"Lazy mirror" with AA battery adapter? Any risk of harming the mirror

ChristianRock · 10-01-2019, 07:37 AM

Hi, I wonder if any of you have experienced this...

I recently went ahead and bought the AA adapter since they're so cheap on ebay/amazon these days, and the reviews are mostly pretty good.

I have a few Panasonic eneloops that I bought some 2 years ago for my flashes, and I see those are recommended, so I went ahead and put in a set of fully charged ones. I've used the K-50 a few times with them in it, and I get basically the same thing every time... after a few shots, it seems like the mirror slap gets quite softer, especially after a pause in using the camera... then as I use it it gets stronger again, but never like if I was using the mirror slap I get with the battery. Sometimes it sounds really faint, like something's wrong with it. It doesn't seem to affect the shutter and shutter speed at all, exposures are all fine.

Is this normal? Maybe the batteries are old? They work fine with flashes. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned that this can harm the mirror mechanism?

timw4mail · 10-01-2019, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Hi, I wonder if any of you have experienced this...

I recently went ahead and bought the AA adapter since they're so cheap on ebay/amazon these days, and the reviews are mostly pretty good.

I have a few Panasonic eneloops that I bought some 2 years ago for my flashes, and I see those are recommended, so I went ahead and put in a set of fully charged ones. I've used the K-50 a few times with them in it, and I get basically the same thing every time... after a few shots, it seems like the mirror slap gets quite softer, especially after a pause in using the camera... then as I use it it gets stronger again, but never like if I was using the mirror slap I get with the battery. Sometimes it sounds really faint, like something's wrong with it. It doesn't seem to affect the shutter and shutter speed at all, exposures are all fine.

Is this normal? Maybe the batteries are old? They work fine with flashes. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned that this can harm the mirror mechanism?

My experience with the K-1 AA adapter is that the AAs (I have tried Eneloops too) barely have enough power fully charged. It really seems like the AA adapter should only be used as a last resort to get that one last shot.

ChristianRock · 10-01-2019, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by timw4mail

My experience with the K-1 AA adapter is that the AAs (I have tried Eneloops too) barely have enough power fully charged. It really seems like the AA adapter should only be used as a last resort to get that one last shot.

I think you meant K-50 or a different camera rather than K-1?

I wonder how AA-only cameras like the K200D worked, did people have to buy new Lithium batteries all the time for it?

timw4mail · 10-01-2019, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

I think you meant K-50 or a different camera rather than K-1?

I wonder how AA-only cameras like the K200D worked, did people have to buy new Lithium batteries all the time for it?

No, I mean the 6-AA battery adapter for the K-1 battery grip. Just to clarify, not for the K-1 by itself.

ChristianRock · 10-01-2019, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by timw4mail

No, I mean the 6-AA battery adapter for the K-1 battery grip. Just to clarify, not for the K-1 by itself.

Ah I understand now. For the K-50 the adapter goes into the battery slot, that is why I was confused.

And this is strange, why would they add the grip that allows you to use batteries, or the adapter, if this doesn't work properly? Or are we just supposed to use Lithiums and not rechargeables?

**pentaxus** · 10-01-2019, 11:46 AM

I just use lithiums. I have had good luck with Alkaline AA also, but I mostly use the AA adapter as a back up.

reh321 · 10-01-2019, 03:14 PM

I have used 'standard' (*) AA batteries with my K-30 almost since the day I got it - no problems. Alkaline batteries seem to just barely have enough "umpf" to power it even when new.

(*) Duracell or EverReady

ChristianRock · 10-07-2019, 02:39 PM

The other part of the question is, does it harm the shutter mechanism in any way if the power seems a bit low?

andyk17 · 10-08-2019, 05:54 AM

Hi can't answer if it might cause damage, but quite often use the adapter (cheap Chinese version) in my K30 with no issues. I usually use either Eneloop Pro or the copper top Duracell rechargeables. Tried ordinary alkaline once, but didn't last long enough to be a viable option.

reh321 · 10-09-2019, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

The other part of the question is, does it harm the shutter mechanism in any way if the power seems a bit low?

My K-30 actually worked better if the power was a tad low - the aperture control worked under those conditions and the shutter showed no signs of being affected.

ChristianRock · 10-09-2019, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone

I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1

The only downside is the weight... it's noticeably heavier than with the regular battery.

reh321 · 10-10-2019, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Thanks for the responses everyone

I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1

The only downside is the weight... it's noticeably heavier than with the regular battery.

