ist DS

My ist DS seems to use a lot of batteries. Does anyone know whether this is normal or do you think there is a fault.

It may be that the battery is on its way out. Any way that you could check that one out? New third party batteries are cheap enough to get a second one (and its always handy to have more than one or two).
Remember that the battery will loose its power over time so if your battery is more then 2 years old it may just be an idea to get one new one and see how you get on with that one and if it still drains then its back to the Pentax Doctor.

Stephen,

G'day, how much is 'a lot'? (Else, how long is a piece of string? )

What are you doing with your camera - ie, how are you using it?

How old is/ are the battery/ies in question?

etc.

The *istDS uses AA batteries, so NimH rechargeables seem to do a good job. I used to have three sets that were carefully rotated. Batteries do need to be charged the night before for best results as they lose their charge quite quickly.

Get a set of Sanyo eneloops. They are amazing!. My istD uses AA batteries, too and I used to use regular Nimh rechargeables. They didn't last long and would self discharge quickly. A month ago, I got some eneloops and they are still showing full, on the cameras LCD screen after countless shots.
I recommend them highly.

My *istDS, from 2005, is still in regular use.

I would recommend lithium, disposable, batteries. When new the DS came with a pair of CRV3 lithium batteries which lasted for months. However these are getting harder to find at reasonable prices. AA lithium are just as good and often you can find them for 4 +2 free at around £5.

I did use NIMH rechargeables but was so impressed with the life of the lithium batteries that I gave up with the rechargeable batteries.

If you decide to go with NIMH then make sure you go for the modern "pre-charged" types as these hold their charge much longer and are much better for intermittent or infrequent use.

Glyn

I first switched to Eneloops when I got fed up with the self discharge issue with normal NiMh cells. Eneloops have a capacity of only 2000ma/h compared to the 2750ma/h of many NiMh cells, but they did last longer in the camera (*istD & *istDS).

I now use 2100ma/h Ready-to-Go cells from 7DayShop.com and find them very good indeed, and cheaper than Eneloop.

I've just bought a *istD from a forum member and I've ordered Ready-to-Go cells for it and the AF500FTZ flash I'll be using with it.

I use Uniross rechargeable CRV3s in mine.

My *istDS has always used CRV3 - I bought a twin set (4) of rechargables and charger when I bought the cam in 2004 - they last a very long time in the camera and are still going strong after these years.

Me too!....I used them for 3years,until I bought my K20....I loaned my DS to my sister who uses it on a regular basis!...original battery's still going strong!....

Anyone in Australia can buy SANYO CRV3 from TopBuy AUD$12 each which is a darn sight cheaper than I paid for mine in 2004

Compatability list includes:
PENTAX
Pentax Digibino Series
Digibino DB100, Digibino DB200

Pentax Optio Series
Optio 230, Optio 30, Optio 330GS,
Optio 33L, Optio 33LF, Optio 33WR,
Optio 43WR

Pentax Optio S Series
Optio S30, Optio S40, Optio S45,
Optio S50, Optio S55, Optio S60

Pentax *ist Series
*ist D, *ist DL, *ist DL2,
*ist DS, *ist

Might be time to get some backups

Have been using eneloops in my k200d ,highly recommended. was in my local Asda (Blackburn)this afternoon and noticed they were on sale there. (though probably cheaper on the internet.)
regards, tim.

My 8 year old has an istDS and uses it infrequently. We use eneloops and they seem to go on forever! I've made a habit now of replacing all AAs with eneloops as they run out, although I might try the others mentioned on this thread as well.

Tony

Not that I use my DS that often now, I normally use NiMh with it. But even different brands produce different performance.

7day shop 2500 are fine
7day shop 2700 have more power but don't hold their charge as well as the 2500's from the same supplier if you don't use the camera for a while.

Jessops (yes Jessops) 2000's were great the 2300's even better. Now the 2000's are used in my TV/DVD/Bluray remotes

Uniross are the best that I have had and still go strong.

I have heard that the enloops are really excellent, I think I will get some, if only for my flashguns.

I had alkalines as spares, sometimes and they would last for about an hour. High end rechargeables lasted for 300 - 400 pictures.

I liked the *ist DS, because of the fact that you could have lots of spare rechargeables on hand. Plus I liked it as a camera, pity the MP's are so low.