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Poll: Batteries - Proprietary or AAs?

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OK, if AA batteries don´t affect the burst rate I prefer AAs.

Thanks for your funny reply Jens :-)

Birthrate sounded so logical to me :-)

Al
 
I like the set-up on the DS. As I bought mine second hand it has no warranty anyway. So I use rechargeable CRV-3 batteries. They work a treat. They do not damage the camera. I e-mailed pentax (UK) about it and they said it would be fine as long as they were the correct voltage. I bought them off ebay (about £30 for two with charger) as they are relatively new in the shops and at rip-off prices. In the long run definately saves a lot of money. Only problem is you can only charge one at a time and they take a long time to charge.

I do like to have the option of using AA's. Although I find they don't last that long. At least I know if I'm travelling somewhere I can just buy a bunch of them and still have power.

I think Pentax is a perfect travel camera system. However, to be honest, most people travelling are just going to buy Canon or Nikon anyway, no matter what battery system they have, or however bulky the lenses are. Its like a badge.
 
richardday said:
*isteve said:
Why cant anyone invent a proprietary rechargeable battery that fits
in a CRV3 shaped enclosure?
Click to expand...
Perhaps they will. Not beyond possibility, but I have a feeling
they may step up the voltage of a proprietry battery to something
like 7.4v or even 9v (i.e 6 x AA's in a battery grip) to provide
more oomph, as per the D200 for example (the D2X has a proprietry
11.1v). Maybe the K10D could house 6 x AA or 3 x CRV3 in the main
body, they have enlarged that end of the camera somewhat from the
pictures of the prototype.
Click to expand...
-

I agree that proprietary is likely to provide the extra grunt a K10D is going to require if it really is semi-Pro or Pro performance. Remember that where this camera is likely to be aimed at and 4 x NiMH AAs are not going to do it I am afraid.

-
Brett



The Journey is the Thing
 
JensR said:
Hey Lance!

Lower voltage -> higher current for same power -> more copper sold

Think about it ;)
Click to expand...
LOL. If I were the one selling Pentax the copper I would opt for the low voltage higher current version, but as I won't be, I will opt for the high voltage lower current version. ;-)

Cheers,
Lance
JensR said:
Jens

--
'LBA knows no bounds, and seeks no justification...' (Jim King, 2005)
http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/index.html - Photography, Tech and
Geek stuff :}
'Why is everyone answering rhetorical questions?' (Me, 2005)
Click to expand...
--
Lance B

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b
GMT +10hours

 
If Pentax wants to go with a new higher powered and longer lasting proprietary battery, I'm fine with that. Especially if it would allow for faster AF, etc, like Lance B. indicated.

Seth
 
Just give me a good camera. Bright 100% finder. Accurate white balance, precise exposure control, fast focusing even in low light, easy accessing to menu (especially iso, exposure compensation control) and put all in a weather sealed sturdy body. Keep the body small like previous pentax DSLR. Who care about what battery used.
 
Ideally i would like to see cameras take both AAs and proprietory batteries, giving the consumer the ultimate choice and combination of options. But very few cameras have gone that route.

Otherwise I would prefer AAs, unless a proprietory battery can provide greater benefits than the AAs. For example, if you can get 300 shots with the top-rated AA NiMHs, and 310 with a propriatory battery, then stick to AAs. But if you can get 600 shots with a proprietory, then that seems like a more justifiable choice.
Gareth_R said:
A cat seems to have been thrown amongst the pigeons with the
possibility of the upcoming "K10D" having a proprietary battery as
apposed to the AAs in the *istD series, K110D and K100D:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=19317961

What would your preference be? List your preference in the subject
header so it makes it easier to count...:-)
Click to expand...
--
My boring photography blog: http://photographyetc.livejournal.com
 
I’m a first-time lurker here in the Pentax forum. First, I must say that you people are way to civilized,. You need to visit the Canon or Nikon forums for awhile to learn how to add some excitement to this forum by studying how to flame and totally degrade each other. ;-)

Now, about the AA batteries. I have an Olympus E-10 & E-20 and love the fact that they both use AA batteries. They are available anywhere in the world and are cheap. I use the 15 minute rechargeable Rayovac and Energizers for my cameras and flashes and am back up-and-running in no time at all. I don’t sell my equipment, and providing that it is still working years from now, I don’t have to worry about finding a replacement proprietary battery like some of the old electronics I have that are now useless.

