I just bought a Canon 50D, and i've heard from many people on how long the first charge should be. I'm confused but do not want to try and end up spoiling the battery. Can somebody advise how long should the battery be charged for the first time?I've heard people telling me 2hrs is enough but some tell me its too short and you'll undercharge the battery.Others say you have to charge for at least 12 hours. Will this overcharge the battery and shorten its lifespan?Please help me!
Canon Li-ion Battery Pack
The Rebel XT came with a charger all Li-ion powered digital cameras come with chargers. Yes, it can be reused. Li-ion batteries can last up to 5 years or more. I have a Nikon D100 and its Li-ion batteries are still going strong.
Just charge it fully. The charger will let you know when it's done by giving you a green light. If it's a genuine Canon charger it will not overcharge the battery, no matter how long you leave it in.
first time, 2nd time, 100th time, it doesn't make a difference, you have to charge the battery until it is FULL. you will when its full by an indicator on the charger, usually a green light. the important thing for you to know about batteries is that you should ALWAYS use them in a full cycle in order for them to stay healthy. a full cycle means charging the battery to its full capacity, then using them until they completely de-charge, then recharge them again. for example, if you you use a fully charged battery to say 50% of it capacity, then charge for 30 minutes to 80%, then use it until 20% then again charge it to 50% and so on, you will wear out that battery in 4-6 months, but if you complete a full cycle EVERY time, I guarantee your battery will last at least 3 years. and remember, if you want to store your camera away and not use it for 1 month or more, de-charge the battery to about 20-30% of its capacity, not using a full battery for over a month will decrease its normal life.
