Is Auto Shut Off a thing?

sinzen · 11-18-2020, 01:54 PM

Hey everyone!

So funny/scary thing happened a little earlier. It’s snowing outside and there’s this massive tree right next to my balcony. The snow started to catch on the branches and I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open. At the most, it’s about minus 7 celsius, with a nice windchill.

As I was framing the shot and letting the autofocus do it’s thing, my K-70 just powered off. The switch was still on the “on” position. Switching it off and back on did nothing. I shut my balcony door and pulled the battery out of the camera. Gave it a few seconds and put the battery back in and was able to power up the camera.

Has anything like this happened to anyone before? Is shutting down in poor weather a safety mechanism of sorts built in? Should I start saving my loonies and twoonies up for that new K3?

It’s the first time I have this happen to me and I’m a little worried.

**robgski** · 11-18-2020, 02:01 PM

I had something similar with my K-5 a few years ago. It could be as simple as a bad battery in cold weather, since it worked normally once it was in a warmer environment.

Adam · 11-18-2020, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by sinzen

Hey everyone!

So funny/scary thing happened a little earlier. It’s snowing outside and there’s this massive tree right next to my balcony. The snow started to catch on the branches and I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open. At the most, it’s about minus 7 celsius, with a nice windchill.

As I was framing the shot and letting the autofocus do it’s thing, my K-70 just powered off. The switch was still on the “on” position. Switching it off and back on did nothing. I shut my balcony door and pulled the battery out of the camera. Gave it a few seconds and put the battery back in and was able to power up the camera.

Has anything like this happened to anyone before? Is shutting down in poor weather a safety mechanism of sorts built in? Should I start saving my loonies and twoonies up for that new K3?

It’s the first time I have this happen to me and I’m a little worried.

This thread should shed some light on this phenomenon. Nothing to worry about, especially if it's in cold weather. Getting a new battery or charging earlier than normal may help.

K-1 locked up - PentaxForums.com

**Mooncatt** · 11-18-2020, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by robgski

I had something similar with my K-5 a few years ago. It could be as simple as a bad battery in cold weather, since it worked normally once it was in a warmer environment.

My thinking as well. Li-ion batteries don't like being cold, and you loose capacity just from the temperature drop

sinzen · 11-18-2020, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the responses!

I’m gonna say it’s the cold weather to blame, after reading thru that K-1 thread, and now that I’m all calm again. lol.

That’s my scare for the day!

**MossyRocks** · 11-18-2020, 02:22 PM

-7C isn't bad but it will decrease a battery's ability to power a device especially if it isn't fully charged or was questionable to begin with. I've shot in much colder and always go out with a bunch of fully charged batteries. When it starts getting down to -30C or -35C I get at most 45 minutes of near continuous use (there is some self heating that happens that keeps them going) but have to change out batteries all the time. I bring 6 spares with me and after warming up in the inner coat pocket for a bit they are back.

**BigDave** · 11-18-2020, 02:29 PM

This is why I have multiple batteries. They have less capacity in cold environments and with two or three batteries you can keep one warm in your pocket and as one "dies" swap it out for a warm one, putting the cold on in your pocket to warm up!

This type of issue makes me wonder how battery powered cars would fair in cold places (like Alaska and Edmonton).

**jatrax** · 11-18-2020, 02:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sinzen

I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open.

If the OP was taking a few snaps from INSIDE with the door open I seriously doubt this has anything to do with the temperature. Go outside, stand there until the camera reaches ambient temp, sure. But not just standing in the open doorway for a few minutes.

I would suspect the battery was close to dead and using the AF it went below safe minimum and the camera shut off. The OP does not say how long the camera worked after this incident or whether they then charged the battery.

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-18-2020, 05:25 PM

Stepping out into the cold for a few minutes will not affect your battery nor camera, and that's really not even that cold. If anything you might take an eraser to the contacts on your battery and battery compartment. I don't think you need to worry about anything.

sinzen · 11-18-2020, 05:40 PM

The battery had been charged yesterday, so relatively fresh charge.

I’m honestly scratching my head on this. Camera seems fine since flaking out earlier so yeah, no clue.

