Can portable solar charger charges the DSLR camera battery? especially need for trekking.?

dslr camera with gps image

Kabin

how much Amp is needed to charge DSLR battery?? i am planning to buy Revolve xeMilo or xeMini series portable solar charger (http://www.revolveusa.com/index.php?p=1_17_xe-series) .

Any device with an input power requirement of 5V DC and 1.2A (1,200mA) or less is compatible with ÏeMini. Any device with an input power requirement of 5V DC and 2A (2,000mA) or less is compatible with ÏeMilo. so can they charge DSLR camera (normally 7.4V battery of most DSLR cameras). if not, can you suggest other portable solar charger mainly for trekking purpose.

Answer
Yes, you can charge a dSLR from a portable solar system. But, no, you cannot do it from a USB system (without being very slow & inefficient about it). Electricity is much like water... going from 5V USB up to 7.4V is like pushing water up hill, and that requires a pump (complexity you don't need). Plus, these little revolve batteries will not be generating anywhere near enough power to support a dSLR battery under normal use.

The solution is to match a 12V solar panel to the demand for power your camera have. For example, most dSLR cameras have a battery capacity (in terms of recharging it) of approx 16 Watt-hours. If you told me that you would drain the camera battery in 2 days under normal use, I would tell you to top it up every day and the power needed would be 8 Watt-hours each day (ie half).
To offset a demand of 8 Watt-hours per day, I would suggest that the smallest of the 12V panels would do the trick. 4 Watts would be enough, but most manufacturers start at a 5W size...
http://www.modernoutpost.com/shop/solar-panels/224-powerfilm-folding-5.html
http://www.modernoutpost.com/shop/solar-panels/237-sunlinq-65.html

To compare, the Revolve xeMilo only produces 1.2 Watts.
If you have any other devices to charge, then 5 Watts will come in handy.

Next, you need to store the solar power in a battery pack that can support a charger for your camera battery. Something small like the Novuscell 24 is a good match for a 5W panel...
http://www.modernoutpost.com/shop/battery-packs/251-novuscell-24.html

Lastly, choose a 12V DC charger for your camera battery. DO NOT attempt to use the charger that came with your camera, as this is an AC model designed for home use... seek a DC model that can be used from your car or from a 12V solar kit. I strongly recommend a universal model like the Ansmann Vario as it can adapt to just about any camera model you will have now or in the future, plus will handle the smaller camera & phone batteries, GPS batteries, AA & AAA batteries, etc...
http://www.modernoutpost.com/shop/battery-chargers/267-digicharger-vario.html

That's about it. A system to properly support your dSLR camera.

Now, having said all that, I have a small universal charger that will in fact charge 7.4V batteries from a 5V USB source. It is slow, but it works...
http://www.modernoutpost.com/shop/battery-chargers/268-3-way-universal-charger.html
Note that small solar charger/battery packs like the Revolve only have the solar power to charge approx 20% of your camera battery on an ongoing daily basis (summertime with good sky exposure all day). The storage capacity of the xeMilo Revolve can support one full charge of your camera, but then it is dead, and will take approx 5 days to fill again (you can use it daily of course, but you can only take out what the sun has put in).

I hope this helps!

Least Expensive DSLR Digital Camera to use indoors action shots?

Charlie

I am looking to purchase a camera that can take action shoots indoors, mostly basketball and volleyball. My current digital cameras do a poor job. What least expensive DSLR digital camera that you would recommend?

Answer
It depends on your budget for the camera.

If you are looking at keeping your investment under 900 US$ (including the lens) you may want to consider the Sony Alpha 55 it uses all lenses from the Sony alpha and Minolta , is smaller than the normal DSLR and can go up to 10 fps, ideal for action and sports. The other cameras that even come close to this burst speed can cost 7.500 - 10.000 US$.

The Sony alpha 55 features Anti-shake technology, Good low-light shooting, Fast shutter speed, Sequential shots/bracketing, Movie mode w/ sound, HD movies w/ sound, also features 16.2MP, Translucent Mirror Technologyâ¢, Quick AF Full HD Movie, GPS tagging, Live View with Phase detection, 10 fps, 15-point auto focus, and the kit version comes with a 18-55mm zoom lens included.

Combines the easy to use and advance functions of a compact, with the outstanding quality of a DSLR.

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What DSLR camera would you recommend me to buy?

dslr camera with gps image

MiZz RuBy

I need a new camera but am lost on which one to get!
I have my eye on Nikon D3100 or Canon 550D- any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

Answer
My other suggestion would be to look at the Sony SLT A55. This DSLR has Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology which allows for full-time continuous auto focus whether you're shooting still pictures or 1080/60i HD video. No other DSLR allows this. The technology also allows shooting at 10fps (frames per second) which is the fastest in its price range.The Sony SLT A55 also gives you 2D or 3D Sweep Panorama in the camera as well as HDR in the camera. It also has built-in GPS.

Here are some reviews:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA55/AA55A.HTM

http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2010/08/sony-slt-a55-review-translucent-mirror.html

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony-a55-preview.shtml

Current prices at B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom, $649.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-30-2011.

Canon 550D/T2i w/18-55mm zoom, $749.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-9-2011.

Sony SLT A55 w/18-55mm zoom, $799.99 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-9-2011.

All 3 cameras have free USA shipping.

With its built-in focusing motor and Sony's version of Image Stabilization in the camera body and use of the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount the SLT A55 can use the Legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lenses dating back to 1985 and they will auto focus and become, in effect, IS lenses.

The Nikon D3100 requires the more expensive Nikon AF-S lenses if you want them to auto focus.

Canon and Nikon have their respective versions of IS in some but not all of their lenses plus you pay for it over and over. A Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f1.4 prime lens on the A55 will be an IS lens. Neither Nikon nor Canon offers an IS 50mm prime lens.

In my opinion the Sony SLT A55 offers technology and features that Nikon and Canon lack. Its only a matter of time before Canon and Nikon will have to respond by upgrading their technology to match that of the Sony A55.

What is a good DSLR to by for a first time buyer who wants to grow and understand photography?

BA

I have a s570 nikon point and shoot. I found it lacking in color definition after a trip to the NWT. Going to Iceland next summer and want to take great pictures of the ice fields and volcanoes. Sales at the local camera store just want to make a sale. The big box stores are lacking in expertise.

Answer
Just get a good deal. It doesn't matter which brand - indeed, if you have to brand shop - check out reviews of the lens range available for any individual brand mount.

If you want to grow and understand photography, then just about any D-SLR should do - as long as it has full manual controls and an interchangeable lens. If you want super fast continuous shooting, GPS, HD video, built in shake reduction, water proofing, etc - then you need to shop more carefully.But for learning about photography, any D-SLR with manual exposure controls. There is a school of thought that a fully manual-only camera such as an old Russian 35mm film Zenith SLR will teach more about exposure and cameras.

If you are touring in wet weather though - check out the new Pentax range of weather resistant (even water proof) D-SLRs.

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