Canon S2 IS batteries

[~Kat~]

I bought two sets of rechargeable batteries last year and both have been unsatisfactory. I can go weeks and sometimes months (2 months or so) so I don't think overuse is an issue. I'll be the first to admit I don't know how long rechargeables are meant to last but it strikes me that they should be more reliable than they have been. Is it because I didn't remove them from the battery compartment when not in use? Lenmar AA NiMH 2700mAh Rechargeable Batteries w/charger Campower Rechargeable Batteries Kit w/ 4x 2400mah AA I searched the forum and saw that Energizer Rechargeables are highly recommended here but the comments I read were from 2006. Any other recommendations that won't cost an arm and a leg and will last? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Aeth]

If you leave your batteries in the camera for an extended amount of time they will be drained, in the instruction manual it recommends that you remove the batteries when not being used for an extended amount of time.
If you are still running into problems of it not holding a charge, they may be running into a "memory effect" where it will think that it doesn't have a charge when in reality it really does. There are some chargers out there that will refresh "dead" or old batteries that have that memory effect.

You should be able to charge a single battery hundred of times before it really gives up the ghost.
Hope that helps.

[~Kat~]

Yes, it helps. Thanks.

But, I will be purchasing 2 new sets so I would still like some recs.

[pci2000]

Sanyo Eneloops (http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargable-Batteries/dp/B000IV0REA).

Costco carries these as well as Amazon.

[Jon]

NiMH batteries "self-discharge" over time; whether they're in or out of hte camera they'll lose charge fairly rapidly. Eneloops have a very low "self-discharge" rate. In fact, you can use them right off the store shelf without topping them off first as you'd need to with regular NiMH.

[c2thew]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79584

take a read.

[~Kat~]

Thanks for the info and the links guys. :)

[junglejuice]

I had a PS S2is and found the Energizer NiMh rechargables to be no good for it but found the Panasonic 2600mAh NiMh to be very good so far.
I have now updated to the Sx10is.....

[Glasstream15]

I use Eneloops and RayOVac Hybrids. I have had good performance from both brands. I can leave them for months and they still are good to go.

Thomas Distributing, google it, has their own band of Low self discharge batteries. I have not tried them but have read good reviews. they also have the Maha C9000 charger. It's not cheap but it is a fabulous charger. It will do "break in" "refresh/analyze" "cycle and just straight charge and all programs have adjustble charge and discharge rates. It will make new batteries last much longer and does a good job of salvaging old batteries It is a worthwhile investment.

JMNSHO &, of course, YMMV

[technoweary]

Sorry to post so late but I have only just seen this post. I think maybe I can shed some light on the problem with the batteries. Are you trying Ni-MH batteries? You may notice that ordinary Alkaline works much better. In my opinion it's a Canon S2 design fault if. I have experienced the same problem with my S2, even resorting to sending the camera back for repair. There is no fix for this unless someone knows how to convert the S2 to use Ni-MH. I am told it's down to the fact that the S2 wants to see 1.5Volt batteries and the Ni-MH is 1.2V. I found that after a few months the batteries never lasted, even if left in the camera unused it would not start up after a week. Because the S2 will keep failing to switch on you end up charging the batteries repeatedly without them ever being discharged to any appreciable amount. I now use standard Alkalines because I now the frustration of being told to change the batteries everytime I turn the damn thing on. I hope this helps shed some light on the situation. Greg.

[heez10]

Sorry to post so late but I have only just seen this post. I think maybe I can shed some light on the problem with the batteries. Are you trying Ni-MH batteries? You may notice that ordinary Alkaline works much better. In my opinion it's a Canon S2 design fault if. I have experienced the same problem with my S2, even resorting to sending the camera back for repair. There is no fix for this unless someone knows how to convert the S2 to use Ni-MH. I am told it's down to the fact that the S2 wants to see 1.5Volt batteries and the Ni-MH is 1.2V. I found that after a few months the batteries never lasted, even if left in the camera unused it would not start up after a week. Because the S2 will keep failing to switch on you end up charging the batteries repeatedly without them ever being discharged to any appreciable amount. I now use standard Alkalines because I now the frustration of being told to change the batteries everytime I turn the damn thing on. I hope this helps shed some light on the situation. Greg.
I got fed up with the S2 so I upgraded to the A 720, much better until I broke it, now I us the A1000IS as my carry everywhere, very nice camera! My DSLR is a Sony A200, fantastic.

[JustShootin']

While my S2 did finally bite the dust, I loved the camera. As for battery life, it was fantastic as long as I used the right batteries, which I did.....and still do!

[leebea]

I have rechargable Energizer batteries. I have had them for as long as I have owned the camera and have no problem with them. I don't remove them from the camera except to charge them. I don't have a problem with them discharging unless they are unused in the camera for long periods of time.

[scott0999]

generally speaking, the higher capacity the battery, the higher the self-discharge rate

I had some 2650mah Duracells and they were really bad for that. 2-3 days out of the charger and they were dead

I now have some accuevolution 2200mah low-self discharge batteries. I'm sure the Eneloops are fine too. it just seems like their making plenty money already. I will gladly post the results of my accuevolutions once I use them a bit. im sure they will be fine

[pjs2]

SANYO ENELOOPS x 2 sets will out last your camera

[PsychProf]

I bought my S-2 new in August of 2006 and am currently using Eneregizer 2500 ma NIMH batteries with no problems. Knowing the potential for self-discharge I charge them weekly if no use and after 200 or more pics when in use. I rotate two sets and try to have both sets always ready. Have never missed a pic because of dead batteries. The 2500's are about 15 months old as we enter 2010. S-2 owners should take a few pics each week to try to avoid the shutter freezing up from a lack of use.