Rechargable Batteries: What rechargeable batteries do you use? I am using Sanyo NiMH 2700mAH batteries but I don't seem to get very much time out of them before I see the low battery...

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

What rechargeable batteries do you use? I am using Sanyo NiMH 2700mAH batteries but I don't seem to get very much time out of them before I see the low battery icon. I am using a Canon Powershot S5 and it uses 4 AA batteries. At the rate I am going I will need to construct a bandoleer like a machine gunner uses only stocked with AA batteries.
I am taking pictures of puppies and the best way I have found is to follow them around taking a lot of shots and then finding the best out of many. Any suggestions? Is a different charger the answer?

Thanks.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I use energizer rechargables with a 15 minute charger. Can do up to 4 batteries at a time. I think mine have about the same specifications yours do except they are energizer, they work great and I get a pretty long use out of them before I have to recharge.

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

Tea8 wrote:

I use energizer rechargables with a 15 minute charger. Can do up to 4 batteries at a time. I think mine have about the same specifications yours do except they are energizer, they work great and I get a pretty long use out of them before I have to recharge.

Tea:
If you are shooting constantly how long do they last?

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

phcaan wrote:

What rechargeable batteries do you use? I am using... (show quote)

I have had great result since June with Sanyo NEW 1500 Enelop xx Pack AAA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries.
They are long lasting.

4 Pack = $8.79
8 Pack = $19.10
16 Pack = $41.79
20 Pack = $54.33

As you can see you are better off buying multiple 4 Packs.

Review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2QVW9U1ISXVGV/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2QVW9U1ISXVGV

Purchase these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B004SB1TD4/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1345948487&sr=1-4&keywords=rechargeable+batteries

Charger:
Maha Powerex MH-C801D Eight Cell 1-Hr PRO AA/AAA Charger $64.70

http://www.amazon.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C801D-Eight-Charger/dp/B000E5S648/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1345949398&sr=1-9&keywords=maha+mh-c9000

VA7RS Loc: BC Canada

The voltage differs between alkaline and NiMH batteries. Alkaline batteries are 1.5 volts and NiMH are 1.2 Volts. If you use 4, then alkaline would be 4 X 1.5 = 6 volts and NiMH are 1.2 X 4 = 4.8 volts. The difference obviously is 1.2 volts. The voltage sensor on the Canon Powershot S5 may be set close to 4.8 volts Thereby giving you a low voltage indication even though the rechargeable batteries are charged. Hope that helped.

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

VA7RS wrote:

The voltage differs between alkaline and NiMH batteries. Alkaline batteries are 1.5 volts and NiMH are 1.2 Volts. If you use 4, then alkaline would be 4 X 1.5 = 6 volts and NiMH are 1.2 X 4 = 4.8 volts. The difference obviously is 1.2 volts. The voltage sensor on the Canon Powershot S5 may be set close to 4.8 volts Thereby giving you a low voltage indication even though the rechargeable batteries are charged. Hope that helped.

Yes Thank you I will look into that

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have read some excellent reviews on Panasonic Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries. Varta is also another good brand primarily for camera users.

Vetteran Loc: Yorkshire. So big it has to be split.

Eneloop batteries.

There probably is a setting to tell the camera what type of batteries are being used.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Well, I use Duracell rechargables and I have very good luck with them. I only use them for my stobes, since I use the 1Ds Mark II. That can also use the AA in the bracket supplied with the camera, have never used it though.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

phcaan wrote:

What rechargeable batteries do you use? I am using... (show quote)

I've heard good things about these batteries.

http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/5911

krispix Loc: London - UK

I agree with PhotoGator, you can't beat Eneloop batteries. I don't know why, but they out-perform every other rechargeable on the market today.

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

I have tried a lot of rechargeables and most loose power just sitting around. I found that Rayovac Hybrids don't and have had good luck with them. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=rayovac+hybrid+rechargeable&tag=googhydr-20&index=electronics&hvadid=12946638355&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=372254887300033549&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_8e9hixuvm7_b

MIKE GALLAGHER Loc: New Zealand

The time a battery will hold its charge depends not only on how many times it has been charged before but also how old the battery is. I had 4 sets of 4 and had them for perhaps 3 years expecting to get hundreds of charges (x4) out of them but my camera started giving the "flat battery" sign whichever set I used. I solved the problem by buying another camera only to run into the same problem a short while later. Long story short - I started having serious conversations with battery people - not the ones who just pass a prepackaged set across the counter - and discovered that I now have 2 cameras that work! So I'll be a bit quicker to dump a set of rechargeable batteries in the future.

Your 2700 mAH batteries have more capacity than any of mine BUT..... HOW OLD ARE THEY?
Mike

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

MIKE GALLAGHER wrote:

The time a battery will hold its charge depends no... (show quote)

I have had them about 6 months.

MIKE GALLAGHER Loc: New Zealand

Age is probably not the problem here then. But it is possible that you're not letting the batteries get a full charge and thereby reducing their ability to do so. That's not so likely though if you've left them until the charger has indicated that they're fully charged. But you could try a brand new set of decent rechargeable batteries before you give up on the camera - (see the example of super intelligence in my previous post!)