**jatrax** · 11-18-2020, 05:57 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sinzen

I’m honestly scratching my head on this. Camera seems fine since flaking out earlier so yeah, no clue.

I would put it down to "emp caused by the interaction of road traffic and a passing aircraft".

If it happens again, then worry. Otherwise don't stress.

@Ramseybuckeye idea of cleaning the battery contacts with an eraser might have merit.

**DWS1** · 11-18-2020, 06:28 PM - **1 Like**

Same thing has happened to me. New battery solved the issue.

derekmadge · 11-18-2020, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by BigDave

This is why I have multiple batteries. They have less capacity in cold environments and with two or three batteries you can keep one warm in your pocket and as one "dies" swap it out for a warm one, putting the cold on in your pocket to warm up!

This type of issue makes me wonder how battery powered cars would fair in cold places (like Alaska and Edmonton).

The cars do not do as well as they would in warmer weather of course but the technology and the batteries are improving every few months. At least according to the press releases and some reviews..

---------- Post added 11-18-20 at 09:50 PM ----------

Of course it may have been the battery but I would also not rule out that the circuitry detected some anomaly caused by condensation, going from the relatively humid indoors to the cold outdoors. In my job ( BC,before Covid) we lend data projectors to students and instructors and we warn them against this. A projector in this situation will often shut itself down until the temperatures and humidity have evened out internally. So I imagine it could well be the same with the camera.

**hjoseph7** · 11-19-2020, 10:22 AM

I'm not sure about the K-70, but my K5 has an auto-power-off feature that let's you adjust when the camera will shut off after being idle for some time. Most DSLR cameras have this feature. I have mine set for 5 minutes, but when I first got the camera the default was 1 minute.

**pentaxus** · 11-19-2020, 03:50 PM

A tiny change in voltage can shut a camera off. If the battery is not well charged and the battery voltage drops another 1/10 of a volt because of the low temperature the camera will shut off.

11-18-2020, 01:54 PM	#1
sinzen Junior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: A galaxy far, far away Posts: 38	Is Auto Shut Off a thing? Hey everyone! So funny/scary thing happened a little earlier. It’s snowing outside and there’s this massive tree right next to my balcony. The snow started to catch on the branches and I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open. At the most, it’s about minus 7 celsius, with a nice windchill. As I was framing the shot and letting the autofocus do it’s thing, my K-70 just powered off. The switch was still on the “on” position. Switching it off and back on did nothing. I shut my balcony door and pulled the battery out of the camera. Gave it a few seconds and put the battery back in and was able to power up the camera. Has anything like this happened to anyone before? Is shutting down in poor weather a safety mechanism of sorts built in? Should I start saving my loonies and twoonies up for that new K3? It’s the first time I have this happen to me and I’m a little worried.

11-18-2020, 02:02 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by sinzen Hey everyone! So funny/scary thing happened a little earlier. It’s snowing outside and there’s this massive tree right next to my balcony. The snow started to catch on the branches and I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open. At the most, it’s about minus 7 celsius, with a nice windchill. As I was framing the shot and letting the autofocus do it’s thing, my K-70 just powered off. The switch was still on the “on” position. Switching it off and back on did nothing. I shut my balcony door and pulled the battery out of the camera. Gave it a few seconds and put the battery back in and was able to power up the camera. Has anything like this happened to anyone before? Is shutting down in poor weather a safety mechanism of sorts built in? Should I start saving my loonies and twoonies up for that new K3? It’s the first time I have this happen to me and I’m a little worried. This thread should shed some light on this phenomenon. Nothing to worry about, especially if it's in cold weather. Getting a new battery or charging earlier than normal may help. K-1 locked up - PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-18-2020, 05:40 PM	#10
sinzen Junior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: A galaxy far, far away Posts: 38 Original Poster	The battery had been charged yesterday, so relatively fresh charge. I’m honestly scratching my head on this. Camera seems fine since flaking out earlier so yeah, no clue. Last edited by sinzen; 11-18-2020 at 05:41 PM. Reason: Emoji didn’t render properly.

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11-18-2020, 02:01 PM	#2
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,798	I had something similar with my K-5 a few years ago. It could be as simple as a bad battery in cold weather, since it worked normally once it was in a warmer environment.

