NEX batteries on 22 day hike

Hey guys,

Just in the embryo stages of planning a 22 day trek into Nepal. It's pretty unlikely I'll have access to a recharger for my NEX-5, so I'm starting to consider my options so I can be shooting all to the end...

Can I get a solar recharger for sony batteries?
Can I get a "converter" that lets me use AA batteries in my NEX?
Is the only option open to me to take lots of NEX batteries?

Looking for ideas and experience. thanks!

You could rig up a solar charger pretty easily. A third party charger that works on 12vdc and a solar panel putting out 12vdc. I would also carry at least 4 batteries and switch the camera off in between shots.

There are available backpacks with solar chargers.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=solar+backpack&_sacat=See-All-Categories

You'll probably stop at tea houses and maybe you'll stay in some along the way. In that case, you'll have access to 220 V power which the NEX chargers can handle. You'll just need an electrical adaptor, and they're cheap.

Dave

You could also hand-crank to charge. =) http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Socket-Generator-Portable-Shipping/dp/B00658Z3UI

I've used it to power a 10" tablet just so I could finish a movie! =S

Keep in mind that batteries don't work as well in cold weather (anything below freezing). Keep your charged batteries outside the camera, in as insulated a place as possible, until you need them so they hold their charge.

I trekked Nepal and had fairly regular access to power. Sometimes the tea house owner will charge a small fee for using the socket.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Looks like my (initial) research was a little outdated. If the teahouses have electricity then I may not care for solar chargers. Maybe just buy another battery (I've already got 2).

I looked at the numbers two years ago for a Canon 7D and it was more weight efficient to carry more batteries. But a DSLR uses less juice than a mirrorless (I can get over 800 RAW's on one charge with the 7D).

I don't know whether all teahouses will have electricity every night, they mainly depend on generators and or solar, and there may be much competition from other power hungry users for a limited number of outlets.

Which trek are you going to make?

I get over 900 shots either from one b8try charge from my SONY NEX 3, 4N or my Oly EP1.

I did the ABC trek in 2003,alas pre-digital.I dont recall all the guest houses haveing power.Only in the larger towns,although most had solar hot water.Some use low power hydro but its just enough for a few lights.Your 22 day trek sounds like your doing the full circuit or Everest.I was only treking for 10 days,maybe buy 2 more after market batteries,Ive seen them for less than 10$ & while they dont last as long as the original Sony they arent bad when new.There was aUS E-Bay site selling Xp NP-FW50 batteries for a bit more than 10. It would be worth checking out the solar charger market,but some people have not been happy with Sony's long re-charge times,youll probably find your travelling through mixed weather most of the time.I was there in mid April & got storms & some hail most days on the way in,but usually towards the late afternoon.When high up the weather changes very quickly,from strong sun to white-out in mins. Im envious .