Battery Life.

[smudger879n]

Hi, I have a Kodak Z1275 digital camera and have used re-chargeable batteries in it, but have found that they do not last very long? Also, they tend to go flat if they are left in the camera while not being used.
So I have just bought two of the ordinary batteries, with the hope that they will last longer.
Had anyone got any advice as to which ones are the best, and do you have to remove your ones as well, to stop them going flat?
Thanks in advance

[jinky]

The crucial difference between rechargeable batteries is how long they hold their charge when not in use. I`ve had good use out of Duracell Active charge rechargeables, Eneloops and Hama from 7 day shop.From these get the highest amh levels you can but do not think if you see other cheaper batteries with a high AMH rating that they will last longer - charge retention is key.

[chris-p]

What mAH batteries are you using?

The way it works is the mAH rating (milli-amp hours) is the amount of charge that can be stored by the battery. The higher the mAH the more power the batteries can hold but sadly the quicker they loose it.

All batteries loose charge through natural drainage but this is especially evident with rechargeables. It's a tradeoff. If you charged some 1700 mAH and 2700 mAH batteries and took them straight off the charger and left them on the shelf the 2700's would be flat first.
Which ones would last longer in you camera depends on how much current your camera draws.

For a camera like yours I would recommend going for something like four 2300 mAH as they will charge faster (the more mAH the longer the charging time). That way you have a set in the camera and a set on charge. They will loose charge slower than 2700's and shouldn't affect the "power on" time of the camera too much.

Personally I use batteries like these. It's the charger that really dictates how long they charge and it's worth paying the £30-ish for a kit with a faster charger (at least thats my opinion anyway! )

[smudger879n]

Thanks for your replies, the batteries that I have are the exact same ones on that link you posted, but mine are 2500 mAh. I got two free with the charger I bought which is also a Energinzer, the other two I bought afterwords.
I have since bought a pair of Energizer throw away batteries, and so far they have done OK, as I take them out of the camera when its not in use. I will buy some of those other ones you mentioned as they have a higher mAh number, thanks again for all your help.

[cosmicma]

keep your eye out for some uniross hybrio rechargables or the maplin equivelent hybrids
there are other makes but i don't know there names

these type of rechargables maintain 80 percent of their charge over a 12 month period and have a rating of 2100 mah
not thie highest capacity batteries on the market but my findings is they outlast nimh of higher ratings on average because they stay charged
ideal for cameras flash units etc..

here's a link to the maplin versions
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219932

[GerryBateson]

I had a problem like this and almost bought a new camera. thankfully it was the batteries. I had many sets and two chargers so didn't logically suspect them. It seems that after a couple of years of use they won't power my SLR but work OK in my large compact. I boght a set of eneloop batteries and I'm away again.

I'm still quids in though with all the cahrges I've have over the months.