Battery Question: I have gotten along quite well with just 2 batteries. I had an opportunity to get two more at an extremely reasonable price. Knowing that I just need two batteries...

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

I have gotten along quite well with just 2 batteries. I had an opportunity to get two more at an extremely reasonable price. Knowing that I just need two batteries, would you rotate among all 4, or just rotate with 2 and put the other 2 on a shelf and swap out the 2 periodically. Another way of phrasing the question, how long can a battery last if it is NOT used?

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…step up your game…you become overly cautious when you only have one backup…you find yourself shutting off camera and other little things to conserve power…think of the last time you went out and didn’t have to worry about battery life…get the extra batteries…they will all be used…

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

SkyKing wrote:

…step up your game…you become overly cautious when you only have one backup…you find yourself shutting off camera and other little things to conserve power…think of the last time you went out and didn’t have to worry about battery life…get the extra batteries…they will all be used…

Thanks, Sky, for your response. I guess I wasn't clear, but I did get the other 2 and now have 4.

jonyrot

If you are asking about Lithium Ion, they have a good shelf life with limited number of recharges. Other battery technologies don't do as well on the shelf when it comes to self discharge.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

TonyF wrote:

I have gotten along quite well with just 2 batteries. I had an opportunity to get two more at an extremely reasonable price. Knowing that I just need two batteries, would you rotate among all 4, or just rotate with 2 and put the other 2 on a shelf and swap out the 2 periodically. Another way of phrasing the question, how long can a battery last if it is NOT used?

I have 4 which I try to rotate, but, sometimes 1 or 2 will sit on the shelf for longer periods. I just check them periodically to make sure the charge doesn't get too low. From most everything I have read you want to store Lithium Ion batteries at about 60-65% charge and not let them get below 20%, which is where damage can begin to occur. My camera will show the percentage of charge. Not all do. Makes it easy to check them periodically if I haven't used any in a while.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I number mine with a permanent marker and rotate through all.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

ecobin wrote:

I number mine with a permanent marker and rotate through all.

This is my approach as well.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

LFingar wrote:

I have 4 which I try to rotate, but, sometimes 1 or 2 will sit on the shelf for longer periods. I just check them periodically to make sure the charge doesn't get too low. From most everything I have read you want to store Lithium Ion batteries at about 60-65% charge and not let them get below 20%, which is where damage can begin to occur. My camera will show the percentage of charge. Not all do. Makes it easy to check them periodically if I haven't used any in a while.

Thank you, that's what I was looking for as far as letting the batteries stay 'uncharged'. Will now make sure they keep some charge to them.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

ecobin wrote:

I number mine with a permanent marker and rotate through all.

Good idea, thanks.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

CHG_CANON wrote:

This my approach as well.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

LFingar wrote:

I have 4 which I try to rotate, but, sometimes 1 or 2 will sit on the shelf for longer periods. I just check them periodically to make sure the charge doesn't get too low. From most everything I have read you want to store Lithium Ion batteries at about 60-65% charge and not let them get below 20%, which is where damage can begin to occur. My camera will show the percentage of charge. Not all do. Makes it easy to check them periodically if I haven't used any in a while.

I have six. Three different age set I believe. I check them once a month.
When either of the two in the grip need recharging I put in another two (second pair).
So they do kinda wind up getting cycled.
Since I don't shoot a ton, the third pair could conceivably never be used if I didn't cycle them.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

TonyF wrote:

I have gotten along quite well with just 2 batteries. I had an opportunity to get two more at an extremely reasonable price. Knowing that I just need two batteries, would you rotate among all 4, or just rotate with 2 and put the other 2 on a shelf and swap out the 2 periodically. Another way of phrasing the question, how long can a battery last if it is NOT used?

I actually have five batteries that I rotate.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I write the date on mine. I rotate and make sure that if I haven't been shooting in awhile that they don't get too low.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Tracy B. wrote:

I write the date on mine. ...

Hopefully the date initially placed into service.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

TonyF wrote:

I have gotten along quite well with just 2 batteries. I had an opportunity to get two more at an extremely reasonable price. Knowing that I just need two batteries, would you rotate among all 4, or just rotate with 2 and put the other 2 on a shelf and swap out the 2 periodically. Another way of phrasing the question, how long can a battery last if it is NOT used?

I have 5 batteries that I have accumulated over the years. All of them have been from Canon cameras. Yes, they tend to be a bit pricey. I will only buy OEMs for fear that cheaper ones might leak.

I never worry that I have to shut off the camera, not use the rear screen, shut off the GPS, etc.

You can always use a battery grip fir better handling and reduced use of battery power. The camera dissipates both batteries at an equal rate.

I don’t think that you would be saving much just using two batteries. Use all your batteries and switch them often. Besides, on average most batteries will last about 5 to 8 years with constant use.