I recently started using a Nikon 950 and the battery consumption is a pain, even with NIMH batteries. Is there a large capacity battery that could be carried on the hip and be connected to the camera via a power cord, similar to the powere sources used for Flashes? Where would I look? Would it be compatible with the 950?

-- Mike Isenberg (misenbe1@rochester.rr.com), June 14, 1999

Answers

I think the battery maker Quantum (of flash battery fame) has begun making a battery pack for digicams. Check the voltage though: I think the Nikon expects 6.5v on its input, but will work down to 5v or so. Some cameras (The Toshibas and Fujis expect 5v, and the ~6v from an external pack could damage them.)

-- Dave Etchells (web@imaging-resource.com), June 14, 1999.

Quantum has a large selection of batteries in several voltages for just about any camera and/or flash. I use one for my Vivtar 285HV flash unit when connected to the Kodak DC265. THe Quantum provides almost instant recycle time and could easily keep up with the "burst mode" the Kodak provides -- except that Kodak disables _ALL_ flash operation - even external - when in burst mode!

Visit Quantum batteries at www.qtm.com ans mention that you heard about them here.

- Derek W.

-- Derek Weller (wrestler@worldnet.att.net), June 14, 1999.

I did some investigation on the Olympus D340, and the nikon CP-700 seems to be the same. The external connector and batteries seem to be be isolated by diodes from each other, but essentially work in parallel. On my Olympus I've wired up a second set of 4 AA's which I connect to the external connector to 2x life from the camera. (I do underwater photography and can't get to change the batteries during a dive!) --Nick--

-- Nick Doe (nickdoe@usa.net), June 14, 1999.