Ok - I will try the non rechargeable batteries and see how I go - grrr - makes me angry that the people who sold me the camera sold me crappy batteries and I really hope it has not done permanent damage.

Thanks everyone for your input - muchly appreciated. Maybe I will drop back by once I get this thing working and post some of my photos for your constructive critisim

As said We were sold CR-V3 rechargeable batteries with the camera which we were using. We have bought Kodak Max 3V Lithium Batteries and are now using them.

What other information can I tell you because as previously stated I am dumber than dumb when it comes to this stuff

We were sold CR-V3 rechargeable batteries with the camera which we were using. We have bought Kodak Max 3V Lithium Batteries for it, which we seem to be having better luck with however they are not rechargable and are $50.00 a pop.

So any suggestions on the perfect battery would be appreciated - but it would be nice if they were rechargeable.

Many many thanks

Australia - North Queensland - I have the most amazing scenery to photograph - I just need to get the camera to do it - but I was in the UK not so long ago and enjoyed it so maybe I can come visit again. - MMM might be cheaper to buy a new camera

Thanks for the offer though

Yes you are right the other camera takes an SD card this one is a Compact Flash - I have had it sent back under warranty and it come back doing the same thing - because it happens one day and not the next it is almost impossible to "diagnose" apparently.

So my little lemon and I will try to be patient with each other.

Thanks Clarky - but I really think the thing is broken - if I push the button it just doesn't always take a photo - sometimes the camera makes a photo taking sound and I dont get anything on the SD card , sometimes it wont turn on - and then other times it wont turn off.

The basics I understand is that if all the knobs are turned to green then I should be able to snap away like an idiot and the camera will look after me.

I have run searches - that's how I found you guys. We will just have to wait and see if there are any incredibly patient soles around here.

A couple of years ago we bought a Pentax *ist d which has been shoved back in the cupboard and replaced by our basic digital camera more times than I can to think.

We have it back under warranty because the camera was not recognising the battery - it didn't work but the camera shop we bought it thru closed down. It is spasmotic and when it does work sometimes it takes a fantastic photo and sometimes it is downright shocking.

I cant even figure out what dials I should have turned on for what so if anyone can give me a very basic beginners rundown on how to use this thing I would be most grateful - I hate to think we spent all that money for nothing.

I tell you what - the way I am feeling about my IST D at the moment I would be leaping for joy if it fell from anywhere and ended up looking like this - insurance has to be better than warrenty!

Hey everyone I have just joined - We purchased our Pentax IST D a couple of years ago and as a last ditch effort to use the darned thing I am hoping that someone can tell me how to make it take a decent photo, and some days a photo at all.

In saying that when I can get it to work I do like some of the pics it takes - so anyone up for offering some advice that will need to be dumbed down and then dumbed down again?