Battery changes: I have two Canon 7D cameras that are at least 8-10 years old. I’ve never changed the internal battery. First question is, how do I know when it is getting weak or that...

riksik

I have two Canon 7D cameras that are at least 8-10 years old. I’ve never changed the internal battery.
First question is, how do I know when it is getting weak or that it needs changing?
Second, when you change this internal battery will I loose ALL my settings that are programmed in the camera?
Thank you

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When the camera won't remember the clock setting (time/date) is when the internal battery is dead. My 2000-era film EOS 1v has this problem. I believe the internal batteries for EOS DSLRs will always recharge, drawing power from the main battery. If the internal battery can be replaced, it is covered by the user manual or calling Canon. All in all, doesn't seem like a problem to worry about.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

When the camera won't remember the clock setting (time/date) is when the internal battery is dead. My 2000-era film EOS 1v has this problem. I believe the internal batteries for EOS DSLRs will always recharge, drawing power from the main battery. If the internal battery can be replaced, it is covered by the user manual or calling Canon. All in all, doesn't seem like a problem to worry about.

My 11 year old T1i still has all its marbles.
I'll worry about it when the time comes.
(One thing less in life to worry about in the mean time.

)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Modern cameras have rechargeable clock batteries built in. Many older models do have coin-cell Lithium batteries such as the CR-2032, CR-2024, CR-2016, etc., similar to the batteries in remote control entry fobs for cars. If your camera has a button cell/coin cell battery, it is usually behind a false wall in the main battery compartment. When I used older Canons, I changed them every two years. I never worried about losing settings.

If you leave the main battery out of the camera, the clock battery will drain completely over time. In that case, install a freshly charged main battery overnight, and it should be okay.

Most of these batteries last five to ten years in normal use. When it dies, it can be replaced by an authorized service center, but by then, you might want a new camera anyway.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

burkphoto wrote:

...
...
Most of these batteries last five to ten years in normal use. When it dies, it can be replaced by an authorized service center, but by then, you might want a new camera anyway.

BebuLamar

burkphoto wrote:

Modern cameras have rechargeable clock batteries b... (show quote)

I would much prefer the use of a small lithium battery than a rechargeable one. I hate the rechargeable one as I know they will die some day and you can't replace it.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

I would much prefer the use of a small lithium battery than a rechargeable one. I hate the rechargeable one as I know they will die some day and you can't replace it.

The days of user-serviceable equipment are fading fast. Manufacturers are doing everything they can to make it as hard as possible to upgrade, service, or repair your devices.

It's sad, but their point is that technology is improving so quickly, you should want to keep up. I think that's a false narrative in many cases, but it's reality.

I haven't bought a new computer in seven years. So my operating system is stuck at one generation back from the current one. It's still supported for another year or so, but... I'm shopping now.

Meanwhile, all the ports have changed from USB-3 and Thunderbolt 1 to USB4/Thunderbolt 4 (both use the USB-C interface). So I'll have to buy adapters, dongles, a dock, or hubs — and new cables — to connect my new Mac to my old peripherals. And because the new computers are not upgradeable later, I will buy the upgrades right upfront. Grrrr...in and bear it.

BebuLamar

burkphoto wrote:

The days of user-serviceable equipment are fading ... (show quote)

My computer was made around 2009. I bought it used in 2012 as an off lease. It run current Windows software and current PS CC. Not very fast but OK.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

My computer was made around 2009. I bought it used in 2012 as an off lease. It run current Windows software and current PS CC. Not very fast but OK.

It works, right?

(Two of mine are from 2012. Still Win 7.)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

burkphoto wrote:

The days of user-serviceable equipment are fading ... (show quote)

Yea, I hate that. I used to service/repair ALL my stuff.
No pieces parts anymore. Everything is "disposable".

Try finding a drive belt for an old cassette player.

Luckily my dual cassette deck is servo driven.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Yea, I hate that. I used to service/repair ALL my stuff.
No pieces parts anymore. Everything is "disposable".

Try finding a drive belt for an old cassette player.

Luckily my dual cassette deck is servo driven.

There are some parts available for older cassette units if you scour the Internet deeply enough. It's amazing what some parts resellers have squirreled away.

I have a TASCAM Porta One Mini-Studio from 1985. I found a new drive belt kit for it a couple of years ago.

I didn't buy it, though. I work digitally now.

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

Yea, I hate that. I used to service/repair ALL my stuff.
No pieces parts anymore. Everything is "disposable".

Try finding a drive belt for an old cassette player.

Luckily my dual cassette deck is servo driven.

But don't they still have belts? I have direct drive cassette deck and yet it does have belt.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

But don't they still have belts? I have direct drive cassette deck and yet it does have belt.

I currently have an OLD boom box that has a cassette, as well as a CD... I seriously think the cassette is not servo driven. I have had many cassette players over the years.
(I've not opened the boom box yet...

)

MY direct drive dual deck is <multiple> servo (motor) driven. There are no belts in it, that I am aware.
(Thus the term "direct drive".)

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

I currently have an OLD boom box that has a cassette, as well as a CD... I seriously think the cassette is not servo driven. I have had many cassette players over the years.
(I've not opened the boom box yet...

)

MY direct drive dual deck is <multiple> servo (motor) driven. There are no belts in it, that I am aware.
(Thus the term "direct drive".)

That's strange! Can I have the make and model of your dual deck? Direct Drive without belts is actually very rare in cassette deck.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

That's strange! Can I have the make and model of your dual deck? Direct Drive without belts is actually very rare in cassette deck.

Maybe it does. I haven't opened it in ≈25 years and it still runs great.
It's a Sony TC-WR350Z. It would be interesting to hear what you might find!
I was always under the impression there were no belts...