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Camera Storage Without Batteries Installed.
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Mar 24, 2018 10:14:12   #
lamontcranston
 
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.

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Mar 24, 2018 10:28:33   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
I have no direct knowledge but suspect a few months should be fine. Maybe even a few years.

They are shipped and stored without batteries and retain default settings.

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Mar 24, 2018 10:40:29   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
IDguy wrote:
I have no direct knowledge but suspect a few months should be fine. Maybe even a few years.

They are shipped and stored without batteries and retain default settings.


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

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Mar 24, 2018 10:46:28   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
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.


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

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Mar 24, 2018 10:56:33   #
lamontcranston
 
Longshadow wrote:
I agree with IDguy. Mine only loose time/date (the clock no longer runs). Saved settings remain intact.


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?

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Mar 24, 2018 11:02:47   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
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?


Like IDguy said, cameras may sit on the shelf in the store or warehouse for months without a battery...
(My experience with my H1 has been ≈6 months one time.)

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Mar 24, 2018 11:03:14   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. 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.


You would get a definitive answer if you asked Nikon rather than the guesses and speculation here.

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Mar 24, 2018 11:12:13   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
There is an internal battery as well. For the clock and some internal settings.

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Mar 24, 2018 11:37:37   #
Wilsondl3
 
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

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Mar 24, 2018 11:53:42   #
Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY
 
Its worth checking in your camera manual. Nikon recommends removing the camera from storage monthly and releasing the shutter to prevent mold and mildew. As far as the memory goes, most modern cameras allow you to back up your custom settings to a memory card. I think my camera lost my custom settings within a couple of days without a battery.

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Mar 24, 2018 12:12:30   #
lamontcranston
 
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


Good info. Thank you. I think I have read that the internal battery is charged by the main battery so I think my idea to store cameras without the main battery installed may be a bad idea. Thanks to all for the informative replies.

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Mar 24, 2018 12:18:30   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
lamontcranston wrote:
Good info. Thank you. I think I have read that the internal battery is charged by the main battery so I think my idea to store cameras without the main battery installed may be a bad idea. Thanks to all for the informative replies.


In some cameras it's actually a capacitor that gets charged, so it will be interesting to find out how often a battery needs to be installed to keep the internal source functioning. I read somewhere that zero power will provide a total loss of all memory and functions. The total reset!

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Mar 24, 2018 12:40:11   #
DNW
 
The Nikon manual say's that time and date you will lose but when you put the battery back in the cam...you reset the time and date but leave the battery in the cam for two days so it can charge the internal battery-capacitor.

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Mar 24, 2018 13:31:46   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
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.


User setting are written to Flash Memory EPROM and will last. The date/time is a seperate battery and will last a few months. I periodically insert a fully charged battery and start up the camera, and check if things are where I left them, operate the shutter, etc. And then but it back on the shelf for rest.

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Mar 24, 2018 13:32:03   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
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.


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

Did you have something to add?

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