Random Old Camera Notes

One thing about using older cameras is that even if the camera is sold as "includes battery and charger", that doesn't necessarily mean the battery is worth a damn. 

The original Canon Digital Rebel I gave Bobbi six or seven years ago has spent most of the intervening years sitting on a shelf on her desk behind her computer monitor. Over that time, the BP511 battery pack in it has quietly gone (mostly) toes up. You can power up the camera, it shows a full charge, and by the time you've set the date and time and taken a single photo, it's down to one bar on the little segmented battery icon. 

The irony is that this is the battery pack on which someone had scrawled "NEW" on in Sharpie at sometime in the past. The EN-EL4 that came with my Nikon D2X was in the same shape. Being fair, these batteries are probably at least a dozen years old. Fortunately, both are still in production and available thanks to huge installed user bases. Canon used the BP511 and BP511a in probably a dozen models, up to 2010 or so, and the EN-EL4 and -EL4a powered Nikon's top-of-the-line pro bodies for eight years, as well as its final film camera, the F6.

I've also noted that the original Digital Rebel is wonky when writing RAW files even if you don't turn it off in the middle of the process. It seems to do fine with JPEGs, though.

SOOC large, fine JPEG

The thing with a digicam like this is that it's entered its disposable days. Use it, have fun, but don't plan on repairing it or anything when it finally grinds to a halt. In perfect working order and top-notch cosmetic condition, this is a fifty dollar camera body. In the shape this one's in cosmetically, its real street value couldn't buy lunch for two at Chick-fil-A.

.