Which battery for K-3

sharepointalex · 12-11-2013, 04:04 AM

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me which is the correct battery to fit a K-3? I believe it is a D-LI90 - at least that's what I thought it said on the back of mine when I looked briefly last night.

Wierdly the official Ricoh specs state a D-LI90P - 'Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90P' which I don't believe exists?! must have been a typo!

Cheers

Alex

elliott · 12-11-2013, 04:23 AM - **1 Like**

There is a new safety requirement for some countries that require a 4th battery contact. This only matters for charging, the camera can take either as it only has 2 contacts anyway.

The D-BC90 charger will only charge the D-LI90 battery. The D-BC90P charger will charge the D-LI90 and D-LI90P batteries.

**Arne Bo** · 12-11-2013, 04:26 AM

Hi, in the user manual (the german one) the D-LI90 is listed and is working fine for me. Haven´t seen a D-LI90P at the store.

Apapukas · 12-11-2013, 05:25 AM

IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life.

For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed

Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions.

My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency

i83N · 12-11-2013, 06:21 AM

If I not mistaken LI090P where LI means Lithium and P means polymer.

i83N · 12-11-2013, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by Apapukas

IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life.

For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed

Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions.

My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency

If you go AA root just get eneloops

**Rondec** · 12-11-2013, 07:49 AM

The one thing I will mention is that I have some off brand batteries that work for my K5, but not for the K3. They don't hold a charge very well any more, but in the K5 they are good for 200 or 250 shots. They are useless in the K3 -- I guess the voltage isn't high enough, because they will shoot a couple of frames and then give battery depleted message.

**grhazelton** · 12-11-2013, 07:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

The one thing I will mention is that I have some off brand batteries that work for my K5, but not for the K3. They don't hold a charge very well any more, but in the K5 they are good for 200 or 250 shots. They are useless in the K3 -- I guess the voltage isn't high enough, because they will shoot a couple of frames and then give battery depleted message.

Interesting. I've had good performance from "Wasabi" brand Li batteries in both my K 10 and K 5. Of course this doesn't speak to the K 3 and as always YMMV.

sharepointalex · 12-11-2013, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by Apapukas

IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life.

For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed

Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions.

My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency

Thanks - I've got the grip and currently use AA's with it but was thinking about getting a spare Li-ion battery so while on the road I can use either the AA's or the Li-ion and just switch the tray in the grip.

What AA's would you recommend? I have some eneloop XX ones currently but they seem to be causing problems with my K-3 when in the grip - I am getting the mirror flop/shutter issue (see the thread).

Cheers

**Rondec** · 12-11-2013, 08:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by grhazelton

Interesting. I've had good performance from "Wasabi" brand Li batteries in both my K 10 and K 5. Of course this doesn't speak to the K 3 and as always YMMV.

Yes, the Wasabi batteries are what I have and they do work fine in my K5, but it is just that in the K3 it shows battery depleted really fast and then starts flipping the shutter really fast. Has never happened with the factory batteries.

Apapukas · 12-11-2013, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by sharepointalex

Thanks - I've got the grip and currently use AA's with it but was thinking about getting a spare Li-ion battery so while on the road I can use either the AA's or the Li-ion and just switch the tray in the grip.

What AA's would you recommend? I have some eneloop XX ones currently but they seem to be causing problems with my K-3 when in the grip - I am getting the mirror flop/shutter issue (see the thread).

Cheers

On my K5IIs I use the standard eneloops ~2000mAh. The only issue that bothers me a little, is that sometimes when I press the preview button, the picture appears on the LCD for a second and then the LCD goes black. I have to keep pressing the preview button for up to 5 times to finally view my pictures normally! It annoys a little, but because it happens quite rarely, I don't mind too much.

I believe that your problem is related to the camera, not the AA's. Just wait for a couple firmware updates on "general stability" or "general stability using AA's"

Also, to use your AA's to the fullest, you need a good charger. I highly recommend BC- 700 charger. Also, it allows you to see how much mAh your AA's actually have.

narual · 12-11-2013, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by Apapukas

IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life.

For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed

Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions.

My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency

Hah, and you can strap some wrist weights on while you're taking pictures, too! You must have strong forearms.

I carry the insert with AAs in my camera bag for emergencies, but that's more weight than I want to carry inside the camera if I can avoid it (plus you lose the weather-safe spare SD card storage).

I picked up 2 cheap 3rd party batteries on Amazon, plus the original with the camera. With 1 in the body and 1 in the grip, I've never run out (though I came close a few nights ago because I had forgotten to charge them after the last two times I went out taking photos), and if I did, I still have the third before I have to use the AA grip insert.

Of course, this is for my K5, and maybe the K3 doesn't handle third party batteries well?

Apapukas · 12-11-2013, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by narual

Hah, and you can strap some wrist weights on while you're taking pictures, too! You must have strong forearms.

