Tuesday Tips

The number one best camera tip I can offer any photographer (besides experiment) is to buy extra batteries. It doesn't matter if you own a SLR, a DSLR, or a point-and-shoot camera... running out of batteries and not being able to capture what you see in front of you is a needless sort of frustration.

When you research what camera to purchase, don't forget to take note of the type of batteries the models you are comparing use. It varies greatly, and might make a difference to you when choosing between two similar models. The convenience of standard batteries (AA) might make a difference if you plan to travel with your camera. No need to pack extra chargers when you can just stop anywhere to pick up fresh batteries.

With that said, the battery life on some AA powered camera's can become another source of frustration. So, even with the convenience of purchasing new AA batteries, I recommend also investing in a charger, and rechargeable if that's the camera option you go with. I find it most convenient to have a full set of batteries on a charger, and a set in my camera. Easy to grab the fully charged set to throw in your camera bag when you adventure out with your point and shoot.

Most DSLR's require a larger power source, so they either use larger standard batteries, or just more of them. Some come with their own, proprietary rechargable battery packs, usually little blocks, and each camera typically ships with just one. (although some places offer add-on packages that include an extra battery - check the price on purchasing a 2nd battery to know if the add-on is a good value).

The most common, non-standard battery packs for DSLR's are as follows:

• Lithium Ion (Li-on) — This is what my Nikon uses. The battery life is long, but is easily depleted when I am forced to use my flash. They are rechargeable, and can be charged again and again for a long time. Replacements are pricey, but worth having an extra.
• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) — Ni-MH batteries are the most common replacement for standard AA, since they can be recharged again and again.
• CR-V3 — This battery type is equivalent to 2AAs, and come in both rechargeable and non-rechargeable versions.

Having an extra battery pack or charged standard batteries makes it less important to pay attention to the battery warning light. Especially since that's the least reliable feature on a camera, and running out of power is the most frustrating (and avoidable) issue that you can plan for.