3rd party battery - K5

OK Algi, I'm up for this, you take your Pentax battery apart and I'll do my cheap one, then we can compare pics

Having said that would it be safe taking batteries apart?

There's probably just a few other smaller batteries inside

Last year I wanted some C cells (used to be D? ) and I bought some
plastic spacers so that I could use Eneloop AA's, but AA's are
about 1mm longer than C's so I bought 14 Rechargeable Duracell's.....
I just hope this isn't what's inside them......

http://www.naturalnews.com/PhotoTour_Energizer_Batteries_2.html

See also page 2

as I posted with the Canon equivalents I found them better than the originals

I don't think I need to re-evaluate anything

Always used 7dayshop for batteries. They offer a warranty, unlike ebay sellers.

My 3-D printed battery covers have just arrived. Look nice and fit well, so I am happy. Will make travelling a lot easier, especially when I am only going away for a few days and don't want to take the charger along too.

I have a couple on the way with a 3rd party grip... Gift from my Mum

I currently have two batteries for my K5. One original and one generic, very similar to many on ebay. Recently I found the generic would not hold its charge for more than a few photos before showing part discharged on the top indicator. The generic is more than one year old.
I wondered if the indicator was accurately showing the battery condition, so I experimented. About 4 hi-speed sequences were taken. 4x 24 frames, which is point at which the buffer filled. Indicator showed battery fully discharged. Turned camera off, then back on. Indicator shows battery is fully charged and this hasn't yet changed.
I wonder if I overcharged battery and somehow it couldn't show correct charge? Anyone had a similar experience?
bb2

The prices charged for the 'genuine' Pentax DLI90 are a total rip-off. The going rate from manufacturer (check Alibaba for yourself) is about US$2-4 each in 100+ quantities. In practice, there aren't that many Li-ion cell manufacturers in the world.

Ive found recently using some 3rd party batteries (not sure if they were ebay or 7day shop ones) that my K-5 crashes, especially if the battery is low. Missed out on some rutting deer shots last weekend because of it.

I have 2 3rd party bat. for the K5, generally they are OK, however I have noticed the charger indicator can be all over the place, e.g. take a shot with the flash and all of a sudden the bat. nearly finished, go off and shoot some JPEGs and it still lasts all day? Strange.... the Pentax bat. seems to have fared better.

I used 2 3rd party bat. with my GX10 for 2yrs and never noticed this issue?

I'm wondering if it's from long exposures, I did not really do many with the GX10?? Maybe using video as well?

I've only got the original battery for my K5 and with the spasmodic use it gets that's been fine. However, the other week I went out and realised that I had left the camera switched on since it's previous use, it was as de as a Dodo. Fortunately I had the Kx with me as well so I carried on.
These 3rd party batteries and possibly the original too? are all made in China so are they all coming from the same factory? Or from just two or three factories? What is the quality control like? Are some unauthorised copies being made?
I've just been looking on Amazon at a DSTE battery for the K5 at £6.88 and on ebay 2 x DSTE batteries and charger for £6.99 including postage!
I'm tempted to risk the £6.99. Has anyone tried this make?

Just because some things are made in China certainly does not mean they are all from the same factory. China is a very big place! There are no doubt many manufacturers of batteries and camera manufacturers will specify the standards they require. Yes, there are cheap copies and they would be best avoided on many counts.

Lithium batteries will run down when not used, but ours last a very long time if unused. The camera will take some current if not switched off.

I'd suggest rotating at least two battery packs, but you do need to remember to charge them.

I haven't tried any 3rd party batteries with that particular badge on them, but my K-5 3rd party batteries cost about the same price and have been just as good as the rip off price Pentax originals. Go for it

Try Duracell Direct. A huge selection covering all the different models.

I've actually measured the capacity of 4 different K-30 batteries and the only one matching the Pentax at less than £10 was a DSTE branded one from Amazon UK. They have a K-5 one for about £8 which obviously I haven't tested as I use a K-30.