"Yes" to both statements.

I virtually never used the Pentax battery with my K-30 - now I use it with my KP.

My K-30 is noticeably heavy using rechargeable {such as "Ever-ready" or "Duracell"} batteries, but it may have been worth it keeping the aperture control issue at bay a little longer.

**photogem** · 11-26-2019, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1

AA batteries and lower voltage will not pose a problem, it's the opposite: Good AA's such as Eneloops have more power (mA)

and this is good because in some cases the solenoid works longer, the aperture problem does happen later.

ChristianRock · 11-26-2019, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by photogem

AA batteries and lower voltage will not pose a problem, it's the opposite: Good AA's such as Eneloops have more power (mA)

and this is good because in some cases the solenoid works longer, the aperture problem does happen later.

Thanks for the reply.

In my case, the only rechargeables I have are Eneloops (panasonic) and they are the ones that seem a little lower in voltage. When they are freshly charged the mirror is a bit more silent but as time goes on I get quite a bit less mirror slap. WIth the DLI109 batteries, the mirror slap is very strong. My eneloops are now a couple of years old, maybe even 3, which is what might be causing the issue.

I stopped worrying about it though

reh321 · 11-27-2019, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Thanks for the reply.

In my case, the only rechargeables I have are Eneloops (panasonic) and they are the ones that seem a little lower in voltage. When they are freshly charged the mirror is a bit more silent but as time goes on I get quite a bit less mirror slap. WIth the DLI109 batteries, the mirror slap is very strong. My eneloops are now a couple of years old, maybe even 3, which is what might be causing the issue.

I stopped worrying about it though

Some one more knowledgeable than me would have to answer your questions. My experience is that the aperture control of the K-30 works better when the batteries have a lower charge. To my ears, the shutter is not really affected. In any case, my K-30 is more noisy than my KP is, but I have thought that the KP has a more expensive mechanism. I purchased the KP on last Black Friday, and I have used the K-30 only occasionally since then. I did get 3-1/2 good years from the K-30 before I purchased the KP, and I figure of the K-30, "it doesn't owe my anything" at this point.

10-01-2019, 07:37 AM	#1
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	"Lazy mirror" with AA battery adapter? Any risk of harming the mirror Hi, I wonder if any of you have experienced this... I recently went ahead and bought the AA adapter since they're so cheap on ebay/amazon these days, and the reviews are mostly pretty good. I have a few Panasonic eneloops that I bought some 2 years ago for my flashes, and I see those are recommended, so I went ahead and put in a set of fully charged ones. I've used the K-50 a few times with them in it, and I get basically the same thing every time... after a few shots, it seems like the mirror slap gets quite softer, especially after a pause in using the camera... then as I use it it gets stronger again, but never like if I was using the mirror slap I get with the battery. Sometimes it sounds really faint, like something's wrong with it. It doesn't seem to affect the shutter and shutter speed at all, exposures are all fine. Is this normal? Maybe the batteries are old? They work fine with flashes. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned that this can harm the mirror mechanism?

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10-01-2019, 08:45 AM	#2
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by ChristianRock Hi, I wonder if any of you have experienced this... I recently went ahead and bought the AA adapter since they're so cheap on ebay/amazon these days, and the reviews are mostly pretty good. I have a few Panasonic eneloops that I bought some 2 years ago for my flashes, and I see those are recommended, so I went ahead and put in a set of fully charged ones. I've used the K-50 a few times with them in it, and I get basically the same thing every time... after a few shots, it seems like the mirror slap gets quite softer, especially after a pause in using the camera... then as I use it it gets stronger again, but never like if I was using the mirror slap I get with the battery. Sometimes it sounds really faint, like something's wrong with it. It doesn't seem to affect the shutter and shutter speed at all, exposures are all fine. Is this normal? Maybe the batteries are old? They work fine with flashes. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned that this can harm the mirror mechanism? My experience with the K-1 AA adapter is that the AAs (I have tried Eneloops too) barely have enough power fully charged. It really seems like the AA adapter should only be used as a last resort to get that one last shot.

10-01-2019, 09:06 AM	#3
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by timw4mail My experience with the K-1 AA adapter is that the AAs (I have tried Eneloops too) barely have enough power fully charged. It really seems like the AA adapter should only be used as a last resort to get that one last shot. I think you meant K-50 or a different camera rather than K-1? I wonder how AA-only cameras like the K200D worked, did people have to buy new Lithium batteries all the time for it?

