Pointless tips that might or might not help you out at all.

[Bob]

Cuppa espresso in a can of Guinness -- Beeruccino, Breakfast of Champions!

[Bob]

Save those old condoms, they could come in handy.

[ygmir]

Save those old condoms, they could come in handy.

hey now..........

[theCryptofishist]

Where's the JGG's "cupbearer" the Little Green Sprout?

[ranger magnum]

Baby powder. Helps with chaffing...

[theCryptofishist]

Don't read 2666.

[International Incident]

Cuppa espresso in a can of Guinness -- Beeruccino, Breakfast of Champions!

Shhh don't tell everybody. You'll spoil it! And then I won't be able to buy any damn decent guinness in Reno.

[gyre]

Here's some free legal advice:


Never take legal advice from a cop.

[tattoogoddess]

Tan ahead of time and make sure to visit the dentist to. Can't imagine how shitty a cavity would be out on the playa.
Also get a pedicure to remove caluses. I know... feet hurt when they get thick.

[gyre]

Or take vitamin D and wear sunscreen out there.

[PurplMyst]

Rechargeable batteries! Now you can get solar chargers even. Put last night's batteries in the charger during the day & you're all good to go by the time the sun goes down. And no gnarly battery refuse. Ta-da!

[tattoogoddess]

Rechargeable batteries! Now you can get solar chargers even. Put last night's batteries in the charger during the day & you're all good to go by the time the sun goes down. And no gnarly battery refuse. Ta-da!

Know any web sites for this? I just got batteries at dollar tree- brand name. I took 3 pics and my camera died! So I need to get something else.

[gyre]

You have to look at the capacity besides the brand.
Newer AAs should be 2500 to 2900.
Most C and D cells are fakes with AAs inside, but the real ones are out there.
Not cheap.

For a camera, you want NIMH.
Try to get a smart charger.
If available, a lithium rechargeable is the way to go, or a lithium disposable as an option.

The lithium disposables are light and good for headlamps.

Best brands are Panasonic, Toshiba, Duracell, Energizer (though I hate them. Their alkalines leak) etc
There is a superb german brand and some others.

Some cameras run on the better alkalines high discharge type.
Turn off the flash.
Some won't at all.

[Canoe]

Some of the dollar store type batteries are counterfeit. Or out of date. Check the dates. The Rayovac alkaline were my top choice when I was a photographer, then they dropped the thin cardboard packaging for over-sized plastic crap. I've since had good results with the Costco alkalines.

[junglesmacks]

DO eat the brown acid.

[Eric]

Rechargeable batteries! Now you can get solar chargers even. Put last night's batteries in the charger during the day & you're all good to go by the time the sun goes down. And no gnarly battery refuse. Ta-da!

Know any web sites for this? I just got batteries at dollar tree- brand name. I took 3 pics and my camera died! So I need to get something else.

I use a ton of batteries for my photography, and rechargeables die on me way too fast. Don't ever get them at a dollar store for the reasons mentioned above, but watch places like Walgreens/CVS/Rite-Aid etc for sales. Batteries seem to go on sale at least once a month a those places- get the big pack (for AA it's usually 16-20 batteries). Buying the small packs "to save money" will end up costing you in the long run, unless you really think you'll only use 4 batteries in the next few months. I use 4 batteries every single time I go out (mega flash eats batteries) so I get a couple of big packs at a time.

You really don't want cheap batteries at Burning Man- the last thing you need is for your lights to die right before you go into a JOTS in the dead of the night...

[Fufa]

Not all gifted gummy bears are JUST gummy bears...

[tattoogoddess]

Rechargeable batteries! Now you can get solar chargers even. Put last night's batteries in the charger during the day & you're all good to go by the time the sun goes down. And no gnarly battery refuse. Ta-da!

Know any web sites for this? I just got batteries at dollar tree- brand name. I took 3 pics and my camera died! So I need to get something else.

I use a ton of batteries for my photography, and rechargeables die on me way too fast. Don't ever get them at a dollar store for the reasons mentioned above, but watch places like Walgreens/CVS/Rite-Aid etc for sales. Batteries seem to go on sale at least once a month a those places- get the big pack (for AA it's usually 16-20 batteries). Buying the small packs "to save money" will end up costing you in the long run, unless you really think you'll only use 4 batteries in the next few months. I use 4 batteries every single time I go out (mega flash eats batteries) so I get a couple of big packs at a time.

You really don't want cheap batteries at Burning Man- the last thing you need is for your lights to die right before you go into a JOTS in the dead of the night...

Oh yeah I forgot about that. I bet i could get a good deal if I find a coupon for them to. I have a fuji s9000 so it eats them like candy. I have a flip as well and was thinking about bringing it to but I think I am just going to buy a few more cards and just use my fuji to shoot video. So I am going to need alot of them. I also need alot of AAA's and C's I would say im prob going to spend over $100 on batteries alone. Ugg.