BYW, I have bought a few cameras simply because they used AA batteries.
--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
 
Guerito said:
I’m a first-time lurker here in the Pentax forum. First, I must say
that you people are way to civilized,. You need to visit the
Canon or Nikon forums for awhile to learn how to add some
excitement to this forum by studying how to flame and totally
degrade each other. ;-)

Now, about the AA batteries. I have an Olympus E-10 & E-20 and love
the fact that they both use AA batteries. They are available
anywhere in the world and are cheap. I use the 15 minute
rechargeable Rayovac and Energizers for my cameras and flashes and
am back up-and-running in no time at all. I don’t sell my
equipment, and providing that it is still working years from now, I
don’t have to worry about finding a replacement proprietary battery
like some of the old electronics I have that are now useless.

BYW, I have bought a few cameras simply because they used AA
batteries.
--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
Click to expand...
I hope that lens hood is made out of some sort of valuable metal... yes I agree this forum is too civilized, thats why I lurk in the other forums:)

--



http://www.geocities.com/wild_tiger_1

http://flickr.com/photos/selrahcharles/

Whats more important to you? Taking photographs that have great image quality, or taking photographs that are quality images?
 
digital_ray_of_light said:
Ideally i would like to see cameras take both AAs and proprietory
batteries, giving the consumer the ultimate choice and combination
of options. But very few cameras have gone that route.
Click to expand...
Not an option as you would need two different battery compartments or propietry batteries of the same size and voltage output as 4 x AA's. Having the same voltage output as 4 x AA's would negate the reason for using a propietry battery in the first place and that is to get a higher output voltage to drive the AF motors faster.
digital_ray_of_light said:
Otherwise I would prefer AAs, unless a proprietory battery can
provide greater benefits than the AAs. For example, if you can get
300 shots with the top-rated AA NiMHs, and 310 with a propriatory
battery, then stick to AAs. But if you can get 600 shots with a
proprietory, then that seems like a more justifiable choice.
Click to expand...
The lithium ion batteries would give more shots per charge than the NiMH's as they are designed for the camera.
digital_ray_of_light said:
Gareth_R said:
A cat seems to have been thrown amongst the pigeons with the
possibility of the upcoming "K10D" having a proprietary battery as
apposed to the AAs in the *istD series, K110D and K100D:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=19317961

What would your preference be? List your preference in the subject
header so it makes it easier to count...:-)
Click to expand...
--
My boring photography blog: http://photographyetc.livejournal.com
Click to expand...
--
Lance B

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b
GMT +10hours

 
Hi All,

It's obvious that a case can be made for either depending on ones requirements or intended use or expectations of performance and I respect the individuals right to choose. As many know I have been using Digital SLR's virtually since their inception (and almost all models) and except for the istD and Fuji line of digital SLR's each and every other DSLR (most pro level) both required and used proprietary batteries...and for good reason. Even with more efficient circuitry and better and higher capacity "rechargable" AA's....they are still no match for a consistant higher level of performance..and my comments reflect rechargeable AA's for the moment.

If one compares day in and day out use of the Nikon D200 whose performance and power requirements may be a good comparison for the upcoming Advanced amateur/pro leaning DSLR from Pentax....one haas the opportunity in the D200 to compare using AA's vs. it's proprietary batteries (when using the optional grip). When it comes to number of frames using a single set of AA's vs. one proprietary battery, the proprietary battery easily wins out. When comparing body performance (Af speed, (read/write speed), and other functions during demanding shooting while putting stress on the power source...the Proprietary battery easily wins out too and most once they use the proprietary battery, rarely ever resort to AA's....but here's the rub, so to speak. The D200 with grip does have the option and so when in situations where AA's are the only viable power source..then of course it becomes extremely valuable to have a camera than has this option. I believe that if only one power source is possible due to size restriction, then based on my experience, the proprietary battery for an advanced camera becomes necessary. If somehow the AA option is possible, then as a second optional power source (if required), then this additional feature would be most welcome...but not as an "only" available power source.....again just my opinion.

Dave
 
HI Dave!
Member said:
respect the individuals right to choose. As many know I have been
using Digital SLR's virtually since their inception (and almost all
models) and except for the istD and Fuji line of digital SLR's each
and every other DSLR
Click to expand...
Hm, Sigma SD9 and SD10 use NiMH AAs. Canon 1D series uses a proprietary, but NiMH, solution.
Member said:
proprietary batteries...and for good reason.
Click to expand...
Yes: Higher revenue for the manufacturer.

And another major point: With proprietary batteries, the manufacturer can control chargers and batteries to match his specification. Biggest (I'd say the only) problem of NiMH AAs is people using poor cells and/or poor chargers. Then they complain that the performance is poor. By using proprietary technology, manfuacturers are protecting themselves from customers buying bad accessories.

Cheers
Jens

--
'LBA knows no bounds, and seeks no justification...' (Jim King, 2005)
http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/index.html - Photography, Tech and Geek stuff :}
'Why is everyone answering rhetorical questions?' (Me, 2005)
 
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