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 p.17 #16 · In-Stock: 37MP Zeiss ZX1 full frame camera | |
Audii-Dudii wrote:
I know this is a bit off-topic, so I apologize in advance. It's also not my intention to single-out this poster, because this is more of a general issue among photographers and cameras, and not just specific to the ZX1 or this post, but this post has triggered me -- no doubt because I haven't yet my morning cup of caffeine yet, so am still a bit grumbly -- but here goes nothing...
I continue to be puzzled by complaints about battery life and the number of photos that can be taken using one camera battery.
My walkaround camera is an RX1 and as we all know, its battery life isn't very good. But the batteries are small and I can easily carry a half-dozen spares in my pocket -- and I do! -- and together, they take up no more room and add no more weight than a medium-size keychain. And even with OEM batteries, we're talking about only a few hundred bucks, which can be tough to swallow, I'll admit, but it certainly shouldn't be breaking the bank for anybody who chose to buy an RX1, even used. And if it does or you're frugal like me, then there are generic or third-party batteries available for a fraction of the price of a genuine battery, so price shouldn't be the significant issue that many try to make it.
Now, I can understand it sucks to miss a photo opportunity because you're changing batteries at that very moment or get fewer than 20 photos from a battery because it's really cold -- I'm looking at you, RX1! -- but even this isn't bad enough -- for me, anyway! -- to let battery life dictate my choice of a camera.
In the grand scheme of things, it's roughly similar to complaining about memory cards not possessing enough capacity, when they're inexpensive, physically small, and can be changed in seconds with most cameras, such that, logically speaking, carrying several spares shouldn't be / isn't a big deal for most photographers.
Or, say, a car that does well everything you need or want a car to do, but has a range of only 250 miles versus, say, 500 miles or more, due to the small size of its fuel tank, which had to be compromised to achieve the level of performance you otherwise enjoy from it. Even out here in the desert and with the way I drive, a range of 250 miles is still good for approx. three hours of driving between stops, so what's the big deal?!
Of course, everyone's needs and preferences are different and if battery life is that important to you -- say, you photograph underwater, so that changing batteries or memory cards potentially is a big deal -- that's cool and I certainly understand the basis for your opinion. But aside from that, I'm at a loss why so many photographers take issue with battery life, that's all, because I'm obviously missing something and am drawing a blank when it comes to figuring out what that is...
And with that, I'm off to brew myself a nice cup of tea!  ...Show more →
That's my issue with the RX1 battery--in town, for casual shootings it's fine. But as someone who hikes in very cold terrain, will do multi-day stuff, the RX1's batteries are a deal breaker. A couple winters ago I had 4 full charged batteries while snowshoeing for a day, couldn't even get 30 minutes of use out of all 4. Or when I was in Guatemala, shooting astro photography while camping without a place to charge batteries. I had to ration my shooting each day and at night even with 4 batteries.
For me though, I think having to carry around 4 batteries isn't a matter of price, it's annoying. And it takes me out of the shooting experience. It's more things to loose, keep track of which are charged and which aren't, makes sure you have a charger with you if you don't want to/have multiple batteries with you. I want to be untethered and just focusing on shooting. I am quickly rationing my usage when I've hiked with the RX1 as I don't want to drain the battery. The RX1 is supposed to be a travel camera, and in other ways it's unmatched.
I think Sony could slightly redesign the RX1 with modest size increases (slight EVF hump, better battery/grip, lens stabilization, and joystick) and still be smaller than anything else like this on the market. This would probably be my favorite piece of gear.
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