11-18-2020, 02:04 PM	#4
Mooncatt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2020 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,372	Originally posted by robgski I had something similar with my K-5 a few years ago. It could be as simple as a bad battery in cold weather, since it worked normally once it was in a warmer environment. My thinking as well. Li-ion batteries don't like being cold, and you loose capacity just from the temperature drop

11-18-2020, 02:14 PM	#5
sinzen Junior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: A galaxy far, far away Posts: 38 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses! I’m gonna say it’s the cold weather to blame, after reading thru that K-1 thread, and now that I’m all calm again. lol. That’s my scare for the day!

11-18-2020, 02:22 PM	#6
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	-7C isn't bad but it will decrease a battery's ability to power a device especially if it isn't fully charged or was questionable to begin with. I've shot in much colder and always go out with a bunch of fully charged batteries. When it starts getting down to -30C or -35C I get at most 45 minutes of near continuous use (there is some self heating that happens that keeps them going) but have to change out batteries all the time. I bring 6 spares with me and after warming up in the inner coat pocket for a bit they are back.

11-18-2020, 02:29 PM	#7
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	This is why I have multiple batteries. They have less capacity in cold environments and with two or three batteries you can keep one warm in your pocket and as one "dies" swap it out for a warm one, putting the cold on in your pocket to warm up! This type of issue makes me wonder how battery powered cars would fair in cold places (like Alaska and Edmonton).

11-18-2020, 02:58 PM - 1 Like	#8
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by sinzen I decided to snap a few shots from just inside my place, with the balcony door open. If the OP was taking a few snaps from INSIDE with the door open I seriously doubt this has anything to do with the temperature. Go outside, stand there until the camera reaches ambient temp, sure. But not just standing in the open doorway for a few minutes. I would suspect the battery was close to dead and using the AF it went below safe minimum and the camera shut off. The OP does not say how long the camera worked after this incident or whether they then charged the battery.

11-18-2020, 05:25 PM	#9
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Stepping out into the cold for a few minutes will not affect your battery nor camera, and that's really not even that cold. If anything you might take an eraser to the contacts on your battery and battery compartment. I don't think you need to worry about anything.

11-18-2020, 05:57 PM - 1 Like	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by sinzen I’m honestly scratching my head on this. Camera seems fine since flaking out earlier so yeah, no clue. I would put it down to "emp caused by the interaction of road traffic and a passing aircraft". If it happens again, then worry. Otherwise don't stress. @Ramseybuckeye idea of cleaning the battery contacts with an eraser might have merit.

11-18-2020, 06:28 PM - 1 Like	#12
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Same thing has happened to me. New battery solved the issue.

11-18-2020, 07:46 PM	#13
derekmadge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 113	Originally posted by BigDave This is why I have multiple batteries. They have less capacity in cold environments and with two or three batteries you can keep one warm in your pocket and as one "dies" swap it out for a warm one, putting the cold on in your pocket to warm up! This type of issue makes me wonder how battery powered cars would fair in cold places (like Alaska and Edmonton). The cars do not do as well as they would in warmer weather of course but the technology and the batteries are improving every few months. At least according to the press releases and some reviews.. ---------- Post added 11-18-20 at 09:50 PM ---------- Of course it may have been the battery but I would also not rule out that the circuitry detected some anomaly caused by condensation, going from the relatively humid indoors to the cold outdoors. In my job ( BC,before Covid) we lend data projectors to students and instructors and we warn them against this. A projector in this situation will often shut itself down until the temperatures and humidity have evened out internally. So I imagine it could well be the same with the camera.

11-19-2020, 10:22 AM	#14
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	I'm not sure about the K-70, but my K5 has an auto-power-off feature that let's you adjust when the camera will shut off after being idle for some time. Most DSLR cameras have this feature. I have mine set for 5 minutes, but when I first got the camera the default was 1 minute.

11-19-2020, 03:50 PM	#15
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	A tiny change in voltage can shut a camera off. If the battery is not well charged and the battery voltage drops another 1/10 of a volt because of the low temperature the camera will shut off.