S1 IS Battery usage

[tjh3885]

I just got an S1 IS and am relativly pleased with it. However, I've gone through two sets of alkaline batteries taking about 50 pictures (some with flash). I have also downloaded to a computer about three times and I get the impression that that takes more power. Is it typical to go through batteries so fast, or is something wrong? I don't have $100 for a Canon AC adapter and have not had much luck with rechargables in the past (fairly distant past).

Suggestions?

Thanks

[flugelboy]

I have the same camera and actually thought the battery performance was great. I go through hundreds of shots (with and without flash) at a time before replacing them. I'm not using regular alkaline though. Buy yourself some 2300 mAh rechargeable batteries and a charger. You wont regret it.

I can't comment on transferring pics to a computer using the camera. I assume it would take at least as much power as taking pictures. I use a USB flash card reader. Those are fairly inexpensive now.

I hope this helps.

[Velvet G]

flugelboy is right. I keep 5 sets with me but rarely have to replace the one in the camera even after shooting 150-200 shots. As for transferring them, put that cable back in the box it came in and get a card reader. They are usually under 15 bucks and are powered by the USB port on the PC. My reader is a USB 2.0 one, the camera, IIRC is a 1.1 (slower).

This way you can always transfer your pictures to your PC without killing batteries.

I also use 2300s for my camera and never really had a problem with them dying prematurely.

[Jon]

Alkaline batteries are consistently lousy in digital cameras. Their power profile doesn't match what the camera wants. NiMH rechargables are much better. Your camera wants a short squirt of power when you take the picture, then goes to practically no current, while alkalines are designed to produce a nice, steady current for something like a radio or flashlight. That's also why NiMH cells will recharge a flash faster than alkalines will. Get a couple of sets of NiMh and a charger - they'll pay for themselves.

[tjh3885]

What Jon says makes sense. When I took a couple of "dead" batteries out of the camera and put them in a little flashlight it was bright. Made me think something was wrong with my battery indicator.

Thanks

[stoneylonesome]

definetly get the NimH rechargeable batteries, get 2 sets and the charger I leave one in the charger and the other in the camera so I've always got a fresh set. NimH's have no memory so you don't have to worry about the recharge cycles.

[Jon]

What Jon says makes sense. When I took a couple of "dead" batteries out of the camera and put them in a little flashlight it was bright. Made me think something was wrong with my battery indicator.

Thanks

You'd have found they would have worked for some more shots if you'd just let them sit overnight. Takes them a while to recover, so it's not really worth it, though. If you need to use disposables, get the Energizer E2 Lithium AAs.

[dorncounty]

Get rechargables. They will pay for themselves many times over.

[Bodryn]

I've had pretty good luck with alkaline batteries on my S1 IS; I normally get over 100 pictures on a set. But this isn't nearly as good as my A70 which gets 400 or more photos on a set of alkalines. I don't mind buying batteries. That said, however, rechargeables are probably a better bet for those who stay close to home most of the time. But when you're on a long trip, alkalines are nice because you can buy them anywhere and you don't have to hassle with recharging batteries. Rechargeables do deteriorate over time, so the AA option is a nifty one.

[iwatkins]

The manual for the S1 even states that alkalines are "crap" (but using more words) in this camera. Also agree that NiMH are much better, well over 100% better when I use 2200mAh in it.

However, I still like the option to put in alkalines if away from home, no charger etc. as you can pick up alkalines everywhere.

Cheers

Ian