SX280 - battery life shooting video

[factoryguy]

UPDATED May 5:

I apologize to the forum for mixing two different problems.  They are unrelated.

Problem #1:  User error.  I thought I was using a class 6 SD card but I was wrong. The yellow "!" indicates a pathologically slow card.  Upgrading to a class 10 resolved this problem.

Problem #2: UNRESOLVED.  Red battery indicator comes on prematurely.  On a fresh charge, it'll turn red after recording for a couple of minutes.  On a partially drained battery, it turns red immediately upon entering movie mode or pressing the record button.  Turn the camera off and then right back on in "still" mode and it shows full charge and works fine ... until trying to shoot video.  I have not precisely measured recording times but it'll record for at least 20 (maybe 30?) minutes while flashing red.

[UnionStation]

There is NO fix - and never will be one. The camera is defective and Canon gave up on trying to fix it. Read the past 121 pages and you'll see that all manners of workarounds have been tried - firmware and Rube Goldberg workarounds like the one above. Return the camera if you can. Don't buy it, if you have a choice.

[samintx]

I can't return to Amazon OR Canon for full refund??? I'm just going to try the fuzzy velcro and see what happens. I did discover the battery life is extended using CANON BRAND batteries vs generic batteries so that helps some.

[samintx]

OK, what is a super replacement for SX280? is there one that the board would recommend since there is a debate on fixing 280.

[samintx]

Interesting. If the fuzzy velcro doesn't work I'll remember your suggestion

[LSousa]

I have two batteries one with tape at middle and the other one normal. I use the taped battery to make videos and the other to photos. Attention every time I charge the taped battery i remove the tape because I'm afraid the battery explodes...

[UnionStation]

This battery taping thing is seriously dangerous. Shorting out a lithium battery can cause a fire - or explosion like the proponent of this ill-advised method admits in the previously posting. All the tape does is disable the connector that tells your camera how charged your battery is. It does not cure a thing - it just hides the symptom.

[LSousa]

Union i know that this is the temperature connection. Is that the reason that i remove tape wen charging....

[4thFootPvt]

Removing the battery an reinserting it fixes the problem. This indicates a physical connection issue. Try the velcro. (Or a bit of self stick felt.) It worked on two cameras so far. I'm fairly certain it will work on yours.

[samintx]

I finally did the in and out battery thing but when shooting lemurs in Madagascar it was frustrating! I'm going to try the felt/fuzzy tape thing and appreciate all the help I have gotten here. I love my 510 Canon but may have to go back to my 20X Panasonics if the felt doesn't work.

Something interesting about the SX280 20x vs 20x Panasonic...the zoom is greater on the 280!

[UnionStation]

No offense, LSousa, but you are advising people to do a VERY dangerous thing. The battery exploding or catching fire is a very real possibility. Say someone is traveling on a plane with one of these time bombs. PLEASE, people. This tape thing is NOT a fix!