Sigma DP Merrill batteries duration info

emmef2

Regular
Location
Italy
On my very recently acquired Sigma DP2 Merrill I am observing that each battery is lasting for about 60-75 RAW shots, with carefully turning the camera off after each shot. This is even lower than Sigma says.
I would be curious to share your experiences about battery life and if you have any tip to improve it
Next month I am probably going to hike on the alps for a few days and I am thinking to bring the camera with me, I am trying to understand also if the Sigma batteries are more or less sensitive to cold temperatures than the others.

thanks
 
I cant comment on battery life yet as I have never run one down. I would be inclined to keep spare batteries in an inside jacket pocket.
I say Jacket for easy and quicker removal.
Though I have personally never seen or heard of a battery catching fire (But I've heard they can)
I wouldn't like one going off in my jeans :eek:
 
I haven't counted the number of shots from my DP3M before the battery flashes red but 60-70 sounds about right to me.
The batteries are still new but usage is worse than predicted. I now have 7 batteries to play with.
Still love the camera though.

Of the 7 batteries , 3 came from my old DLux4/LX3 ; I hadn't realised until just now that they are exactly the same.
 
To be honest I haven't actually counted, but battery life hasn't been an issue for me. I turn off the camera after I shoot and I very rarely chimp. I have 5 batteries (DP1M + DP3M and a spare), but haven't needed to swap more than once in a single outing.
 
I've been averaging 170 per battery (raw). I trust the camera to do the work, so i focus, hit the shutter for 1-3 shots and then the power button. When I see something in the distance that i want to shoot, i wait til i or the subject gets close, turn on the camera and repeat the above. I rarely chimp unless the lighting changes and a reset is required. I have 6 batteries and rarely ever go thru 2 on an outing
 
the 60-75 exposures I am getting per charge I mentioned in my first post are without chimping, the 170 shots per charge by Ivoire are amazing!
I believe I consume some battery checking the exposure parameters before shooting and tailoring each exposure using ETTR, that requires showing the histogram and performing some exposure adjustment.
 
I purchased a viewfinder and now run with the LCD off or just showing the exposure techs. I haven't checked number of exposures per charge but definitely get way more. I would recommend the viewfinder.

So this is possible? - Tell us more please - what type? Manuf? Cost? Supplier?
 
So this is possible? - Tell us more please - what type? Manuf? Cost? Supplier?

I use the Sigma Viewfinders - V-11 and VF-2, and they are good. Very bright and clear. At the moment, they are available new at £120 each. There is a light on the upper rear of the camera body that lights green for focus confirmation, so you don't need the LCD on all the time. It's easy to see the LED while looking through the viewfinder. This saves some battery, but that's not why I use them. I use them because I prefer to use a viewfinder rather than the LCD for most shots. When shooting something close, the LCD is a better option due to parallax.

There are also VFs made by Ricoh and Voigtlander that work just as well, and vintage options are often seen on eBay.
 
Ok thanks

but I can't get it out of my head that something is wrong here - these little gizmos cost more than the camera I'm using
 
Ok thanks

but I can't get it out of my head that something is wrong here - these little gizmos cost more than the camera I'm using

I do think that they are a bit expensive for what they are, but they are nice to use.

It's possible to pick up vintage VFs cheaper on eBay, if you'd like to keep costs down.

Another option if you're happy shooting with LCD, is to buy a few third party batteries, which are very cheap. I bought two for £12, including shipping.
 
I use the Sigma Viewfinders - V-11 and VF-2, and they are good. Very bright and clear. At the moment, they are available new at £120 each. There is a light on the upper rear of the camera body that lights green for focus confirmation, so you don't need the LCD on all the time. It's easy to see the LED while looking through the viewfinder. This saves some battery, but that's not why I use them. I use them because I prefer to use a viewfinder rather than the LCD for most shots. When shooting something close, the LCD is a better option due to parallax.

There are also VFs made by Ricoh and Voigtlander that work just as well, and vintage options are often seen on eBay.

I have read somewhere that the VF-11 and VF-21 viewfinders are tiny and do not allow to see the whole frame to eyeglass wearers.
In case you wear eyeglasses, can you tell if the above is true?
 
I have read somewhere that the VF-11 and VF-21 viewfinders are tiny and do not allow to see the whole frame to eyeglass wearers.
In case you wear eyeglasses, can you tell if the above is true?

I do wear glasses, but I just picked up my DP2M and had a look through the viewfinder, and can definitely see the area inside and outside of the frame lines.
 
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