Posted by kitkat8888 on 19-Jan-2012 17:51 Report
What could be the fault please?
Hi everyone.

I've been having this problem on and off for a while now, and it's driving me nuts!
I have bought new (Good Quality) batteries for my camera and for some reason when i
put new batteries in, sometimes i only manage to get 12-30 photo's, and sometimes i only get
about 6 photo's,  the screen shows up to change the batteries, and the lens closes, if i wait a few seconds, i can actually get a few more photo's,even when the new batteries have hardly
had much use!

I just wanted to know if it is the batteries (or) maybe the mechanism in the camera is faulty....grrrrrrrrrrrrr
My camera is a Canon and has been pretty reliable!

What are your views, as i don't want to buy a new one, unless i really have to, as i'd have to hire purchase one!

Thanks in advance!

p.s. Am going to watch a bit of tv, then cook dinner, i will check answers soon! :)
P.S The batteries expire in 2017 (Duracell Alkaline) so am perhaps leaning towards the mechanism? Althought the camera is about 4+ years old!
 
Replied by goldhills on 19-Jan-2012 18:03 (Ref 2329227) Report
Normal batteries don't last very long at all, you need to use lithium batteries. I use Duracell Lithium in my Canon and get well over a couple of thousand photos before I need to change - lasts at least 3 mths and I take several hundred photos a week. They aren't cheap, about $5 each, but are easily available at most grocery stores that sell batteries - I get mine at IGA but Coles also has them and I presume Woolies do also though I never shop there. You can use rechargeable batteries too but I find I have to recharge every 50 photos or so.
Replied by pashmina on 19-Jan-2012 18:12 (Ref 2329228) Report
Only the lithium ones will work. 

To be honest...I gave my battery munching camera away... it was hopeless BIG TIME ...and batteries are too expensive,

I now have a small Sanyo Camera (about $100 from Target) ... that has it's own a rechargeable square battery.  I've been using it for about 4 years...without a hitch
Replied by richbartim on 19-Jan-2012 18:13 (Ref 2329229) Report
I had normal.. Duracell Batteries in my old camera my first digital camera. I was shocked too to find I only got a few photo's from them. turns out the screen uses a lot of power.
I then changed over to rechargeable batteries they worked out cheaper in the long run.
But now I have a newer Digital camera and that came with a rechargeable lithium..? battery. and WOW the difference..
Much better. so go for a Lithium rechargeable. problem should be solved.
Replied by kitkat8888 on 19-Jan-2012 18:14 (Ref 2329230) Report
Thanks goldhills!
But maybe it's not the batteries??
It's hard to say.
If cameras have been known to do this then i'd know what the problem is!
I'd like more info about this as well!
Just thought someone may have come across the same problem?
Replied by kitkat8888 on 19-Jan-2012 18:17 (Ref 2329232) Report
Wow...the idea of a camera with a rechargeble battery sounds good!
So, do you think it could still be a fault with the camera?
Just curious!...sorry!

Didn't get to watch tv, was on the phone, but will have to break away to cook dinner...lol

Sorry didnt mean  to post twice in a row !
Replied by sheila-bloke47 on 19-Jan-2012 18:25 (Ref 2329235) Report
I just use any batteries or the higher quality in my camera.  Okay its not a fancy one.  Owned one of them and it got nicked so am just using a Kodak Easyshare , I think.  Normal duracell give me around a couple of hundred photo's, fancier ones give me more.  Believe it or not the best AA batteries I found in the camera was a Coles brand but haven't seen those types for ages.  Varda batteies I find don't last long.

If your using fancy batteries I would haphazard a guess that something in the camera is draining them.  See if you have a camera shop around you and ask them or even jump online to Canon and ask them. 
Replied by kidsstuff on 19-Jan-2012 18:33 (Ref 2329237) Report
I only use rechargable one in our cameras.
Each charge lasts way longer than batteries and then it doesn't take long to charge them.
Replied by nara120 on 19-Jan-2012 19:43 (Ref 2329248) Report
Regular batteries just won't last long as you've found out. Buy the rechargeable batteries and a battery charger (can buy them in a pack which has charger and batteries for about $20-30).  You have to charge the batteries first, then can use them. They will last way longer and you can use the batteries over and over again. Just have a spare set fully charged for when you need to recharge the flat ones and that way, you can keep taking pics.
Other than that, buy a camera that uses the lithium batteries and you just recharge it when needed. These do seem to last a lot longer than rechargeable batteries.
Replied by koolkatzonline on 19-Jan-2012 20:12 (Ref 2329252) Report

I have the samsung S630, I rarely use it due to the power eating problem. I used a rechargeable batteries and it was worse. so now I use my webcam to take most pics which costs nothing

Penny

 
Replied by kitkat8888 on 19-Jan-2012 21:11 (Ref 2329257) Report
Thanks everyone for the many replies!
Well, looks like i may have to get a new camera with the inbuilt battery!
At least i won't have to spend a fortune with the AA'S.

