How long before I lose time and date settings?

6BQ5 · 06-13-2013, 05:47 PM

I will have to charge my battery soon and I'm afraid that i will lose my time/date settings. My plan is to order another battery that I can swap into the camera while the first one charges. How many seconds do I have between battery swaps before the camera loses its settings?

Thanks!

**jac** · 06-13-2013, 06:07 PM

Most DSLRs utilize an electric double layer super capacitor or 'supercap'. They'll normally supply power for the settings for day or so. Certainly long enough to re-charge your lithium ion rechargeable that does the main work. So get a spare battery, swap when necessary as a convenience or just have one and recharge without fear unless you are not near a power source for a couple of days.

bluenose · 06-13-2013, 06:58 PM

A cheaper alternative to the OEM battery is to get the optional battery holder D-BH109 and use Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA's. They last longer than the standard battery.

Regards

Aux · 06-14-2013, 06:20 AM

It's definitely OKAY to have K-30 two days without battery. Did not try more days - never had any need.

6BQ5 · 06-14-2013, 11:13 AM

Many thanks to everyone who responded! Yes, I am familiar with SuperCaps and I can understand how they can keep a simple low power time of day clock. All of my past digital cameras must do not have these (cost cutting?) so I lose all that information pretty quick. It's good to know Pentax included one here.

Paleo Pete · 06-15-2013, 07:35 AM

Good to know. I wondered about this a while back, but it's never been an issue since I ordered a spare battery at the same time as the camera. I later got an AA adapter, great thing to have. I use Duracells, the last 2 sets of Energizers I got, one lasted about 2 months and refused to take a charge, the other never took a charge from the first day. Both got so hot I blistered my fingers trying to get them out of the charger. Only did that once...Switched to Duracells and never looked back. One set is 5 years old and just now starting to weaken, the other 2 sets are in good shape. One is a year old, the other about 3.

I've never left the K30 without a battery for more than a couple of minutes, ditto for the K-x. So it hasn't become an issue, but I had wondered about it. My Samsubng P&S would lose date and time after a few minutes but I never timed it.

06-13-2013, 05:47 PM	#1
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	How long before I lose time and date settings? I will have to charge my battery soon and I'm afraid that i will lose my time/date settings. My plan is to order another battery that I can swap into the camera while the first one charges. How many seconds do I have between battery swaps before the camera loses its settings? Thanks!

06-14-2013, 11:13 AM	#5
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	Many thanks to everyone who responded! Yes, I am familiar with SuperCaps and I can understand how they can keep a simple low power time of day clock. All of my past digital cameras must do not have these (cost cutting?) so I lose all that information pretty quick. It's good to know Pentax included one here. Last edited by 6BQ5; 06-14-2013 at 11:36 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K5 time and date	sa_lontoc	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	12-15-2012 12:39 PM
set time and date	rpmuise	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	08-08-2012 03:59 AM
K10D - Date and Time backup battery	post_eos	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	04-23-2012 04:10 PM
Time and date stamp Kr models	Roger Mello	Pentax K-r	15	03-10-2012 08:25 PM
changed date and time	patrick9	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	06-26-2011 05:34 AM

06-13-2013, 06:07 PM	#2
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	Most DSLRs utilize an electric double layer super capacitor or 'supercap'. They'll normally supply power for the settings for day or so. Certainly long enough to re-charge your lithium ion rechargeable that does the main work. So get a spare battery, swap when necessary as a convenience or just have one and recharge without fear unless you are not near a power source for a couple of days.

06-13-2013, 06:58 PM	#3
bluenose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 227	A cheaper alternative to the OEM battery is to get the optional battery holder D-BH109 and use Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA's. They last longer than the standard battery. Regards

06-14-2013, 06:20 AM	#4
Aux Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Riga, Latvia Posts: 35	It's definitely OKAY to have K-30 two days without battery. Did not try more days - never had any need.

06-15-2013, 07:35 AM	#6
Paleo Pete Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,880	Good to know. I wondered about this a while back, but it's never been an issue since I ordered a spare battery at the same time as the camera. I later got an AA adapter, great thing to have. I use Duracells, the last 2 sets of Energizers I got, one lasted about 2 months and refused to take a charge, the other never took a charge from the first day. Both got so hot I blistered my fingers trying to get them out of the charger. Only did that once...Switched to Duracells and never looked back. One set is 5 years old and just now starting to weaken, the other 2 sets are in good shape. One is a year old, the other about 3. I've never left the K30 without a battery for more than a couple of minutes, ditto for the K-x. So it hasn't become an issue, but I had wondered about it. My Samsubng P&S would lose date and time after a few minutes but I never timed it.