Betteries
Batteries have come a long way. But I notice that not everyone knows this.
Modern cameras overwhelmingly use Lithium Ion batteries:
They are recognisable by the word “LiIon” on the battery.
These batteries are fundamentally better than Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, all of which suffer to some extent from what we call the “memory effect”: if you do not discharge them fully at regular intervals, their capacity diminishes.
LiIon batteries, on the other hand, like to be kept charged. You can charge them daily and this does not harm them or diminish their capacity. So every day when you get home, charge your camera’s battery, so that you have a full charge when you leave the next day.
(And you always have a spare at hand, too – right?)
LiIon batteries also have a low rate of self-discharge: they keep their charge for a longer time without running down by themselves.
This is why I call them “betteries”.
A Better Battery Charger
When you use AA or AAA batteries, like those in your flash, use rechargeables. But they lose 10% of their charge on day 1 and 2% each subsequent day. Worse, your batteries are NiMH so they have a “memory effect”.
The solution:
- Only use conditioning chargers, like the Lacrosse. They discharge your NiMH batteries before recharging. Worth every penny.
- Use low-discharge batteries, like the Eneloop batteries. They keep their charge.
Problem solved!
I have three of these Lacrosse chargers.
Charge!!
Nope.. not the command of the Light Brigade commander to his men.
Well, that too. But in my case, advice.
Unlike the old “memory effect” NiCad or NiMH batteries, modern Lithium Ion (LiIon) batteries like to be charged every day. Like your car battery. They do not suffer from being topped up all day every day – rather the reverse. They like it.
And your modern camera battery is the same. Which is great news. It means you never have to leave home without a fresh, 100% full battery.
So here is my advice: charge your battery daily. Yes, every day. Every time i get home, my battery gets a topup. That is good for LiIon batteries, and no they do not suffer as a result. The charger will stop when they’re done. And doing this daily is good for LiIonbatteries.
Sometimes, technology gets better. Actually, often it does. It is rare that it gets worse. Concorde is one of the very rare examples of the opposite.
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