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New K-x Battery Trick

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Of course they are not the overall answer, if you read anything I actually wrote - which is developing a focused complaint and answers to Pentax. Right now everyone is talking to Pentax and complaining about batteries with no sense of knowledge and we're getting back garbage from them, like use 2500+ mAh batteries.

To some extent it is definitely a firmware issue. To what extent, if any, is hardware based is an entirely different story.

This trick (not the movie mode) only surfaced a couple days ago, why lie about what tricks you tried?
Allan Brown said:
johnnyz86 said:
This is a different trick. I am simply trying to diagnose where the problem lies: software or hardware. If you don't want to find out what it is so we have a more specific focused complaint to Pentax and you can't use your camera, then that is fine.
Allan Brown said:
I'm not too enthusiastic about this.

I tried all kinds of "tricks" with both cameras. I did notice the indicator changing from red/orange to green but it did not last and I only got a few photos before I had to do it again.

As I said before, these "tricks" are a waste of time. Pentax needs to acknowledge the problem and say something - which I believe they have not done.

Allan
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While tricks are not the overall answer, they may help some people until there is a real fix - which so far, doesn't seem to be coming.

I returned both the cameras I had. However, while I did have them, I tried your "Trick" and others with no luck.

I believe this is what is called in engineering terms a build up of tolerances. What the problem is are those tolerances hardware, firmware or both?

So, until Pentax decides where the problem lies, we plebes will have to live with the "tricks"

Allan
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MightyMike said:
He returned 2 cameras
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Okay, wasn't following that thread obviously :) Maybe a bad batch, or he has bad batteries? But I am guessing that has been addressed too.

Eric
--
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be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it
beautiful. - John Constable (quote)

See my Blog at: http://viking79.blogspot.com/ (9/9/09)
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Sorry, he tried many things with the supplied batteries and other batteries when he had the 2 models, i would assume that he is suggesting he also turned his camera on with a manual lens attached as that was one of his biggest reasons for buying the camera
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote :)'



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=
 
Fair enough, I just assumed he passed over that as he usually passes over most of the things I say.
MightyMike said:
Sorry, he tried many things with the supplied batteries and other batteries when he had the 2 models, i would assume that he is suggesting he also turned his camera on with a manual lens attached as that was one of his biggest reasons for buying the camera
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote :)'



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=
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johnnyz86 said:
Well, try it in AUTO mode with half-depleted batteries then - I just said freshly charged to eliminate variables.
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Sorry, just tried it and it doesn't help at all. Six attempts (taking out and reinserting the batteries each time) and the camera turned on once. Maybe it works better with fully charged batteries ... but then, in my limited experience so far, the battery detection does work better anyway with fully charged batteries. And possibly my camera is worse than most in regards to voltage detection (although at least it recognises one set of batteries and works with them ok, so it's not doing too bad).
eruditass said:
Regardless of the state, most of the time my camera detects better in AUTO with these trick, although sometimes it is wrong.
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That doesn't really make sense, though, does it? I mean, if the camera was mistakenly assessing the batteries as Lithiums and then shutting down because the charge was so low, I'd understand. But when it already knows that the batteries are NiMHs, we shouldn't be seeing this problem.
 
Dan Savoie said:
Hey Allen,

Be patient young one. Be patient.

I know it's a pain, but I can't post an update yet but I will.

Regards,

Info_Man --> Dan
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To those that "aren't in the know", the above poster, Dan Savoie, works at Pentax Canada (or at least he used to do do and I assume he still does), and when he writes "I can't post an update yet but I will", it is something like "wink, wink, nudge, nudge", which surely indicates that something is in the works from Pentax.

I think I will tell my wife, who has one of the 343... series of K-x with all the worst of the problems in properly recognizing NiMH batteries including the Eneloops ones, to hold off on sending it back (she has until January) to see if there is a firmware fix in the works.

