K10D to use proprietary lithium battery pack?

[Pete Fang]

According to this PDML post, the K10D could use a lithium battery pack called the D-LI50. The same post also states that the K10D's battery grip will be called the D-BG2.

http://www.mail-archive.com/pentax-discuss%40pdml.net/msg339394.html

If this were true, it could mean a number of things:

• K10D won't be compatible with the *ist D battery grip, D-BG1. But this makes sense if the body of the K10D is weather sealed.

• K10D body could be no longer compatible with AA batteries, although AA support could be featured via the battery grip.

--

Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: *ist D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Brett St Pierre]

• K10D won't be compatible with the *ist D battery grip, D-BG1. But

this makes sense if the body of the K10D is weather sealed.

Yes, I wasn't expecting that and the mock up body we saw looked enough different anyway

• K10D body could be no longer compatible with AA batteries,

although AA support could be featured via the battery grip.

I wouldn't have thought that 4 x AAs would give enough grunt (been covered before here) but maybe 6 x AA in a grip ant propreitory in the body?

--
Brett
http://www.pbase.com/shreder



The Journey is the Thing

 

[Dave]

Hi All,

Both these facts would make sense and I think it's safe to say quite expected (in my opinion). HAving the ability to use AA's as an option would have been nice but each added design feature means the camera will come in at a higher price point...something Pentax has to be careful to avoid. I think Pentax would do well to first consider it's target group for this camera andmake sure it has the essential features that this target group expects. If it is to be the advanced amateur/pro market, than propritary battery and weather sealing is no surprise. Like the Nikon D200, it may be that Pentax will offer optional AA battery use via the grip (which also might be able to take a second proprietary battery). Although the SD card has gained tremenous popularity, the CF card still rules in advanced amateur/pro cameras...so Pentax will have a difficult choice with this..unless they go the unlikely route of dual media slots. Frame/buffer rates will be of paramount importance as well as low light capabilites and speed of the Af system. I think all this and more (and price) will really determine the success and acceptance of this camera especially for those who currently are thinking of entering a new brand of system but what a more adavnced body to start with. They will compare it to the competition and what they offer at this level of camera. Exciting times for the DSLR market! Just some personal thoughts.

Dave

 

[Andi Bancic]

Although
the SD card has gained tremenous popularity, the CF card still
rules in advanced amateur/pro cameras...so Pentax will have a
difficult choice with this..unless they go the unlikely route of
dual media slots. R market! Just some personal thoughts.

Dave

My Fuji S602Z had dual media slot (CF & SM) and was smaller than my *istDS. So, anything is possible.

 

[Darren M]

I have a feeling that should this be true, there will be quite an uproar. Personally though, I would welcome a proprietry lithium ion pack. Even branded batteries have dropped quite a bit in price and the ability to get thousands of shots on a charge, which is what people are getting with some of the other brands, is more appealing to me than the negative of having to spend another $30-50 on an extra battery. Potentially, this could also be a real size/weight saver too. This is not bad news to me at all.

--



http://www.trekearth.com/members/Darren/photos/
http://www.darrenmelrose.com

Have camera, will travel

 

[Pete Fang]

I have a feeling that should this be true, there will be quite an
uproar. Personally though, I would welcome a proprietry lithium
ion pack. Even branded batteries have dropped quite a bit in price
and the ability to get thousands of shots on a charge, which is
what people are getting with some of the other brands, is more
appealing to me than the negative of having to spend another $30-50
on an extra battery. Potentially, this could also be a real
size/weight saver too. This is not bad news to me at all.

I totally agree with you. I'd rather have a lighter, smaller lithium-ion battery pack that's more reliable than AA Ni-Mh on any day.

--

Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: *ist D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[AndrewF]

The only thing you loose out on is being able to go to a variety store and pick up a pack of AA's if you forgot to bring back-ups.....and in spite of that convenience, I suspect that very few of us have been in the position of actually utilizing that benefit.

I've got rechargable CRV-3's for my DS2 as well as some AA niMh's. Even in -20 degree weather, I've never run out of battery power and been left scrambling to get to the store. The only change a proprietary battery would bring about is the shape of the batteries I carry with me.....and perhaps the length of time charging takes. Not a big deal, in all honesty.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewfaires/

 

[Anastigmat]

I have a feeling that should this be true, there will be quite an
uproar. Personally though, I would welcome a proprietry lithium
ion pack. Even branded batteries have dropped quite a bit in price
and the ability to get thousands of shots on a charge, which is
what people are getting with some of the other brands, is more
appealing to me than the negative of having to spend another $30-50
on an extra battery. Potentially, this could also be a real
size/weight saver too. This is not bad news to me at all.

