Lithium vs. NiMH LSDs for Camera Use?

[Kankujoe]

My question pertains primarily to digital camera use. I have a Canon PowerShot A720is which uses 2 AA batteries.

Many photography experts say to carry a backup of Lithium batteries just in case your regular batteries go dead.

With the availability of NiMH LSDs is this (Lithium backup) still necessary? Lithiums are still rather expensive for single use (about the same price as most NiMH LSDs).

Thanks,
KJ

 

[Mr Happy]

I'd say it's much less necessary. If you carry spares of LSD cells with you, you'll be covered. You will however need to be disciplined enough to check your spares every few months to make sure they still hold a good charge.

 

[UnknownVT]

My question pertains primarily to digital camera use. I have a Canon PowerShot A720is which uses 2 AA batteries.
With the availability of NiMH LSDs is this (Lithium backup) still necessary? Lithiums are still rather expensive for single use (about the same price as most NiMH LSDs).

Canon A-series from my experience seem to be very tolerant and frugal with batteries - but I have only used the 4x AA models.

Sounds as though you'll be fine with LSD batteries -
especially since you intend to carry a spare pair.

According to the Canon A720IS specs - the shooting capacity is -
approx. 400 shots (AA-size Ni-MH Battery)
- LCD screen on. The above figures comply with CIPA testing standards and apply when fully-charged batteries are used.

This should mean even on the worst case scenario -
you'll be able to shoot a minimum of about 400 shots
just on the spare/backup pair alone!

Check the back-up pair every 3-4 months or so -
but you may have cycled round to using that pair by then.

I now use eneloops (4x) in my Pentax K100D dSLR which is well known to be fussy with batteries - and carry a second set of 4 as spare/backup.

I also have some Kodak Pre-Charged LSDs ($7.88/4 at WalMart) -
for my comparison for use in my dSLR see -

eneloop vs. Kodak Pre-Charged Voltage Maintenance

But the Canon A-series may not be as battery fussy -
so the Kodak P-C may work as well.

But to be on the safe side - I'd just get eneloops.

 

[Kankujoe]

Thanks for the information. It is very helpful.

I just recently started to investigate rechargeables and chargers. This site has been very helpful. One of the digital photography sites referenced battery info from this site. I forgot that I had been on this site back in 2006 when I had a question about a flashlight I purchased.

Since buying my new Canon digicam in February I have purchased a LaCrosse BC-900U charger, two 4 packs of Duracell pre-charged LSDs (made in Japan) and two 4 packs of Kodak pre-charged LSDs. I also bought a 4 pack of Energizier Lithiums which I will now return to Wally World (since I won't need them).

I guess I should be set for my camera battery needs for awhile.

The only other thing I'd like to get is a more portable charger for travel, something a little smaller and faster than my BC-900.

Thanks again,
KJ

 

[coppertrail]

I use eneloops in my A640 and have a spare set with me at all times. I've yet to be stranded without power

 

[flashlight]

No harm carrying a couple of AA lithiums as -

1) they are light (about half the weight of rechargeables)
2) you don't need to bring a charger for them
3) work well in low temps (not sure about how rechargeables in this aspect)

but of course in the long run rechargeables of any kind are more economical.

 

[UnknownVT]

The only other thing I'd like to get is a more portable charger for travel, something a little smaller and faster than my BC-900.

Don't know about faster - as the BC-900 can charge at up to 1.8A - so for the LSDs 2000-2100 mAh - that's under about 1hr 20mins pretty quick.

Of course you might consider the Energizer 15 min charger - SilverFox our resident battery & charger guru - recommends it - but it could "cook" batteries - Mr Happy, our other resident battery person that I take note of, mentions that his Kodak P-C got very HOT in the Energizer 15 min charger in Post #48 of thread - new Kodac "Pre Charged" NiMH batteries? - so beware - my limited knowledge is that the two killers of NiMH batteries are overcharge and overheat.

A couple of threads that might be useful -

Decent charger without adapter brick

Portable NIMH chargers, the best of the best?

 

[Kankujoe]

Kodak has a 1 hour fast charger that is packaged with their regular NiMH and NiMH LSDs. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions on this charger?

 

[Turbo DV8]

The only other thing I'd like to get is a more portable charger for travel, something a little smaller and faster than my BC-900.

The BC-900 will charge your cells up just about as fast as you can safely do so. Also, with LSD cells, especially if you carry a spare set, any charger faster than the BC-900's 1.8 amps is essentially unecessary. Why would one need a one-hour charger if the cells have only lost a few percent charge?

 

[Kankujoe]

The BC-900 will charge your cells up just about as fast as you can safely do so. Also, with LSD cells, especially if you carry a spare set, any charger faster than the BC-900's 1.8 amps is essentially unecessary. Why would one need a one-hour charger if the cells have only lost a few percent charge?

After getting my BC-900 I have decided that it will be the charger that I will use "at home" for my primary charging and battery maintenance. Sure I could take it with me when I travel but I would prefer one whose overall package is smaller (no power brick).

I guess I really do not need a "faster" charger... what I would like is a charger without a power brick and one that does come with a DC 12V cord so that I can charge/top off batteries in my car or in my camper. I don't feel comfortable using a charger that would take 4, 6 or more hours to charge using DC or a power inverter.

 

[UnknownVT]

Kodak has a 1 hour fast charger that is packaged with their regular NiMH and NiMH LSDs. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions on this charger?

I have read mixed reviews of this Kodak charger K-6200 - it is an independent channel charger - and has a rated charge current of 2.3A - good points - I have heard about the 2500mAh Kodak regular NiMH going bad with this charger more than once - not clear whether it was the charger or the batteries (or combination of both)

It got a good review at Amazon by Nlee the Engineer - who seems quite knowledgeable about batteries and chargers - he noted the charge current is actually halved when 3-4 batteries are charged, which seems better/kinder - at just above C/2 for the Kodak P-C.

 

[Ayeaux]

I also have a Canon A720is, and use Eneloops for it. I keep a spare set in the case. For us this works perfectly. Just recently we went on a short vacation for a few days and we shot about 4 gb of photos and movies with one set of Eneloops. After being home for a few weeks and shooting more pics and some viewing on the camera the low battery warning is just now coming on.