EOS 3 battery problem or normal battery usage?

[felix_ing]

Hi there,

 

I'm not sure if there's a problem with my camera, but it seems to me

that, requiring a battery change for every (avg) 10 rolls of 36exp

is a bit unusual, and even ridiculous!

According to the manual, under "standard" testing conditions, the

EOS 3 can shoot up to 50 rolls of 36exp. Now then, take into

consideration that I muck around here and there without taking pic,

and under "harsher" environment, 10 rolls is still way too little

for my money's worth (for the battery)!

I have shot less than 30 rolls and already had 2 battery change.

Thus I brought my 3 to Canon Canada to have an inspection, 1 cs rep

said it only needs to be recalibrated and cleaned, 1 said that some

circuit board needs to be replaced.

Anyhow, the estimate comes up to be $276 (which I've learnt is

called a "flat rate" whatever).

So, does anyone have a similar problem or heard of anything alike?

Please advise

[bill_atwood]

Are you using an IS lens?

[carlo_cayetano1]

I've never heard of that, but then I am using the PB-E2 and I'd guess that makes a difference.

 

At $276, you can put money towards a nice used replacement body. Are you using the PB-E2 with it? The 8 AA's give it a long life, much longer than 10 rolls.

 

How old is your camera? Did you get it used or new? I am wondering if there is damage that you can't see unless it's opened.

[felix_ing]

not using battery pack, got it refurb, but Alkit said it's never been used.

and i'm only using the cheap 28-105 USM lens

[Ken Katz]

No solution, but 2CR5's can be had real cheap (like 2 for $10), which is better than plunking down $276 for a possible fix. My EOS 3 tends to go through batteries quicker than an Elan II.

[rob_murray]

Depends to on whose batteries your using. Best I have used are Sanyo and energizers. Duracells died a quick death for me, maybe they have improved?

[athinkle]

I own a 3, and I would have to agree that 10 rolls/2CR5 is not normal. However, I think that unless you do huge amounts of shooting you should just stock up on batteries or perhaps try AA battery grip.

[PuppyDigs]

My EOS 3 gets about 90-100 36-ex rolls per 8 lithium AAs in the PB-E2. And that's with

lots of

mucking around with AF and IS but not taking a picture (I try it out and decide it sucks). I

only used the 2CR5 once and I recall it burned through the little sucker really fast. How

many rolls I don't recall.

 

If do lots of long AI servo sessions, you can exhaust the battery in a couple rolls. Nobody

shoots like the "standard" testing condition (AF EF 50 1.4 USM once and take shot). Most

of us focus on all sorts of stuff but only take a few pictures.

 

The BP-E1 holds 4 AAs and may be a good sub for a 2CR5. It's 1/4 the price of the PB-E2

and can use rechargeables.

[panos_voudouris]

This is like a car leaking oil. Is the cost of the repair worth it or can you get away with buying a can of oil every now and then?

 

If you get $276 worth of 2CR5s, that's about 50 batteries (at say $10 for 2) which at your power consumption is 500 films. How much would that last you?

[andrew9]

My 3 usually lasts for about 15 rolls of 36 exp. using 2cr5.

 

That's why I bought the bp-e1!

[andrew_sanders1]

I think this is a common issue, if you do a google, you will find many people have had these issues before.

 

As far as my Eos 3 is concencerned I am sure that I could get the 60 or so rolls specified out of a battery if I shot them all on one day, didn't use Al Servo or continouous shooting and used evaluative metering with no adjustments. In the real world, eye control and spot metering different parts of the scene will drain the battery.

 

However, I have found if you remove the battery when not using the camera it will last a lot longer.

 

Andrew Sanders

[isaac sibson]

Best I ever got from a 2CR5 was 27 rolls (36exp) with my EOS 3.

 

Worst ever was less than 2 rolls with my EOS 5, using IS lens in cold (0C) conditions.

 

I always found panasonic 2CR5s to be reliable and long lasting. Sanyo were appallingly bad.

[michael_gordon1]

I've had my EOS 3 for 2.5 years, have shot probably 100 rolls, and just put in my third 2CR5 battery. I do use IS a lot and spot metering, but not ECF. And, for what it's worth, I buy my batteries at Radio Schack.

[athinkle]

Slightly off topic here, but why would using spot metering cause an INCREASE in power cosumption when compared to multi-zone evaluative? I would guess that it either disables the metering cells outside the spot zone, or simply ignores their signals. Neither of these behaviors should require more power. Maybe I'm missing something, but that's just my logical take using the info at hand.

[mike t.]

Felix, batt life on my 3 with the CR5 varies between 10 and 25 rolls, depending on how much I lean on the AI Servo and continuous drive. Never have gotten near 40-50. Like others here, I bought a used grip (from keh) early on. Cheap "fix" compared to service, which I doubt would solve the prob, anyway.

[rad_stypulkowski]

I have EOS-3, and I change battery every 50 roles. I'm wedding photographer, so I shoot evey weekend. I don't think, this is normal - 10 roles per battery.