scared to try them.

Oooh, I cant answer that one, sorry. :shock: My friend hasn't complained about this problem, and the folks at the camera store recommended them, but that still dont make it right. I hope someone that has more experience in this matter chimes in. 8) I'd go by what the manual says for now.
...........Bruce

[robertwgross]

I've used Lithium AA primary cells for critical trips, but never in a camera. They work good, last a hell of a long time, and then they crap out rapidly. Plus, they are lighter in weight. But expensive.

In a GPS receiver, I generally get about three times as much run time as with ordinary Alkaline AA cells. So, I generally use them for mountaineering expeditions and strange trips like that (strange for photographers).

---Bob Gross---[/b]

[Mark Kemp]

I am an electronics engineer and I have never heard of a heat problem with Lithium cells. I would be surprised if a camera took enough current to really warm a cell up in normal use. After all the cells in all the Canon DSLRs (like BP511) are Lithium Ion. I also just had a quick look on a few manufacturers websites and couldn't see anything about heat build up in use. However if Canon recommend against it and something does happen you have probably blown your warranty so I would advise against it purely on those grounds.
Nickel Metal Hydride are second best to Lithium Ion in terms of longevity, but are also rechargeables so they should be much cheaper than disposables in the long run. I can't really recommend a brand as I haven't used many recently but I expect that most of those sold on the high street will be pretty similar and should be OK for your needs. You could also try www.7dayshop.com who have a good range and are often cheap.
For a definitive answer email a question to the support address at www.canon.co.uk

[dtrayers]

I use various brands: Eveready, Monster, Ray-O-Vac. They all work well. I use a Monster brand charger. It plugs directly into the wall outlet. Other styles require an adapter brick.

I see your from the Twin Cities too. I bought most of my batteries when I got one of those "20% off anything that will fit in the bag" sales at Menards.

[robertwgross]

About the "overheating" problem... some batteries will swell up if they are charged at too high a rate. That might point to an incorrect charger, or it might point to user error. Whatever. If batteries swell up badly enough, then they can blow the seals, and then you have a ruined battery with crap all over the place. Worse yet, if a swelled battery is inside the battery compartment of a camera, then the whole mess will keep it from working.

Now, whose fault is that? It isn't Canon's fault.

Personally, I stick to the batteries as outlined in the camera manual.

---Bob Gross---

[Conk]

I would agree and take Mark Kemp's word for it. Even though the lithium e-photo Energizer batteries are excellent, if your manual says not to use them, then don't.
Kodak and Panasonic both have excellent nickel-metal batteries. I use the Panasonic 1950mAh and also have 1600mAh and both are very good at holding a charge for well over 100 shots.
There are others at 2200mAh and 2400mAh available. I'm sure the brand you choose would likely be fine at those numbers as they will hold a long charge.
I was using the alkaline batteries that came with my A40 as a back-up for over a year before they were dead. I now have the e-photo lithium Energizer ones as backups and they are on their second year.

[IndyJeff]

I use the Panasonic nicad rechargeable AA for my scanner and flash unit. They have served me well in the last few years and I have no complaints. I do carry an extra set in case one runs low during the day. I am not sure if it makes any difference but I always drain them down before recharging.
Look and see if you have a Batteries Plus store in your area. That is where I bought mine. The charger my wife gave me for Christmas a few years back and she doesn't remember where she got it, probably Target. I would definately get a charger that is by the same manufacturer as the battery you choose tho.

[pradeep1]

I use this site:

www.batteryspace.com

Pick up a set of these 2250mAh babies and you'll be shooting happy.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=587&HS=1

[DocFrankenstein]

Nice to see S1 IS brother here. BTW: While you still can return it, you might want to consider if you like the way auto focus works. Otherwise it's a great buy for the money.

I use duracell rechargeable accu NiMh 2050 mA/h with the same Dura multi charger. It's a brick, weight about a pound I think. Shuts off automatically, determines if the batts need charging.

The batteries last a VERY long time. Once fully charged, I took about 200 photos of my family, sometimes using flash. Then we went to a forest walk, and I took about 250 more shots. This was done using the viewfinder of course.

Then, once we got home I decided to test just how long the batteries will last. I was playing around with videos and looking at the "big" screen for at least 40 minutes... then I got bored :lol:

Canon did an extremely good job of making it energy efficient.

BUT you do need a minimum of 2 sets of batteries. Cause when the batteries run out, you get the low battery warning only about a minute before the camera shuts down.

I bought one set only cause I'm cheap. I carried alkaline duracell as a backup. Guess what? I forgot to charge them and ended up wasting my backup which costs 30% of rechargeables.

Hope this helps