J is for Juice

We’re talking power here rather than a freshly squeezed fruit drink – and it’s vitally important. If your camera runs out of juice, all photography stops. For this reason, always have a spare battery – and ideally two, just in case. When investing in spares, counterfeit models are on the market, so always buy from reputable retailers you trust. Camera brand models are expensive, but if you go for a third-party make, stick with well-known names such as Hähnel, Ansmann, Duracell or Uniross. Avoid unbranded batteries from auction sites, or ones with prices too good to be true.

Li-ion batteries are very powerful, and you only want the best quality units in your gear, your bag or your pocket. Cover the contacts of spare batteries with the protective shield supplied whenever it’s not inside the camera. If you’ve lost the cover, use electrical tape over the contacts. This will prevent metal items accidentally shorting out the battery and potentially causing a fire.