KP battery life improvement

mickdann · 11-22-2017, 04:31 AM

Here's a suggestion for the first firmware upgrade for the KP:
Add an option (as was available on my K-5) to set the LCD display default to always OFF, so it only powers on when "INFO" or "PLAY" buttons are pressed.
I'm happy to use the viewfinder display to check my camera settings, by not powering the LCD every time I switch on or press the shutter button I'm sure the battery life would be much improved.

Adam · 11-22-2017, 04:34 AM

Can't you already do that by double tapping info and selecting the "off" icon in the flyover menu?

sqrrl · 11-22-2017, 11:47 AM

Yes, you can do that - mine is off by default

mickdann · 11-23-2017, 03:45 AM

Well that's great news. I had looked through the manual (but not in depth I must admit) and hadn't spotted that, thanks for the info!

pentup · 02-25-2018, 05:03 PM

"Can't you already do that by double tapping info and selecting the "off" icon in the flyover menu?"

Of course you can, but that doesn't set Off as a default. The info display comes back on when you turn on the camera. Needing four button presses to turn it off each time is annoying. I wouldn't mind so much if the battery wasn't so pitiful.

**mikesbike** · 02-25-2018, 05:59 PM

Its a little like carrying an extra clip of ammo- I just carry one of those tiny batteries fully charged in a pocket and don't worry about it if the one in camera should run low. Even two extras wouldn't pose any problem.

But I do agree that there should be a quicker control to shut off the LCD screen. Sometimes, once I have my settings, I'd rather not have it on as it can be a distraction.

**Ex Finn.** · 02-25-2018, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

Say what? my KP remembers "display off" setting as a default. I do have preview enabled but I could disable it also.

Last edited by Ex Finn.; 02-25-2018 at 08:15 PM.

**Ex Finn.** · 02-25-2018, 08:11 PM - **1 Like**

Memory, page 2, "shooting info display"

**Ex Finn.** · 02-25-2018, 08:18 PM - **1 Like**

As far as battery life, D-Li90 in the D-BG7 is your friend.

MJKoski · 02-26-2018, 11:49 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, D-LI90 makes KP about 1000% more useful in normal winter conditions.

HelenJo · 02-26-2018, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

As far as battery life, D-Li90 in the D-BG7 is your friend.

Im new here. What is a D-BG7 ?

**BigMackCam** · 02-26-2018, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by HelenJo

Im new here. What is a D-BG7 ?

It's the optional battery grip for the KP

It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_battery_grip.html

HelenJo · 02-26-2018, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

It's the optional battery grip for the KP

It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_batter...981&

Thank You. It should have been obvious , Im just not used to model designations yet.

Chris Mak · 02-27-2018, 07:48 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

It's the optional battery grip for the KP

It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_batter...981&

You do then need the charger as well for the larger capacity D-Li90 battery, which is not a given when you have no other Pentax lying around...
I bought an extra D-Li109, which brings battery life up to K3 level with the batterygrip on, and lends you the flexibility to leave an empty battery behind charging. Only really heavy shooting would benefit from the D-Li90 in the batterygrip.

Chris

**BigMackCam** · 02-27-2018, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Chris Mak

You do then need the charger as well for the larger capacity D-Li90 battery, which is not a given when you have no other Pentax lying around...

Good point, Chris - I hadn't thought to mention that

11-22-2017, 04:31 AM	#1
mickdann New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Suffolk, England Posts: 14	KP battery life improvement Here's a suggestion for the first firmware upgrade for the KP: Add an option (as was available on my K-5) to set the LCD display default to always OFF, so it only powers on when "INFO" or "PLAY" buttons are pressed. I'm happy to use the viewfinder display to check my camera settings, by not powering the LCD every time I switch on or press the shutter button I'm sure the battery life would be much improved.

11-22-2017, 04:34 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Can't you already do that by double tapping info and selecting the "off" icon in the flyover menu? 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:

02-27-2018, 07:48 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Chris Mak Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 639	Originally posted by BigMackCam It's the optional battery grip for the KP It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_batter...981& You do then need the charger as well for the larger capacity D-Li90 battery, which is not a given when you have no other Pentax lying around... I bought an extra D-Li109, which brings battery life up to K3 level with the batterygrip on, and lends you the flexibility to leave an empty battery behind charging. Only really heavy shooting would benefit from the D-Li90 in the batterygrip. Chris Last edited by Chris Mak; 02-27-2018 at 08:25 AM.

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11-22-2017, 11:47 AM	#3
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	Yes, you can do that - mine is off by default

11-23-2017, 03:45 AM	#4
mickdann New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Suffolk, England Posts: 14 Original Poster	Well that's great news. I had looked through the manual (but not in depth I must admit) and hadn't spotted that, thanks for the info!

02-25-2018, 05:03 PM	#5
pentup Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Flushing NY Photos: Albums Posts: 413	"Can't you already do that by double tapping info and selecting the "off" icon in the flyover menu?" Of course you can, but that doesn't set Off as a default. The info display comes back on when you turn on the camera. Needing four button presses to turn it off each time is annoying. I wouldn't mind so much if the battery wasn't so pitiful.

02-25-2018, 05:59 PM	#6
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	Its a little like carrying an extra clip of ammo- I just carry one of those tiny batteries fully charged in a pocket and don't worry about it if the one in camera should run low. Even two extras wouldn't pose any problem. But I do agree that there should be a quicker control to shut off the LCD screen. Sometimes, once I have my settings, I'd rather not have it on as it can be a distraction.

02-25-2018, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Say what? my KP remembers "display off" setting as a default. I do have preview enabled but I could disable it also. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 02-25-2018 at 08:15 PM.

02-25-2018, 08:11 PM - 1 Like	#8
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Memory, page 2, "shooting info display"

02-25-2018, 08:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	As far as battery life, D-Li90 in the D-BG7 is your friend.

02-26-2018, 11:49 AM - 1 Like	#10
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	Yes, D-LI90 makes KP about 1000% more useful in normal winter conditions.

02-26-2018, 12:55 PM	#11
HelenJo Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sun City , Arizona. Posts: 72	Originally posted by Ex Finn. As far as battery life, D-Li90 in the D-BG7 is your friend. Im new here. What is a D-BG7 ?

02-26-2018, 12:58 PM	#12
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by HelenJo Im new here. What is a D-BG7 ? It's the optional battery grip for the KP It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_battery_grip.html

02-26-2018, 01:13 PM	#13
HelenJo Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sun City , Arizona. Posts: 72	Originally posted by BigMackCam It's the optional battery grip for the KP It provides a shutter release, control wheels and buttons to allow easier use in portrait orientation, but also allows you to use a higher capacity D-Li90 battery to power the camera... the same battery used in the K-3II etc. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1313279-REG/pentax_38589_d_bg7_batter...981& Thank You. It should have been obvious , Im just not used to model designations yet.

02-27-2018, 08:02 AM	#15
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by Chris Mak You do then need the charger as well for the larger capacity D-Li90 battery, which is not a given when you have no other Pentax lying around... Good point, Chris - I hadn't thought to mention that