How to ensure that your batteries will not run out on you at the crucial moment.

How to ensure that your batteries will not run out on you at the crucial moment.

• Use special longer-life lithium batteries, which cost twice as much, but last three times longer.

• Use rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) or, even better, Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. NiMH batteries charge up to 500 times and take just three hours for a full charge.

• Buy multiple backup batteries, so you'll always have spares.

• Consider a rechargeable, plug-in camera battery pack with longer power time. Before buying your camera, make sure that it has the right connections for such a pack.

• Use the camera's optical viewfinder whenever possible, unless your camera doesn't have one. Those sexy little LCD screens are handy for reviewing shots, but they make you pay by draining fresh batteries in 20 minutes or less. If you're shopping for a camera, make sure it has a traditional optical viewfinder as well as an LCD viewfinder.

• If you have the choice, switch off the LCD except when you must view the scene digitally or review an already recorded shot to check your success.

• Get used to turning off the camera between shots. Don't leave the camera on unless you're ready to shoot again immediately.

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