Alternative power for the XPan.

[KM-25]

I don't know how much longer those pricey little batteries will last in the market place. Any ideas to have an electrician re-do the camera for another power source?

Even if externally mounted.

Also, if I store the camera with a partial roll and take out the batteries for an extended period of time, will the counter lose count?

[Ben1]

Pretty sure more than just cameras use lithium CR2 batteries???
I could be wrong?... none the less, i think it will be a long time before they dissapear...

but i do agree, they are pricey, very pricey... and i dont like it!!

I doubt the counter will lose count. I read once that apparently even if you buy the camera brand new (with batteries not in obviously), the counter will still show exposures - from testing by the manufacturer. Im pretty sure i read it on here, have no idea if its fact or not as i didnt check when i bought it.

[sjw617]

I've bought the batteries in bulk on Ebay for well under a dollar each (including postage). There are a few bulk sales running now.

[Pablito]

they have a very long shelf life. If it looks like supply is drying up then we could stock up. I'm more concerned about parts/repair...

[amateriat]

I seriously doubt you'll see CR2s disappearing any time soon. There are far more obscure battery types that are still being made (remember when half of all battery-powered gadgets ran on 9V batteries? About the only things that use them any more are smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors).

As far as pricing, other than deals on eBay, the only sane place to buy them is Radio Shack. When I needed a new set for one of my Hexars a month or so back, I went into a Rite Aid store (same place that does sterling C41 processing for me) where they were charging $15 for one CR2. Just out of curiosity, I walked across the street to the local Shack, where I was able to buy a pair for roughly the same amount. Always pays to shop around for stuff like this.

As far as taking batteries out of the camera while being in the middle of a roll of film: I've had batteries out of my Hexars for maybe five minutes at a time, and they still maintained proper frame-count while mid-roll. I don't think I'd chance leaving batteries out for much longer than that.

(This reminds me: a set of CR2s in my Hexars are good for at least a hundred rolls. How many are you getting with the XPan?)



- Barrett

[SHERPA]

CR2s can use 15 rolls film