Digital SLR Accessories - Batteries, Battery Grips, Etc.

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:37 am

This is to Scott, Tim and other Rebel users...

I hope to be going digital this spring. It will likely be the Canon Rebel XT. I was hoping for more, but the budget isn't there.

For anyone that is using the XT I would like to know about powering it. What model battery does it take. What do you use for battery chargers? I am interested in hearing about AC and DC chargers and adapters. Do you use a battery pack/grip unit?

If you don't mind down load all of your wisdom here. I want to read all of it so I can make the correct purchases the first time.

TIA

Mike

Ollie · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:57 am

Hello Mike.

Don't be sorry, the XT is all you'll need for a long time.

I use Canon's batteries, and the charger that came with the camera. They last a very, very long time. For instance, the one I have right now in the camera has been there since Duxford, last July! I took at least 1 500 pictures since and it's still good.

Get yourself a card reader, so you don't use the camera's battery to transfer the files.

I don't have a battery grip, I do not have the use for that yet. I have a small pump to clean the inside of the camera from unwanted dust.

That's pretty it.

dj51d · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:48 am

The Rebel XT uses the canon NB-2LH battery. If you shoot a lot I would recommend getting a second battery. I haven't had any need for the battery grip, under normal circumstances I usually get at least 1000 shots from a fully charged battery(never run one fully discharged, I switch batteries at the first warning). The canon battery can be had for $49.95US. Aftermarket brands are a bit cheaper and higher capacity but I haven't used them.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:26 am

I have the 20D not a Rebel XT but thats irrelevant for this discussion for the most part. I have two batteries which I rotate through the camera. I have yet to ever fully deplete a battery even when using the onboard flash for hundreds of pictures. I'd get a spare just for safeties sake but it's not a must have.

I do suggest a card reader for the reasons that Ollie mentioned and that the transfer off the camera is abysmally slow, at least in the 20D. And Card readers a cheap, I bought mine for $14US

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:04 am

Mike
I bought a 2nd battery, better safe than sorry. I've taken several hundred pictures on one battery charge. I'm still shocked at how well the battery holds up to shooting. I rotate the batteries so that one is not always being used and the other never. That helps keep both at peak readiness.

I also like to check out my shots after taking them, if you don't do that and turn off the preview option that pops the picture up every time you take one I'm sure the battery life would be better.

I don't think a battery grip is needed, spend that money on Lenses or a large flash.

Tim

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

I have two batteries on my Rebel. I carry with me the battery charger, but I also have in my truck, a power-converter (Wal-Mart or Sam's) that I can plug on the power outlet / lighter, and can basically recharge one battery if needed. This little device (about $20 bucks) is also handy when I need to connect the laptop in order to download pictures from the camera.

I do not have a card reader, since that would be another piece of equipment that I would have to lug around, while the USB cable is easier to carry.

Saludos,

Tulio

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