consumer\'s world; coping: with camera batteries

By Andy Lau GRUNDBERGAUG.
1989 this is a digital version of an article from The Times Print Archive, before it starts online in 1996.
To keep these articles as they appear initially, the Times will not change, edit, or update them.
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As photography is increasingly involved in electronic automation, batteries play a vital role in the lives of photographers.
Most of today\'s cameras cannot operate without battery power and consume more current than earlier snapshot models.
To keep up with the need for electronic focusing, exposure and film winding, not to mention the built-in-
In electronic flash devices, manufacturers have to leave more and more space inside the camera to store batteries.
At the same time, battery manufacturers have been developing products that are more compact, powerful and longer-lasting.
Long lasting battery.
So the photographer is now facing potentially confusing power arrays, whether it\'s buying a new camera or replacing the battery in the camera they already have.
Automatic front-
Camera Revolution, 35-
The shutter and lens of the MM camera are mechanically operated, relying on springs and gears, not batteries.
The exposure meter in this camera requires a small \"buckle\" battery of silver oxide or mercury oxide type.
Added flash unit
On accessories, the ready-made AA penlight battery is generally used.
While AA batteries are still in use in today\'s cameras, they are now usually located inside the camera body or in the raised handles designed to hold them.
Alkaline batteries are the best type to use for photographic purposes.
In the sporadic demand of camera electronics, they last even more time than heavy-
Standard type on duty.
Advertising some cameras and accessories flash will also work with rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries of the same size as alkaline batteries.
Because nickel-cadmium batteries can be charged, they may be more economical in the long run, although their power is consumed faster than alkaline batteries.
And their recycling time.
The number of seconds they need to refuel an electronic flash device-
Slightly longer than alkaline.
Advertisers cannot blindly replace rechargeable nickel cans with alkali.
The voltage of the nickel-cadmium battery is lower than that of the alkaline battery, so the two batteries are not always interchanged.
The instructions for the camera or flash device usually indicate whether the rechargeable nickel ball box can be used as an alternative power supply.
If not, stick with the alkali.
A more advanced battery type, lithium battery, is quickly favored in snapshots --type cameras.
The shelf life of lithium batteries is much longer than that of alkaline batteries (
Up to five years, a little more than a year)
, They will also last longer in use.
More importantly for heavy flash users, their recovery time is almost immediate.
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There are two problems with the lithium battery in the camera.
Perhaps because they are relatively new, some individual units do not run as advertised and die after very little use.
Second, it is difficult for them to find, especially when traveling abroad.
With the popularity of lithium batteries, these two problems are rapidly disappearing.
In order to avoid confusion and potential electronic disasters, the camera and battery manufacturers have worked together to create lithium batteries with shapes that are only suitable for the camera.
But there is one exception: Some cameras are designed to accept a special lithium battery or two AA alkaline batteries.
This gives users of this camera a popular power option, but in other models, the lithium unit is manufactured to be unsuitable in order to prevent users from blindly making similar switches.
Battery manufacturers foresee a growing demand for electricity, and they have begun to develop newer battery types. Sealed lead-
Acid cells are a new entrance. They have peak-
Similar to the power properties of lithium batteries, like nickel-cadmium batteries, they can be easily charged in a few hours by connecting accessory transformers to standard home sockets.
When buying non-rechargeable batteries, freshness can be said to be more important than brand loyalty.
All batteries start to lose their stored energy after manufacturing, and if they are placed on the shelf for too long, they will completely expire.
Therefore, if there is no other reason, buy the popular high
Brand names make sense.
Duracell, a battery manufacturer, has stamped the expiry date on the packaging of its alkaline batteries.
Alkaline batteries can be purchased cheaply in discount stores and supermarkets.
Rechargeable nickel cans and their accessory chargers are also often stored there.
Newer lithium batteries cost $10 to $20 each and usually need to go to the camera store or movie store
Handle labs or kiosks.
To make sure your camera is in the right size, it\'s a good idea to bring an old battery with you.
A version of this article was printed on page 1001048 of the National edition on August 12, 1989 with the title: The world of consumers;
Response: camera battery.