K20d batteries

Roughly how long (no of exposures) should I expect a K20d battery to last? Previously had a K-m and if the rechargeables ran out could always bung in 4 x AA Duracell to get you through the emergency.

However with the rechargables........ that isn't an option, so what can i reasonably expect.

Over 500 shots for sure. You do need a spare battery thought, and if it does run out in the middle of a shoot the convenience of replacing a Lithium battery as opposed to 4 AA batteries quickly becomes apparent.

On a week's holiday (up to 200 images per day probably) I never get beyond battery 2. I actually carry three Pentax batteries just in case, with a fourth in the K10D backup camera. That is overkill.

I'm currently wondering if I should get another battery - off to the Klein Karoo for two weeks but the farms and guest houses all have mains power to recharge - but knowing me I will forget!

A second battery is very useful. A fully charged one will usually last a day happily so I stick one on charge as soon as the first runs out.

I have ended up with five batteries (I had two and my K20D came with three) but one of them developed a fault and as soon as you turned the camera on it started taking photos and playing up.

Best wishes, Kris.

The option you have is to fit one of your spare batteries. Perfectly decent non-Pentax-brand spares can be bought cheaply.

The charge can last for less 200 shots if you operate your camera a lot in between shots, especially if you use Live View at all. On the other hand, you can get over 1000 shots if you're a snappy snapper.

My brother-in-law bought two batteries when he bought his camera. A few years later, he and my sister came to visit. They'd been here for a day when one battery died and a day later the other one died. If he charged them fully he got about ten shots each. Because I live in Oaxaca, Mexico, he couldn't get a new battery.

So, I go ahead and use one battery for six months and then by a spare, the idea being they won't give up at the exact same time. Since my K10D and my K20D use the same batteries I have even greater redundancy.

I don't normally exhuast my battery. Depending on how many photos I've been taking, I swap the battery on Sunday. It's my understanding that there is no benefit to "draining" a Li-Ion battery.

Not directly, but the life of your battery is shortened every time you charge it. So for maximum longetivity, charge only when you really need to. That is when the battery is nearly flat, or when you need the full capacity.

Storing at low temperature helps as well.

Just ordered one - not worth missing the ultimate shot for the cost of it.

I did see some in the US at $13.75 each ... I might buy some next time I am there and sell them here!

Did you look here? LINK
John

I did, but nothing came up under Samsung or Pentax - but I had forgotten Minolta.

However, it will cost to have it shipped or to go and collect.

SRS got the order.

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=99219

I have a battery grip for my K20D - I recently went out on a friends son's 18th B-day party and took over 400 shots, most with inbuilt flash. Had loads of power left the next day. I was very impressed to be honest.

I have 3 batteries in total one spare fully charged and 2 in the camera/grip.

I also have two chargers.

cheers guys - just me thinking that whilst replacing 4 AA's is a pain in the backside, they are readily available, pretty much, should you mess up.

So I have a tally of 5. 2 Pentax and three - 3rd party's that should cover me well!!! Might have to get some more memory though as it chews through memory cards like no-ones business!

I get through 1500 shots easily (and it's been 3000) with two batteries. Before an important shoot, they get charged. I don't use onboard flash, sensor shake is turned off.

Li-Ions are better than NiMH at cold temps, too. I had my K10D in -10 for 2 hours today with one battery and 300 shots - no problems at all. The NiMHs would / could have not kept up, the chemistry will not allow it.

AAs are not the ultimate powersource and I wish they would disappear from cameras forever.

Bret