electricity

[aburlar]

I definitely want to make sure that my camera is always juiced and ready to capture this important journey. I have been considering buying a currency converter, but they weigh a few pounds and that's a lot.
Does anyone have any suggestions about this?
Is it more economical weight-wise to buy another camera battery and charge it at home in the States?

Thanks....

 

[Ulysse]

Not knowing what type of battery you have I can tell you that a simple and very lightweight battery charger will work on 110 to 230 volts and charge your AA or AAA batteries in a snap.

Failing that, buy your non rechargeable batteries in Spain as you go.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

It depends on what kind of batteries you need. I have a Sony that requires a special Sony battery which is very very expensive, certainly not the throw away kind.
I was worried about this very issue, as often when I am away from home I tend to be camping or in other situations where it is hard to charge batteries. I decided in fact that the only solution was to buy a camera that needed AA batteries that could be thrown away, and replaced easily en route. Crazy as it may sound, I now have a second camera (entry level), that still takes really good photos, but that takes ordinary AA batteries. I don't need a charger, and can buy batteries en route as I need them. (I bought another Sony so I don't need any different memory cards etc.)
This solution may sound like a real extravagance to some, but I love taking photos and it works for me.

 

[Lillian Rodriguez]

While preparing for my May camino, I had your same concerns on keeping my batteries fully charged as I shoot everything that moves, or is static. Fortunately an experienced american pilgrim helped my out.

Universal chargers will probably say something like this on the back: 100 VAC-240 VAC 50/60Hz. They weigh next to nothing, my Canon charger is just 2 onces. Just check the underside of your charger to make sure yours is compatible. Now all you need is the European 2-pin to the US 2-blade AC plug adaptor, plug to the wall and presto!. You'll find plenty of wall sockets to charge at most private albergues.

By the way, take a spare battery in case you cannot charge every day! That saved my day when I left my charger in Arzua and could not charge again!

Buen camino and happy shooting!