Digital cameras 101

[Fran]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the digital world, I just bought my camera a few days ago, had lots of fun trying it out, got some great shots, but now I'm stumped, of course I had no idea that the rechargeable batteries are the best, so I had the the standard AA, went throught alot of them, bought an SD 256 card..it took maybe 3 pictures and shut off, so..new batteries..took 2 pictures and shut off, I removed the card, put in new batteries, and when I go to take a picture, it shuts off, the battery icon reads full, and I've erased the memory..nothing seems to work, is it the batteries?..or the camera?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Fran,

Welcome to the Q&A Board and the digital world!

Using rechargeable batteries is highly recommended for digital cameras. Alkaline batteries don't last long by comparison, but you should be able to take many more photos than 2 or 3 before the camera shuts off.

Check out if your camera has a power saving menu setting. To conserve battery power, many digital cameras shut off automatically. Some cameras let you change the amount of time before it shuts off.

In addition to checking this, ask if a friend or family member has rechargeable batteries and give them a try. If they work, then you know it's not the camera and
can buy your own charger and batteries. If they don't work, exchange the camera.

Here's some information about batteries. Also check the link about battery capacity.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-batteries/digital-camera-batteries.htm

We're right in the middle of preparing information about the types of battery charges. Hopefully, the article should be up within a week. Let us know how it goes or if you have further questions.

[ShutterbugGail]

I just want to point out that alkaline batteries are alkaline, and really don't do well in power-hungry electronic gizmos like digital cameras. So if you buy a battery charger and rechargeable batteries, they should *not* be alkaline.

Most manufacturers and digital camera users recommend NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride).

[Fran]

Thank you soooo much!..I tried your suggestions..and it's working great! and ya know..the batteries that were SUPPOSED to be new..wern't new at all..hubby put some old ones back in the package, thinking they might have some life in them..ARRRGG!..men..anyway..thanks soo much!!

[ShutterbugGail]

As mentioned, here is information on battery chargers:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-battery-chargers/index.htm