Cold weather batteries

[gildersm]

Hi,
I am a wildlife photographer and have recently purchased an S2. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for batteries that do well at subzero temperatures--both lithium and AA (rechargeables would be nice!). The regular AA's and lithiums I've been using haven't lasted very well in the cold. One day I got through 3 lots of AAs, and my lithiums packed in after just 280 shots.

Suggestions greatly appreciated!

Michelle

[memobug]

I think you could make or buy an outboard battery pack that would plug into the aux power (ac adapter inlet) and you could strap the pack to yourself somewhere where it would stay warm.

Regards,

Matt

[gildersm]

Thanks Matt,
I'm really hoping to find batteries that are designed for subzero uses. I know they are out there somewhere, so if anyone knows of AA or lithiums that fit that category (and that are hopefully rechargeable) let me know!

Thanks,
Michelle

[gildersm]

Matt,
I checked with my local camera store--where I purchased my S2 about getting a battery pack that I could keep in a pocket or somewhere warm out in the field, but they didn't think anything was available for the S2. Is anyone aware of anything suitable?

Michelle

[Polarpics]

Michelle I live about a thousand miles due north of you and have been using the S2 for two months now here in the Northwest Territories. I swap battery trays. I bought a spare battery tray for the S2 and another for the Nikon MB-16 that I have mounted on the camera. The two trays loaded with fresh batteries stay under my parka and when the camera batteries start to die(about 20 minutes@ -30) I just exchange the trays. It can be done very quickly and the cold ones then warm up a bit under my parka. A few other things to watch for; the CCD really picks up dust in a cold dry atmosphere, the rubber trim around the viewfinder gets as hard as a rock and is easliy knocked off (I've lost two) and the top LCD may go black or unresponsive in about an hour or so at -30 or below. Other then that treat it the same as any other camera and observe all the cold climate shooting/camera gear tricks. Oh yes- I'm using 1800Mah NmH batteries - 16 of them!! with two smart chargers that I can use in my vehicle or at home.Have fun.

[Rvl]

Quantum and DCB make battery packs for the cameras.
Pricey but they can be used to power both a flash and the camera at the same time.

Quantum is about $450 , DCB is around $370. Both of those prices include camera and flash cables and chargers.

Quantum is heavier and available at most stores.
DCB(DigitalCameraBattery) is a new company. DCB are lighter.

[Mike Flood]

Originally posted by Polarpics
Michelle I live about a thousand miles due north of you and have been using the S2 for two months now here in the Northwest Territories. I swap battery trays. I bought a spare battery tray for the S2 and another for the Nikon MB-16 that I have mounted on the camera. The two trays loaded with fresh batteries stay under my parka and when the camera batteries start to die(about 20 minutes@ -30) I just exchange the trays. It can be done very quickly and the cold ones then warm up a bit under my parka. A few other things to watch for; the CCD really picks up dust in a cold dry atmosphere, the rubber trim around the viewfinder gets as hard as a rock and is easliy knocked off (I've lost two) and the top LCD may go black or unresponsive in about an hour or so at -30 or below. Other then that treat it the same as any other camera and observe all the cold climate shooting/camera gear tricks. Oh yes- I'm using 1800Mah NmH batteries - 16 of them!! with two smart chargers that I can use in my vehicle or at home.Have fun.
The extra battery trays are available at https://www.tallyns.com/Secure/BattryHldrS2Order.htm
That's a good tip on the cold temperatures making the CCD more inclined to pick up specks. I found, last winter that even in the moderate cold of Illinois my long tele (170-500 Sigma) got somewhat reluctant to move. The lens hood contracted so much that I couldn't remove it.

[Swampy]

Originally posted by gildersm
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for batteries that do well at subzero temperatures--both lithium and AA (rechargeables would be nice!).


Michelle,

I found these while researching rechargables. I just quoted what they say about them and it seems that these would fit your needs.. $5.49US each.

GE/Sanyo GES-LC123A1 Lithium Photo Battery
Because GE/SANYO lithium batteries have an extended application temperature range (-40°C to 140°F) you can use them almost anywhere. Plus, they have a shelf life up to 10 years.

Found them at http://shop3.outpost.com/product/1992377#detailed

Or http://outpost.com

Bryan

[KPRussell]

I have 3 sets of 2100 mah batteries from http://www.ipowerus.com/ and they have been working great for me. No problems or issues at all. They worked flawlessly in -7 Fahrenheit temperatures when I was in Minnesota recently.

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