BWCA Solar chargers Boundary Waters Group Forum: Photography in the BWCA
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BlueWingOlive
senior member (97)senior membersenior member
  
07/20/2011 09:50AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm heading into the BWCA for 10 days with my DSLR (Canon 7D). At this point I only have one battery, and plan to buy another. The battery "usually" lasts two to three days. However, I recently went camping and was doing some astrophotography, and the battery was used up in one day. I do plan to do some astrophotograhy in the BWCA. I was able to recharge my battery on the last trip, but that was because I had a portable power supply (much to heavy for this trip). So I started looking into solar chargers and am now curious if anyone else brings them into the BWCA.

It seems like any decent solar charger is quite expensive, and canons dc battery charger is over $100 too! The least expensive root seems to be to buy a couple of batteries, and be mindful of the usage. However, then you just might miss that "kodak" moment in anticipation of another moment.

Anyway... your input is appreciated.
 
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07/20/2011 11:49AM  
With the cost and bulk of the solar power/battery charger, I'd just add more batteries. The Canon battery cost $65, Other brands about $35.
I take four for my Olympus E620, and have 3 off brands (? mA} and 1 Olympus ((1100 mA). I use the Olympus only after the others crap out. And that has not happened yet over 6 weeklong vacations @ 400-700 exposures per.

butthead
 
RainGearRight
distinguished member(1560)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/20/2011 08:53PM  
I'm in Butthead's camp, extra batteries. One thing you could look into is a grip for your 7d. It uses two batteries and I've found on my t1i that they seem to last longer than just useing one. I brought the off brand grip off eBay and it came with two batteries. It also has a piece that allows you to use four AA batteries instead of the lithium camera batteries so that could work in a pinch.
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/25/2011 03:46PM  
+1 for extra batteries. I also use a 7d and have 2 of the canon versions and 6 of the knock offs found on ebay. The knockoffs don't have the chip in them, so they won't show how much charge is left in camera, but they work just fine if you aren't in a situation where you need to know how much charge you have.
 
BlueWingOlive
senior member (97)senior membersenior member
  
07/25/2011 05:36PM  
okay.... Just picked up two more batteries and a Pelican case.... Bring it on!!!! (less than three weeks... can't stay focused at work).
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/26/2011 12:23PM  
what gear are you all bringing in? I'm heading in on the 18th of august myself...can't wait to shoot photos.
 
BlueWingOlive
senior member (97)senior membersenior member
  
07/26/2011 12:26PM  
quote uberben: "what gear are you all bringing in? I'm heading in on the 18th of august myself...can't wait to shoot photos.
"


Canon 7D
400mm telephoto
100mm macro
18 - 135mm zoom
tripod

and now two extra batteries and a pelican brief... probably a lot of gear, but that's why I'm bringing my girlfriend! LOL!!!
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/26/2011 03:13PM  
Nice setup!

have you thought about bringing in some graduated Neutral density filters? They make such a difference when shooting the impressive skies in the BWCA. I bought a Generic Cokin P setup on ebay for pretty cheap and have had great results with them.

 
BlueWingOlive
senior member (97)senior membersenior member
  
07/26/2011 04:18PM  
quote uberben: "Nice setup!


have you thought about bringing in some graduated Neutral density filters? They make such a difference when shooting the impressive skies in the BWCA. I bought a Generic Cokin P setup on ebay for pretty cheap and have had great results with them.


"


I have a cir-polarizer on the zoom, but after looking at some of your photos....hmmmmm...

If you don't mind me asking; how long did you leave the shutter open on your midnight pic? Wonderful shot!
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/26/2011 04:35PM  
I think that was around 3hrs...but it was shot in chunks of time using a Intervalometer. You can get them on Ebay for pretty cheap and basically it combines a remote shutter release and a timer. You could set it for 30 photos at 5 minutes each and it will do it for you. So you can set it and then go do whatever you want.I used to do it the old fashion way (stopwatch and standard shutter release) and the intervalometer is has been well worth the $30 I paid for it. Once you have your all your photos shot, you just layer then in photoshop for a composite image. If you do it all in one 2-3hr segment, you will get an insane amount of noise since the sensor heats up and degrades the image.
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/26/2011 04:45PM  
this is my gear lineup for my trip in a few weeks. The backpack is a LowePro Dryzone 100 and it holds a TON of stuff.




 
BlueWingOlive
senior member (97)senior membersenior member
  
07/31/2011 08:36AM  
Nice Stuff!

Just curious.... How much does all that weigh, and what is your portage tactic?
 
uberben
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/31/2011 02:52PM  
I don't remember exactly what it weighs in at, but I believe in the 17-19 pound range.

Sorta depends on the group I'm going with. If I'm the pack mule, I put the camera bag my chest and then run a main gear pack on my back. If I'm hauling the canoe, I fasten the tripod inside the canoe with the paddles, Food pack on the front and then the Camera pack on the back.

Unless I'm traveling with another photog, I typically only haul the camera pack.
 
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