Question for Swankenstein or anyone with a underwater camera

[94GTStang]

I got the rechargeables from Energizer. They have a package deal with four of them and the 15 minute charger for $30. I usually carry an extra set of batteries and change them out on the surface interval. Then recharge them in a flash once I get back to the hotel. Never had a problem of my batteries going dead on me on a dive.

 

[Missdirected]

I had one of those cameras and hated that it did not last. Like you, I got about 20 minutes. Using the strobe...forget it.

 

[Flash!]

I use Powerex 2700mAh rechargables and a Maha charger in my Canon A710 IS. I've been very happy with them and with the retailer I linked there (thomas distributing). With two AAs, I easily get a full dive, using the flash regularly. I think I could get two dives out of a set, but prefer to be safe and swap between dives. If the camera held 4 AAs like some of the other Canon's, I probably wouldn't switch.

Remember to charge your batteries the night before or as close to your dive time as possible. Standard NiMH batteries start to lose their charge slowly as soon as they are off the charger. If you fully charge a set and let it sit in your camera or camera bag for a few months before you try to use them, they'll be much less than fully charged.

There are some low-drain AAs like the Sanyo Eneloop which can be charged and left for 6 months and still have 90% charge left, but they are only 2000mAh. For diving, you're better off to pick up high quality, high mAh batteries and just charge them right before you dive.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

Just curious, What type of batteries do you use in you underwater camera and how long do they last in our cold waters?

The reason why I asked is that I just got myself a Sealife reefmaster mini and I put new energizer batteries and they were dead within about 20 minutes of diving. The built in flash was used on all 19 pictures. I talked to the shop where I got it and they said that this was not right but could give me any real amount of time that batteries last as he did not use one so I thought I would ask you as you are an avid photographer, and yes I enjoy your web site.

The shop said to try another set which I will tommorrow (duracells) and I will see how it goes if not he said to bring it back and he'll exchange it.

Thanks

I have 16 2700 or 2900 batteries for my strobes and camera. It takes 8 to operate everything. I picked up two chargers. If I'm doing a two tank dive I'm under the water for over two hours and I still have plently of juice when I get out.

I clean up the camera, reivew pictures with the old set, etc. Then I slap in a new set and I 'm good to go. With my older camera and weaker batteries I was having to change batteries during the surface interval which I didn't really like to do. I just drop the camera in the camera bucket after the first dive and pull it out for the second dive. Makes life much easier.

You may have to hunt a little for the higher ma batteries. I ordered mine from Radio Shack and have had them for nearly two years with no problems.

 

[MarkH]

I have 16 2700 or 2900 batteries for my strobes and camera. It takes 8 to operate everything. I picked up two chargers. If I'm doing a two tank dive I'm under the water for over two hours and I still have plently of juice when I get out.

I clean up the camera, reivew pictures with the old set, etc. Then I slap in a new set and I 'm good to go. With my older camera and weaker batteries I was having to change batteries during the surface interval which I didn't really like to do. I just drop the camera in the camera bucket after the first dive and pull it out for the second dive. Makes life much easier.

You may have to hunt a little for the higher ma batteries. I ordered mine from Radio Shack and have had them for nearly two years with no problems.

I've been wondering for awhile about the accuracy of some of the mAh ratings. I don't know about in the US, but the highest I can find up here in the major stores is 2500mAh. You'd think that if the technology had advanced enough to allow higer capacities, all of the major manufacturers would be producing them and distributing them to the stores to try and out-do each other. Instead there are some obscure brands claiming higher ratings and being sold online. I may be sceptical, but I thought I knew how commercialism (ie: the megapixel race, computer processing power, etc.) works and assumed that if the higher mAh ratings were realistic, they would be the standard for everyone.

 

[CUunderH2O]

Thanks guys, I am trying both the duracell and some rechargables that I have 2100mAh tommorrow (Sat) and will see how they do. (2 dives).

Who sells the NIMHs? I have not heard of them.

Costco in Canada sells rechargeable Sanyo 2500 mAh NIMh batteries, complete with charger, as well as sets of extra AA rechargeable batteries. Good prices too. I have 4 sets of 4 AAs and 2 chargers; they work great in my older camera system and my strobe.

I also have a set of Energizer rechargeable AAs that I use with that charger system, they work fine too.

 

[TheWetRookie]

Update

Well the next dive I dove with new duracels and well not much better with only about 20 pics. Pretty sad

So I went out and got some Energizer recharables 2500 mAh nimphs and well the short version of the story is that they work great.

After 3 hours of dive time on one pair of batteries, some 250 pictures (I just held the cam and kept clicking, using the flash also) 16 videos, the battery level only dropped 1 bar of the 3.

Ya, these will do just fine

Now all I have to do is learn how to take pictures

Thank you swankenstein and others for solving my battery problems

 

[azcaddman]

if you're curious about the batteries 'real' power rating, look into getting the maha mh-c9000 charger .. google it on thomas distributing for specs.

 

[The Kraken]

I'll second the Enegizer 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries.

I have a Fuji E900, and Fuji's don't have the best reputation for battery life, but I'm getting several hours continuous use with these batteries. I can get 120+ shots with flash.

the K