markstjohn

I have three different cameras.... Nikon D810, Nikon D5600 and Leica Q. All have multiple batteries and individual chargers. Some things I am trying to figure out.

1) How to keep track of which batteries are charged, and which are waiting to be charged?

2) How to minimize if possible all the stuff I need to take with me when I travel... (Is there a universal charger?)


3) How many batteries to take with me for each camera?

4) How to set them up for travel in a plane (eg tape the terminals?)

Thanks as always..

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Mark, I have a routine that I charge the battery after I download the images. I believe 2 Batteries for each camera is sufficient unless you are in outer space and Amazon does not deliver. I would use a dedicated charger for each battery.
I store my batteries in:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/859449-REG/Think_Tank_968_DSLR_Battery_Holder_2.html?sts=pi

I have 3 of them so I label the outside for which camera.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

All my batteries are labeled (A, B, C, D, etc). I keep my charged ones in one pocket and the discharged ones in another. As I use up a battery, I go to the next one in sequential order. When I'm done shooting for the day, if I've used up a full battery, I toss it onto the charger and then place it back into the charged pocket.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I keep batteries in stiff little pouches or plastic containers specifically designed for that. A piece of green tape over the terminals or on the outer case means charged. No tape means it needs to be recharged.

There really isn't such a thing as a universal charger for camera batteries, because there are so many proprietary designs, several different chemistries, and different mAh ratings.

As far as how many of each type to carry, you simply need experience. How long can you keep using the camera before a battery change? Your camera manual probably has some guidelines. CIPA rates various cameras' battery life. If your camera is reviewed at dpreview.com, there's probably a CIPA rating listed in the review. Bear in mind, that is for a brand-new, fully charged, FRESHLY charged battery. In practice, I like to take twice as many batteries as my calculations indicate. My GH4 can record a couple hours of video, continuously, or I can record hundreds of still images with it on one battery. So two will usually get me through a day, so long as I top-off the first one after it quits. I keep a 120 watt inverter in my car to run all my AC chargers (iPhones, cameras, etc.).

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

The link has the details you need when flying.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Every battery design has a chemisty with a unique internal resistance which limits current flow, both on discharge (feel heat) and charging. The physical state of both the anode and cathode can be affected by the rate of charging. Remember the gripes with Ni-Cd batteries. In these on discharge a mettalic ion moved and on charging it back to where it came from - metallic surface. Now metallic grain growth grows by dendrites which can reach the other electrode, thus shorting out electrode sections. Similar growth mechanisms prevail in all battery chemistry designs. This is why a battery design dedicated charger is indicated. If your battery charger has a rate selection, use the lowest.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I too label my batteries and work through them in sequential order.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

After charging, I leave the charged battery in the charger.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The battery in my camera is always charged. As I shoot, and it loses the charge, I replace it. If I am going out and think I will need more than one battery, I'll charge two others and bring them with me. That's why I like double chargers - charge two batteries at once. I can't imagine a situation in which I'd need more than three batteries when I go out to shoot. Batteries that I've charged seem to hold that charge indefinitely.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I too charge every used or partially used battery after every trip. My Black Rapid sling camera strap has a holder that holds two batteries. So, when I go out, I carry two charged batteries in the strap and one in the camera. I also carry 4 more in my back pack... My wife's D7000 uses exactly the same battery as my D7100 and D610.
Fortunately they all use the same battery. I keep all charged, all of the time and I also make sure that I constantly rotate them.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

The one not in the camera is fully charged.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Waiting to be charged? The only waiting my batteries encounter is for me to get home. I keep all of my batteries charged. If you're not sure about the charged condition of a battery - put it into the appropriate camera and let the camera tell you. I have 2 batteries for my cameras and when the battery in the camera gets low - I replace it with the charged one and then charge the one taken from the camera. There is no "Waiting to be charged" when I'm home or have access to a charger.
Travelling with extra batteries is not really a problem. The airlines generally want the contacts to be covered; place a piece of tape over them or find some really small plastic bags and put a battery into each one, or place tape over the contacts of each one and place them all in a plastic bag ... this is how I do it and I have never had any problems.
How many to take is difficult to answer. How long will you be away from a battery charger? Normally two batteries should be enough - one in the camera and the other charged battery in your pocket - keep both charged. If you're going far away from electricity for a week, then two batteries/day should do it (7 days = 14 batteries)

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

When I am local two batteries one in camera and one in pocket. Traveling one in each camera and four in think tank pouch the ones in the pouch are covered with a plastic cap

Bill_de Loc: US

I keep batteries in plastic cases. I put a scrap of paper in the case with the date charged.

--

Dan Mc Loc: NM

I wrap a Band-aid around the batteries needing charging. Carry a fresh one in camera and a spare in the bag...maybe two spares.

Hip Coyote

I carry my batteries in a Think Tank Battery envelope carrier which has a pocket for each battery. Batteries are marked 1 through X. If the terminals of the battery are down (inside the pouch part) the battery is freshly charged. If terminals are up...so I can see them...the battery has been used. At end of day remove the used batteries and recharge.