I totally agree with you. I'd rather have a lighter, smaller
lithium-ion battery pack that's more reliable than AA Ni-Mh on any
day.

Lithium batteries (AA and CRV-3) are both available for the *ist D, DS, DS2 and DL.

 

[jeffkrol]

Apple 1.5 million, Sony ?????. This technology I can live without ...
--
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

 

[Foxbat121]

I have a feeling that should this be true, there will be quite an
uproar. Personally though, I would welcome a proprietry lithium
ion pack. Even branded batteries have dropped quite a bit in price
and the ability to get thousands of shots on a charge, which is
what people are getting with some of the other brands, is more
appealing to me than the negative of having to spend another $30-50
on an extra battery. Potentially, this could also be a real
size/weight saver too. This is not bad news to me at all.

I totally agree with you. I'd rather have a lighter, smaller
lithium-ion battery pack that's more reliable than AA Ni-Mh on any
day.

Lithium batteries (AA and CRV-3) are both available for the *ist D,
DS, DS2 and DL.

Those are non-rechargable Lithium batteries, not rechargeable Lithium-ion.

 

[janneman02]

Apple 1.5 million, Sony ?????. This technology I can live without ...

Well, don't worry, there are also rumours (yes, rumours again..) which suggest that there will be and AA battery holder which will fit in, just for emergencies and as a token of appreciation to those who have invested in chargers

--
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093'
above sea level.

--
janneman
http://www.pbase.com/jl2

 

[Tim Davidson]

Just had a chat with the Pentax rep in Ottawa & according to him it will take double AA's just like the K100..

Couldn't get much out of him..Look for faster AF, larger buffer & slight increase in fps

Tim

 

[jeffkrol]

Can you run the D grip w/ out batteries in the body???
Second annoyance... NEW grip.......

Sorry, it may be a necessary evil (Li-Ion) but I'm not crazy about, or in favor of, the idea. Gave up on the "combo" memory card slot.... I'll only go so far
---
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

 

[floater]

For extra juice, and the convenience of AA, perhaps a 6-battery configuration might be ideal. Of course, size and weight may come as sacrifice but I can live with that. I really hate the idea of camping somewhere for a week in the middle of the sticks and won't be able to use even disposable AAs when I come face to face with a giant bear. :-D

In short, I really don't care for proprietary batteries.

 

[RickS]

For the last 30+ years I have used every kind of rechargeable battery available for both consumer and laboratory equipment. They all have their strengths and weaknesses but the weight difference between AA lithium, RCR-V3 and NiMH is so insignificant that it is just not an issue.

If standard style and size batteries can be easily obtained (AA) and provide good or better battery life and performance in a piece of equipment, why on earth would anyone want an expensive, proprietary power source that may not even be available in six or seven years?

Primary lithium batteries, both AA and CR-V3 work extremely well in all the current Pentax DSLR models, as do Delkin RCR-V3, which yield a proper voltage. Personally, I prefer any of those over NiMH, but even those can be used very well, also.

If Pentax wants to make a change, I would prefer to continue with AA/CR-V3 as the standard battery configuration, and higher capacity/voltage batteries in a grip. After all, it would be the pros (or wannabes) that would find it more necessary and beneficial. Not the average shooter.

Please leave my AA batteries alone.

Rick

 

[rondeann]

Being able to use AA batteries is on the things that sets Pentax apart from the others. Would hate to see them give that up. I know it was one of the pluses when I was picking a DSLT.

 

[rondeann]

If they stop making the battery for a camera then you can just throw the camera away.

 

[Patrick T. Kelly]

I wonder if the proprietary batteries will be as readily available as the Pentax lenses? I apologize for the sarcasm but I don't live in Los Angeles or New York City.

 

[jeffkrol]

No batteries necessary in the body if batteries are in the grip....
That's a good thing......
--
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

 

[mpixel]

Can you run the D grip w/ out batteries in the body???

Yes, but you know that already now.

Second annoyance... NEW grip.......

Yes, thankfully. The old grip had a pretty big design flaw - they didn't indent the shutter release like every other manufacturer does. This means that I have to turn the grip off to prevent my palm from pressing the release (and preventing the main release from working) when shooting in landscape mode.

The body of the new camera is different and so will require a different grip.

Sorry, it may be a necessary evil (Li-Ion) but I'm not crazy about,
or in favor of, the idea. Gave up on the "combo" memory card
slot.... I'll only go so far
---
360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093'
above sea level.

--
GMT+1 (summertime)