How Many Spare Batteries Do You Have?

**BruceBanner** · 11-16-2017, 09:04 PM

So I need to put in an order for more batteries for my camera bodies, K-1 and KP. I only have the one for KP but currently have two for the K-1.

I have my first 'long day' shooting job coming up, a good 8hrs of shooting possibly and some of my recent camera techniques are actually reliant on using Live View. At this point in time I am really not sure how many more spare batteries to buy! Another two for the K-1 and two for the KP??

I just thought I'd ask you fellow shooters how many batteries you can actually chew through in a days job!

Cheers!

Bruce

**seventhdr** · 11-16-2017, 09:37 PM

If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares.

If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries.

Regards

Chris

**Alex645** · 11-16-2017, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by seventhdr

If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares.

If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries.
Chris

I do the same as Chris. The only reason I'd have more than one spare is if I were using cheaper, lower mAh rated third party batteries. With OEM or third battery brands like Wasabi that has higher than OEM mAh, just one spare for the day between charges.

joergens.mi · 11-16-2017, 11:28 PM

I have an K5, K3, K1 with the same Accu, and there are in total 4 Accu-Set's. With the K1 one Accu is enough for one day.

Last holiday 1 Day in Venice roundabout 900 shoots 1 Accu - not empty
1 Evening Music Festival ca 700 pictures 1 Accu - not empty
both mainly without live view

Architectural photos in an old church - mainly tripod and Liveview - ca 400 photos with 2 shoots each (EV-braketing normal and -1EV) 1 Accu not empty

But there are allways two spare accus with me.

EarlVonTapia · 11-16-2017, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by seventhdr

If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares.

If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries.

Regards

Chris

I also do this. I've never really come close to running out of all batteries during a shoot. I don't do any video or use live view much though.

If your shoot is a highly critical career make-or-break type of job, get as many spare batteries as you can fit into your pockets.

pentaxfall · 11-16-2017, 11:40 PM

If it is indoor shooting session you can carry charger also.
I have two batteries.

biz-engineer · 11-17-2017, 12:03 AM

One alternate spare battery so that a battery charge can be fully used before the next battery is inserted. That approach would tend to max out the durability of batteries, although not proven with Li-Ion.

chrism888 · 11-17-2017, 03:02 AM

Probably toooo many, I shoot a lot and use live view and the playback screen a fair bit.

I have a K1 plus a K5iis and a 645z which all take the same battery so have 8 spares in total plus the 2 each in the K1 / K5iis ( cam and grip ) and 1 for the 645z

Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co,uk

kthornsberry · 11-17-2017, 04:08 AM

1 in the body, 1 in the grip and 1 ready to go. When the grip battery dies, the camera switches to the body and I change the grip battery at my first convenience.

The only time I have ever fully used 2 or more batteries in a single day was when I was doing a lot of shooting with a 300 mm 2.8 manual focus. I used live view to with focus peaking to focus and chewed through a lot of battery on those days.

Sandy Hancock · 11-17-2017, 04:27 AM

I have two K-1's with battery grips, and a 645Z. I have quite a few DLi-90's....

dafbp · 11-17-2017, 05:58 AM

I have K5 + K5iis, and for a single day airshow shooting I take 3 batteries. Never used them all fully (came close on occasion).
After about 6/7 hours airshow and a fair amount of static pics, I'll have 1 down, maybe 2 if I take LOADS (4000+) of flying pics. It's so that at the end of the day I usually just need 1 full charge + 1 to 2 hours in the other battery, and the 3rd doesn't leave the backup camera until the next day (when it loses 1 bar).
I use 1 sec preview and a fair amount of play action.
ISO won't be base because I keep the shutter speed up (and England isn't known for the sunshine), plus the battery will be pulling a 150-450 motor, so not light loading.
Live view does take a BIG toll on the battery, so beware if you intend to use it often (obviously this is only for static pics).
Don't do video.

I notice a drop in camera performance around the time the battery loses 1 bar, so I try to swap it then. That (partial discharges) will also help the batteries last longer.
Also, in the K5 at least, you'll get more pics from first battery bar than from the other 2.

