Newbie sd1100 questions. Please help!

[retrograde]

Hi. Today is my second day owning the Canon sd1100is / ixus80is. I'm really liking it so far. My questions are:

1. Is it better to avoid turning the camera off and on a lot, which makes the lens expand and retract, and just have a few concentrated shooting sessions rather than flipping the camera on and then back off every time I see a photo opportunity? That is, does it hurt to keep making the tiny lens motor work so much, or is that what it is designed to do? Also, should I set the lens retract feature to later than one minute, which makes the lens retract anyway? I suppose I am asking about how vulnerable the lens motor is to failure, over time.

2. What is the best policy with charging the battery? I've heard that li-ion batteries have no memory, so it's ok to charge every night. Is that best, or should I drain it and refill it as needed?

3. What is the best case for this camera that keeps it pocketable? And where can I get such a case? Portability was my main criterion for choosing this model, and I don't want to lose that.

4. Is it worth getting a Best Buy service plan (2 or 4 year) with this? I still have thirteen days to decide.

Thanks for your help!!

[JLV]

3. What is the best case for this camera that keeps it pocketable? And where can I get such a case? Portability was my main criterion for choosing this model, and I don't want to lose that.



For my Elf, I made my own case. Cut some cloth and sewed the edges. When cutting, I left extra material on one side for a flap. I attached velcro to keep it closed.

[nutmac]

1. I would utilize Power Saving feature, with auto power down turned on (which turns the camera off after 3 minutes) and display off set to whatever suits your style (I wouldn't make it too long as SD1100 has small battery capacity).

2. Although fully draining once in awhile can refresh the battery state, fully draining lithium ion battery all the time can shorten the battery life.

3. I prefer Lowepro series (e.g., Apex 10 AW, Spectrum 10, Tasca 10) but my wife likes using cute cell phone case.

4. At the rate camera prices are falling, I wouldn't. The decision is ultimately up to you, but I rather buy brand new camera few years from now (when and if the camera fails).

[retrograde]

Thanks for the feedback! I found a small Sony case that works so far. And from what I've seen on consumer blogs, Best Buy service plans aren't the way to go.

Still thinking about the lens retraction concept (#1). My real concern is wearing out the tiny motor inside by turning the camera on for every photo opportunity that excites me, but I guess death comes to all digital cameras eventually, and it's best to shoot with it and not worry too much.