I carry the insert with AAs in my camera bag for emergencies, but that's more weight than I want to carry inside the camera if I can avoid it (plus you lose the weather-safe spare SD card storage).

I picked up 2 cheap 3rd party batteries on Amazon, plus the original with the camera. With 1 in the body and 1 in the grip, I've never run out (though I came close a few nights ago because I had forgotten to charge them after the last two times I went out taking photos), and if I did, I still have the third before I have to use the AA grip insert.

Of course, this is for my K5, and maybe the K3 doesn't handle third party batteries well?

Well, I shoot with DA Ltd's so even with the AA's the camera weight is very good

P.S. Thank you, I do try to stay in good shape

narual · 12-11-2013, 10:17 AM

For AAs, if the NiMh 1.2 voltage is too low, you could try NiZn batteries. They put out 1.6 volts. They don't have the kind of shelf life or recharge cycle life that Eneloops have though, and they require a special charger.
Normal alkaline batteries use 1.5 volts, so perhaps the k3 expects 1.5 volts if you're using the battery grip, and 1.2 volts isn't enough.
Disclaimer: they may not last long, could fry the camera, and may summon the hordes of Genghis Khan to torch your home village. I've never personally used them, so I have no idea.

Apapukas · 12-11-2013, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by narual

For AAs, if the NiMh 1.2 voltage is too low, you could try NiZn batteries. They put out 1.6 volts. They don't have the kind of shelf life or recharge cycle life that Eneloops have though, and they require a special charger.
Normal alkaline batteries use 1.5 volts, so perhaps the k3 expects 1.5 volts if you're using the battery grip, and 1.2 volts isn't enough.
Disclaimer: they may not last long, could fry the camera, and may summon the hordes of Genghis Khan to torch your home village. I've never personally used them, so I have no idea.

I'm no electrician, but based on simple math, 1.2 should be enough.

Pentax Li-ion battery has voltage of 7.2V
Standart eneloop - 1.2V. 6*1.2=7.2V

So, if you used 1.5V batteries, the voltage would rise to 9V. That is 25% higher voltage than using Li-ion or 1.2V batteries.
I believe there is a pretty high chance to fry the camera this way.

12-11-2013, 04:04 AM	#1
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134	Which battery for K-3 Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me which is the correct battery to fit a K-3? I believe it is a D-LI90 - at least that's what I thought it said on the back of mine when I looked briefly last night. Wierdly the official Ricoh specs state a D-LI90P - 'Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90P' which I don't believe exists?! must have been a typo! Cheers Alex

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12-11-2013, 04:23 AM - 1 Like	#2
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	There is a new safety requirement for some countries that require a 4th battery contact. This only matters for charging, the camera can take either as it only has 2 contacts anyway. The D-BC90 charger will only charge the D-LI90 battery. The D-BC90P charger will charge the D-LI90 and D-LI90P batteries.

12-11-2013, 04:26 AM	#3
Arne Bo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hamburg Photos: Albums Posts: 123	Hi, in the user manual (the german one) the D-LI90 is listed and is working fine for me. Haven´t seen a D-LI90P at the store.

12-11-2013, 05:25 AM	#4
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life. For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions. My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency

12-11-2013, 06:21 AM	#5
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	If I not mistaken LI090P where LI means Lithium and P means polymer.

12-11-2013, 06:22 AM	#6
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	Originally posted by Apapukas IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life. For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions. My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency If you go AA root just get eneloops

12-11-2013, 07:49 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	The one thing I will mention is that I have some off brand batteries that work for my K5, but not for the K3. They don't hold a charge very well any more, but in the K5 they are good for 200 or 250 shots. They are useless in the K3 -- I guess the voltage isn't high enough, because they will shoot a couple of frames and then give battery depleted message.

12-11-2013, 07:59 AM - 1 Like	#8
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Rondec The one thing I will mention is that I have some off brand batteries that work for my K5, but not for the K3. They don't hold a charge very well any more, but in the K5 they are good for 200 or 250 shots. They are useless in the K3 -- I guess the voltage isn't high enough, because they will shoot a couple of frames and then give battery depleted message. Interesting. I've had good performance from "Wasabi" brand Li batteries in both my K 10 and K 5. Of course this doesn't speak to the K 3 and as always YMMV.

12-11-2013, 08:14 AM	#9
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134 Original Poster	Originally posted by Apapukas IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life. For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions. My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency Thanks - I've got the grip and currently use AA's with it but was thinking about getting a spare Li-ion battery so while on the road I can use either the AA's or the Li-ion and just switch the tray in the grip. What AA's would you recommend? I have some eneloop XX ones currently but they seem to be causing problems with my K-3 when in the grip - I am getting the mirror flop/shutter issue (see the thread). Cheers

12-11-2013, 08:17 AM - 1 Like	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by grhazelton Interesting. I've had good performance from "Wasabi" brand Li batteries in both my K 10 and K 5. Of course this doesn't speak to the K 3 and as always YMMV. Yes, the Wasabi batteries are what I have and they do work fine in my K5, but it is just that in the K3 it shows battery depleted really fast and then starts flipping the shutter really fast. Has never happened with the factory batteries.

