(Batteries / Shots) * Time = ???

[Kirk]

The batteries I've got are about a year and a half, maybe 2 years old. I did 350 shots this weekend over a 2 hour span and was still good.

So my question(s) is...

"With a battery grip attached so you have 2 batteries. How much mileage do you get out of your batteries? Shots and years of use?"

I would think that after 2 years or so these things should be garbage, but they still seem to be going strong.

[A.C. Gellert]

You are very lucky in my opinion.. My camera requires 2 CRV3 batteries. They last about two hundred shots or so... (I havent actually counted.) They sell for about 19.00 a pair at Wal-Mart (the cheapest place I have found).

I bought a charger and 4 of the rechargeable ones awhile back, but they dont hold the charge very long, and they dont seem to last for as many shots either.

[SteveB]

Kirk,

If you get ~200 shots on a single battery and are able to put 2 into a grip then you do literally get close to double the shots or 400 per charge. If the batteries are charged correctly and stored in good conditions you will be able to charge them several hundred times before you have any issues.

[Kirk]

The 2 Canon NB-2LH batteries still work very well I guess. I actually have yet to shoot enough pictures in a day to deplete them to the point that it registers on the battery meter.

Unlike those CRV3 batteries, these are twice to 3 times the price for just one (No name brand vs. Canon original).

Maybe while I'm down in PA this summer. I'll have stop by Walmart and check the availability and prices of these batteries. See if I can get them cheaper there. It would be nice to have backups.

[JKlebPhoto]

I get great results out of my canon batteries (bp511) and I do wonderful things like leaving one on the charger all the time. I don't know how many shots they're good for because I'm usually suprised to see one low before I change them out out of habit. I'd say 300 or more. I would like to get a grip just because it's more ergonomic for shooting portrait format.

[RSStory]

I have the grip on my 30D and have a couple batteries that are now over 4 years old and still going strong. I can generally shoot an all day wedding and reception without changing batteries, on the rare occasion that I have had to change them it is usually right at the end of the night.

Scott

[solent]

Here's an interestign aticle about batteries and self discharge rates: Coding Horror: Adventures in Rechargeable Batteries

[r_fredrick_smith]

I have the 20D with the bp511 batteries. Two are Canon model and 4 are off brands that I paid $12.00 for each. All still work just fine for 200 shots or more. I've found that one of the Canon batteries is starting to weaken (the oldest). These batteries have no memory, so you can charge them to full power each time. They do have life however measured in number of recharge cycles. Few of us will encounter that if you have several batteries like myself. They do lose some of their charge on a regular basis when in storage. But if you shoot regularly, this has little effect. If you go on a big project, just be sure to recharge all your batteries if its been a long time since they've been charged.

cheers,
rfs

[JKlebPhoto]

I have the 20D with the bp511 batteries.

Are you using a grip with this camera? If you are is it worth the money?

[r_fredrick_smith]

Originally Posted by JKlebPhoto

Are you using a grip with this camera? If you are is it worth the money?

No. I don't like the grip because it makes the camer bigger. I want the camera to be lightweight since I sometimes use heavy lens. I find the balance just right for me with no grip. The extra battery advantage of a grip is rarely of any value as it only takes a few seconds to switch in a 2nd battery when needed.
Cheers,
Roger