Regards, GordonBGood
 
Possible and probable reason: Firmware bug.
Owen Marshall said:
johnnyz86 said:
Well, try it in AUTO mode with half-depleted batteries then - I just said freshly charged to eliminate variables.
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Sorry, just tried it and it doesn't help at all. Six attempts (taking out and reinserting the batteries each time) and the camera turned on once. Maybe it works better with fully charged batteries ... but then, in my limited experience so far, the battery detection does work better anyway with fully charged batteries. And possibly my camera is worse than most in regards to voltage detection (although at least it recognises one set of batteries and works with them ok, so it's not doing too bad).
Owen Marshall said:
Regardless of the state, most of the time my camera detects better in AUTO with these trick, although sometimes it is wrong.
Click to expand...
That doesn't really make sense, though, does it? I mean, if the camera was mistakenly assessing the batteries as Lithiums and then shutting down because the charge was so low, I'd understand. But when it already knows that the batteries are NiMHs, we shouldn't be seeing this problem.
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Gordon, I was thinking about getting K-x for my wife - officially - and unofficially using it as my backup/low light body or getting myself another one. What do you think about the camera? Just couple words, if you don't mind...
 
mnovikov said:
Gordon, I was thinking about getting K-x for my wife - officially - and unofficially using it as my backup/low light body or getting myself another one. What do you think about the camera? Just couple words, if you don't mind...
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Maxim, other than the battery problem for certain production batches, which I expect soon to be resolved by Pentax - wow as to image quality.

For more words, see my other postings related to this camera, especially on a thread started by Devorama regarding the image quality of the K-x.

Regards, GordonBGood
 
I posted this in Battery Part 2, but that thread seems to be 'old news' perhaps.....

First let me say i've handled a K-x; feels quite nice.....This is no bash; i want the camera.

HOWEVER, i don't have a 'warm & fuzzy' on this "AA Issue".....there is just way too much conflicting "fixes/no fixes/works-maybe" info out there (here and on the Pentax boards)

So i decide to contact Pentax via their "chat"; go straight to the horse's mouth. This is what i get (i've used Pentax and Me for the chat, and i never asked them to get back to me while i'm still in their chat room !):

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to PENTAX.
PENTAX: Hi! How may I help you?

ME: Thanks, that was fast.....is Pentax going to issue a firmware update to resolve the AA battery issue?
PENTAX: What AA Battery issue?
PENTAX: With this camera
ME: the one discussed at much length on both the Pentax and DPReview forums

PENTAX: if you change battery types, sometimes the battery indicator on the LCD panel won't display correctly right after
PENTAX: If that is what you're referring to,

PENTAX: the camera should display correctly if you remove the batteries for a moment and then reinsert them.

PENTAX: Nothing has been announced as far as producing a firmware update for this camera.

ME: yall really need to have your techs look at those forums........i'd like to buy the K-x, but not until this is actually resolved.
PENTAX: We see the forums, Sir but the information on forums
ME: it's MUCH MORE complicated than what Pentax thinks
ME: this issue really is putting off several buyers

ME: there are dissertations on what people have attempted to do to get the K-x to work properly

PENTAX: Well, all you should have to do for the camera to recognize the battery type if it does not at first is remove them and reinsert like I said.
ME: Yes, i agree that SHOULD be all you have to to...however, it ain't

ME: If it was as simple as that, there wouldn't be VOLUMES on the subject (especially on such a new unit)

ME: Can an engineer or tech with Pentax look at the issue and get back to me via email (as i'd really like to purchase a new camera, and like the features of this one)?
ME: this is just one listing of the issue:
ME: http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33592461

PENTAX: The product engineers are in Japan and you're speaking with technical support.
PENTAX: I understand, Sir
PENTAX: I am aware and have seen forums
PENTAX: What exactly would you like for me to do to help you?
ME: that's why i gave my email address.

ME: Forward this chat to someone who will actually look into this and get back with me.

ME: You can contact Pentax Japan but we can't contact them and give your contact info for you.
ME: don't you have email between Pentax USA and Pentax Japan?

