a900 + Battery Grip + capacity recognition

[TME]

I recently took out my A900 to use again... it's only the 2nd time... but I was quite curious about the way the battery worked...

I use the vertical grip and the manual states that the two batteries in the grip are used sequentially, automatically switching when one of them dies...

I have 4 FM-500 battery packs... and although label them, in my haste, I simply picked any two packs that morning... incidentally one of the packs I slotted into the battery tray was the one I had used in my previous shoot while the other was a fresh battery... the interesting thing is that the camera seemed to default to use the battery with a lower charge than the one on full charge... not sure if it was just because I put the battery in the same slot... but I thought I remembered that the battery indicators on the LCD panel was swapped from the first time around I used the camera...

For those who use the camera with grip more often, any insights...??

[Gohty]

Hi,

Yes, by default it should use the battery that has lesser energy than the full fresh one.

This is the methology.

[n0dnarb]

Yes, it's normal. This happens on my a350 + VG too =)

[lenrek]

Other VG don't behave this way?

[n0dnarb]

If i'm not wrong, one of the brands (either C or N, i can't remember) drains both batteries at the same time.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by lenrek Other VG don't behave this way?

Nope. The Sony VGs are quite intelligent.

[Exposure]

i strongly suggest u send the batteries for checking, my 2 batteries in VG A700 can last for 1.5-2 days... no issue found

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Exposure i strongly suggest u send the batteries for checking, my 2 batteries in VG A700 can last for 1.5-2 days... no issue found

Hmmm? But he has no real issue with the battery life, he was asking about the VG's ability to drain the lowest-charge battery first.

[godzilla60]

Originally Posted by Exposure i strongly suggest u send the batteries for checking, my 2 batteries in VG A700 can last for 1.5-2 days... no issue found

eh....this also depends on usage of the cam...time-based is not an accurate indicator.

[TME]

WOW!!! That's really brilliant... never regretted buy 3 extra batteries...

[tchoonyong]

sony batteries are one of those with long lasting since they are the manufacturers. And basically even for A700 when u do intensive shooting it will only dried up after half day not few hours which i find most DSLRs are having this problem. And so far they are one of the few companies that bring in vertical grips to almost all their DSLRs. some DSLRs only provide vertical grips for semi pro or pro bodies.

[soken]

Originally Posted by tchoonyong sony batteries are one of those with long lasting since they are the manufacturers. And basically even for A700 when u do intensive shooting it will only dried up after half day not few hours which i find most DSLRs are having this problem. And so far they are one of the few companies that bring in vertical grips to almost all their DSLRs. some DSLRs only provide vertical grips for semi pro or pro bodies.

agree, I have 2 batteries and I found it's enough for me, as I always charge before I go out shoot. and never finished 1 battery when I took photos, as I never took 500 pics one time .

and ya, sony has battery for a200 which I think is very useful. IMO, grip is more important to make the camera stable.