**aslyfox** · 11-17-2017, 06:36 AM

I have quite a few now. I figured the cost of AA batteries which I kept as back up since I have battery grips for my K 3 and K 5 II vs cost of back up " regular " batteries and how quickly I ran through the AAs when I use them. I then decided to get more " regular " batteries

I normally don't have to worry but on our trips to ball games or on our extended vacations, I want plenty of memory cards AND power

I set my control to auto and the camera uses the grip battery first, when I get back, I recharge or replace that one and only replace the one in the body if needed

I found some zip lock brand small containers with lids that I store each battery in. It is just large enough to hold the battery and it is also big enough to hold my accessory pentax gps unit

Unregistered User · 11-17-2017, 11:08 AM

I've got four back up batteries for my various Q's, but then again, they are much smaller than a DSLR's. I wrap a pair of them, label side up, in a microfiber cloth, they fit snugly in a small mint tin (smaller and thinner than an Altoids tin). Two pair is usually good enough for a week-end trip, so I don't have to bring a charger. I always put the spent batteries in label side down, so I know which is fully charged. They have some physical protection and the contacts are covered.

**Madaboutpix** · 11-17-2017, 02:34 PM

For my K-3 I have one D-LI 90 spare battery, which lives charged-and-ready-to-use in a wing pocket of my Tamrac Expedition 7x backpack. As soon as the battery in the camera goes flat, it will be recharged first thing after returning from the photo shoot and returned to the said wing pocket, while the former occupant serves in the camera. Remarkably, one of the two D-LI 90's I'm using is still the one that came with my K-7 (long sold), which I got new in 2009.

If I owned a D-BG5 battery grip (which I don't at this time), I would go with a minimum of three D-LI 90's in total, or preferably four of them, I guess.

As a rule, I refrain from potentially risky experiments with third-party batteries.

**mattb123** · 11-17-2017, 02:56 PM

I think I have 8 but I just culled out a couple that weren't holding a charge like they used to.
I got extra extras for climbing Kilimanjaro last summer where I wanted to shoot lots but there is nowhere to charge for a week. I think I used 4 in 7 days.

11-16-2017, 09:04 PM	#1
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,405	How Many Spare Batteries Do You Have? So I need to put in an order for more batteries for my camera bodies, K-1 and KP. I only have the one for KP but currently have two for the K-1. I have my first 'long day' shooting job coming up, a good 8hrs of shooting possibly and some of my recent camera techniques are actually reliant on using Live View. At this point in time I am really not sure how many more spare batteries to buy! Another two for the K-1 and two for the KP?? I just thought I'd ask you fellow shooters how many batteries you can actually chew through in a days job! Cheers! Bruce

11-17-2017, 06:36 AM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	I have quite a few now. I figured the cost of AA batteries which I kept as back up since I have battery grips for my K 3 and K 5 II vs cost of back up " regular " batteries and how quickly I ran through the AAs when I use them. I then decided to get more " regular " batteries I normally don't have to worry but on our trips to ball games or on our extended vacations, I want plenty of memory cards AND power I set my control to auto and the camera uses the grip battery first, when I get back, I recharge or replace that one and only replace the one in the body if needed I found some zip lock brand small containers with lids that I store each battery in. It is just large enough to hold the battery and it is also big enough to hold my accessory pentax gps unit Last edited by aslyfox; 11-17-2017 at 07:11 AM.

11-17-2017, 02:34 PM	#14
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,445	For my K-3 I have one D-LI 90 spare battery, which lives charged-and-ready-to-use in a wing pocket of my Tamrac Expedition 7x backpack. As soon as the battery in the camera goes flat, it will be recharged first thing after returning from the photo shoot and returned to the said wing pocket, while the former occupant serves in the camera. Remarkably, one of the two D-LI 90's I'm using is still the one that came with my K-7 (long sold), which I got new in 2009. If I owned a D-BG5 battery grip (which I don't at this time), I would go with a minimum of three D-LI 90's in total, or preferably four of them, I guess. As a rule, I refrain from potentially risky experiments with third-party batteries. Last edited by Madaboutpix; 11-17-2017 at 02:48 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?	Auzzie-Phoenix	General Talk	2980	04-12-2024 05:06 PM
How many 50mm lenses do you own? Favorite? What have you let go?	mgvh	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	317	12-02-2020 01:02 PM
How many is too many (how many is too few)?	hooverfocus	Photographic Industry and Professionals	14	04-05-2017 02:38 PM
How many GB of RAW photos do you have?	bertwert	General Photography	19	02-09-2016 08:32 PM
How many tripods do you own and what lenses/purpose do you use them for?	gofour3	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	17	04-09-2010 03:08 AM

11-16-2017, 09:37 PM	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,452	If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares. If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries. Regards Chris

11-16-2017, 11:17 PM	#3
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,527	Originally posted by seventhdr If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares. If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries. Chris I do the same as Chris. The only reason I'd have more than one spare is if I were using cheaper, lower mAh rated third party batteries. With OEM or third battery brands like Wasabi that has higher than OEM mAh, just one spare for the day between charges.

