Dirk Van der Herten Posted February 15, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm planning to take a digital camera - a Leica of course ;-) on a trek of several weeks in a region without electricity. A few years ago I solved the problem by taking kilos of batteries and dozens of memory cards, but today there must be better solutions. Have any of you ever used a Voltaic solar bag (http://www.voltaicsystems.com)? Or something comparable? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 15, 2007 Posted February 15, 2007 Hi Dirk Van der Herten, Take a look here Using a digital camera in a region without electricity. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
truando Posted February 15, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted February 15, 2007 how about taking an M6 or M7 instead?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted February 15, 2007 How many photographs are you going to take? One battery lasts at least 250 exposures with a safety margin. Are there no vehicles out there? You can run a charger from a car battery. Most places in out-of-the-way places (and I have been in a few, believe me- all over Central and Southern Africa) do have generators from which you can charge your batteries. As for taking a film camera- a few batteries, two chargers and a car connecting cable take up far less space than loads of film. Don't forget to take a SD card back-up device for safety! !And a large number of smaller, say 1Gb cards instead of a few large ones. The key word is redundancy in far away places. And a second camera body. It is very frustrating to sit with a broken camera when you see that shot of a lifetime- and the nearest repair shop 1000 km by camel-caravan away...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Sievers Posted February 15, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted February 15, 2007 There has to be a portable generator of some kind where you are going. Where are you going? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted February 15, 2007 Share #5  Posted February 15, 2007 Dirk -  Where? Perhaps Barbara's research already covers this topic in the region you are planning to visit. I've seen the solar backpacks you reference but haven't tried one, and neither do I know anyone who has, but I know they do provide many different adaptors, some included with the backpack. My guess is that they will take several hours of direct sunlight to charge a camera battery, which means somebody would need to keep moving the pack to face the sun. Indirect sun causes the efficiency of photovoltaic cells to drop as much as 90%. Interestingly, efficiency improves with altitude, which makes sense since the sunlight is less filtered by the atmosphere when there is less atmosphere. For our planned trip to Namibia and Botswana we will to take spare batteries (I’ll buy a third battery for the DMR. I already have 4 for the D2, which will be my backup camera). But even deep in the bush most places we will visit do run a generator for a few hours a day. As Jaap suggests we will bring a automobile cigarette lighter adapter, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted February 15, 2007 All tourist places and bush camps in Botswana and Namibia run their generators for a few hours per day to provide the charging power for the batteries of their guests. So no worries there. When you are staying on the edge of the reserve they may even have line power, especially in Namibia, which is pretty first world compared to some other countries. Botswana is rather developed as well. Where are you going Stu? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Van der Herten Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share #7 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Truando, Jaap, Bill and Stuart, Â Thank you very much for your feedback. Â I 'm planning to trek in the Annapurna region (Nepal) for several weeks. The last time I've trekked in the region was 8 years ago. At that time there weren't any generators anywhere as far as I know. And no cars too, since there are no roads. I was thinking to bring an M8 and/or a D2, as well as a portable HD. Even if the local situation might have changed in the mean time, a solar backpack has the advantage of being totally independent. Â Best, Â Dirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted February 15, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted February 15, 2007 I would get a second charger so if your limited in time to charge at least you can do two batteries. I would say 2 batteries a day with heavy use. I just did a 10 hour gig last night and went through almost 2 , i would plan on that and bring the car adapter and 4 batteries on this trip. i have 5 batteries total and I never get to that 4 or 5th battery in a day no matter how much i shoot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englander Posted February 15, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted February 15, 2007 I have not used the backpack. I have used a smaller version by another manufacturer. It charged a battery reservoir that was then drained into the camera battery. It charged slowly and recharged the camera battery even more slowly. Not counting charging the solar reservoir, you might be looking at 6-8 hours to charge a single M8 battery. The device I had would not be able to handle two batteries. Â You will be surprised at the number of homes in the Himalayas that use solar cells to charge automobile-type wet-cells for operation of electric lights, radios, and tv. I would suggest you take some clips that end in a cigarette lighter socket so you can attach the charger to those cells. They are available in automotive supply shops. If you can use them, it would definitely be a much faster alternative or back-up for the solar pack. Â Joe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted February 15, 2007 Share #10 Â Posted February 15, 2007 I haven't used a solar backpack, but I do have large solar panel (about 2X0.5M) that I use on safari (to maintain vehicle batteries when camped). Solar is of course dependent on sunshine and the area of the panel. A small panel on a cloudy day is not going to help much. I have found that even where there are no cars, there are often car batteries (used for communal phones and radios - they run a generator part of the day to recharge) but again my experience is in Africa and South America. If you have a decent 12V source you can charge the M8 batteries from that. Â On eBay you can find some compact briefcase-size solar panels. They would have considerable more surface area than the backpacks I have seen while taking up no more space - but still too bulky for me. There are also roll-up flexible panels that might work. Note that as the output increases on solar panels, you will need a regulator to protect anything connected. Â If I can vent a bit, I think Leica should have included TWO batteries with the M8 and