K100D Super battery failure

I have been a prolific Pentax user of film SLRs since the seventies and have owned and used many bodies. I completely switched to Digital several years ago and now have several DSLR bodies, K100D, K100D Super, K10D and K20D. Like most I have battery life issues with both the K100D and Super models. But now the K100D Super model has stopped working, with new batteries (I have tried several makes and capacities batteries using different chargers) the camera when switched on will only show a depleted battery symbol and no camera functions operate at all - the camera body is effectively dead. Has anyone experienced this? Are there any know fixes or is this a fatal failure? I had a fatal failure on the K100 that required a warranty replacement of the main board. Currently I have had no issues with either the K10 and K20 bodies. But I am lossing faith in Pentax.

Sorry to hear your problem - are the contacts clean?

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"Like most I have battery life issues with both the K100D and Super models"

Most people have never had battery issues. Like many I use Eneloops and couldn't be happier. Before that I used several other brands and they were OK too.

"the camera body is effectively dead"

I am sorry to hear about that! Mine worked fine until I dropped it off a waterfall... and even after that it was OK, though the viewfinder was mucky. I have never heard of the battery compartment failing but anything that can happen will... eventually. If it is under warranty get it seen to.

"I had a fatal failure on the K100 that required a warranty replacement of the main board. Currently I have had no issues with either the K10 and K20 bodies. But I am lossing faith in Pentax. "

I would lose faith with a company that didn't honour warranties. But not the other way around. Every brand has failures and Pentax is no different. If anything, Pentax cameras are built to take a lot more abuse than other brands at the same price point.

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Sorry to hear that you're having problems with batteries, but why would that make you lose faith in Pentax? I have a K100DS which I still use occasionally. Never had any problems with it. Are you sure it's got nothing to do with -0 temperatures?

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Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships. - Ansel Adams -

I have a K100DS that has a battery life of a few hours but I put this down to it being totally immersed in water on a ride in Orlando - 'Jaws' - despite being in a camera bag beneath my legs!
It also doesn't switch off once switched on - I have to open the battery compartment.

Luckily I was able to claim under my insurance.

Try Energiser Ultimate Lithium, about £7 for 4. Not rechargeable, worked with my DL2 when I had same problem. None rechargeable are 1.5V, but rechargeable 1.25V. DL2is backup body to my GX10 so I take batteries out when not in use,often when putting back, first insert shows low battery, but a re-fit gives full battery. I have taken plenty of shots on one set of these over last 2 years on what, like you, I thought was a broken camera

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I also use the K100DS but only lightly. I've never had issues with lithium batteries and generally try and find cheap CRV3s (eg from EBay) as they seem to last for a very long time. Sorry to hear about your problems and hope you find a solution.

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Jon

Some occasional random stuff at The Photographers Block: link

I had the same problem. It may be the battery "door". Mine was very loose on my 100D

Thanks to everyone for your help. The K100's seem to be very prone to battery issues. At least the K10D and K20D with the with the rechargeable Li-on batteries have never caused any issue.

The power supply may have blown a fuse. The internal clock battery would provide enough power to display the depleted battery warning.

If this is the case then it should be a quick and straightforward repair (ie. cheap), but probably one that only Pentax would undertake. Why not give them a call and see what they say?

I had this problem with my GR-D and Ricoh replaced the fuse free of charge, despite it being a year out of warranty. Obviously Pentax aren't obliged to carry out work for gratis (and it might be a more complex job - I have no idea where it would be located on a K100D) but if you ask nicely you have nothing to lose - the camera won't work as it is...

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Joining the Q

I have had my K100 D for a few years now and never had a problem with any batteries.
Ian

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but my K100DS has just developed this problem. I even tried an external power supply, and still all I get is the "low battery" symbol.

I guess this camera is long in the tooth now, so is it worth getting it repaired, or is this a sign that it's time to move on. Or do I go back to my ME Super and film?

Sorry to hear of your woes. I dread anything going wrong with my K100D as I still use it regularly. As you say, these cameras are getting old now... You might be able to find a replacement on evil-bay, one which has been lightly used.

For goodness sake don't start using film again. That would be a bad thing. I get the occasional dud CD but I don't dust off the 78s!

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Best wishes,

Andrew

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