12-11-2013, 08:43 AM	#11
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Originally posted by sharepointalex Thanks - I've got the grip and currently use AA's with it but was thinking about getting a spare Li-ion battery so while on the road I can use either the AA's or the Li-ion and just switch the tray in the grip. What AA's would you recommend? I have some eneloop XX ones currently but they seem to be causing problems with my K-3 when in the grip - I am getting the mirror flop/shutter issue (see the thread). Cheers On my K5IIs I use the standard eneloops ~2000mAh. The only issue that bothers me a little, is that sometimes when I press the preview button, the picture appears on the LCD for a second and then the LCD goes black. I have to keep pressing the preview button for up to 5 times to finally view my pictures normally! It annoys a little, but because it happens quite rarely, I don't mind too much. I believe that your problem is related to the camera, not the AA's. Just wait for a couple firmware updates on "general stability" or "general stability using AA's" Also, to use your AA's to the fullest, you need a good charger. I highly recommend BC- 700 charger. Also, it allows you to see how much mAh your AA's actually have.

12-11-2013, 10:00 AM	#12
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by Apapukas IMO, just get the grip + AA's and forget about battery life. For a price of one 3rd party Li-ion battery you can get 6 decent AA's that will last at least two time more. Also, having spare AA's are always handy, because you can use them in your flashes or just everyday devices, if needed Also, the new AA's are much better in cold weather than they used to be, so again, one more reason to use them instead of Li-ions. My Li-ion (that came with camera) is in a battery tray, deep in camera bag, waiting for emergency Hah, and you can strap some wrist weights on while you're taking pictures, too! You must have strong forearms. I carry the insert with AAs in my camera bag for emergencies, but that's more weight than I want to carry inside the camera if I can avoid it (plus you lose the weather-safe spare SD card storage). I picked up 2 cheap 3rd party batteries on Amazon, plus the original with the camera. With 1 in the body and 1 in the grip, I've never run out (though I came close a few nights ago because I had forgotten to charge them after the last two times I went out taking photos), and if I did, I still have the third before I have to use the AA grip insert. Of course, this is for my K5, and maybe the K3 doesn't handle third party batteries well?

12-11-2013, 10:13 AM	#13
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Originally posted by narual Hah, and you can strap some wrist weights on while you're taking pictures, too! You must have strong forearms. I carry the insert with AAs in my camera bag for emergencies, but that's more weight than I want to carry inside the camera if I can avoid it (plus you lose the weather-safe spare SD card storage). I picked up 2 cheap 3rd party batteries on Amazon, plus the original with the camera. With 1 in the body and 1 in the grip, I've never run out (though I came close a few nights ago because I had forgotten to charge them after the last two times I went out taking photos), and if I did, I still have the third before I have to use the AA grip insert. Of course, this is for my K5, and maybe the K3 doesn't handle third party batteries well? Well, I shoot with DA Ltd's so even with the AA's the camera weight is very good P.S. Thank you, I do try to stay in good shape

12-11-2013, 10:17 AM	#14
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	For AAs, if the NiMh 1.2 voltage is too low, you could try NiZn batteries. They put out 1.6 volts. They don't have the kind of shelf life or recharge cycle life that Eneloops have though, and they require a special charger. Normal alkaline batteries use 1.5 volts, so perhaps the k3 expects 1.5 volts if you're using the battery grip, and 1.2 volts isn't enough. Disclaimer: they may not last long, could fry the camera, and may summon the hordes of Genghis Khan to torch your home village. I've never personally used them, so I have no idea.

12-11-2013, 10:32 AM	#15
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Originally posted by narual For AAs, if the NiMh 1.2 voltage is too low, you could try NiZn batteries. They put out 1.6 volts. They don't have the kind of shelf life or recharge cycle life that Eneloops have though, and they require a special charger. Normal alkaline batteries use 1.5 volts, so perhaps the k3 expects 1.5 volts if you're using the battery grip, and 1.2 volts isn't enough. Disclaimer: they may not last long, could fry the camera, and may summon the hordes of Genghis Khan to torch your home village. I've never personally used them, so I have no idea. I'm no electrician, but based on simple math, 1.2 should be enough. Pentax Li-ion battery has voltage of 7.2V Standart eneloop - 1.2V. 61.2=7.2V So, if you used 1.5V batteries, the voltage would rise to 9V. That is 25%* higher voltage than using Li-ion or 1.2V batteries. I believe there is a pretty high chance to fry the camera this way.