subject: How To Preserve Digital Camera Batteries [print this page] A boon with digital cameras is the freedom to keep clicking without worrying about wasting film reel or the post processing leg work. You click as many times as you want, check the results on the fly and delete pictures that didnt click the chord! However in all this, what you need is a regular supply of batteries that let you keep clicking without worrying about preserving its life. However not all can afford multiple batteries or the extra bags to carry them. So what does one do in this case?
The simple answer to this is to know how to preserve battery life and understand how it is consumed by the digital cameras.
First up, what you need is a clear cut approach to clicking. When not clicking, it is recommended that you keep the camera shut down. There is no point wasting battery life for LCD display when you dont need it. Many a times it happens that people forget switching the camera off and the battery dies sooner than they expected! Dont let this happen especially when you are low on the battery life.
You also need to know that cold weather consumes battery faster than normal conditions and therefore you got to be extra cautious of it. Switching off the digital camera when you dont need it, clicking conservatively and not experimenting much can ensure that you have battery life when it matters the most.
Next up, you also need to know that using features such as the auto focus and other automations consumes battery life. If you own a DSLR camera and know how to dial into focus ring and capture sharp images, it is always advisable to switch to the Manual mode and focus on your own. All this ensures that the extra processing is avoided, which in turn gives more breathing space for the battery.
Another approach is to switch the LCD panel off (in digital cameras that allow it) and avoid reviewing the images every now and then. There are digital cameras that let you choose whether you want previews or not. Shut that option down when the battery is low and you add some more shots to your photographic trip.
You can also look into the display settings if shutting down the display is not an option. Things such as contrast, brightness and colors consume battery life. If there is a way to lower the brightness and contrast, make full use of that and this again adds more battery life.
In the end, do not forget to carry a car charger or chargers that let you recover some battery life unconventionally such as the solar chargers. If not very effective, they do push in some battery life for capturing memorable pictures.