11-16-2017, 11:28 PM	#4
joergens.mi Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 408	I have an K5, K3, K1 with the same Accu, and there are in total 4 Accu-Set's. With the K1 one Accu is enough for one day. Last holiday 1 Day in Venice roundabout 900 shoots 1 Accu - not empty 1 Evening Music Festival ca 700 pictures 1 Accu - not empty both mainly without live view Architectural photos in an old church - mainly tripod and Liveview - ca 400 photos with 2 shoots each (EV-braketing normal and -1EV) 1 Accu not empty But there are allways two spare accus with me.

11-16-2017, 11:29 PM	#5
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by seventhdr If my camera takes one battery, I'll have one spare. If I have two cameras I'll have two spares. If you are intending to do A LOT of shooting between recharges, I'd double the number of batteries. Regards Chris I also do this. I've never really come close to running out of all batteries during a shoot. I don't do any video or use live view much though. If your shoot is a highly critical career make-or-break type of job, get as many spare batteries as you can fit into your pockets.

11-16-2017, 11:40 PM	#6
pentaxfall Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 581	If it is indoor shooting session you can carry charger also. I have two batteries.

11-17-2017, 12:03 AM	#7
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	One alternate spare battery so that a battery charge can be fully used before the next battery is inserted. That approach would tend to max out the durability of batteries, although not proven with Li-Ion.

11-17-2017, 03:02 AM	#8
chrism888 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 178	Probably toooo many, I shoot a lot and use live view and the playback screen a fair bit. I have a K1 plus a K5iis and a 645z which all take the same battery so have 8 spares in total plus the 2 each in the K1 / K5iis ( cam and grip ) and 1 for the 645z Chris www.chrismillsphotography.co,uk

11-17-2017, 04:08 AM	#9
kthornsberry Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Luanda, Angola Photos: Gallery Posts: 48	1 in the body, 1 in the grip and 1 ready to go. When the grip battery dies, the camera switches to the body and I change the grip battery at my first convenience. The only time I have ever fully used 2 or more batteries in a single day was when I was doing a lot of shooting with a 300 mm 2.8 manual focus. I used live view to with focus peaking to focus and chewed through a lot of battery on those days.

11-17-2017, 04:27 AM	#10
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	I have two K-1's with battery grips, and a 645Z. I have quite a few DLi-90's....

11-17-2017, 05:58 AM	#11
dafbp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 233	I have K5 + K5iis, and for a single day airshow shooting I take 3 batteries. Never used them all fully (came close on occasion). After about 6/7 hours airshow and a fair amount of static pics, I'll have 1 down, maybe 2 if I take LOADS (4000+) of flying pics. It's so that at the end of the day I usually just need 1 full charge + 1 to 2 hours in the other battery, and the 3rd doesn't leave the backup camera until the next day (when it loses 1 bar). I use 1 sec preview and a fair amount of play action. ISO won't be base because I keep the shutter speed up (and England isn't known for the sunshine), plus the battery will be pulling a 150-450 motor, so not light loading. Live view does take a BIG toll on the battery, so beware if you intend to use it often (obviously this is only for static pics). Don't do video. I notice a drop in camera performance around the time the battery loses 1 bar, so I try to swap it then. That (partial discharges) will also help the batteries last longer. Also, in the K5 at least, you'll get more pics from first battery bar than from the other 2.

11-17-2017, 11:08 AM	#13
Unregistered User Guest	I've got four back up batteries for my various Q's, but then again, they are much smaller than a DSLR's. I wrap a pair of them, label side up, in a microfiber cloth, they fit snugly in a *small* mint tin (smaller and thinner than an Altoids tin). Two pair is usually good enough for a week-end trip, so I don't have to bring a charger. I always put the spent batteries in label side down, so I know which is fully charged. They have some physical protection and the contacts are covered.

11-17-2017, 02:56 PM	#15
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	I think I have 8 but I just culled out a couple that weren't holding a charge like they used to. I got extra extras for climbing Kilimanjaro last summer where I wanted to shoot lots but there is nowhere to charge for a week. I think I used 4 in 7 days.