PENTAX: You can call us here at technical support if you'd rather. Or you can email us. I'm not sure what you want us to get back to you about when I'm here now
PENTAX: It isn't something we can provide for consumers sir
ME: POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS...i get it.
ME: i'll find another brand.....it's just a camera.

PENTAX: I don't know what you expect us to do for you right this moment but I'm sorry I couldn't help.
PENTAX: Thank you for dropping by and have a great day!
ME: You must be kidding.......
 
Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to PENTAX.
PENTAX: Hi! How may I help you?

ME: Thanks, that was fast.....is Pentax going to issue a firmware update to resolve the AA battery issue?
PENTAX: What AA Battery issue?
PENTAX: With this camera
ME: the one discussed at much length on both the Pentax and DPReview forums

PENTAX: if you change battery types, sometimes the battery indicator on the LCD panel won't display correctly right after
PENTAX: If that is what you're referring to,

PENTAX: the camera should display correctly if you remove the batteries for a moment and then reinsert them.

PENTAX: Nothing has been announced as far as producing a firmware update for this camera.

ME: yall really need to have your techs look at those forums........i'd like to buy the K-x, but not until this is actually resolved.
PENTAX: We see the forums, Sir but the information on forums
ME: it's MUCH MORE complicated than what Pentax thinks
ME: this issue really is putting off several buyers

ME: there are dissertations on what people have attempted to do to get the K-x to work properly

PENTAX: Well, all you should have to do for the camera to recognize the battery type if it does not at first is remove them and reinsert like I said.
ME: Yes, i agree that SHOULD be all you have to to...however, it ain't

ME: If it was as simple as that, there wouldn't be VOLUMES on the subject (especially on such a new unit)

ME: Can an engineer or tech with Pentax look at the issue and get back to me via email (as i'd really like to purchase a new camera, and like the features of this one)?
ME: this is just one listing of the issue:
ME: http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33592461

PENTAX: The product engineers are in Japan and you're speaking with technical support.
PENTAX: I understand, Sir
PENTAX: I am aware and have seen forums
PENTAX: What exactly would you like for me to do to help you?
ME: that's why i gave my email address.

ME: Forward this chat to someone who will actually look into this and get back with me.

ME: You can contact Pentax Japan but we can't contact them and give your contact info for you.
ME: don't you have email between Pentax USA and Pentax Japan?

PENTAX: You can call us here at technical support if you'd rather. Or you can email us. I'm not sure what you want us to get back to you about when I'm here now
PENTAX: It isn't something we can provide for consumers sir
ME: POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS...i get it.
ME: i'll find another brand.....it's just a camera.

PENTAX: I don't know what you expect us to do for you right this moment but I'm sorry I couldn't help.
PENTAX: Thank you for dropping by and have a great day!
 
XavierP56 said:
Inserted batteries (Eneloop).

Waited 1 minute. Turn on. No issue yet, 400 pictures taken.
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nice to know!
could you test it with other Ni-Mh batteries and post your results?
 
I'll stick with what works for me:
Energizer Lithium Ultimate AA
Eneloops.

Both of them were supplied with my K-X. No issues with them.

I even switched to Eneloops while my Lithium AA were quite full and had no issue.
 
XavierP56 said:
I'll stick with what works for me:
Energizer Lithium Ultimate AA
Eneloops.
Click to expand...
well, if you ever get the chance to try another type of Ni-Mh let us know. it would be interesting to see if your "working" K-x works always or only with the right batteries.
 
Pretty much mirrors all of my tech support experiences with any company.

Anyways, someone working for Pentax has hinted at "something" very soon. Wish Pentax as a corporation was a bit faster at responding to things, but with many corporations, prefer quiet fixes.
 
He didn't acknowledge the problem as being valid, he acknowledged a complaint and said in his limited tests, he had no problems.

That said, a Pentax employee hinted at a response/fix like yesterday.
MightyMike said:
They did... last month... Ned Bunnell posted it in his blog, he is the president of Pentax imaging USA... what more do you need to hear... they are working on it and have been for almost a months now
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote :)'



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=
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