Prolong Your Camera's Battery Life: Tips And Tricks

A dead camera battery is a nightmare for any photographer, and it can be devastating if that's the only thing stopping you from capturing a once-in-a-lifetime shot. While modern cameras are becoming more efficient, battery life is still a concern, especially with the numerous extra gadgets and features built into cameras these days. So, how can photographers ensure their camera's battery doesn't run out of juice at a crucial moment?

Turn off the image stabiliser

Image stabilisation is a feature that helps photographers take sharp pictures in lighting conditions that would otherwise be too poor. It also allows for sharp, handheld imagery at shutter speeds that would usually result in blurry images. However, if you are using a tripod, you won't need to stabilise your camera as it will already be still. In this case, turning off the image stabiliser will save battery.

Image stabilisation is also not necessary when photographing moving objects. In fact, it can make your images blurrier or shakier. So, if you are shooting moving objects, turning off the image stabiliser will save battery without compromising your images.

Image stabilisation is also not needed when using longer lenses, such as a 70-200mm. In this case, you could use a monopod, tripod, or simply rest your camera on an object. Alternatively, you could use a telephoto prime lens, which will allow you to get closer to the action and won't require image stabilisation.

If you are using a Pentax or a mirrorless camera, you can turn off sensor-based stabilisation, which will save a lot of battery power.

Finally, if you are shooting for a long period of time and need to conserve as much battery as possible, turning off the image stabiliser is a good way to do this.

Don't delete pictures from your camera

Deleting pictures from your camera can use up precious battery life. Here are some reasons why you should avoid doing so:

It consumes power

Deleting images from the memory card consumes power. It is better to delete your images on your computer and not directly from the camera's memory card. Memory cards are inexpensive and have large storage capacities, so you should not have to delete images to save space. Instead, insert a new card and continue shooting.

It can scramble the FAT table

Your camera is great at taking photos, but it is not very smart at managing the data on your memory card. Deleting individual images from the card using your camera is a great way to scramble the File Allocation Table (FAT). FAT is like a Table of Contents for your memory card. When you format a memory card, you are not actually erasing the card, you are just clearing the FAT.

It can cause data loss

If you delete images from your camera, you are at risk of losing data. Deleting on the camera, especially right after you take photos, means that the images are not backed up. The deleted photo may not be perfect, but it may be the best shot you could get in that situation.

It is inefficient

Deleting photos from your camera can be time-consuming and inefficient. Camera screens are small, making it difficult to view photos properly. The navigation on camera screens is also not very ergonomic, with inconvenient buttons that can lead to user errors, such as accidentally deleting photos you want to keep. It is much more efficient to delete photos on a computer, where you can view and select multiple photos at once and have a clearer view of the images.

It can affect battery health

The process of deleting photos can also affect the health of your camera battery. Deleting photos requires power, and if your battery is already low, the act of deleting photos can further drain the battery and cause it to die prematurely. It is better to save your battery power for taking photos than for deleting them.

Use the in-built flash sparingly

Using the in-built flash on your camera sparingly is a great way to save battery life. The flash is a well-known battery drainer, and while it is very useful in certain situations, it is not always necessary.

The in-built flash on most cameras uses a lot of power and can quickly drain your battery. This is because the flash needs to charge up in between uses, and this process uses a lot of energy. Additionally, the flash itself is a powerful light source, and it takes a lot of energy to produce that light. So, if you can avoid using the flash, you will save a significant amount of battery power.

There are a few ways to reduce your reliance on the in-built flash. Firstly, if you are shooting in good lighting conditions, you may not need to use the flash at all. Natural light can often be enough to illuminate your subject, so try shooting without the flash and see if you are happy with the results. You can also adjust your camera's settings to make the most of available light, such as increasing the ISO or adjusting the aperture.

If you do need to use a flash, consider investing in an external flash that attaches to your camera's hot shoe. External flashes have their own power source, so they won't drain your camera's battery. Just be sure to bring extra batteries for the flash, as they can also run out of power quickly.

Another way to reduce your reliance on the in-built flash is to use alternative lighting sources. Continuous lighting, such as LED panels or softboxes, can provide a more constant and reliable light source than flash. These lights also have the added benefit of allowing you to see exactly how your subject will be lit before you take the photo, which can be helpful in achieving the perfect shot.

Finally, if you absolutely must use the in-built flash, there are a few ways to minimise its impact on your battery life. Try to avoid using the flash on its highest setting; adjust the intensity to match the lighting conditions and your camera's settings. You can also try using a diffuser or bounce card to soften the light, which will make the flash more efficient and reduce the amount of power it uses.

By following these tips and using your in-built flash sparingly, you can significantly increase your camera's battery life and ensure that you don't miss a shot due to a dead battery.

Dim the brightness on your LCD screen

One of the most effective ways to save your camera's battery life is to dim the brightness of its LCD screen. This is because LCD screens consume a significant amount of power, and reducing the brightness can help extend the battery life by one or two hours.

To dim your LCD screen, locate the brightness settings in your camera's menu. The brightness settings can usually be found under the "Display" or "LCD Settings" options. Once you have located the brightness settings, use the slider or arrow buttons to adjust the brightness to a lower level.

It is important to note that reducing the brightness of your LCD screen may make it difficult to view the screen in bright sunlight or strong lighting conditions. In such cases, you may need to rely on the histogram to review your images accurately. Additionally, ensure that your LCD screen is not set to a low brightness setting in dark environments, as this can affect your ability to compose and focus your shots effectively.

Some cameras may also have an "auto-brightness" or "adaptive brightness" feature, which automatically adjusts the screen's brightness based on the surrounding lighting conditions. If your camera has this feature, you can turn it off to manually adjust the brightness to a lower level and save battery power.

By dimming the brightness of your LCD screen, you can significantly extend your camera's battery life and ensure that you have enough power to capture all the moments you want.

Avoid low temperatures

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can negatively impact the functionality of cameras and other devices. When the temperature drops below freezing, frost, ice, and snow are likely to form on the lens, limiting the camera's ability to capture footage.

To avoid this, ensure that your camera is stored at or above the device's operating temperature threshold, which is usually somewhere below 0° Celsius/32° Fahrenheit. If you're unsure of your camera's specific threshold, check for an IP rating, which indicates that it has been successfully tested against water and dust penetration and can withstand most weather conditions.

Additionally, when returning indoors from a winter photography trip, allow your camera to acclimate to room temperature gradually to avoid condensation, which could harm the electronics. Place it in a bag with silica gel packets or an alternative desiccant like white rice to help absorb any moisture.

These measures will help prevent damage to your camera and ensure that you can continue capturing images, even in cold environments.

Frequently asked questions