Posted by Gary Gulash on April 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I have two batteries for my D200 (the Nikon EN-EL3e), one that came with the camera in 2006, and an extra I purchased at the same time. Lately both batteries seem to be going dead very quickly. I can get maybe 100 photos out of a full charge, using VR and autofocus as needed with my 200-400VR Nikon lens. Definitely not close to the type of performance I used to get. Do these batteries just wear out after "X" cycles, or is there something else wrong. The batteries will charge ( show a full charge on the camera), but just run down rapidly. Anyone else have a similar experience or have any ideas?
Posted by Dan Borzynski on April 26, 2009 at 10:01 PM
What you are seeing is not unusual behavior for an old battery. The really short answer is that your batteries need to be replaced. They have a useful lifespan of about three years which, from your 2006 purchase date, means that they are about ready to completely die.
Posted by Gary Gulash on April 26, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Thanks Dan. I will order a new battery tomorrow.
Posted by Mia McPherson on April 27, 2009 at 5:45 AM
Gary
I have one battery for my D200 that is doing this also, ordered a replacement for it on Friday.
Posted by Richard Ditch on April 27, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I got my D200 in March of 2006, along with an extra battery. I got 26 recharges out of one of the original batteries before the D200 stopped recognizing it, although the D70 is still completely happy with it. I bought a third "e" battery for the D200.
I alternate the 2 batteries still recognized by the D200 and haven't seen any trend downward in capacity (it varies more by how long it sits idle in the camera). The original "e" battery has been 48 times; the replacement battery has been recharged 21 times. Both show at the left end of the condition scale when i check battery charge on the D200 LCD. I don't have any VR lenses, seldom use the pop-up flash, and keep my screen peeping to a minimum (using it mostly to check the histogram with white birds).
Discussion
4 repliesI have one battery for my D200 that is doing this also, ordered a replacement for it on Friday.
I alternate the 2 batteries still recognized by the D200 and haven't seen any trend downward in capacity (it varies more by how long it sits idle in the camera). The original "e" battery has been 48 times; the replacement battery has been recharged 21 times. Both show at the left end of the condition scale when i check battery charge on the D200 LCD. I don't have any VR lenses, seldom use the pop-up flash, and keep my screen peeping to a minimum (using it mostly to check the histogram with white birds).