Yes, I failed to check my batteries. I just knew that the back spare was charged and my D70 has such long life that I was set for my latest "shoot".
Arrived, met the subjects, set up, and camera battery dead. Pull out the replacement spare, and it was dead too. Now I'm scratching my head, cursing to myself under my breath, telling my self that I know better and why didn't I check them last night?????
Luckily, I had my full arsenal, and shot film. Not the original plan, but alot better than begging off the shoot, due to my own lack of preparedness.
TIP: Plug your battery recharger into an outlet near your computer--everytime you remove the memory card to upload your images to your computer, drop the battery into the recharger. (If you upload from camera, recharge after you've uploaded the pics--you know you're going to be sitting there looking at the images for awhile anyway.)
I did something similar last week. I knew I had recently charged one of my batteries, and the other was half full (both in my battery grip). However, when i arrived at my friend's wedding, my camera was utterly dead. I have never seen it so dead. So much so, that it took me a few minutes to realise what was wrong! However, I was glad to have lumped around with me the AA battery insert fully loaded with high capacity batteries (really only stored there as spares for the flash) - it worked v well.
I have not figured out why the batteries so fully discharged themselves - I must have left the camera sitting there awkwardly with the button accidentally depressed, or something.
I did something similar last week. I knew I had recently charged one of my batteries, and the other was half full (both in my battery grip). However, when i arrived at my friend's wedding, my camera was utterly dead. I have never seen it so dead. So much so, that it took me a few minutes to realise what was wrong! However, I was glad to have lumped around with me the AA battery insert fully loaded with high capacity batteries (really only stored there as spares for the flash) - it worked v well.
I have not figured out why the batteries so fully discharged themselves - I must have left the camera sitting there awkwardly with the button accidentally depressed, or something.
I had the same thing happen with my 20D on holiday last year. Battery so flat that the camera did absolutely nothing when I turned it on. I understand that turning it off at the switch on the back does not actually switch it off like a light switch, rather prevents any button presses activating the camera. My thoughts on this is that the camera just locked up when I turned it off and, hence, discharged the battery.
I only had to resort to those once and they lasted about 40 - 50 shots, and died - Duracell's too!!!!
Panasonic somethings - will have to check. Much more powerful than Duracell, recommended for high power drain electronics (and cost a bit more). Lasted about 300 or so shots and still show a full battery on the battery meter.
