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RTS III battery use
- Thread starter zeissfan
- Start date
crocus63
Well-Known Member
I'm using NiMH batteries in my RTSIII and find it to operate just about the same as with Alkalines if not longer. Though I percieve the winding is a little faster with the Alkalines. Also, NiMH loose about 1% a day of their capacity while idling in your camera bag.
Regards, Gary
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Regards, Gary
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>One of the "laws" of batteries is that they discharge a the same rate they charge. What that means is that the more exotic batteries, NiMH and LiON have more "oomph" per charge but will discharge faster too. The big saving factor for LiON is half the weight, twice the capacity. The downside is the cost and design requirements for larger output batteries. NiMH is one "hot" chemistry for it's weight which is similar to NiCad in weight. One of the big down sides of NiMH is that they have about half the life cycles of LiON or NiCad of the same capacity. BE careful about mixing battery types in any application just as be careful about battery voltages. NiCAD's are 1.2V LiOn can be 3.0 volt. danger will robinson, danger! Hope that helps
wilsonlaidlaw
Well-Known Member
Simon,
My experience with NiMH batteries in cold weather is dire. My previous digital camera, a Leica 4.3 Digilux used two AA NiMH 1800 MaH batteries and normally one could take about 80 photos without the screen on or about 50 with. In very cold weather, if the camera was out of your pocket for more than a few minutes, it could be as low as three photos without the screen and one with. I went over to using Energizer E² non-rechargeable Lithium AA for very cold weather. It works but it is an expensive solution. Wilson
My experience with NiMH batteries in cold weather is dire. My previous digital camera, a Leica 4.3 Digilux used two AA NiMH 1800 MaH batteries and normally one could take about 80 photos without the screen on or about 50 with. In very cold weather, if the camera was out of your pocket for more than a few minutes, it could be as low as three photos without the screen and one with. I went over to using Energizer E² non-rechargeable Lithium AA for very cold weather. It works but it is an expensive solution. Wilson
Does anybody knows about shutter speed "battery-life indicator"? We own two RTS III, close by serial number, but apparently one is repaired/enhanced. This one indicates end-of-life of batteries by constantly switching shutter speed in viewfinder (about three stops, like metering fluorescent light - but no info of low battery on display outside). This is similar to behave of RTS II (where shutter speed is blinking specifically). Does anybody knows if this is common??? Anyway, fresh batteries solved the problem, I'm just curious.
thanx
Myrra
thanx
Myrra
I've just returned from my sub-zero trip. I used 2100mah NIHM rechargable for my RTSIII. Temp. was about -10C with 40 km/h wind (windchill temp. would be about -30C). Occasionally, I shooted 4 hr. outdoor continuously and the back of my RTSIII was covered with ice, probably due to my exhalation. I managed to shoot 8 rolls of 36 exposure film w/o any problem. While the battery had never been exhausted, judging from the recharging time required, I think the battery set could run for about 15 rolls or so. Just for a reference.
Simon
Simon
I used to use good quality alkaline AA batteries as well as a 2CR5 lithium block in my RTS III and experienced severe problems in cold conditions: The camera "froze" at 0° Celsius. I sent it to Kyocera Hamburg but they told me everything was OK. Then I bought Energizer lithium AA cells and since then every problem has gone: The camera worked perfect at -15°C and also at +45°C and high humidity and I have filled about 50 rolls with the same set of batteries (they are still going strong). Moreover, they are about 40% lighter than alkalines and rechargeables. (You know, RTS III owners are featherweight freaks ;-)
I don't recommend the 2CR5 for the RTSIII. Besides the poor response to cold that Walther mentioned, the battery is expensive, can only manage a few rolls, and only allows 3 FPS (not 5) from the motor drive. Use AA cells, with chemistry according to your needs:
Alkaline. Advantages: price, availability, shelf life. Disadvantages: weight, cold weather.
NiMH and NiCD rechargeables. Advantages: price, cold weather. Disadvantages: weight, shelf life, availability.
Lithium non-rechargeable. Advantages: weight, shelf life, cold weather. Disadvantages: price, availability.
I keep stacks of alkaline and lithiums AA cells on hand for all my electronic gear, and only use NiMH for heavy flash events. NiMH/NiCD requires too much fussing and attention for the money saved.
Alkaline. Advantages: price, availability, shelf life. Disadvantages: weight, cold weather.
NiMH and NiCD rechargeables. Advantages: price, cold weather. Disadvantages: weight, shelf life, availability.
Lithium non-rechargeable. Advantages: weight, shelf life, cold weather. Disadvantages: price, availability.
I keep stacks of alkaline and lithiums AA cells on hand for all my electronic gear, and only use NiMH for heavy flash events. NiMH/NiCD requires too much fussing and attention for the money saved.
Does anyone know if the Lithium AA batteries can be used in RTSIII? I guess RTSIII was desgined back in those days when NiMH and Li Batteries were National Defense top secrets and the RTS manual doesn't mention these batteries. I have an EOS1V with power booster and in the manual of the power booster they say you can't use Li AA batteries in place of alkaline if your camera body is the older EOS1 because they will damage the electronics in the EOS1.