New member...old Nikon user

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BlackieNew

New member
I've owned a number of Nikon cameras over the years...began with a Nikormat fan and bought my last camera, D300, when they first came out, with many others in between. I've had a lot of fun and pleasure over the years and I'd class myself as an advanced amature.
Developed a problem this past weekend and I need some advise.
Tried to take time lapsed photos of the night sky. We're at 7700 ft with minimal light pollution. Ideal situation. Interval time works fine when taking regular photos but when ISO increased to 800, exposure at 20-25 seconds, interval at 1 minute, and number of shots at 700 the fresh battery s drained within 10-15 frames. I've tried two different batteries. Does the camera need to be connected to an alternate power source?
Thanks for your input.
BLACKIENEW
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
Welcome.

I had to look up the specs of the D300, but yeah I won't dismiss the battery as the issue even as you tried 2 different batteries. EN-EL3, same as the D80's I owned years ago. If you are using the original batteries they can be bad by now. If you have bought aftermarket replacements (I don't believe new EN-EL3 made by Nikon are available anymore, only counterfeits), they can still be the problem.

If you leave image review on during the time-lapse, you are also wasting battery power there. And then there is just the other unsaid issue here. What was the temperature at 7700 ft that night? Cold weather kills Li-Ion battery charge in short order. You should be transporting the batteries in your pocket with body heat keeping them warm to install at location.
 
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benhasajeep

New member
To me it sounds like the batteries are gone. I have after market EN-EL3's for years now, though still have the Nikons too. About every 6 months I recharge all my batteries (been used or not) and pop off all my flash units 3-4 times to exercise the capictors. I would order a new pair.

You can power the D300 with a 9v power adapter (like a computer one). The USB port does not supply enough voltage / power to run the camera. So you have to have a EH-5a power adapter. I have an after market one that was like $30. Don't use it often but does work. Needs to be 9v.

Oh, Welcome to the site. ;)
 
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