[thegrasshopper]

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My Insurance company are supplying me with a K5 to replace a damaged K100, could anyone give me advice about the expected use of the supplied battery.

I am currently using a Battery Pack Grip with the K100, would I need one with the K5, when out shooting i can take up 500 photos in a day.

Martin Brown

[Indria Djamil]

Dear Martin,

Just to be sure, use the battery pack grip for K5 (the same they made for K7).

Indria.

[Casper14]

I've had the K5 for a couple of months now and am definitely suprised by how long the battery lasts compared to other cameras I've used. That being said you are probably going to have to use a battery grip for extended trips or long photo shoots. I've gotten by so far without using one but have maxed out between 550-600 shots before it's just dead to be used. I've had a trip cut short too because the battery died after only a little over 400.

[Docrwm]

I had the K-5 for a couple months before I went with the D-BG4. I typically got around 500 shots out of a battery. So far, with the D-BG4 I have not every run out of power and I've taken it on vacation with the family and used it all day long.

[thegrasshopper]

Indria, thanks for quick reply - very useful advice, any suggestions where I could buy a reasonable priced one in the UK.

Regards

Martin

Dear Martin,

Just to be sure, use the battery pack grip for K5 (the same they made for K7).

Indria.

[Docrwm]

Indria, thanks for quick reply - very useful advice, any suggestions where I could buy a reasonable priced one in the UK.

Regards

Martin

eBay has many knock-offs of the grip but they are not weather sealed and are a bit of a hit-or-miss for quality. I got mine used off eBay for about 65% of new. It took a wee bit of patience but it was worth it.

-Robert

[Indria Djamil]

eBay sell a non Pentax made version of D-BG4 at around 60 US$, perhaps you can find one in UK. The original would cost over US$ 300.

Indria.

[thegrasshopper]

Thanks for that - so not a good idea buying a cheap version, just go for the real thing.

Thanks again.

Martin

[thegrasshopper]

Thanks for advice, when my new camera arives I may well hunt around for a Pentax Grip for the camera.

Thanks again Martin

I've had the K5 for a couple of months now and am definitely suprised by how long the battery lasts compared to other cameras I've used. That being said you are probably going to have to use a battery grip for extended trips or long photo shoots. I've gotten by so far without using one but have maxed out between 550-600 shots before it's just dead to be used. I've had a trip cut short too because the battery died after only a little over 400.

[wildweasel]

I bought this grip with 2 batteries a few months ago from this vendor, and I've not had any problems with it. The batteries are good too, and getting a grip + 2 spares for £15 less than one branded one ain't too bad. The only two things are it's not WR, and the on/off/DOF preview switch doesn't feel as positive as on the camera, but I can live with that. BATTERY GRIP FOR PENTAX K-5 K5 K7 K-7 D-BG4 +2x D-Li90 | eBay

[thegrasshopper]

Thanks for the heads up.

Martin

I bought this grip with 2 batteries a few months ago from this vendor, and I've not had any problems with it. The batteries are good too, and getting a grip + 2 spares for £15 less than one branded one ain't too bad. The only two things are it's not WR, and the on/off/DOF preview switch doesn't feel as positive as on the camera, but I can live with that. BATTERY GRIP FOR PENTAX K-5 K5 K7 K-7 D-BG4 +2x D-Li90 | eBay

[Gimbal]

I recommend waiting and try it out before spending cash on the grip, unless you want the grip anyway. >500 pics in one day should not be a problem.

[Ubuntu_user]

I get anywhere from 500 to 900 shots on one battery depending on how much I review pictures, use the built-in flash (for triggering wireless flash), etc. Really, the K-5 battery life is excellent!

[thegrasshopper]

Good idea, i was going to wait and see how things go - it might just be cheaper to by a second battery and always have a spare to carry around.

Thanks for your reply and help.

Martin

I recommend waiting and try it out before spending cash on the grip, unless you want the grip anyway. >500 pics in one day should not be a problem.

[thegrasshopper]

Thats impresive, 400/500 far more than I would take on an ordinary day.

Thanks for your imput.

Martin

I've had the K5 for a couple of months now and am definitely suprised by how long the battery lasts compared to other cameras I've used. That being said you are probably going to have to use a battery grip for extended trips or long photo shoots. I've gotten by so far without using one but have maxed out between 550-600 shots before it's just dead to be used. I've had a trip cut short too because the battery died after only a little over 400.