Battery Grip AA problem!

Blanco · 11-30-2010, 02:39 AM

Hi all,

Today i was supposed to shoot some video with my k-5, and I forgot to charge my main battery pack. I thought that I was safe anyway since i had a battery grip that also has the option to use AA batteries.

I inserted a set of newly charged Varta 2700 mAh, but after about 4-5 min of use the camera shut down due to low battery level!

I then inserted non rechargeable Duracell Alkaline batteries. The same thing happened.

I even opened a new pack of Duracels, and the same thing happened...

Anyone with the same problem?

Horst-Helmut · 11-30-2010, 04:26 AM

There is an option in the menu for different batteries, have you checked that? I can't check it for you because I just came from outside and the camera is warming up.

emblemex · 11-30-2010, 04:36 AM

I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip.

I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto).

Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete

Mike.P® · 11-30-2010, 05:54 AM

Is this with the original Pentax grip or are you using one of the cheap chinese copies. ?

PinarelloOnly · 11-30-2010, 07:23 AM

Rechargeable batts DO NOT have the fast voltage recovery that lithiums do so,
you will see a low or dead battery on your display. More so than ever, when
shooting video with DSLRs you are going to have to use AA lithiums in your grips!!!!!

Rick Clark · 11-30-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by emblemex

I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip.

I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto).

Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete

Read page 279 in the users manual.

ogl · 11-30-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Blanco

Hi all,

Today i was supposed to shoot some video with my k-5, and I forgot to charge my main battery pack. I thought that I was safe anyway since i had a battery grip that also has the option to use AA batteries.

I inserted a set of newly charged Varta 2700 mAh, but after about 4-5 min of use the camera shut down due to low battery level!

I then inserted non rechargeable Duracell Alkaline batteries. The same thing happened.

I even opened a new pack of Duracels, and the same thing happened...

Anyone with the same problem?

USE SANYO ENELOOP or LITHIUM AA.

pentax user · 11-30-2010, 08:50 AM

chinese knock off grip does that

JeffJS · 11-30-2010, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by emblemex

I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip.

I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto).

Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete

Alkaline batteries have always been terrible in dSLRs. I think since the intro of the *istD they have been a problem. If I remember correctly the K7/K5 has a menu option where you can tell the camera what Type of AAs you are using but you're far better off getting a third party generic D-Li90..

Welcome aboard btw.

sjtryon · 12-02-2010, 12:23 PM

I have had exactly the same problem using Lithium AA. I discovered the problem when using Live View. After a shot or two, the camera would shut down with the low battery message.

My grip is from Pentax, not a knock-off.

I think there is a problem...

Also, have any other grip users discovered that their EV compensation value button doesn't work on the grip? I noticed this a couple days ago and am guessing that reason alone will have me contacting Pentax repair.

Steven

jrforman · 12-02-2010, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by sjtryon

Also, have any other grip users discovered that their EV compensation value button doesn't work on the grip? I noticed this a couple days ago and am guessing that reason alone will have me contacting Pentax repair.

Steven

Mine works just fine.

11-30-2010, 02:39 AM	#1
Blanco Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3	Battery Grip AA problem! Hi all, Today i was supposed to shoot some video with my k-5, and I forgot to charge my main battery pack. I thought that I was safe anyway since i had a battery grip that also has the option to use AA batteries. I inserted a set of newly charged Varta 2700 mAh, but after about 4-5 min of use the camera shut down due to low battery level! I then inserted non rechargeable Duracell Alkaline batteries. The same thing happened. I even opened a new pack of Duracels, and the same thing happened... Anyone with the same problem?

12-02-2010, 12:23 PM	#10
sjtryon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Upstate, NY, USA Posts: 170	Same Issue... I have had exactly the same problem using Lithium AA. I discovered the problem when using Live View. After a shot or two, the camera would shut down with the low battery message. My grip is from Pentax, not a knock-off. I think there is a problem... Also, have any other grip users discovered that their EV compensation value button doesn't work on the grip? I noticed this a couple days ago and am guessing that reason alone will have me contacting Pentax repair. Steven

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11-30-2010, 04:26 AM	#2
Horst-Helmut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 138	There is an option in the menu for different batteries, have you checked that? I can't check it for you because I just came from outside and the camera is warming up.

11-30-2010, 04:36 AM	#3
emblemex New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5	I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip. I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto). Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete

11-30-2010, 05:54 AM	#4
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Is this with the original Pentax grip or are you using one of the cheap chinese copies. ?

11-30-2010, 07:23 AM	#5
PinarelloOnly Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shoreline CT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 86	Rechargeable batts DO NOT have the fast voltage recovery that lithiums do so, you will see a low or dead battery on your display. More so than ever, when shooting video with DSLRs you are going to have to use AA lithiums in your grips!!!!!

11-30-2010, 08:24 AM	#6
Rick Clark Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 128	Originally posted by emblemex I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip. I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto). Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete Read page 279 in the users manual.

11-30-2010, 08:24 AM	#7
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Blanco Hi all, Today i was supposed to shoot some video with my k-5, and I forgot to charge my main battery pack. I thought that I was safe anyway since i had a battery grip that also has the option to use AA batteries. I inserted a set of newly charged Varta 2700 mAh, but after about 4-5 min of use the camera shut down due to low battery level! I then inserted non rechargeable Duracell Alkaline batteries. The same thing happened. I even opened a new pack of Duracels, and the same thing happened... Anyone with the same problem? USE SANYO ENELOOP or LITHIUM AA.

11-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#8
pentax user Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 85	chinese knock off grip does that

11-30-2010, 09:47 AM	#9
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by emblemex I had the same problem with mine - new alkalines exhausted after a very short time. Didn't matter what battery type I selected (auto, alkaline) from the menu. I did get an extra standard Pentax battery, and that works fine in the battery grip. I'm wondering if there's a bug in the software where you specify which battery to use first (main, grip, or auto). Disappointing that AA's are a problem in my grip. Pete Alkaline batteries have always been terrible in dSLRs. I think since the intro of the *istD they have been a problem. If I remember correctly the K7/K5 has a menu option where you can tell the camera what Type of AAs you are using but you're far better off getting a third party generic D-Li90.. Welcome aboard btw.

12-02-2010, 02:29 PM	#11
jrforman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 202	Originally posted by sjtryon Also, have any other grip users discovered that their EV compensation value button doesn't work on the grip? I noticed this a couple days ago and am guessing that reason alone will have me contacting Pentax repair. Steven Mine works just fine.