Tips for Improving Camera Battery Life

If you are a professional photographer, or always on the go, you must be irritated with your camera battery life. Constant charging and recharging often drains camera batteries faster than expected. And it can be impossible to work when you have to ensure that your battery stays charged. How to improve camera battery life? Let’s find out.

Every professional photographer has had that moment when they are taking a really good shot and the battery sign starts to warn of low battery. Understanding why your battery drains often can ensure you avoid doing those things. It will improve your camera battery life and its functioning in no time. Rechargeable batteries lose their ability to hold a full charge as they are used and re-used.

The LCD screen is the biggest drain on your camera battery. The rear screen and the electronic viewfinder consume maximum battery. That’s why DSLRs have a larger battery life than mirrorless cameras. Turn off the LCD screen and use an optical viewfinder if you have it. It is the small window at the back of the camera. You can use that to frame and check your images.

If you use your DSLR in the Live view, then the battery life will drain faster than usual. Compared to a mirrorless camera, DSLRs will lose battery life quicker. Stop reviewing your photos often or checking on them a lot. You can also try switching off your camera when it’s not in use. Professional photographers only check their work once to avoid wasting battery on outdoor shoots. You can also reduce the brightness of the LCD screen. This will save some battery.

Many brands and cameras have options and settings to optimize battery usage. They are designed to improve your battery life and maximize usage. There is something called a ‘metering timeout’ setting on your camera. It lets you select how long you want the camera to wait during inactivity before shutting off its metering system. It is also known as ‘sleep mode’ in some cameras. It can be annoying to restart but its much better than the alternative. Brands now offer ‘Eco mode’ which turns off the LCD when not being used. It minimizes power consumption. Mirrorless Cameras work better with the rear LCD than with the electronic viewfinder. They have no battery optimization modes but definitely have a stronger battery life.

Try avoiding the flash. Using flash often and regularly can drain your battery life to a great extent. Photographers tend to reserve flash only when it is extremely necessary for the image. They also limit the usage of playback mode. The more time you spend using the LCD to review photos, the more battery you lose. Check and review them once you are at home or with a fresh battery.

Weather also plays an important role in draining batteries. In cold temperatures, batteries die faster than they would at room temperature. Keep your batteries warm. You can remove them from the camera when not being used and keep in your pocket. Its always recommended to keep extra batteries in your inside pockets or in clothing to keep them warm. Professional photographers use this secret trick to warm batteries up after a long day of use.

Label your batteries and store them so you know how old they are. The older the battery, the quicker it will drain. Labeling them will also ensure your batteries don’t get mixed up with other photographers at a shoot. Older batteries are sturdy but won’t last as long as new ones so when shooting always start with your newest battery. Professional photographers keep buying new batteries once a year to top off older batteries. This is a good way of ensuring you have enough to shoot when you need to.

Always carry extra batteries. Camera batteries are compact and don’t cost a lot. To be on the safer side, take extra batteries because shoots always stretch longer than anticipated. There may be delays and your battery will drain, no matter how careful you are. Carry a USB charger, a fully charged battery, a power bank, and an extra battery to all your shoots. This will keep you from having any technical issues. Some photographers recommend not charging a battery till its dead. It damages their longevity. That can be a personal choice, however, showing up to a shoot with half a battery or low battery is not a good idea.

It is always better to be prepared and have everything you need before a shoot. You can enhance the battery life by avoiding settings such as brightness, playback mode, etc. Or you can carry extra batteries in case you need backup. Photographers also decide their needs depending on the kind of shoot they may be doing. If it’s an outdoor shoot with little access to electric outlets, it is better to carry extra batteries. If you are going to be shooting on a set or indoors, you can find a place to charge the batteries. Different things work for different people.