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don nicholson · 10-12-2019, 07:44 PM

wont start up. I put in new batteries but when I turn it on the battery symbol just flashes.

garywakeling · 10-13-2019, 01:03 AM

Originally posted by don nicholson

wont start up. I put in new batteries but when I turn it on the battery symbol just flashes.

Normal alkaline batteries don't work well, I find Lithium cells work better or eneloop ( panasonic ) rechargeables seem to work too.
I hope that helps

thazooo · 10-13-2019, 04:52 AM

Make sure battery contacts are clean. Fresh batteries. Exercise the on/off switch in case crude has formed.

**ChipB** · 10-15-2019, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by garywakeling

Normal alkaline batteries don't work well, I find Lithium cells work better or eneloop ( panasonic ) rechargeables seem to work too.
I hope that helps

I second using Eneloop batteries - I've had lots of success with them.

MalcS · 10-15-2019, 10:50 PM - **1 Like**

Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd...

**ChipB** · 10-16-2019, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by MalcS

Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd...

Good tip - thanks for sharing!

garywakeling · 10-16-2019, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by MalcS

Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd...

OK I will keep that tip in my hint box, thank you

fsge · 10-17-2019, 12:19 AM

I had same problem with my k-x some time ago. I did not manage to fix it

ghosteclipse · 10-17-2019, 02:18 AM

I have an ist DS and it seems it powers on select type of batteries and not all. Eneloops have always been reliable. I have some different brand batteries and they dont work.

Martin KP · 10-30-2019, 05:38 PM

Make sure to check those contact. If you can't clean them send off for a service.

MarkJerling · 10-30-2019, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by ChipB

I second using Eneloop batteries - I've had lots of success with them.

Third.

Eneloop black or white.

Steve Beswick · 11-21-2019, 01:05 AM

The IKEA rechargeable AA batteries work well in mine, if you happen to be near an IKEA.

y0chang · 11-22-2019, 11:34 AM

The IST Dl is very finicky towards batteries. It would only accept fully charged batteries. Any Alkaline AA battery that was sitting around which lost its charge wouldn't turn on the camera. Try using a fresh charged rechargeable or the non-rechargeable Lithium (not Lithium-Ion rechargeable) and it should power on. BTW this question is how I ended up in PentaxForums and the rest is history.

Steve Beswick · 11-22-2019, 11:39 AM

I was thinking of my O.G. D, and it occurred to me that the D is the only Pentax model to have a separate clock battery. Is it possible that it is what is causing OP problems? Just an idea.....

**Erictator** · 11-22-2019, 02:15 PM

Had same problem with mine... I decided to just let it sit overnight with the batteries in it (off position) and it fired up the next day and has been fine since.
could be the wake up the battery thing, could be caps in the camera got lazy.

For what its worth, I've got an ancient gray Honeywell potato masher flash, and those old Nicad's and Caps still work!

So I guess you mileage may vary with older electronics.

Eric

10-12-2019, 07:44 PM	#1
don nicholson Guest	pentax ist D won't power on wont start up. I put in new batteries but when I turn it on the battery symbol just flashes.

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10-13-2019, 01:03 AM	#2
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,774	Originally posted by don nicholson wont start up. I put in new batteries but when I turn it on the battery symbol just flashes. Normal alkaline batteries don't work well, I find Lithium cells work better or eneloop ( panasonic ) rechargeables seem to work too. I hope that helps

10-13-2019, 04:52 AM	#3
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Make sure battery contacts are clean. Fresh batteries. Exercise the on/off switch in case crude has formed.

10-15-2019, 12:51 PM	#4
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,717	Originally posted by garywakeling Normal alkaline batteries don't work well, I find Lithium cells work better or eneloop ( panasonic ) rechargeables seem to work too. I hope that helps I second using Eneloop batteries - I've had lots of success with them.

10-15-2019, 10:50 PM - 1 Like	#5
MalcS Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Albums Posts: 51	Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd...

10-16-2019, 10:28 AM	#6
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,717	Originally posted by MalcS Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd... Good tip - thanks for sharing!

10-16-2019, 09:51 PM	#7
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,774	Originally posted by MalcS Had the same problem with my ist*D with a new set of lithium AAs. The fix was to put the AAs in a flash, charge it up, fire once, and then put the batteries back in the camera, after which it worked fine from then on. Not sure if this is a fault with the camera or what exactly, but it seems it doesn’t draw enough power to ‘wake up’ the new lithiums initially. If you don’t have a flash, any device that draws a bit of power should do the trick (assuming the problem you are having is the same). Wierd... OK I will keep that tip in my hint box, thank you

10-17-2019, 12:19 AM	#8
fsge Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,138	I had same problem with my k-x some time ago. I did not manage to fix it

10-17-2019, 02:18 AM	#9
ghosteclipse Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 165	I have an ist DS and it seems it powers on select type of batteries and not all. Eneloops have always been reliable. I have some different brand batteries and they dont work.

10-30-2019, 05:38 PM	#10
Martin KP Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 240	Make sure to check those contact. If you can't clean them send off for a service.

10-30-2019, 07:27 PM	#11
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by ChipB I second using Eneloop batteries - I've had lots of success with them. Third. Eneloop black or white.

11-21-2019, 01:05 AM	#12
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	The IKEA rechargeable AA batteries work well in mine, if you happen to be near an IKEA.

11-22-2019, 11:34 AM	#13
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	The IST Dl is very finicky towards batteries. It would only accept fully charged batteries. Any Alkaline AA battery that was sitting around which lost its charge wouldn't turn on the camera. Try using a fresh charged rechargeable or the non-rechargeable Lithium (not Lithium-Ion rechargeable) and it should power on. BTW this question is how I ended up in PentaxForums and the rest is history.

11-22-2019, 11:39 AM	#14
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	I was thinking of my O.G. D, and it occurred to me that the D is the only Pentax model to have a separate clock battery. Is it possible that it is what is causing OP problems? Just an idea.....

11-22-2019, 02:15 PM	#15
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,352	Had same problem with mine... I decided to just let it sit overnight with the batteries in it (off position) and it fired up the next day and has been fine since. could be the wake up the battery thing, could be caps in the camera got lazy. For what its worth, I've got an ancient gray Honeywell potato masher flash, and those old Nicad's and Caps still work! So I guess you mileage may vary with older electronics. Eric

pentax ist D won't power on

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