Pentax K-r Battery Indicator

TeamFleury · 01-07-2011, 08:09 PM

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My new K-r just went dead after about 100 shutter clicks on the initial charge of the battery (I charged it fully after receiving the package from Amazon). It went straight from green battery indicator to nothing -- there isn't even an indicator on the screen. Is there an indicator when the battery is dead on the LCD screen of the K-r? On my K100d it would tell you when the batteries are too low to operate.

I'm hopeful that my K-r isn't bricked but I don't think this is a good sign. And without the AA battery holder I can't test it any other way.

Update: after a full charge the K-r will still not turn on again. Seems like it's just dead. Going back to Amazon for a replacement (although debating just taking the refund and buying this later.)

Last edited by TeamFleury; 01-07-2011 at 09:43 PM. Reason: Update

hawk1500 · 01-09-2011, 11:43 PM

my battery was fully charged and I went outside (pretty cold) to take some shots of the moon. It quickly went to yellow and then red. I turned it on a few minutes later after I went back inside and it was fully green again...so yes, pretty inconsistent (although the cold probably had something to do with it in my case).

bsamcash · 01-10-2011, 12:17 AM

I don't suppose these issues were resolved after the firmware update?

hawk1500 · 01-13-2011, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by bsamcash

I don't suppose these issues were resolved after the firmware update?

My experience was after I upgraded the firmware.

Jeff Bennett · 05-13-2011, 02:44 PM

ok. I have a 3 or 4 month old k-r and I'm seeing this in mine. I have the latest firmware. Any more word on this? I really don't like worrying my battery might die.

Swapnil · 05-13-2011, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by hawk1500

my battery was fully charged and I went outside (pretty cold) to take some shots of the moon. It quickly went to yellow and then red. I turned it on a few minutes later after I went back inside and it was fully green again...so yes, pretty inconsistent (although the cold probably had something to do with it in my case).

The manual does say that battery might show yellow or red in lower temparature. So suggested to keep your battery warm. (I dont know how

)

Even I am not getting decent battery life (I have 700+ clicks only and charged 3 times).
I think thats because I keep experimenting with AFs and Live view without actually releasing the shutter. So that might be the case.

Here are few tips to save battery
- Cycle info button to turn off the LCD
- Avoid using Live view. It sucks battery like anything
- Keep LCD Brightness low
- Avoid full discharges (Lithium battery dont like full discharge)
- Use Manual Focus (LOL Just Kidding) but it saves power

I am also wondering if someone comes up with DIY for battery adaptor. That would really help!

Thanks!

gp1806 · 05-13-2011, 08:01 PM

Buy some extra batteries. I bought from this guy, battery works well - no issues.
D-Li109 DLi109 Li-Ion Battery for Pentax K-r DSLR NEW | eBay

Last edited by gp1806; 05-15-2011 at 11:22 AM.

hnikesch · 05-14-2011, 02:45 PM

Mine seems consistent with both Lithium ion and eneloops (w/adapter), I have noticed on both my Kr and K2000 the battery gage will drop a little after a lot of continuous use and will rise a little after power down for a few minutes.

Hans

Swapnil · 05-17-2011, 03:36 PM

One more Tip to conserve your battery.
Turn off the LCD during startup. Steps in the link below

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1506943-post8.html

Jeff Bennett · 05-29-2011, 12:08 PM

I switched over to the AA adapter and Sanyo eneloop batteries and the issue seems to have gone away.

ladyle · 05-29-2011, 12:55 PM

Someone suggested the eneloop awhile back. I just got around to buying the 8 pk with charger. 6 days in camera and still fully charged. With the Duracell it would be gone just sitting over night I did notice that the camera would work for quite a long time after the battery indicator was red with the duracells.

The true test will be in Aug when I spend 9 says in Scotland and continous shooting. I am getting 8 more eneloops just in case.. There will be 2 of us so charging every night might be a problem.

ladyle · 05-29-2011, 12:56 PM

Buy the way what is an AA adapter?

Jeff Bennett · 05-29-2011, 05:20 PM

Pentax makes an adapter for the k-r that will take 4 aa batteries and fits in place of the standard battery it comes with.

bwDraco · 05-29-2011, 07:37 PM

I can't seem to reproduce the battery problem; the battery life is as long as claimed and the indicator is accurate. The e-dial functions normally and skips only when turned very quickly, likely due to a correctable software limitation. The AF system is okay and only has problems at macro distances (you would want to use live view or manual focus for macro anyway).

In other words, my camera is functioning properly

.

