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K100D super battery problem

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Spout Mouzert

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Hi, I been having a frustrating time with my brand new K100D super lately, just wondering if anyone can help. When I bought the camera, the "free" batteries seemed to take around 300 photos with the kit lens, which i was quite pleased with. However i have since bought the pentax smc 50mm 1.4 autofocus lens, which seems to eat batteries extrememly quickly. For instance i was at a wedding recently popped some brand new duracell aa's in and they lasted all of an hour 50 photos max. However everytime i use the k100, the battery meter, is one minute full, next shot empty, then i'll turn it off and it will be full again! It seems to have a mind of its own! Not very handy though. Can anyone recommend the best rechargables? Also im surprised how much this lens hunts sometimes? Many thanks
 
Alkaline AAs are really only an emergency back-up option, not recommended. The best options are Lithium AAs (non-rechargeable) or Eneloop hydrid types (rechargeable and hold charge long term). You might find CRV3 Lithiums which give excellent performance but can be expensive.

--
Steve

http://www.pbase.com/steephill
 
If I am not wrong, the batteries supplied in the box are Lithiums. I have tried alkaline batteries and they do not last whatever the lens. I hope this will help.
 
Actually I tried some Eneloop type batteries (not the same make as they are not available here). They didn't work with the camera at all. So not all of these variant batteries can be recommended.

My problem is different. I refuse to buy disposables for environmental reasons. I have two sets of rechargeables I've used for about 15,000 actuations. Neither seem to power the camera for long any more. This is way below the usual duty cycle. I am wondering if the camera itself is at fault.

Any experience with this?
 
I use AA sized rechargables (bought at Jessops and vaious other stores) for my (Pentax and Canon) compacts. I cannot store them charged - they seem to loose charge very quickly.

On the contrary the proprietary Li-Ion batteries for my digital SLR hold their charge over weeks and months.

Anyone experiencing the same problem or found a solution to it?

Lenses sucking out batteries - I made the same experience with a Tamron 28-300mm VC lens (image stabilised) on an old EOS 300 film camera. This lens sucks empty the nonrechargable (and quite expensive) batteries already after 2 rolls of film - before they lasted for 8-9 rolls.

--
Chris
 
rparmar said:
Actually I tried some Eneloop type batteries (not the same make as
they are not available here). They didn't work with the camera at
all. So not all of these variant batteries can be recommended.
Click to expand...
Are you sure you were using the "hybrid" batteries and not just conventional NiMH cells? I've never heard of anyone having complaints with the hybrids. You can usually tell that they're the newer technology because they're typically sold as being "pre-charged" and don't require charging before you use them for the first time.
 
Sean Nelson said:
Are you sure you were using the "hybrid" batteries and not just
conventional NiMH cells? I've never heard of anyone having
complaints with the hybrids. You can usually tell that they're the
newer technology because they're typically sold as being
"pre-charged" and don't require charging before you use them for the
first time.
Click to expand...
Exactly so. Wish I could remember their name but I got them at Dixon's / Curry's. I normally use rechargeable NiMH but thought I'd give these a shot (so to speak). They worked for about 5 shots out of the pack so I charged them up. Then they worked for about 10.

OK, found them -- "GP recyko". Here:
http://www.cheaperbatteries.co.uk/index.asp?function=displaycat&catid=48
 
Not sure if it is the problem but when my Super fried the circuit board from internal flash failure, the battery indicator stated empty very soon after installing fresh batteries. When it was repaired no problem. Also if the draw of the focusing motor is high it may show the camera a low battery. That is only based on my automotive repair experience.
 
I was originally going to buy some Powerex/Imedion batteries by Maha from Thomas Distributing for my K100D Super, but I was gifted a set of Eneloop batteries by Sanyo from Costco. They work great. Low discharge too, so I dont usually worry about giving them a fresh charge before I go out shooting.
 
Christoph Stephan said:
I use AA sized rechargables (bought at Jessops and vaious other
stores) for my (Pentax and Canon) compacts. I cannot store them
charged - they seem to loose charge very quickly.
Click to expand...
I think it's about 1% a day loss of charge for "normal" NiMH rechargeables, whilst they're not being used, which soon adds up. Even so, the Sanyo-made ones often seem better than some of the other brands (Sanyo-made NiMH batteries tend also to be branded as Sony, Fujifilm and Olympus in the UK, and some Energizers too - you can recognise them by a tiny HR engraved on the negative terminal - i.e. the large, flat end).
Christoph Stephan said:
On the contrary the proprietary Li-Ion batteries for my digital SLR
hold their charge over weeks and months.

Anyone experiencing the same problem or found a solution to it?
Click to expand...
However, as others have mentioned, the new low-self-discharge NiMH batteries such as Sanyo Eneloop seem very good - they come pre-charged and can remain nearly full for almost a year whilst not being used. Even though they're "only" rated at 2000 mAH, in real terms they outlast normal ones of 2700 mAH by quite a margin. Eneloops are quite hard to find in the UK in shops,though there are other brands (such as Uniross Hybrio) which are easier to find - but I haven't tried them. I bought my Eneloops online from Battery-Force in the UK but they're sold out at the moment I see.
 
Oh yeah, I got my money back. But there was nothing to indicate they were rubbish before I tried them. And they are the only brand I have seen here. Online prices from UK incur an insane shipping surcharge, effectively doubling (or more) the price. In the meantime I think my camera hates all batteries equally, so until I fix that there's little point.
 
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