also introduced a secondary battery power source option at the same time. When you think of the "typical" M-shooter, we are often far off the beaten path. I know this all changes with the M8, but the biggest market for the M8 is undoubtedly existing M users, so they should have thought of this. Â Seems to me it would be relatively simple to engineer a "motor base" about the size of the old M motor drive that would accept AA cells, hold some spare SD cards, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantray Posted February 15, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Will there be no base camps in the region with a generator? That is assuming that you are going during the peak of climbing season. Also, call up some of the better guide companies who offer Annapurna traveling packages since they'll know best concerning the sustainability of electronics at freezing temperatures along with high altitude. Â So, I take it you're a fan of Herzog? Â -grant Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted February 15, 2007 Share #12 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Dirk - Â When we were in the Annapurna in October 2003 we frequently saw TV antennae, but no overhead wires. Looking in one building in Marpha (Mustang region of the Annapurna) we did see a car battery powering the TV, so 3 1/2 years ago this was common. You might want to read Barbara's trip notes, or see my poorly scanned photos (last trip completely film) on our site under "Nepal & Bhutan". Â I assume you will be staying in a different location every night, meaning that a solar voltaic array would have to be on your daypack (the porters, as you know, frequently shod in just shower shoes, carry nearly everything) to charge on your back during your trekking. Fortunately the high altitude will enhance the charging. Then at night you can connect a battery to the photo cell's battery for overnight charge. This will probably limit you to one battery a day in places where you can't use an automobile battery (through a portable transformer) to charge another battery. And your batteries will drain quicker in the cold. Â We want to hear about the trek, and see photos. As you know, the light in the Annapurna is astonishing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted February 15, 2007 Share #13  Posted February 15, 2007 I was thinking to bring an M8 and/or a D2, as well as a portable HD.  Dirk,  My eye feel on your portable HD plans: Please consider that above 3000 meters you may, repeat may, have problems.  The smaller the HD is, the more vulnerable for failing at high altitude. This has to do with the fact that, contrary to common belief, HD's are not vacuum but need air to function.  My Apple Ipod 60Gb failed in Peru above 4000m. My Epson P2000 Imagetank, with a slightly bigger HD, had no problems at the same altitude.  Few HD's are specified to function at high altitudes however.  See this thread at DPreview: Harddrives and Altitude > 10.000 feet. Ipod and Epson P 2000: Storage and Media Forum: Digital Photography Review  Best regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrism Posted February 15, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted February 15, 2007 My wife is taking a folding solar panel with her to Kenya and Tanzania for the next few weeks. She hopes to keep her Canon video camera charged with it (and see how it stands up to 19,340' up Kilimanjaro!) Â Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted February 15, 2007 In Kenia and Tanzania you really don't have to. There is electricity for charging camera batteries everywhere. Those are popular tourist destinations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted February 15, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Jaap - Â If she is doing lodge based safaris and trekking, electricity is no problem. If she is tent-based, with the exception of the climb, which finds her in a different location every night, there probably is no electricity, but she can leave her solar cells spread all day in the sun at camp while she is out looking at the wildlife. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted February 15, 2007 You are not allowed out of your vehicle in the national parks- they have cigarette lighters in those minivans, or landcruisers/rovers.Unless she is flying in a light aircraft - which I do find preferable btw given the state of the roads, there is the vehicle option again during transfers.Afaik the mountain huts on the Kilmajaro have generators as well. If I sound obstinate I don't mean to and apologize, but I have seen two of these solar gimmicks simply not working over the years. Take them by all means, but don't rely on them solely, is what I mean to say. And don't underestimate the Kenyans and Tanzanians. They are pretty well clued up to what tourists need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 15, 2007 Share #18 Â Posted February 15, 2007 This fascinating thread is a prescription for an film-M. Â Of course, at the temperatures you'll be experiencing, you might want to advance the film slowly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #19 Â Posted February 15, 2007 Not really, Bill. I have been using digital camera's in these conditions for over five years now, and found them liberating compared to film camera's. Â Â Â Â Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted February 15, 2007 Share #20  Posted February 15, 2007 Hi Dirk,  We have no power in Namibia... Being a Namibian, I can assure you that we have every first world facility available for you, including Electricity. I'm not exactly certain where you are going to be travelling in our fantastic country, even in the most remote regions of the Skeleton Coast you are certain to have a vehicle with you. Car charges are available. Should you need 110v/220v, an inverter is a cheap and realistic option. I have used these on many occasions to run things like computers, charges for video and still camera's, charging GPS batteries etc.  Even in the most remote regions, we have services like DSL and ISDN available, with wireless options such as G3/UMTS and HSDPA available in most towns and cities. Please remember to take your GSM enabled cell phone with you, this will enable you to make calls to you family from your own phone and not have to pay hotel surcharges.  Should you need any help with your Leica equipment, or need anything, Nietshe Reiter Photography in Windhoek can help you with most your needs.  MOST IMPORTANT - Please enjoy your stay in Namibia... Probably the most spectacular photographic place on earth. Have a wonderful and safe journey. Should you need any further advice, or have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via this site. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/16304-using-a-digital-camera-in-a-region-without-electricity/?do=findComment&comment=172790'>More sharing options...
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