imported_steven Posted December 5, 2006 Share #1 Posted December 5, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Good Evening, I received my new Leica V-Lux 1 five days ago. I have only played with this new camera in my studio to learn how to use it. For the past few evenings I may sit for an hour maybe a bit longer read the manual, change the settings, take a few pictures, enjoying teaching myself how to use it. Then after an hour or so the battery would be empty and have to recharge! Is this normal? steven Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 5, 2006 Posted December 5, 2006 Hi imported_steven, Take a look here Battery Usage . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted December 5, 2006 Share #2 Posted December 5, 2006 I am not familiar with the Vlux but I can tell you: Chimping and AF gobble battery power at a high rate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 5, 2006 Share #3 Posted December 5, 2006 Steven, I am experiencing similar 'short' life with my M8 battery. I know with NiCad batteries that they need 'cycling' a few times to establish their 'span', but I don't know if the same is true for Li-ion batteries. I spoke to my dealer yesterday about it and he was surprised. I will give it a few more charges and uses before getting too worried. The biggest problem at present is that spare batts for the M8 are not yet available and having only about 40 shots capacity is devastating. Cheers, Erl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 5, 2006 Share #4 Posted December 5, 2006 I am not familiar with the Vlux but I can tell you: Chimping and AF gobblet battery power. You are quite right Jaap, but design and capacity for these purpose built tools must accommodate a 'reasonable' amount of 'monkeying around'. I still believe a little more use will improve the condition, as well reduce the eventual chimping. Cheers, Erl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagarwal Posted December 5, 2006 Share #5 Posted December 5, 2006 I know with NiCad batteries that they need 'cycling' a few times to establish their 'span', but I don't know if the same is true for Li-ion batteries. Lithium Ion batteries don't have the "memory" effects that NiMh and NiCad batteries potentially suffer from, so there is no need to "cycle" them. In fact, I remember reading that you must try to not drain Li-Ion batteries completely in order to get the best life out of them. Can't find the link to the article I read about this, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddawn Posted December 5, 2006 Share #6 Posted December 5, 2006 I am not familiar with the Vlux but I can tell you: Chimping and AF gobble battery power at a high rate. No I don't think it necessarily has to be that way. I just shot 2 back to back weddings with a pair of lithium ion batteries with a DSLR, with no recharging in between, and I shot a total of over 1550 shots, with plenty of chimping in between lull periods, AF throughout and flash use. And the battery bar is still full, which means I can potentially shoot more with those 2 batteries. So I'm hoping Leica can perhaps improve the battery life of the M8, maybe with more optimized procedures in the next firmware (?). There's no reason why a digital M can't outlast a DSLR, given that there are no provisions for AF / IS etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted December 5, 2006 Share #7 Posted December 5, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm getting a full 2GB card (140 RAW+JPG fine pictures) with 3-second review and fairly frequent chimping on about 3/4 of an M8 battery charge. I finally decided that I needed to stop interrupting myself, so I turned the review off completely, and I'm trying to go thru Chimpaholics Anonymous and swear off that too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 5, 2006 Share #8 Posted December 5, 2006 Lithium Ion batteries don't have the "memory" effects that NiMh and NiCad batteries potentially suffer from, so there is no need to "cycle" them. In fact, I remember reading that you must try to not drain Li-Ion batteries completely in order to get the best life out of them. Can't find the link to the article I read about this, though. Do I construe from this then, that if a Li-ion batt id 1/2 empty and I have a shoot coming up, I should top it up before fully draining it? In other words, start the shoot with a full batt (wise anyway) and NOT worry about topping up half way through a charge as just described. Cheers, Erl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumac Posted December 5, 2006 Share #9 Posted December 5, 2006 Hi Erl, Re-charging a partially discharged Li-ion battery does no harm unlike Ni-Cd. Start your shoot with a fully charged battery and charge immediatly when discharged. When you get a spare battery, alternate them and fully charge every six months if not in use. Let me know the type no and I will see if my industrial battery supplier can source an equivalent. Regards, Stuart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted December 5, 2006 Share #10 Posted December 5, 2006 Good Evening, I received my new Leica V-Lux 1 five days ago. I have only played with this new camera in my studio to learn how to use it. For the past few evenings I may sit for an hour maybe a bit longer read the manual, change the settings, take a few pictures, enjoying teaching myself how to use it. Then after an hour or so the battery would be empty and have to recharge! Is this normal? steven Steven, I've just got a V-Lux 1 too, and I've not really had a chance to go out and use it yet, however, I've just got rid of an FZ30 which is basically the same functionality and the same battery. With power-save set to two minutes, I can usually do about five hours at a motor-race meeting and shoot maybe 300-400 hi-qual jpegs on one battery. I bought some cheapo pattern batteries from Hong Kong off eBay, and I can't tell the difference from the one which came with the camera! Cheers, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 5, 2006 Share #11 Posted December 5, 2006 Stuart, The battery is Leica camera part # 14464 & has a faint # 4106H on the back. Apart from being labelleed Li-ion battery for Leica M8, there is no other designation on it. I suspect it could be several months before other manufacturers can copy it at a better price. Cheers, Erl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted December 5, 2006 Share #12 Posted December 5, 2006 I seem to do very well with the batteries a full 2gb card with chimping for sure and all DNG's. I also top mine off as well , like my DMR also which has a much shorter battery span. Yes I am guilty of chimping also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenor1 Posted December 5, 2006 Share #13 Posted December 5, 2006 It sounds like you're battery didn't charge completly. I have a V-Lux and the battery lasts at least 300 pictures for me with still power in it. It seems amazing to me how long it lasts. I ordered 2 extra batteries from Batterybarn.com for $13.95 each with free shipping. I have yet to use them since the Leica battery rarely needs a recharge. The new batteries are a 1000 miH while the Leica is only 750 miH (I think those are the initials). Order the battery listed for the Pany FZ-30. Regards, Carlos Marques Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neelin Posted December 6, 2006 Share #14 Posted December 6, 2006 Can't find the link to the article I read about this, though. Lithium ion battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia more than you wanted to know. exec. summary, store at 0C at 1/2 charge or thereabouts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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