D600 Battery life

[jbart1]

I have seen a few posts on here about how the d600 battery life has been sub-par. This made me think about all of the situations I have encountered with my own D600 and not being able to remember a single time when I had to switch over to my 2nd battery. (When shooting still images, have definitely used the 2nd battery when recording video). So tonight I went out to the race track. This is a situation that if I allow myself I can take 1000 shots in an evening. Tonight I went out with the intention of trying to get a decent shot of every individual car - about 150 or more in 4 classes plus a behind the scenes pit area shot of anyone who didn't mind my taking photos of them. So how did the battery do?

1,936 shots later - recording both JPEG and RAW - so almost 4000 card writes - with a decent percentage of reviewing on screen, but very little use of live view - and I was still at 1/2 battery life. At that rate I could of taken close to 4,000 pictures with a single battery. Simply put I was amazed. I just ordered the extra grip to hold a 2nd battery, but if this kind of performance is typical I don't see any type of event where I would need it

 

[VisuallyOriented]

I have similar experiences with my D600. Getting at least 1500-1800 shots on a charge.

 

[AnthonyPK]

I am 500 shots in and only one bar down >=]....either people got a bad lithium cell or.....idk to be honest...maybe some people really rely on live view. Luckily I do not =]

 

[GuillaumeF]

Hi all,

My feedback:

when I first got my D600, I got up to 500 shots on a single battery.
I went to Nikon and got it changed.


Since then, it's a bit better : I can go up to 600 shots with VR (no flash) + some reviewing but not that much + some videos but not very long one.The preview is deactivated, and I shortened the menu time.

I think getting over 1000 shots with no vids seems to me out of reach. Though I've been reading much reports of this being possible

I dont know why batteries performances are so different from one owner to another.I wish I could go up to 1500 shots on 1 battery.

My 2 cents ...

Guillaume

 

[Bob from Plymouth]

I just put a freshly charged battery into my D600 whenever I take it out and also take a spare but have never had to change batteries in the field.

I did manage to run one down at home the other day when doing some macro work and using live-view but it wasn't fully charged to begin with. Also when I did the firmware upgrade it prompted me to put a fully charged battery in.

 

[PhotosByBlueRidge]

same here.. i can shoot 1500+ images between charges.. the only time it drained fast was when I was using Live View in 15 degree weather practicing shooting the stars but other then that the battery has been great.. always ready in my bag when I am out..

 

[benbammens]

About the same for me. No problem getting 2000+ pictures with one battery.

 

[EYeye]

ALL wedding photographers have at least one charged extra ready.

I used live view a lot on a tripod in a flight museum (dark) hanger this weekend and for the 1st time needed my extra battery. I was shooting with the tripod higher than my eye even on tiptoe, but could easily see the live view. IT WORKS GREAT! Wanted to shoot the warbirds and not get the crowd ropes in the shots.

BTW: was surprised that the live view shots were more accurate exposures than eyepiece without the cover. Used remote shutter with MUP mostly and some 2 second delay.

That said, I shoot RAW + jpeg fine, usually using the view finder, and get about 1000 shots before I worry about battery rundown.

[ATTACH alt="B-25 "Pacific Prowler" - very dusty. Hanger door partly open so sunlight reflecting off fuselage. JPEG no PP "]212031[/ATTACH]
B-25 "Pacific Prowler" - very dusty. Hanger door partly open so sunlight reflecting off fuselage. JPEG no PP

 

[swestphotos]

Whoever says the d600 has poor battery life just doesn't understand batteries. The common fool will leave all settings on... live view, backlights, auto processing... any device dies fast with all of its settings in use.

Don't listen to the masses, today... the few are usually right and the few have praised the d600. I love my d600! It never fails me... I shoot 6 hiurs on one battery with close to 2000 shots. It would last an entire day for anyone shooting 300-500 photos or more... when I shoot bands I can do 3-4 events over the weekend on one battery charge.

The masses are asses.

 

[GuillaumeF]

swestphotos wrote:

Whoever says the d600 has poor battery life just doesn't understand batteries. The common fool will leave all settings on... live view, backlights, auto processing... any device dies fast with all of its settings in use.

Don't listen to the masses, today... the few are usually right and the few have praised the d600. I love my d600! It never fails me... I shoot 6 hiurs on one battery with close to 2000 shots. It would last an entire day for anyone shooting 300-500 photos or more... when I shoot bands I can do 3-4 events over the weekend on one battery charge.

The masses are asses.

OK, let's say I don't understand anything about batteries, that I am a total newbie regarding photo & all. OK, let's pretend that.

Still, I'm not convinced by what I see of the D600, compared to my wife's D7000 ...

So, we'll just consider I dont understand anything ! Right ?

... I will also consider your point of view is as wrong as mine.
Thanks

NB : I forgot to mention that I really love my D600

Guillaume

 

[Cam Traviss]

I've noticed Great battery life with the D600.