S2 Pro, CR-123 batteries and VR lens

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

For the past two years I have been getting about 600-700 frames per set of
123 batteries. Now at around 40,000 frames, that average is pretty close,
using conventional AF, non-AFS, non-VR lenses.

In the past few weeks I have had the almost exclusive use of my newspaper's
new 70-200 F2.8 VR lens. A beautiful lens, but it has caused much grief with
my S2 Pro.

Shooting sports in 'normal' VR mode, it chew through the 123s at about 200
frames per set! I turned off the VR, without a noticeable improvement.

So I figured, this camera will work without 123s, so I'll just drop them
out. No dice. It will not run the VR/AFS lens, even with a fresh set of 2500
mAh Energizer rechargeables. And if I switch back to the conventional
lenses, I only get a few frames and then the dead battery 'eeeeeeee' sound.

I missed a great number of photo opportunities on Canada Day because I ran
out of 123s in my bag. I was not impressed.

Having nearly run through the last $450 box of 100 123s my paper bought, I
figured I should pick up an MB-16 battery grip. I did this reluctantly last
weekend, as I really did not want to add the additional weight or bulk. It
will nearly eliminate the height advantage afforded by my Stroboframe flash
bracket.

So some work with a Dremel, drill and small screws later, I had my MB-16
modified and mounted.

It seemed to shoot all evening tonight, about 100 frames, but contant
autofocusing for about 2 hours. The VR was turned off as I was at 1/1500th
on a monopod. However, the camera did show the 'battery is almost dead' sign
in the top window shortly after I started shooting. With the 123s, this
meant it will die in two or three frames, but with the modification, it
seems to last significantly longer.

Additionally, I have discovered the 'brick' that powers my Epson P-2000 is
compatible with the S2 Pro, which makes for downloading without killing any
batteries (the original AAs, at least, not the MB-16 AAs)

This experience has lead to a few questions I'd like to throw out:

1. Do AFS lenses kill off your 123s quickly?
2. Does VR kill off your 123s even more quickly?
3. Has anyone been able to use this lens, 70-200 f/2.8 VR, on an S2 Pro
successfully with all the bells and whistles?
4. Might I be having issues with my lens or body? (It does not seem to kill
off my paper's D70s)
5. How common is the addition of the MB-16? Is this just for hard core
folks, or is it commonplace?
6. Do these lenses kill off Nikons with the proprietory batteries quickly,
i.e. D2X, D70, D100?

Any hints or suggestions would be appreciated.

Brian Zinchuk