Camera Storage Without Batteries Installed (Page 2): In my experience, a matter of a few months. When I take a camera out of storage, I assume (correctly) that I will have to reset...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lamontcranston wrote:

Simple question. How long will a Sony or a Nikon retain it's internal settings if it is stored without the batteries being installed in it? I ask because I have a couple of cameras that may not be used for months and I think it may be a good idea to store them with the batteries removed but I would hate for them to lose all of their internal settings.

In my experience, a matter of a few months. When I take a camera out of storage, I assume (correctly) that I will have to reset the time and date.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I only have experience with Nikon, and the internal battery that you don't have access to will go dead if you remove the main battery because it gets its charge from the main battery. I have left the main battery in on all four of my Nikon bodies and have never had a problem. Some are over 12 years old. I do occasionally recharge them as lithium batteries don't like to sit in a totally discharged state, and if they do foe awhile then they may not take a charge.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

lamontcranston wrote:

Simple question. How long will a Sony or a Nikon retain it's internal settings if it is stored without the batteries being installed in it? I ask because I have a couple of cameras that may not be used for months and I think it may be a good idea to store them with the batteries removed but I would hate for them to lose all of their internal settings.

With the Nikon, yes. However, I always long store my Nikons with a charged Nikon (as opposed to a 3rd party) battery inside as a guarantee. I've stored for up to 6months with no issues. However, I rarely go long with out using my cameras.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

dcampbell52 wrote:

With the Nikon, yes. However, I always long store my Nikons with a charged Nikon (as opposed to a 3rd party) battery inside as a guarantee. I've stored for up to 6months with no issues. However, I rarely go long with out using my cameras.

lithium battery manufacturers claim that the batteries are best stored at a 50% charge rate(no reason why given). Having said that, I do the same as you, charge it fully and leave it in the camera. Even after many months the battery is still 90%.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Why not just get on the line w/Nikon tech support; no need to theorize or wonder if expressed opinions here are truth or conjecture.
800 645 6687

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

Canon 5d iv manual says store without the battery, and it gives a reason....look it up.

Raz Theo Loc: Music City

Kmgw9v wrote:

It was nice of you to provide a response even though you have no direct knowledge and your opinion is based on suspicion.

You're a hoot Kmgw9v. And succinct.

lamontcranston

Raz Theo wrote:

You're a hoot Kmgw9v. And succinct.

That's certainly one way to describe him.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

IDguy wrote:

Actually the suspicion is based on 70 years of experience, including 60 years with thousands of batteries.

Did you have something to add?

Thousands of camera batteries? I am envious. You must have hundreds of cameras.

Dennis

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

You probably have a battery in your camera that you forgot about. The one that runs your date, picture count etc. They last about 5years Think.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Wilsondl3 wrote:

I left my Nikon D80 in storage long enough for the internal battery to run down. I get an err message and the only way to get it to work again is to have the battery replaced witch would cost more than a used camera on eBay! Nikon could have at least had a warning. - Dave

I find this very hard to believe! The internal battery is a permanent and rechargeable battery. Once you put the main charged battery into the camera it will recharge the internal battery. It may take a couple of days.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

nimbushopper wrote:

lithium battery manufacturers claim that the batteries are best stored at a 50% charge rate(no reason why given). Having said that, I do the same as you, charge it fully and leave it in the camera. Even after many months the battery is still 90%.

Also, Nikon guarantees their batteries (and the device that they are in) against damage from leakage, etc. So I always store with a genuine Nikon battery.. (in fact after having Watson and a couple of the other non-Nikon batteries, I have gotten rid of ALL non-Nikon batteries). I've never had a Nikon battery die while stored. However, if the camera is stored, the first thing that I do is put a fresh battery in the camera and recharge the old one.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Longshadow wrote:

I agree with IDguy. Mine only loose time/date (the clock no longer runs). Saved settings remain intact.

That's because the settings are stored in what's called PRom, which doesn't require electricity to keep storage intact.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

lamontcranston wrote:

That makes sense. When setting up a new camera, time/date are the first things you enter. Thanks.

I'm wondering how long the saved settings will remain intact with no battery installed?

The settings are stored on internal flash memory which operates like a thumb drive......stores data with no external power.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Yep but not the clock and date set up.