Extend battey life?

[Major Stare]

Did my first motorsport event this weekend using TV mode (so you can see im a newbie).

My Canon 400D battery didnt last the two days, infact it only just made it till 10.30 this morning

Should i buy another battery the same, or, i have seen a battery that connnects under the camera??? I presume this would last considerebly longer.

 

[Trig's]

Silly question but was it fully charged before you left :shrug:

Times like this is when you should have a spare battery at hand - but thats always easily said once the "horse has bolted".. But not doubt people will say that you should always have a spare to hand...

We all learn by our mistakes... Yep & there will be many more

 

[Paul Male]

Buy another battery, there not much for a 400D, you can buy a grip for the camera if you wish which will hold 2 batteries.

 

[TinaC]

I have four batteries for my 400D. These lasted me almost 10 days recently. I would always say buy more batteries! Not very expensive, mine are a mix of Canon and 'others'

 

[Major Stare]

Rather than changing batteries (i suspect at an awkward time), would one of these be the better bet with two Cannon batteries?.....

 

[birdy961]

Used to have a 400d with the battery grip

Batterys used to last for ever, always kept two charged just in case though

 

[andyred]

Battery grips are great, they add extra weight and size to the body - which some people like and others don't. The cheaper option (bearing in mind a grip doesn't come with batteries) is just to buy an extra battery or 2 - easy to keep one in a pocket in case

 

[andyred]

Do you have the camera to automatically power down after a period of time (kind of goes into stand by) as this can help to save battery life. Don't forget if you are possibly short on battery life, don't review photos on the LCD screen very often

 

[Nod]

First thing, turn off the image review after each shot - the LCD screen on the back is probably the most power hungry part of a DSLR.

Make sure the battery is fully charged before an extended shoot, along with any spares.

Yes, a grip may help as long as you remember to make sure the battery(ies) in it are fully charged.

Swapping a battery over takes just a couple of seconds, so when there's a break in the action, you should have time to do the swap - practice until you feel you're fast enough - same with memory cards, although using a large card can negate the need to change mid race.

Tv mode is (IIRC) Canon's name for Shutter Priority? If so, why does that make you a newbie? I'm sure many others of us use that mode to keep the shutter speed we want to show some wheel and background blurring when panning, or indeed to freeze the action.

 

[Major Stare]

Cheers.

I have purhcased a Canon grip (non cheapo ebay copy) and additional battery.

I always charge batteries the night before a shoot and the camera turns off after 30seconds.

I'll change the LCD settings so it doesnt auto preview and its turns off.

Reason im in this section of the forum and mentioning TV mode..... first time i have ever used it last weekend (previously used the auto mode).

 

[Benj]

Battery grips are awesome Especially on the xxxD range of cameras, which I find very small and awkward in the hand without them.

 

[tdodd]

John, £5 for one battery or £8 for two, including delivery....

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=8346

I've used their larger BP511 equivalent batteries in my 30D/40D/50D, as have many, many others, with no problems

 

[micloi]

+1 for a grip + another battery (or 3!)

You can get very decent 3rd party grips for around £30 to £40 and batteries for £5 each.

EDIT:
OOPS, just read your post that you already bought one of each.

You see, mind control does work

 

[Gonetae]

I think you'll really like the battery grip, I was lucky enough to get one with my 400D when I bought it and the first thing I bought was 2 spare batteries, when I bought my 50D funds were a bit tight and I couldn't afford a grip for it. I found it very strange and awkward shooting without a grip especially in portrait orientation... I was a very happy bunny a few weeks later when I did get a grip though and of course the pocketful of spare batteries.

 

[jockwav]

Battery grips are brilliant,i have 5 batteries all together,they aren,t that expensive.

 

[andrewc]

Get a second battery, or charge overnight.

Also try a grip, which contains 2 batteries as well as having duplicate set of controls for portrait shooting.

 

[Major Stare]

Cheers all,

Fitted the grip tonight with fully charged batteris.

The camera feels so much better in portrait position and the additional buttons means its easier to use