--DragonLord

05-13-2011, 04:53 PM	#21
Swapnil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bellevue Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 147	Originally posted by hawk1500 my battery was fully charged and I went outside (pretty cold) to take some shots of the moon. It quickly went to yellow and then red. I turned it on a few minutes later after I went back inside and it was fully green again...so yes, pretty inconsistent (although the cold probably had something to do with it in my case). The manual does say that battery might show yellow or red in lower temparature. So suggested to keep your battery warm. (I dont know how ) Even I am not getting decent battery life (I have 700+ clicks only and charged 3 times). I think thats because I keep experimenting with AFs and Live view without actually releasing the shutter. So that might be the case. Here are few tips to save battery - Cycle info button to turn off the LCD - Avoid using Live view. It sucks battery like anything - Keep LCD Brightness low - Avoid full discharges (Lithium battery dont like full discharge) - Use Manual Focus (LOL Just Kidding) but it saves power I am also wondering if someone comes up with DIY for battery adaptor. That would really help! Thanks! Last edited by Swapnil; 05-13-2011 at 09:50 PM.

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01-07-2011, 08:09 PM	#16
TeamFleury New Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. My new K-r just went dead after about 100 shutter clicks on the initial charge of the battery (I charged it fully after receiving the package from Amazon). It went straight from green battery indicator to nothing -- there isn't even an indicator on the screen. Is there an indicator when the battery is dead on the LCD screen of the K-r? On my K100d it would tell you when the batteries are too low to operate. I'm hopeful that my K-r isn't bricked but I don't think this is a good sign. And without the AA battery holder I can't test it any other way. Update: after a full charge the K-r will still not turn on again. Seems like it's just dead. Going back to Amazon for a replacement (although debating just taking the refund and buying this later.) Last edited by TeamFleury; 01-07-2011 at 09:43 PM. Reason: Update

01-09-2011, 11:43 PM	#17
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	my battery was fully charged and I went outside (pretty cold) to take some shots of the moon. It quickly went to yellow and then red. I turned it on a few minutes later after I went back inside and it was fully green again...so yes, pretty inconsistent (although the cold probably had something to do with it in my case).

01-10-2011, 12:17 AM	#18
bsamcash Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cupertino, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 391	I don't suppose these issues were resolved after the firmware update?

01-13-2011, 01:00 AM	#19
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	Originally posted by bsamcash I don't suppose these issues were resolved after the firmware update? My experience was after I upgraded the firmware.

05-13-2011, 02:44 PM	#20
Jeff Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Memphis Posts: 107	ok. I have a 3 or 4 month old k-r and I'm seeing this in mine. I have the latest firmware. Any more word on this? I really don't like worrying my battery might die.

05-13-2011, 08:01 PM	#22
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Buy some extra batteries. I bought from this guy, battery works well - no issues. D-Li109 DLi109 Li-Ion Battery for Pentax K-r DSLR NEW \| eBay Last edited by gp1806; 05-15-2011 at 11:22 AM.

05-14-2011, 02:45 PM	#23
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	Mine seems consistent with both Lithium ion and eneloops (w/adapter), I have noticed on both my Kr and K2000 the battery gage will drop a little after a lot of continuous use and will rise a little after power down for a few minutes. Hans

05-17-2011, 03:36 PM	#24
Swapnil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bellevue Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 147	One more Tip to conserve your battery. Turn off the LCD during startup. Steps in the link below https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1506943-post8.html

05-29-2011, 12:08 PM	#25
Jeff Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Memphis Posts: 107	I switched over to the AA adapter and Sanyo eneloop batteries and the issue seems to have gone away.

05-29-2011, 12:55 PM	#26
ladyle Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 11	Someone suggested the eneloop awhile back. I just got around to buying the 8 pk with charger. 6 days in camera and still fully charged. With the Duracell it would be gone just sitting over night I did notice that the camera would work for quite a long time after the battery indicator was red with the duracells. The true test will be in Aug when I spend 9 says in Scotland and continous shooting. I am getting 8 more eneloops just in case.. There will be 2 of us so charging every night might be a problem.

05-29-2011, 12:56 PM	#27
ladyle Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 11	Buy the way what is an AA adapter?

05-29-2011, 05:20 PM	#28
Jeff Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Memphis Posts: 107	Pentax makes an adapter for the k-r that will take 4 aa batteries and fits in place of the standard battery it comes with.

05-29-2011, 07:37 PM	#29
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071	I can't seem to reproduce the battery problem; the battery life is as long as claimed and the indicator is accurate. The e-dial functions normally and skips only when turned very quickly, likely due to a correctable software limitation. The AF system is okay and only has problems at macro distances (you would want to use live view or manual focus for macro anyway). In other words, my camera is functioning properly . --DragonLord