D300 battery draining

[Tobyh]

Hi all,

I've noticed recently that the battery for my D300 seems to be running out faster. Normally it appeared to have loads of life left (4 bars) even after a full day shooting and being left in the bag for a few days. However recently it seems to be losing a bar, sometimes two.

The only thing that's changed is that I picked up a 300mm f2.8 which is what i've been mainly using. Could the extra power drain be due to the fact that the AutoFocus on this is heavier than i've been used to - basically heavier glass to focus uses more power?

Thanks in advance

TobyH

[MadDogMcQ]

Must admit, I'm not overly impressed with my D300 battery life either. Especially when I compare it to the AMAZING life of my Samsung Pro-815.

I now keep my battery grip permanently attached to the D300 so that I can be out using it all day long without any worries. I suppose the other alternative is a backup battery in your camera case.

[Maccattack1]

Some have noted more battery drainage when shooting Raw .Also how old is the battery as there may be decline in performance over 2-3years heavy use ( should see battery state in battery info ) . I bought a spare battery.

Malcolm

[gez]

Hi I have three batterys & i always carry at least two. Am i right in thinking that even if the battery only has eg one bar yo uwill still get the same result as sya three bars?, Anyway as i said carry two there cheap enough really & ur mind will be at rest, It was only last summer i went out for the day arrived miles away from home to think id left the battery in the charger!. ..gez

[RichBrew]

TobyH,

Is the 300mm the VR version? If so, using that will help drain the batteries.
As you already realise, there is a lot of glass in fast telephotos, which attributes for most of their weight. The power to move the elements that focus the lens has to come from somewhere.

RichBrew

[pressld2]

Almost makes me glad I can only dream of fast telephoto primes! My batteries (touch wood) seem to last for ever. On my Farne Islands/Bempton Cliffs trip back in May I took nearly 3000 photos over three days and was still less than half way through my second battery when I got home.

Dave P.

[sidewalkdoctor]

Originally Posted by RichBrew

TobyH,

Is the 300mm the VR version? If so, using that will help drain the batteries.
As you already realise, there is a lot of glass in fast telephotos, which attributes for most of their weight. The power to move the elements that focus the lens has to come from somewhere.

RichBrew

Use a 18-200mm VR II on my D40X & have noticed a remarkable power drain since I started using it. Gone from 3 or 4 shoots (approx 250 shots per) on one battery to about 1 & a bit.

[MadDogMcQ]

I've also got the 18-200 and have now stopped using the energy-sapping VR. Most of the time when hand-holding, I tend to brace myself against a tree or a fence or something else, and the VR then works against you.

Switching it off makes significant battery savings. Use it only when there's no other support.

[WhiskyBottle]

I'm with Dave, seems to last forever. And I do have a 300/2.8 (non-VR).

Have a search on the web for D300 false battery low problems. There were some problems early on with batteries being reported flat when they weren't. Mine did this twice and recovered, and hasn't faultered since.

Does the not display agree with the menu display? as one reads camera voltage and one reads the info directly from the battery I believe.

Try searching Naturescapes.net or Naturephotographers.net

[Tobyh]

Thanks all,

I'm not using VR but it does seem to make a difference. I'm mainly going by the top display so i'll also check the menu to see if that ties in or misreports.

I have been using the AF alot so I guess it's to be expected - just wanted to see how others found it.

TobyH