You get what you pay for but.....

[jchrishall2000]

Hi,
Yes, you DO get what you pay for. Bought a budget digital camera in "Big W" (formerly Woolies) about 6 months ago, Vivitar ViviCam 3720 (3 megapixel). I thought it would be an ideal "point and click" starter model for me. It works fine but.......it's going through batteries like you wouldn't believe!!! I mean there must be something major wrong. If I take, let's say, 8-10 shots and then turn the camera off, then 2 days later I try to turn it on again, there is no power left in the batteries (the blue indicator light clicks on then quickly blinks off again). These are decent alkaline batteries! What is the next move? Has anyone got experience with these? Is it a particular problem or do I remove the memory card each time? Even if I put in new batteries and just turn the camera on, then off and leave it for a few days, all the juice has gone from the batteries. I seem to be turning it off each time and the blue indicator light turns off. Where am I going wrong? If there is a problem with the camera (all £39.99 worth of it!) what could it be?!?!?
Yours in confusion,
Chris

[stevegreen]

The power is obviosly draining when the camera is 'off'. I'd take it back if it's still in guarantee

[Rny]

You could try rechargeable batteries, I got some on ebay from hong kong they are excellent. Good luck if you take the camera back to big w.

[ush flynn]

cameras eat alkalines like no other. Switch to lithium AAs or at least Ni-Mh rechargeables

[mr jones]

cheap cameras eat batteries like there is no tomorrow, they run on old technology and if i remember correctly my old 1.3 mp Camera used to nibble batterys pretty quick. you could either take it back and get a better camera or invest money in better betteries that will improve matters but only slightly. good money after bad and all that..
i think your right, you get what you pay for, hence why i always advise everyone to keep away from "no name" camera brands as generally they promise much but deliver little. a lesser spec camera from a known brand will more than likely provide better, easier to produce results

[rickyt]

I have a couple of digital cameras , older models now , a phillips esp80 and a Dimage7 ,both were prone to draining ordinary batteries very quickly . So ,I invested in some nimh rehargables from *essops & *aplin ,and what a difference.The maximum rating for one set [4] is 2300ma , I've got 4 1100ma & 1800ma . I charge them all up before a shoot and carry them with me .Check out some prices for rechargables and a charger , there well worth it , in fact I'm sure *aplin had a charger and 4 batteries on sale for £4.99.

[Paul Shirley]

Its well worth spending £20-30+ on a charger, even though it seems steep for a £40 camera, rather than £5 on a cheap one.

The £5-10 ones do the job but take hours, not too useful if you need 2 sets in a hurry. Cheap chargers also always work with pairs of batteries, a problem if your camera needs 1 or 3 batteries.

At the £30+ end you can get individual battery charging, worldwide power compatibility - useful for foreign holidays, car adaptors and fast charging.

BTW: its generally reckoned alkaline cells are the *worst* choice for digital cameras, often lasting less time than bog standard ordinary ones. The high current drain is the problem. Go for NiMH.

[M-C-P-M]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

The power is obviosly draining when the camera is 'off'. I'd take it back if it's still in guarantee

Good luck with that, Woolies are the worst in the world for returning anything! don't take their offer of a credit note stand your ground its obviously not fit for purpose so get a refund!