K-x Power Issue

No matter how much I charge the batteries on my K-x I only get thirty to forty photos.
THe batteries (rechargeables) have been replaced on three ocassions and I have all the up to date firmware.

Is this a common problem with this camera?

QC

Which type of rechargeables do you use Alistair? I can get between 200 and 400 shots from Sanyo Eneloops with my K-x.

Regards
David

If your only getting 30 - 40 shots. As you have realised. There is a problem somewhere. I use low cost rechargeables in my Kx and get 200-400 shots. Maybe you have a faulty cell in your batteries.

Is it the same set of batteries you are using or have you bought three different sets?

As stub mentions, you could have a faulty battery which is not 'pulling its weight' and causing the camera to shut down early. It is known as a mis-matched cell
and should have been picked up at production. You can test for this if you know someone with a battery charger that has individual charging circuits as these chargers
can then tell you if an individual battery is faulty. Most battery chargers charge up pairs at a time which disguises the problem.

If the batteries are not faulty then it can only be a fault with the camera. I seem to remember another Pentax User member with a Kr had a similar problem recently, maybe there is a generic power supply problem with the entry level cameras?

You need to supply much more information when posing this type of question.

1: What (exactly) are the cells you are using (make & capacity in mah)?
2: How are you charging them, or rather, what are you charging them with?

The only really correct way to charge rechargeable batteries is with a charger that controls the charging rate and cut-off voltage for each individual cell.

If you are using a common or garden twin or quad battery charger, you might be ruining batteries by not discharging and charging them properly.

Perhaps consider investing in something like this, if you haven't already.

Are the batteries actually discharged or is it the battery indicator on the camera that says they are low. As on my K-r it will indicate low power but if i switch it off and back on again after 20 secs or so i can get a couple of hundred shots more. Been like that from new, just learned to live with it.

Yes, my k-x behaves like geordie01's k-r.

Are the batteries actually down as the camera stops working or are you taking the camera's battery indicator's word for it?

I make sure I have batteries with me ready to go in just in case from when the indicator turns red but usually have many more more shots / loads of time left before the camera actually gives up.

I use Uniross rechargable batteries 2700 mah.

Ive tried using a new set but havent tried a new charger yet so that might be it.

I also bought durcell batteries the other day to see if they were working. I got a full green bar and then 50 shots later dead.

There must be a power issue with the camera but I will try a new charger and come back.

THANKS as always for all the help/feedback

A

Hello again Alistair. I think the problem may be the type (not the make) of batteries you are using. Normal NIMH batteries like the Uniross and Duracells don't work very well on the K-x. You need the type that retain their charge more efficiently, one of the best of this type are Sanyo Eneloops. These are very cheap on Amazon and I don't think you would regret buying some. Eneloops are also great for other kit like flashguns.

Regards
David

As well as using good NiMH batteries, such as Eneloops, have you checked which firmware your K-x is running on? The basic software, as issued, is too pessimistic regarding battery useability: it signals weak or dead batts much too early.

I got much better results after loading the 1.01 version upgrade into my K-x. It now takes over 100 shots before the weak battery signal appears.

For further details, see: link which had a lot of sound information, early last year.

Good luck!

Martin

You say you bought some Duracell the other day to try, do you mean the standard Alkaline Duracell Plus (coppertop)? If so, these aren't designed to be used in digital cameras and will run down very quickly particularly if you use the screen to review pictures you have just taken. 50-75 shots would not be unusual with these batteries. If you use Duracell Ultra then you might get around 100 or so.

If you are going to use disposable batteries then try Lithium which will give 700-800 shots plus much screen reviewing or at about half the cost try the 'in between' option. Usually labelled digital Oxide or something similar. JCB do a pack of 4 for about £2.75 -£3.

Instead of designation letters LR6 (normal alkaline), these are ZR6. Other manufacturers do their own version. These should last between 250-400 shots depending on camera and usage pattern.

As other people have said though you really need the combination of good quality NiMh AND a good quality charger preferably with 4 separate charging channels to individually monitor each battery. I use Ansmann NimH AA/2850 mAh with my Kx and get around 350-400 shots per set easily. I also use an Ansmann Digispeed 4 charger
with built in fan to keep batteries cool as it charges them up fully in about 2 hours. I'm very happy with this combination. I did update the software on my Kx as well.

Thanks folks

Have been looking into the Eneloops and they seem to be the biz.

QC

But wait....

On Amazon a lot of people are saying that it doesnt come with the correct UK plug?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000N64EL2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000IDUOPA&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=153E6CR2DCQF14AAN4G3

Can someone please send me a good link to buy as this one seems dodgy that you cant get a proper plug.

Ta

That offer on Amazon is for 4 batteries plus a charger.
If you already have another charger suitable for NiMH rechargeables you only need the batteries.

I have found Battery Force a reliable supplier of different batteries and their link for the same charger plus 4 batteries is :-

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_SOAANI001A-Sanyo-Eneloop-Overnight-MQN04-C...

However, they have lots of other packs of Enenloops and other 'pre-charged' batteries, similar to Eneloops. I use the UniRoss Hybrio types in my K-r as I got those locally at a bargain price in ASDA !

Good luck

Peter