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batteries for pentax cameras

rhayles
Posted 21/07/2008 - 13:27 Link
my experience of using batteries with pentax have not been very successful. I would welcome comments and guidence on which batteries last the best and whether rechargable batteries are the better bet and which make I should invest in.
Hyram
Posted 21/07/2008 - 13:30 Link
Which camera :
Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
rhayles
Posted 21/07/2008 - 14:21 Link
about to purchase either k10 0r k200
Phototramp
Posted 21/07/2008 - 19:10 Link
Both the K10 and K20 have dedicated lithium rechargeable batteries that come with the camera. But I have heard there are replacement batteries that Sony produces that will be a good replacement (or should I say extra batteries) for both cameras.
Photography is a foot print for the future.
Hyram
Posted 21/07/2008 - 20:54 Link
For the K10 or K20, as well as the Lithium batteries that they are supplied with, like many others I use the 'cheapo' Lithium batteries from 7 Day Shop in the Channel Islands.
Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
Mongoose
Posted 22/07/2008 - 09:08 Link
the K200 uses AA batteries. I was told by a man from Pentax at the SRS open day that you shouldn't use Lithium batteries with the K200 because it is weather sealed.

Lithiums are the only single use batteries which give acceptable life in DSLRs so that leaves re-chargables.

With my *ist DL2 the best battery life I have obtained is from 7dayshop own brand 2700mAh NiMH batteries. A lot of people seem to be having good experiences with the new Hybrid NiMH cells such as the Uniross Hybrio and Sanyo Eneloop. These are supposed to have better self discharge charateristics than standard NiMH (you can charge them and forget about them, they'll still be charged in 6 months). I have not had much luck with these, none of my sets will hold a decent charge, but I suspect they just don't like my 7dayshop v7000 1hour charger.


I would go for Eneloops or Hybrios with a dedicated charger, or 7dayshop 2700s with whatever NiMH charger you fancy. Not sure how long they'll last in the K200, but in my DL2 I get 500-700 shots per charge on 2700mAh batteries.
you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help
rhayles
Posted 22/07/2008 - 09:24 Link
thanks for that info. the more technology moves on the bigger the minefield it seems. I have just purchased the K10 so the issue on which batteries is no longer with me. but I find your comments interesting. Has Pentax issued a warning to users of weather sealed models on the use of lithium batteries?
George Lazarette
Posted 22/07/2008 - 10:10 Link
rhayles wrote:
thanks for that info. the more technology moves on the bigger the minefield it seems. I have just purchased the K10 so the issue on which batteries is no longer with me. but I find your comments interesting. Has Pentax issued a warning to users of weather sealed models on the use of lithium batteries?

Bizarre. Pentax supplies Lithium batteries with its weather-sealed bodies.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Gwyn
Posted 22/07/2008 - 10:29 Link
I just looked at the quick start guide for the K200D - and it states that it is supplied with Lithium batteries, and indeed recommends using 4 AA lithium batteries, rather than Ni-MH batteries.
http://tinyurl.com/5aze7k


It doesn't mention CR V3 batteries, which are what I use in my Ds though, only 4 AA batteries.
Edited by Gwyn: 22/07/2008 - 10:30
rhayles
Posted 22/07/2008 - 16:42 Link
have just received my new K10...oh what a joy to be back using all my K mount pentax lenses and over the moon with the results!!!!! I realised that the K10 used lithium batteries so could not recconcile the comments from that man at Pentax. Thanks for your endeavours on my behalf...back to happy snapping again.......
George Lazarette
Posted 22/07/2008 - 19:10 Link
Welcome back to Pentax.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Hyram
Posted 22/07/2008 - 20:59 Link
rhayles wrote:
have just received my new K10...oh what a joy to be back using all my K mount pentax lenses and over the moon with the results!!!!! I realised that the K10 used lithium batteries so could not recconcile the comments from that man at Pentax. Thanks for your endeavours on my behalf...back to happy snapping again.......

Excellent news.

Changing the subject, do you have any connection with Harold Hayles in Yarmouth :
Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T
rhayles
Posted 22/07/2008 - 22:48 Link
Harold would not own me as a relative but the reality is that the family name spelt HAYLES is an old Isle of Wight name. I can trace my accesters back to the 1600's all living on this Island. We started to spread at the beginning of the 1800's when the wars took our men away from here....boring but thats as it is. I can't stand being on the water which keeps me here on the island rather than take that boat journey, so Harold would look down his nose at such a whimp...but we all can't be sailors!!! presume you are the sailing type? I like my ups and downs to be on dry land!!!
Keen2Learn
Posted 23/07/2008 - 00:56 Link
NiMH batteries are always better than Alkaline, I only use Energizer 2500mAh rechargeable and buy them for approx £5 for pack of 4.

With the K10/K20 I would only use genuine Pentax Li-ion batteries.
Cheapo brands may work but is it worth damaging a camera for the sake of £30 ?? Some manufacturers will only guarantee their products when using genuine batteries.
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Pentax K-7, DA 16-50mm F2.8, DA 50-135mm F2.8, DA 200mm F2.8, DA 300mm f/4.0, AF-540 FGZ TTL Flash, Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 APO DG, Manfrotto 190XProB tripod, Manfrotto 679B Monopod, Tripod Head 804RC2, Monopod Head 234RC,
Unlocker
Posted 23/07/2008 - 01:22 Link
If it's OK to pick any brand of AA batteries and I would presume Pentax do not stipulate which brand to use, it would therefore be safe to presume that whichever brand of batteries you put in a K200, the warranty would remain intact.

Just because the shape of a battery changes, I do not see why this logic should change.

Pentax do not own a battery fabrication plant, they did not even come up with their own design of battery, they just used an off the shelf solution and stuck a badge on it. It's not quite the same level of standard as an AA battery, but the battery design of the K10 is a lot older than the camera and appeared in other devices before that!

If Pentax decided to put a badge on a particular brand of AA battery, then stipulated you HAD to use them or invalidate your warranty, everyone would say that they were taking the p***!

Is there such a thing as a 'genuine' pentax battery? To me the only thing genuine is the sticker. They are made on the same production line as others, so why pay £45 extra for a badge? I pay £5 for batteries for our cameras, and we have 7 extras between us, one in each of 3 grips, 2 in each bag. The difference in price there paid for a fish eye lens and lunch on the way home.

You pays your money, you takes your choice, that's fine, but just think what your reaction would be if you were told 'Pentax AA rechargeables only matey, £50 for a set of 4 please!'

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