10-01-2019, 11:13 AM	#4
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by ChristianRock I think you meant K-50 or a different camera rather than K-1? I wonder how AA-only cameras like the K200D worked, did people have to buy new Lithium batteries all the time for it? No, I mean the 6-AA battery adapter for the K-1 battery grip. Just to clarify, not for the K-1 by itself.

10-01-2019, 11:41 AM	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by timw4mail No, I mean the 6-AA battery adapter for the K-1 battery grip. Just to clarify, not for the K-1 by itself. Ah I understand now. For the K-50 the adapter goes into the battery slot, that is why I was confused. And this is strange, why would they add the grip that allows you to use batteries, or the adapter, if this doesn't work properly? Or are we just supposed to use Lithiums and not rechargeables?

10-01-2019, 11:46 AM	#6
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	I just use lithiums. I have had good luck with Alkaline AA also, but I mostly use the AA adapter as a back up.

10-01-2019, 03:14 PM	#7
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	I have used 'standard' () AA batteries with my K-30 almost since the day I got it - no problems. Alkaline batteries seem to just barely have enough "umpf" to power it even when new. () Duracell or EverReady

10-07-2019, 02:39 PM	#8
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	The other part of the question is, does it harm the shutter mechanism in any way if the power seems a bit low?

10-08-2019, 05:54 AM	#9
andyk17 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 31	Hi can't answer if it might cause damage, but quite often use the adapter (cheap Chinese version) in my K30 with no issues. I usually use either Eneloop Pro or the copper top Duracell rechargeables. Tried ordinary alkaline once, but didn't last long enough to be a viable option.

10-09-2019, 09:23 AM	#10
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by ChristianRock The other part of the question is, does it harm the shutter mechanism in any way if the power seems a bit low? My K-30 actually worked better if the power was a tad low - the aperture control worked under those conditions and the shutter showed no signs of being affected.

10-09-2019, 09:47 AM	#11
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses everyone I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1 The only downside is the weight... it's noticeably heavier than with the regular battery.

10-10-2019, 09:29 AM	#12
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by ChristianRock Thanks for the responses everyone I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1 The only downside is the weight... it's noticeably heavier than with the regular battery. "Yes" to both statements. I virtually never used the Pentax battery with my K-30 - now I use it with my KP. My K-30 is noticeably heavy using rechargeable {such as "Ever-ready" or "Duracell"} batteries, but it may have been worth it keeping the aperture control issue at bay a little longer.

11-26-2019, 06:35 AM	#13
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by ChristianRock I'm hoping it won't damage anything, so I'm keeping the adapter in it for now. That frees up an extra Pentax battery for my K-S1 AA batteries and lower voltage will not pose a problem, it's the opposite: Good AA's such as Eneloops have more power (mA) and this is good because in some cases the solenoid works longer, the aperture problem does happen later.

11-26-2019, 07:49 AM	#14
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem AA batteries and lower voltage will not pose a problem, it's the opposite: Good AA's such as Eneloops have more power (mA) and this is good because in some cases the solenoid works longer, the aperture problem does happen later. Thanks for the reply. In my case, the only rechargeables I have are Eneloops (panasonic) and they are the ones that seem a little lower in voltage. When they are freshly charged the mirror is a bit more silent but as time goes on I get quite a bit less mirror slap. WIth the DLI109 batteries, the mirror slap is very strong. My eneloops are now a couple of years old, maybe even 3, which is what might be causing the issue. I stopped worrying about it though

11-27-2019, 07:40 AM	#15
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by ChristianRock Thanks for the reply. In my case, the only rechargeables I have are Eneloops (panasonic) and they are the ones that seem a little lower in voltage. When they are freshly charged the mirror is a bit more silent but as time goes on I get quite a bit less mirror slap. WIth the DLI109 batteries, the mirror slap is very strong. My eneloops are now a couple of years old, maybe even 3, which is what might be causing the issue. I stopped worrying about it though Some one more knowledgeable than me would have to answer your questions. My experience is that the aperture control of the K-30 works better when the batteries have a lower charge. To my ears, the shutter is not really affected. In any case, my K-30 is more noisy than my KP is, but I have thought that the KP has a more expensive mechanism. I purchased the KP on last Black Friday, and I have used the K-30 only occasionally since then. I did get 3-1/2 good years from the K-30 before I purchased the KP, and I figure of the K-30, "it doesn't owe my anything" at this point.