Cameras & Camcorders

[TechGirl]

Ok would u rather have regular batteries or rechargeable batteries if u were going on a trip?

(for ur digital camera).

If so where can i find a charger for the rechargeable batteries at a reasonable price. I don't want to be spending 50 bucks on the charger even if it comes with rechargeable batteries.

[Entropy]

All of my cameras use rechargeable Li-Ions, so I say rechargeable! 

If you have a camera that takes AAs, I strongly reccommend rechargeables.  Alkaline batteries die fast in cameras.  If you get the special nonrechargeable lithiums that last far longer, you will quickly spend more on batteries than you would on a good charger.

You can find charger/battery combos for $20 or less, but when it comes to battery chargers, you get what you pay for.  Pro photographers that use batteries frequently in flash units typically swear by two models - the LaCrosse BC-900 and the MaHa MH-C9000.  I have an MH-C9000 and love it.  I forget how much my MaHa was, it was around $50.  You can find the LaCrosse for $40-45 including 4 AAs and 4 AAAs right now.  (Can't link to the vendor from these forums though.)  The key is that you want a charger that charges each cell independently to maximize the total lifetime of each cell you buy.  Unfortunately it's often hard to tell which chargers do this and which don't.  There's at least one model sold by WMart that's deceptive - it looks like it has a display for independent charge of each cell, but in reality it has one charging circuit that puts all the cells in series.  Moral of the story - don't buy battery chargers at WMart.  I've had 2-3 4-packs of AAs become effectively useless due to that cheapo WM charger.

Also seriously consider the new NiMH batteries that are marketed as "Hybrid", "Ultra Low Self Discharge (ULSD"), or often "Pre-Charged NiMH".  Normal NiMH batteries lose a decent portion of their charge each week and need to be "topped off" frequently.  The new ULSD ones sacrifice a bit of battery capacity (usefulness per charge) to allow them to retain their charge for months without needing a "top off".

[hootnholla]

The first response said it right...

You get what you pay for.  Pay good money for rechargeable and use for life.

Do the opposite and end up paying $20-$50 every so often.

As of right now, 2009, the hybrid Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells are the best.  Also check out Sanyos new rechargable batteries.  I have never used the e2 lithium by energizer but I have heard thaty they are good(Found on bestbuy).   Hope this helps.

[Entropy]

e2 lithiums are not lithium-ion rechargeables - They are nonrechargeables.  They will do MUCH better than alkalines in a digital camera but still you'll wind up spending a lot more than for two sets of GOOD rechargeables and a high quality charger.

[hootnholla]

Thanks for the e2 clarification

[Jill75]

This is why the lithium rechargable batteries often found in cell phones, cameras,ipods, are very famous. They last longer and charge much faster with more of your money's worth thatn buying normal AA bateries which last only a few minutes or hours.