Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Yes, the date I purchased them. So I know which batteries are the oldest.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I've had one OEM battery, eight third party over the past 15 years, no leakers, still have five of the third party's.
I never worry either.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

All four are Canon OEM's.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

EJMcD

IMO...the average photo enthusiast will be fine with one back up battery. An every day working pro would obviously benefit and/or require more.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

That isn’t bad. The fact that they don’t leak and lasted 15 years may be the incentive to buy at least a third party battery. Thanks

Bill_de Loc: US

When a battery needs charging it comes out of the camera and into an external charger. A different battery goes into the camera. I don't keep track, but over time they all get rotated. I do the same with cards.

I got my first digital camera, a D1x, in 2001. Although my cameras, cards, and batteries have changed as new models replaced my D1x, that procedure has never failed me.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well, to be honest, all of the third party batteries are not 15 years old.

No swellers either.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Me too . . .


Edit: All are OEMs going back to my 2008 Canon 7D.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I always rotate batteries. Otherwise, one gets used too much, and the other(s) get used not enough. Like people, batteries should be exercised.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Ditto. I also spread the wealth. Underachievers are disposed of after 3 years or earlier if real losers.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The following assumes you are talking about Lithium-based camera battery chemistries.

#1) ROTATE.

#2) USE FREQUENTLY.

#3) STORE AT 40% TO 60% CHARGE, IN WATER-PROOF PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

#4) AVOID DISCHARGE BELOW 20%.

#5) CHARGE TO FULL THE NIGHT BEFORE A SESSION OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

#6) RECYCLE AT END OF LIFE, OR ANY TIME YOU NOTICE SWELLING, EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, ETC. (End of life is generally when they won't hold a charge for a significant number of exposures or recording time for video.)

Modern Lithium Ion batteries are good for about five years, tops, whether you use them or not. But they will actually last longer PER CHARGE during that five years if they are used frequently and worked hard when used. They will hold more charge for a longer period of time if they are used frequently. You will get the most out of four batteries if you rotate them so they are used evenly.

If you have a third-party battery that came with its own charger, use that charger with that battery. Use the OEM charger with OEM batteries. There are sometimes differences in the ratings of the charging circuits to account for differences in the chemistries, construction, and ACTUAL ratings of the cells inside.

Don't expect Chinese-made Li-ion batteries to last as long per charge as those made in Japan. That is a generalization and there ARE exceptions. But it has been observed by some reviewers.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I had a aftermarket swell and was tough to remove quickly, and I needed a quick battery change for shooting the solar eclipse 2017. Camera was mounted on a tracking telescope mount and era couldn't be moved at all. Luckily during my practice runs I discovered this and bought extra CANON BATTERY

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I rotate 2 batteries in each of my four cameras but nothing wrong with rotating more if you have them.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Number them and rotate.