Batteries dieing so fast

DeepSpring · Sep 30, 2007

I was shooting my first college game last night and one of the photographers there suggested that I use the back focus (using the star button) instead of focusing with the shutter button. I plowed thru 2 brand new batteries in the middle of the third quarter. My last battery was dead with like 5 minutes left in the 4th.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how I can keep this from happening? I was in AF Servo so could it have been just holding down the focus so much was eating away the batteries? When I shot with the shutter button as focus I have made it thru jv and varsity games no problem.

Thanks

Garbz · Sep 30, 2007

Things that eat up a lot of battery: AF, VR (IS on Canon), the light meter, and the LCD.

If you're half depressing the shutter the entire time I wouldn't expect batteries to last very long at all as none of these things (LCD does) goes into standby to save battery. It may account for the difference.

JIP · Sep 30, 2007

Really that's just how these things work (sorry for sounding like a smartass I did not mean to). What body do you have? I might suggest buying the grip for it I know with the D200 the grip has 2 battteries. This might be a pricey way to go (to have 4-6 batteries on hand) but noone ever said photographty was cheap. I also think this is part of knowing your gear and what you are shooting. I know when I shoot weddings I will go through all the prelimiares with whatever and be ready with fresh batteries and a memory card to shoot the ceremony. With football you just need to be prepared fro this, have a fersh battery ready for the 4th quarter, if you don't have enough batteries charge what you have a half-time so you are ready for the last half of the game.

DeepSpring · Sep 30, 2007

I actually do have the grip for it, the first 2 batteries I went thru were in the grip. When it died I just popped one out and put my third in. I've just never seen them die so fast.

JIP · Sep 30, 2007

Was it cold???? How many images did you shoot?? how many did you delete?? I think in an action situation like this you might be surprised at how much you are actually doing.

DSLR noob · Sep 30, 2007

Are you 100% sure that they died from a full charge? That's rediculous.

DeepSpring · Sep 30, 2007

Yeah I charged them all the night before. Wasn't really cold, it was colder friday night when they were fine.. I shot 466 shots only deleted a couple, I usually try not to. I reviewed them a little but again nothing more then I normally do...

xfloggingkylex · Oct 1, 2007

under 500 shots is just terrible for 3 batteries. What camera are you using? Flash? Looking at the LCD a lot?

DeepSpring · Oct 1, 2007

Canon Rebel XT with 430ex. I wasn't looking at the screen that much.

JIP · Oct 1, 2007

I don't know the cold may have benn a slight factor but really how many shots are on those batteries might they be exhausted already.

DSLR noob · Oct 1, 2007

My XT fired off over 1500 shots on one battery on the small fine setting no flash and minimal LCD review over the past week. 3 batteries at 499? I'd check to see if something is defective.