Charging your camera gear on 220V vs 110V?

5 years 2 months ago #626706 by ShutterPal
I have some traveling coming up and just noticed that in Italy, they have 220V and of course the plugs are round.  

1. Do I need a converter to step down the 220V to 110V for my camera charger?

2.  What about my MacBook?


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5 years 2 months ago - 5 years 2 months ago #626712 by garyrhook

ShutterPal wrote: 1. Do I need a converter to step down the 220V to 110V for my camera charger?


Yes, you're going to need a power adapter.

2.  What about my MacBook?

For anything. You might want to take two.


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5 years 2 months ago - 5 years 2 months ago #626719 by Nikon Shooter

ShutterPal wrote: 1. Do I need a converter to step down the 220V to 110V for my camera charger?

Most chargers are the same but may be attached
the adequate cable with different connection, as
they often have an automatic voltage detection
and two coils inside.

Check behind your charger, if you see 110~220, you'
re ok with just the connection adaptor or cable.

ShutterPal wrote: 2.  What about my MacBook?

Samething here: if you see 110~220, you're ok with
just the connection adaptor or cable.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 months ago #626721 by Alex
Most quality electronics in the last 10 years are good to run from 110 to 220 and will  sport a disclaimer a disclaimer that that shows it's input can handle 100-240V.  With that said

Here are a few examples from my Sony and Nikon chargers, MacBook Pro, Surface Book:


 








All you need is adapters that look like this:



Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
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5 years 2 months ago - 5 years 2 months ago #626725 by Nikon Shooter

Alex wrote: shows it's input can handle 100-240V.


Yes, most European countries are on 50Hz, 220V
but some are 50Hz, 240V.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 months ago #626735 by KenMan
FYI... hair dryers are mostly 110 volt


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5 years 2 months ago #626880 by Nikon Shooter

garyrhook wrote: Yes, you're going to need a power adapter.


Not at all, just a connection adaptor.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 months ago #627244 by Roy Wilson
You can pick up the European adapter on Amazon for under $10 bucks.  

Canon 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50 1.2L, 16-35 2.8L Mark II, 24-105 4L IS, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 85 1.8, 4 x 580 EX(II)
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5 years 2 months ago #627254 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day ShutterPal

I am please to see that you are doing all the 'right' stuff here

The project brings back memories from 30-or so yrs ago when I worked for the Defence Department in Australia. We had a US military officer out here showing off the latest satellite command and communication equipment and he decided to have it set up unexpectedly for a demo

He was rude to our 'grunts' telling us that 'his boys could do it better & faster', but when it was all connected, the local boys refused to fire it up - they tried to tell this know-it-all that it wouldn't work as expected - but it fell upon deaf ears. So the US guy flicked the switch on the generator and 240 volts sped into the 110 volt equipment and it all fizzed nicely

These days, the electronics are better & things are set up a bit differently :)

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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5 years 2 months ago #627280 by ShutterPal
Ahhh, peace of mind.  Thanks guys.  I appreciate all your input and advice.  


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5 years 2 months ago #628244 by Beth Anderson
Now why isn't 220V used in USA?


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5 years 2 months ago #628250 by Nikon Shooter
It is unknown to me why… must be the same as with
the metric system?

You use 110 V @ 32 A, most Europe is on 220 V @ 16 A.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 2 months ago #628352 by garyrhook

Beth Anderson wrote: Now why isn't 220V used in USA?


We should be thankful for Tesla and AC current. Edison got that one wrong.

In any event... Let me google that for you:

lmgtfy.com/?q=why+don%27t+we+use+220+in+the+usa%3F


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