I went on a trip to the mountains to take pictures sat. Unfortunately when I got there my Powershot did not power on so I had to take pictures/video with my Vixia. I tested Powershot Wednesday and it said battery was full. Strange how it completely died on Saturday or before. I have had Powershot for 2 years. BH Photo is cheaper for batteries than Canon and I am wondering if it’s time to replace battery? I will make the purchase if needed. I don’t want to have this problem again. Thanks..
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Defective Powershot battery?
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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FWIW Only place I ever take a camera without a fully charged spare battery is on the water. Your post is a perfect illustration as to why.
Also remember all batteries are much less efficient at temps below 15°F. So if the camera was in a cold area for more than a few minutes the battery may have shown very little charge despite being fully charged.
Also remember all batteries are much less efficient at temps below 15°F. So if the camera was in a cold area for more than a few minutes the battery may have shown very little charge despite being fully charged.
One thing that's possible with Mr. Powershot is that you were in cold weather. Cold can make batteries behave strangely - at least for me. It may be that all you need to do is keep Mr. Powershot's battery warm until you need it - keep it close to your body in an inner coat pocket maybe. It could also be a contact issue and you need to clean the contacts. All that said, batteries do degrade over time and it's always a good idea to have a spare. Redundancy of batteries and memory cards is a good thing. Maybe poke on the "cold theme" a bit though. See if keeping it warmer helps.
EDIT: And @OldMacs4Me 's post is spot on and more eloquent. "Cold" needs special attention.
EDIT: And @OldMacs4Me 's post is spot on and more eloquent. "Cold" needs special attention.
When it comes to camera batteries, two is one and one is none. Simple.
100% agree with the previous comments regarding cold temps, and the value of always having a fully charged spare with you.
Before buying a new battery, you may want to test the battery you had with you. Charge it to full and then put it in the camera, power off, and leave it untouched. Check it again three days later. This duplicates the amount of time you say it took to discharge. If the battery is still good after your test, then something else happened. Whether it was the cold, or it was accidentally turned on at some point, or something else.
Before buying a new battery, you may want to test the battery you had with you. Charge it to full and then put it in the camera, power off, and leave it untouched. Check it again three days later. This duplicates the amount of time you say it took to discharge. If the battery is still good after your test, then something else happened. Whether it was the cold, or it was accidentally turned on at some point, or something else.
The other thing to do if it happens again and you are in cold weather is to pop the battery out and put it in an inside pocket for a few minutes. Your body temperature will warm it up. When you pop it back in, if it works again for a few minutes then it is the cold.
Okay I will try it tomorrow. I always have a spare with me and thats my Canon Vixia.
Canon Vixia Camcorder is my spare and it can take pictures. Not as high res though.
It stays in my room but when I am at work perhaps it gets very cold in there. Dont know why Vixia battery did not have any issues...
Maybe the Vixia battery is bigger capacity or the casing provides somewhat better heat insulation or you had the Vixia in the bag longer and the powershot out in the air more with its teenie tiny battery
Just speculating but your area of the US is having unseasonably cold weather currently right?
I was referring to having a fully charged spare battery, not a spare camera.
Since it was cold, did you have your Powershot out in the weather? Such as, on a shoulder strap? If so, for how long before you noticed the battery was flat? In situations like that, you can keep your battery/batteries inside your jacket and then pop them in the camera right before you shoot.
No I did not. It stayed in its case and then traveled to my car and after I took the 90 minute drive I noticed it would not power on because the battery was dead.
Gonna go back to what he said.
If I recall, you charge the battery via a cable attached to the camera. Most of us keep at least 2 batteries on the go and charge with an external charger. So every time the battery is removed and replaced the contacts tend to be at least slightly cleaned. With the battery always in the camera it's time to clean the contacts whether or not that is the cause of the problem.
With the Powershot I need to use an external charger. With the Vixia I charge with a cable. How do I clean the contacts?
If you charge externally the terminals will get scraped a little every time you put them in the charger and then again when you put it back into the camera, so the terminals are probably clean enough to do the job.
If the battery is no longer holding a charge then it's time to replace it.
You can test this as previously described.
If the battery is no longer holding a charge then it's time to replace it.
You can test this as previously described.
Took some pictures on Sunday. First time I’ve turned the camera on this year. Still had power in the battery.
However as others have said if going out for photography (I was just in the garden), I always fully charge two batteries. One in the camera, one in the bag.
However as others have said if going out for photography (I was just in the garden), I always fully charge two batteries. One in the camera, one in the bag.
Your old one might still be good enough as a spare. There are third party battery suppliers, but personally I always stick with the Nikon ones for my camera.
We sell the Hahnel ones at work, but I’ve never used them. But might save you a few quid.
I often spend several hours taking photos in the local dog sled races, and sometimes the temperature is from -10 to -20 degrees F. When holding the camera I place the palm of my hand and fingers around the battery compartment area. I wear thin and soft synthetic gloves with a chemical hand warmer on either the palm of my hand, or the back of my hand. I have never had the need to use the spare battery that I carry in my coat's inner chest pocket. So if the battery is fully charged but the camera does not turn on (energize), remove and reinsert the battery and try again. remember that your camera is much like a laptop or even cellphone. Both can have software and hardware glitches.
There are a few brands of the chemical hand warmers I am referring to. I have been using "Little Hotties" natural, odorless, and air-activated ones. Just remember to follow the user instructions on the label, and don't forget that I am talking about very low temperatures (below zero), not above zero.
In relation to camera lithium batteries, it is best or safer to use the ones designed for your camera by the camera manufacture (Canon, Nikon, Sony, and so on). A poorly constructed Lithium battery can destroy your camera, and even injure you. So you save some money and the battery malfunctions: which manufacturer somewhere overseas is going to honor the battery's warranty and replace your camera?
There are a few brands of the chemical hand warmers I am referring to. I have been using "Little Hotties" natural, odorless, and air-activated ones. Just remember to follow the user instructions on the label, and don't forget that I am talking about very low temperatures (below zero), not above zero.
In relation to camera lithium batteries, it is best or safer to use the ones designed for your camera by the camera manufacture (Canon, Nikon, Sony, and so on). A poorly constructed Lithium battery can destroy your camera, and even injure you. So you save some money and the battery malfunctions: which manufacturer somewhere overseas is going to honor the battery's warranty and replace your camera?
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I tried removing the battery several times but it did not energize the camera. It sounds cold in Alaska but here in Colorado it has gotten as low as -5 which is still freezing but I’d imagine nothing like Fairbanks or Nome or wherever you live. Parents live near the coast in Kenai so it’s not as cold there.
I need to visit the Dentist and pay for my Office 365 annual bill but when I get paid Friday I plan to buy a new battery Canon one.
We know. You tell us so often. I have a Nikon. That’s why I buy Nikon batteries. Canon ones don’t fit.