Battery drain when connected via USB

[ElRonno]

Hi all,

I have found that leaving my D70 connected to my computer for an hour or two (mostly doing nothing) completely drained the battery. The problem is mentioned on other boards and well hidden in replies on this forum, but it won't hurt to keep evereybody well informed about this.

Does anyone know why? The USB connection can deliver power, so the camera could act as a charger itself, like many other USB devices do. Is this just overlooked in the design or is there a good reason?

When I have the time I'll go shopping for a card reader, but I really like to play with the remote camera control feature

[Oneputt]

No idea of the reason, but I think that most people use a card reader. Much simpler and less fiddly.

[birddog114]

This is the known issue since day 1 and discussed few times on this board.
A card reader is a must and it's economical.

[robboh]

Yup, its amazing how much more battery life I get when using a card reader instead of a direct hookup of the camera. Same for my Coolpix5400.

As for the why, who knows, earlier rev's of iPods wouldnt charge off USB1.1 but would off USB2 etc. I do recall reading somewhere that Nikon recommend the (no doubt hideously expensive) AC adapter when shooting tethered.

[SoCal Steve]

CF card readers cost practially nil. Get one now! Trouble will be over.
I bought an 8 types in 1 USB 2.0 SanDisk for less than US$17 from Amazon.

[birddog114]

CF card readers cost practially nil. Get one now! Trouble will be over.
I bought an 8 types in 1 USB 2.0 SanDisk for less than US$17 from Amazon.

Steve,
Hehehe!
I'm waiting for my pay day

[SoCal Steve]

Birdy -
I thought you'd practically be paying us on an item that cheap.

[avkomp]

I believe the battery drain issue is connected with the fact that the system is kept awake whilst tethered to the computer.
Like keeping your finger on half pressed shutter button.

It caught me once, I went for a bushwalk with a battery which died after 1 shot. I noticed the battery indicator low before leaving but assumed that because I had charged it the previous week and not taken many shots it would be fine.
Although I had left it connected to the computer and powered on overnight. (have 2 batteries now just in case anyhow)

The card reader solves that issue and the transferring images one also as the d70 is only usb 1.1 the card reader goes much faster

With a card reader you would only need to connect the camera if you were using something like nikon capture to remote control the camera or to load custom curve

[iten]

Here are my two reasons why I wouldn't put in a USB charger if I was Nikon:

1. USB sends out 5 volts at 450mA. The AC charger sends out 8.9 volts at 900mA. Stepping up the voltage would require more circuitry, and as I understand it the D70 is quite packed already.

2. There's just not enough usage of the USB port to qualify putting a whole separate system in--assuming that people remember to turn the camera off after they're done copying the pictures over.

[birddog114]

Remember only USB 1.1 with the D70, what can you achieve with it?
Damm! my next payday is still far away

[SoCal Steve]

Here are my two reasons why I wouldn't put in a USB charger if I was Nikon:

1. USB sends out 5 volts at 450mA. The AC charger sends out 8.9 volts at 900mA. Stepping up the voltage would require more circuitry, and as I understand it the D70 is quite packed already.

2. There's just not enough usage of the USB port to qualify putting a whole separate system in--assuming that people remember to turn the camera off after they're done copying the pictures over.

I don't think I have any idea what you're refering to here.
A Compact Flash card reader is a stand alone device that in no way connects to the camera, only to the computer. You take the CF card completely out of the camera, plug it into the reader, download (or upload as you prefer to call it) the card data to your computer and then plug the passive card back into your camera. No voltages are exchaged between the reader and camera at any time.
If I've missed the boat here, please explain. I'd actually be interested to know what you are referring to.

[gstark]

I don't think I have any idea what you're refering to here.
A Compact Flash card reader is a stand alone device that in no way connects to the camera, only to the computer. You take the CF card completely out of the camera, plug it into the reader, download (or upload as you prefer to call it) the card data to your computer and then plug the passive card back into your camera. No voltages are exchaged between the reader and camera at any time.
If I've missed the boat here, please explain. I'd actually be interested to know what you are referring to.

Steve, ready for your lifeline? (This is where you phone a friend!)

What iten is talking about is the fact that some electronic devices with a USB port also support the recharging of those devices, from a connected PC, through the USB port.

He's specifically throwing water on the suggestion that a D70 might be able to be have its battery recharged through this manner.

He's not in any way discussing then transfer of images between the PC and the camera.

Does that help any?

[beetleboy]

He's referring to connecting the camera to a computer via PC and why Nikon didn't enable the camera to charge from the computer...


I have noticed this issue as well since most of my shooting is in the studio with the camera tethered. I can get about 3-5 hours out of a freshly charged battery when tethered but some times it's not enough. I bought one of those cheap and nasty batteries before my trip to Africa and it's saved my life on many occasions. I only get about 85-90% battery life in comparison but the Nikon battery doesn't take long to charge so I have a continuous stream of power. I'd love to have the AC adaptor but can't see the value in it just yet!

Liam =]