[Savannah]

I always take advantage of Walgreen's "Buy 1 Get 1" batteries (store brand). They seem to do this every 3 or 4 weeks . . .

For camera batteries I buy online at major sites, because customer reviews tend to give it to you straight re: quality. I love taking pictures too much to risk (bad) counterfeits; something I didn't realize happened 'til my first digital. I found a nice battery brand that doesn't match my camera's brand, but is compatible and well-rated (by a large number of people; important).

[gyre]

I buy duracell industrial alkaline.
35-80 cents for AA, AAA
AA is cheaper or the same.
80 cents to $1 for C and D cells

I've never had luck with alkalines on a camera.
Newer high output ones may work though.
I've always heard nimh was the way to go.
Lithium is better.
Disposable lithium is about $2.50 in AA.

Lithium packs are always better.
I do have a big nicad or nimh pack, 8 or 12 amps at 12 volts for flash use.

It looks like there are no lithium packs for that camera.
It is new enough to be light sensitive though.
Even shoots raw.
I can shoot with LED lighting or none with my fuji.

I bought a video camera w/zoom and lithium pack for $35.
Lodef but digital tape.
Might be an alternative.

The older a camera, the more power hungry usually.

[tattoogoddess]

Was that in English?

[SnowBlind]

Costco has large packs of AAA, AA, C, D and sometimes 9V (those only in months were you don't need them) for what I recall was a decent price. They usually have both Duracell and Kirkland. (One of these days I'll buy both and run a comparison series to see if there is any difference.)

[ygmir]

I buy duracell industrial alkaline.
35-80 cents for AA, AAA
AA is cheaper or the same.
80 cents to $1 for C and D cells

I've never had luck with alkalines on a camera.
Newer high output ones may work though.
I've always heard nimh was the way to go.
Lithium is better.
Disposable lithium is about $2.50 in AA.

Lithium packs are always better.
I do have a big nicad or nimh pack, 8 or 12 amps at 12 volts for flash use.

It looks like there are no lithium packs for that camera.
It is new enough to be light sensitive though.
Even shoots raw.
I can shoot with LED lighting or none with my fuji.

I bought a video camera w/zoom and lithium pack for $35.
Lodef but digital tape.
Might be an alternative.

The older a camera, the more power hungry usually.

Was that in English?

.................snickering....................

[gyre]

Was that in English?

What do you need translated?

Oh, congrats on your ticket, before I forget.

[tattoogoddess]

No just put in terms that a 27 year old with a mental capacity of a 7 year old can get haha. I don't know crap about batteries/volts ect.

[gyre]

The problem with cameras is that some require high discharge rates.
Alkaline often crash with this.
They make high power versions like the duracell ultra.

The other option is disposable lithium, good for high discharge or slow and stable use.
They have a flat output until they fail.
About 2-3 times the power of alkaline.

Rechargeable comes in different values, mostly due to age or brand quality.
They also put out lower voltage, not a problem for most cameras.
NIMH is more stable.
Most are nimh now.
Duracell offers a more stable model and a lesser one.
Older batteries may have as little as 1500 mah.
Standard now is around 2650, with some reaching 2900 mah for a AA.
More is better.

A AAA should be around 800-1000 mah.

You can also use an external pack.
D cell alkalines might even work.

Don't buy old or off brand batteries if you don't know what you are doing.
I have had many leakage issues with eveready.
Varta is my favorite brand.
Then Pana.
Duracell is the cheapest rechargeable I would buy myself.

If you find deals you want to compare, feel free to post here and ask or email me.
The photo forums might be useful.

For video, I still think you might come out cheaper with a dedicated camera.
Most still cameras have limited or no zoom in video mode too.
Try to get a camera with more than one battery if you can.

You shouldn't need a lot of light with that camera.
An external light source can keep light use down.
Running in video mode will put a steady load on the battery though.
For comparison, the battery with my video camera is good for about an hour and a half in daylight.

I hope this helps.

I'd get the best smart charger you can afford and nimh batteries myself.
You have some options though.

Bhphoto may have some options.
I've used their dc car chargers.
Smart dc chargers are on the high end though.
Their cheap ones have been useful.
Dura or everready have had one in ac though.

[oneeyeddick]

Yeah, that was a lot easier to read

[gyre]

Feel free to chime in, Dick.

[oneeyeddick]

Buy a camera that uses 2 AA batteries for the flash.
Buy a huge ass pack of Duracell.
Be sure to put the batteries in the camera the right direction for maximum performance.
Carry spares.
Problems solved.

[gyre]

If that works for your camera, go for it.
My experience with my AA camera and others, was 3 continuous shots, max of 15, without flash.