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Since I forget to recharge my batteries before I need my camera, I wondered whether it's ok to leave the camera battery in it's charger plugged to the wall? Does this reduce the life of the battery?

Also, I have seen after market batteries that claim about 4 times the capacity of the OEM battery. Has anyone had any bad experiences with these non-OEM high capacity batteries?

Thanks for your help.

I understand how this can be done - I went to the zoo one day with two almost flat batteries and the group like to remind me of it on occassions, not to mention how tourcherous it was watching them get great shots while I watched.
So I now have 4 batteries - two Canon in the BigEnd and two 'copy' in the bag. I recharge the Canons when I get home so and do the spares occassionally so I'm already ready to go in case will never be the 'joke of the day' again - I just bought a quick charger so I can do both at once. Currently looking at rechargable batteries for the flash so I don't get caught there either
DebT

I would be wary of aftermarket batteries that claim huge capacities...they wont hold anywhere near what they claim. As for keeping the batteries on the charger, I cant see any problems with this as the charger shuts itself off when the batteries are full. I have 3 batteries for my D300....one in camera...one in grip and a spare....I have not been caught out yet...and there is always a charged 8-pack of AA (Inca 2700 or Sanyo Eneloops - going to get rid of the inca's soon though) in the tray for the grip as well.

Deb, for rechargables, I'd take up Jeff Servaas's offer and grab some Imedions or Eneloops.

I have 2 genuine batteries for my D300. One is in the camera and one is in my camera bag. When the charge on the one in the camera gets low, I swap the batteries, charge the one I just removed from the camera and put it back camera bag. Even after a few weeks it is still at over 90% of its charge. This way I basically charge the battery "after use" rather than "before use" but the end result is the same.

If I'm going for a dive, I usually pop the fresher battery in (as it is not all that easy changing batteries under water ).

To date, I have never been caught with a flat battery.

Lithium Ions are generally OK with being on "permanent" charge as they do not exhibit any memory effect. However do you really want yet another "vampire" device sucking your elecricity dry.
I use the same charging philosphy as ATJ, and find it works well for me too.
Like Cameron, I would be wary of mega capacity clones. If it was easy, the OEMs would do it.
Batteries rely on chemistry & there is only so much chemical you can stuff into the housing. I find the exaggerated claims rely more on "The sucker isn't going to come back for a refund"* than any sound business or technical grounds. I include Eveready & Duracell claims of capacity here. I have never found one of these brands to measure up to its claimed capacity, even when new.



* yes they lose out on the return customer, but with over 6,000,000,000 potential suckers, do you really think they care?

DebT wrote:... Currently looking at rechargable batteries for the flash so I don't get caught there either
DebT

Go for the Imedions and a real charger from Servaas. They are always fully charged! And as for capacity, I recently shot a wedding, and didn't even have to change batteries. Very happy, after years of struggling with always-flat-just-when-you-need-them NiMHs.

paulmac wrote:

DebT wrote:... Currently looking at rechargable batteries for the flash so I don't get caught there either
DebT

Go for the Imedions and a real charger from Servaas. They are always fully charged! And as for capacity, I recently shot a wedding, and didn't even have to change batteries. Very happy, after years of struggling with always-flat-just-when-you-need-them NiMHs.

I also do the same as ATJ.
I only get the camera out maybe once a week, so the charged battery in the bag may sit for a month or more before use.
Have not had any issues with the spare as yet, though it is never fully charged as it has sat for some time.Both are name brand batteries.