Do I Need to Bring my Digital Camera Charger?

[scotters]

What happened to the good ol' days when all you needed was a pack of AA's? Now I gotta haul a charger and a power adapter for my friggin camera!


I'm seriously considering not buying the Canon PowerShot SD300 now and shopping on the basis of a camera that will take normal batteries.

[chelseafc05]

^ thats wat i did ,made sure it would take AA...

[voyd]

Originally posted by scotters@Jan 9 2006, 05:54 PM
What happened to the good ol' days when all you needed was a pack of AA's? Now I gotta haul a charger and a power adapter for my friggin camera!


I'm seriously considering not buying the Canon PowerShot SD300 now and shopping on the basis of a camera that will take normal batteries.

[snapback]97691[/snapback]

The charger and adapter plug are small. Far smaller and cheaper in fact than having to load up on dozens of AA batteries...which you will get tired of constantly replacing, probably daily.

[@dam]

The SD300 + charger probably has roughly the same total volume and weight as a AA battery powered camera. It just comes in two pieces, and you'll usually only need to be carrying one of those pices around with you. Not to mention that rechargeables are more environmentally friendly.

Pretty much every sub-compact camera NEEDS a proprietary battery to meet it's size goals. Or, you can buy those cheap ebay batteries I mentioned before and just toss 'em as you use them.

[chelseafc05]

Originally posted by voyd@Jan 10 2006, 10:00 AM
having to load up on dozens of AA batteries...which you will get tired of constantly replacing, probably daily.

[snapback]97696[/snapback]

not energiser lithiums they can take up 600 shots before they need replacing

Lithium takes up to 600 pictures while leading
ordinary alkaline only takes up to 90 pictures*†
Weigh 1/3 less than standard alkaline batteries
Performs in even the most extreme temperatures
from -40 to 140 degrees F
15-year shelf life

[voyd]

Originally posted by @dam@Jan 9 2006, 06:01 PM
Not to mention that rechargeables are more environmentally friendly.

[snapback]97697[/snapback]

Agreed. Remember, batteries are filled with heavy metals and are toxic waste. Shouldn't we, as backpackers, try to minimize such bad pollution when possible?

[chelseafc05]

^not if we dispose of them in the correct manner. and lithiums last longer so there will be minimul waiste depending on the lenght of the trip

[chelseafc05]

heres some FAQ for ya

What's so special about Energizer® e2® Lithium batteries?

They provide exceptional life in cameras; they're lightweight and operate well
in extreme temperatures. They are the world's longest-lasting AA and AAA 1.5 volt cells in high tech devices.


How is a lithium battery different from an alkaline battery?

Battery chemistry and construction differ in the two systems. Energizer® e2® Lithium batteries are built in a spirally wound construction. This design helps the battery meet the high current drains of many of today's devices.





Why is lithium so powerful?

Since lithium is a very active material, it provides a great deal of power
relative to the amount of material used\\


What is the Energizer® e2® Lithium's temperature range?

Energizer e2 Lithium batteries work well in a wide range of temperatures, from -40°F to 140°F.



is lithium safe for the environment?

Yes. Much of the concern with the environment centers on heavy metals.
Lithium is the lightest metal known.




Can you mix Energizer® e2® Lithium batteries with Energizer® e2® batteries?

No. You should never mix different battery chemistries. Different battery chemistries discharge
differently in a device, which could potentially lead to premature battery failure of the lower
capacity battery.

[scotters]

And the debate rages on......

Sounds to me like it comes down to the convenience of having a pocket camera for the price of a charger. No charger = bigger camera.

What's everyone's experience with charing their batteries at hostels? (i.e. are you worried that it'll get stolen or does the charger just charge the battery (i.e. you plug the battery into the charger or the charger into the camera))

[@dam]

For the Canon, the charger holds the battery and plugs directly into the wall. It would be useless to anyone who doesn't already have the camera, and if they do have the camera then they already have the charger, too.

I have to be skeptical about anything that advertises how many pictures can be taken on their batteries. The type of camera makes a BIG difference there. Also, the disposable lithiums aren't much cheaper than the rechargeable one mentioned on the previous page. Just bring a handful of those.

[scotters]

Thanks all for the info!

How about power adapters? How many different kinds will I need for my trip to Greece : Italy : France : Switzerland : UK?

Also where can I find them?