Take spares with you

Batteries hold their charge less well when they are cold, so make sure you take spares with you, as your normal setup will run out of juice more quickly.

Keep your batteries warm

Batteries work better when they are kept warm, so keep your spares, and even your camera, if possible, near to your body in pockets, rather than in a bag.

You get what you pay for

Ever wondered why the manufacturer’s battery pack costs more than the 3rd-party copies? I always find the camera maker’s branded packs last longer than the cheaper alternatives, even if they are meant to be equivalent.

Get the highest rating you can afford

When it comes to items that use standard NiMH rechargeable batteries (AAs or AAAs), check the charge rating of the battery, which is given in mAh. These can range from low (750 mAh) to high (2400 mAh or more). The bigger the rating, the more charge they will hold. I use 2400 mAh batteries in my flash gun – anything less gets drained in no time.

Don’t charge up your batteries, then leave them in a drawer for months

Batteries lose their charge over time. Make sure you charge them up the night before you go on a shoot, or you’ll find they don’t last as long as you expected.

Got any more tips for keeping going in the cold? Let us know with a comment!