Is it easy to buy AA batteries in Germany?

[tk149]

My friend is going to Germany for 2 weeks for some sort of Teacher's tour where her group gets to learn more about the Holocaust and meet a bunch of dignitaries.

I want to give her a digital camera to take with her. I think it's best that the camera runs off easily-replaceable AA batteries (no lithium ion proprietary rechargeables) so she never has to worry about finding an AC outlet.

Her experience with cameras is limited to point-and-shoot. She has no experience with digital cameras.

1. Is it easy to buy AA batteries in Germany?
2. Any suggestions for which camera to buy?

I was thinking about:
Canon Powershot A470 or Canon Powershot A560 since I really liked my old Canon A70. I don't really want to spend more than $200.

 

[Snapster]

Aren't these one of those universal things? I managed to pick up a few at some random store in China so I'm sure you can bag a pack of Duracell at a convenience store. Worst case just buy a travel converter as they're not that expensive.

 

[freegeeks]

nope, it's a third world country, there are the occasional riots about AA batteries.
AA batteries are strictly rationed by their communist govt.

 

[cudzich09]

yes

 

[Throckmorton]

Nope. Since WWII, we haven't allowed them to have AA batteries.

 

[SSSnail]

Be careful because they have different voltage and clock cycle over there. Make sure you switch your batteries to PAL too.

 

[E equals MC2]

HEY! How about:

1. Go to home depot
2. Buy a 24-36pk of AA duracell for $9-15
3. Carry it with you.
4. ....
5. PROFIT!

Noob. Why do you have to buy it in Germany?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Yes, often sold under the "Varta" brand.

Though count on them being more expensive, even considering the shitty exchange rate.

There is a Digital Camera forum here where your questions might better be posed.

And I must disagree with you. It is MUCH easier to take a small plug adapter to recharge LION batteries than it is to constantly replace AAs in Europe.

I have much experience with both Germany and photography.

 

[sdifox]

Batteries in luggage dramatically increases its chance of being opened.

 

[loup garou]

No, they only have metric batteries there.

 

[foghorn67]

Duracell doesn't believe in Germany.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have much experience with both Germany and photography.

But do you have experience with photography IN Germany? I do, you noob.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have much experience with both Germany and photography.

But do you have experience with photography IN Germany? I do, you noob.

Actually, I have...extensively.

 

[rockyct]

Why not buy two sets of AAs, a 120-220 volt charger (most are like this), and a simple adapter (no circutry, just an adapter) for Euro power?

 

[tk149]

Thanks to those with serious replies.

For the jokers, I specifically asked about AA batteries because I've had trouble finding AAA batteries in China and the Philippines in the past. I've never been to Germany or most parts of Europe. For all I know, they use 9-volt batteries exclusively.

Have you ever seen a woman pack for a two-week trip with one suitcase? The less my friend has to carry, the better. I figure I'll load the camera with 2 AA's, and give her an extra 4-pack to take with her.

My friend doesn't really have an itinerary yet, and doesn't know if she has a roommate. She doesn't know anything about the type of hotels she will be staying at. Can she count on getting a room with enough electrical outlets to charge her and her potential roommate's cellphones, iPods, laptops, and camera batteries? I know I sometimes have to unplug lamps to get enough outlets to charge all my stuff in American hotel rooms, even when I have the whole room to myself.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her, and I'd hate to think she missed taking some great shots because she forgot to charge the camera overnight, or because her roommate unplugged the battery charger in order to use her hair dryer.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there only one kind of AC plug in Germany? I've been to countries that use several different kinds.

I really like the Elph, but as mentioned previously, I'm worried about her ability to recharge the battery.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there only one kind of AC plug in Germany? I've been to countries that use several different kinds.

I really like the Elph, but as mentioned previously, I'm worried about her ability to recharge the battery.

Only one type of plug.

She'll get a lot more mileage out of the LION and when it gets close to dying, just put it in the charger, plug it into the wall with the adapter, and go to sleep. It'll be ready to go in the morning.

 

[jpeyton]

I would strongly recommend not giving her AA alkaline batteries for her camera. She'll run out of juice quickly.

Three options:

1) Get a camera that runs on AA, and give her disposable AA lithium batteries.

2) Get a camera that runs on AA, and give her AA NiMH rechargeable batteries (with a full charge) plus a charger and wall-socket adapter.

3) Get a camera that runs on a proprietary lithium ion rechargeable battery, and give her a wall-socket adapter.

Unless she is spending her entire trip camping under the stars, she will have zero problems finding a wall outlet. I would recommend option 3; as GTaudiophile mentioned, the Canon SD series is a great option. If you just prefer the convenience of a camera that takes AA, then go with option 2; a pack of 8 AA NiMH with a full charge should be more than enough for 2 weeks, but she can always charge the spare batteries while using the others. Option 1 is really only needed if she plans on camping for two weeks.

And nearly all digital cameras include chargers that work on international voltages, so you only need a simple wall-socket adapter. Most good NiMH battery chargers will also work on international voltages.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

no such thing as electricity in germany.... its an engineering nation and thus everything is powered mechanicaly

on a more serious note

seriously just pack her off with a a pack of those enegizer lithium AA's, they weigh about half what normal AA's weigh and damn they last for friggin ages! i bet you could use your camera for a week and not need to replace them

i swear by them i use them in absolutely everything.... the ones ive had in my wireless mighty mouse have been in there months and i use my laptop every single day heavily.

second choice after that is a charger and some high capacity NiH rechargeables

Alkaline AA's maybe cheap but she'll chew through them like no tomorrow.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there only one kind of AC plug in Germany? I've been to countries that use several different kinds.

I really like the Elph, but as mentioned previously, I'm worried about her ability to recharge the battery.

Only one type of plug.

She'll get a lot more mileage out of the LION and when it gets close to dying, just put it in the charger, plug it into the wall with the adapter, and go to sleep. It'll be ready to go in the morning.

Thanks, I talked it over with her, and decided to get the Elph!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there only one kind of AC plug in Germany? I've been to countries that use several different kinds.

I really like the Elph, but as mentioned previously, I'm worried about her ability to recharge the battery.

Only one type of plug.

She'll get a lot more mileage out of the LION and when it gets close to dying, just put it in the charger, plug it into the wall with the adapter, and go to sleep. It'll be ready to go in the morning.

Thanks, I talked it over with her, and decided to get the Elph!

Which one?

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I recommend this + this

or if you can splurge a little...

this + this

Throw in a good 2GB SD Card and a small, girly-colored camera case. And she's set.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there only one kind of AC plug in Germany? I've been to countries that use several different kinds.

I really like the Elph, but as mentioned previously, I'm worried about her ability to recharge the battery.

Only one type of plug.

She'll get a lot more mileage out of the LION and when it gets close to dying, just put it in the charger, plug it into the wall with the adapter, and go to sleep. It'll be ready to go in the morning.

Thanks, I talked it over with her, and decided to get the Elph!

Which one?

Ordered the SD1000. Thanks!