Q1: By the way, can you buy a spare battery (The flat square one) for the camera?
Q2: Can you actually take it out to replace it (Like the mobile phones)?
Q3: What is the approx life of the battery?

Thanks penny, but i don't have a webcam, i don't choose to own one!
But nevertheless, it's a good idea! :)

Replied by ginger-puss on 19-Jan-2012 22:59 (Ref 2329275) Report
I have just brought a top range Digital SLR 35mm camera - mega dollars.  These come with a oblong shaped battery which is rechargeable and also has a battery charger with it.  You can buy spare batteries for them.  Warning they are not cheap.  Charge up in about an hour.

the above is probably out of your price range.  Canon is a very good brand of camera.  A lot of professionals use Canon or Nikon.  I like the Canon and have had a good run with them.  If you are going through batteries too quick then something maybe draining them.  Maybe there is a build up of dust in the camera.  Before going out and buying a new one, take it into a camera shop and ask them to check it out for you. 

Keep in mind the age of the camera as technology changes all the time and if parts need to be fixed or replaced it may not be worth fixing.  Often a good clean is the best cure for poor performance in a camera.

I dealt with Ted's camera shop in Melbourne and they were fabulous. 
Replied by captain-sparrow on 20-Jan-2012 02:57 (Ref 2329285) Report
I have bought many a Cannon cameras and they all have the same problem, I even went to Cannon and ask them why do the batteries don't last long, all they done was snarled at me and gave me some cheap batteries they had and refused to explain. So that was a waste of time and effort. I bought a dearer Cannon camera from a reputable department store, thinking this would be a better camera. Same thing happened with the batteries, no matter what batteries I purchased. I even went back to the store with the Cannon camera and all they could do is give me some batteries, they could not even work it out. I gave up on Cannon cameras and now I have a lithium battery powered camera, no more problems or hassles. At one stage, I thought I was draining the power out of the batteries. lol
Replied by kitkat8888 on 20-Jan-2012 08:31 (Ref 2329294) Report
That's Funny Captain sparrow!

Gosh, now at least i have plenty of helpful advice from such lovely members here!
Ok: will definately be looking at getting a new camera with a lithium battery!
I've spent an absolute fortune on batteries and not the cheapie ones either!
Thank you sooooo much for everyone's advice!
At least i know which direction i'm going!
Once again thank you everyone! :)

cheers kat
Replied by annieoakley2000 on 20-Jan-2012 09:42 (Ref 2329302) Report
I have an Olympus digital camera and probably a really ancient one by to-days standards and when I first bought it I also went through batteries like you wouldn't believe, until someone told me to get a battery charger and rechargeable batteries (why the store never told me this in the first place I'll never know), so that's what I did and never had a problem since.

For my listings I take heaps of photos and only use the ones that look the most pleasing to the eye, so the old camera and rechargeable batteries get a good work out every time I list something ........


Replied by nefer_sold on 20-Jan-2012 12:55 (Ref 2329321) Report

If you look at the manual that came with your camera it probably states to use Lithium batteries (I know all of mine do).  I have used Canon cameras for over 30 years (digital for last 14)  and never had any issues except for when I have used ordinary batteries in them.

You can also buy rechargeable Lithium batteries but they aren't as good as non rechargeable ones (talking about AA batteries here not the battery pack cameras).

I'd be looking at buying lithium batteries before investing in a new camera - its cheaper.

Replied by cezm on 28-Jan-2012 17:11 (Ref 2330362) Report
I have 2 Canons and have found some batteries last a lot longer than others. Using the screen drains a lot of power so I use the viewfinder where I can.

I had batteries the other day that only lasted for about a dozen photos. I cussed, took them all out, turned each one over, popped them back in and they are still going!
Replied by kitkat8888 on 28-Jan-2012 17:18 (Ref 2330366) Report
Hi  cezm
I've tried that too, but still i have the same problem!
Must be the camera for sure!
I've been doing lots of  googling and researching,
i have found a few cameras all with Lithium battery!
Now it's just a matter of which to choose?
And if i get approved for hire purchase?
Not really the road i want to go and am trying to hold off from that
for the time being, until by some miracle that my funds improve somewhat....lol

Ah well, will stretch it out until i'm sure which road to go!