[Robert in Busan]

Just picked up three vintage Pentax DSLRs on ebay (K100D, K100D Super, and K200D) on the cheap.

Very happy with build and quality, but the K100D is not happy with Ni-MH batteries.


Inside the battery compartment, alternative battery type CR-V3 is shown, but previous forum threads say don"t use.

Why is this spec printed inside the battery compartment, and are these high voltage Li-Ion batteries OK for K100D?

Tnankx,
Robert in Busan

[aslyfox]

welcome to the forums

I can't say from personal knowledge but

in case you need it, here is a link to a PDF of the owner's manual:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k100d.pdf

please note:

page 1, 25, 26, and 27 discuss batteries:

CRV-3, AA Lithium, rechargeable AA NI-HM or AA Alkaline Batteries can be used

Page 26: do not use nickel magnesium or rechargeable CRV-3 batteries


Page 27: AA Alkaline batteries are not recommended because they may not support all of the camera's functions


here is a link to ' Users Reviews "

Pentax K100D - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

hope this helps

[UncleVanya]

Long time owner of both K100D and K100D Super. The problem as stated above is the rechargeable CRV3 batteries which exceed the voltage of the non-recharge versions. Some users of many AA powered Pentax cameras experience slow loss of function/run-time. I have never had this issue. Alkalines work fine but for VERY short timeframe. Lithium non-recharge AA's are also excellent and work fine as an alternative to the CRV3's. I use ni-mh in all my K100's without issue (knock on wood) but not everyone has this experience.

Embarrassing question: Do you have the AA's in right? The labels can be confusing.

[aslyfox]

. . . Embarrassing question: Do you have the AA's in right? The labels can be confusing.

been there, done that

on more than one occasion

[Docrwm]

I have to agree, I've had no problems with Eneloops in my relatively new (to me) K100D. I have tried regular alkaline AAs and they will power the camera but they are discharged disappointingly soon.
-Robert

[Robert in Busan]

Thanks for all the feedback. The NiMH's worked fine in the K200D, put them in the K100D Super and again they worked fine, put them in the K100D, and at first showed 1/2 charge, then after making some settings, they stopped working. Put back into K100D Super, and again they worked fine. The K100D has the most mileage of the three (other two are mint) and maybe my experience reflects the input from UncleVanya above (gradual deterioration).

[Docrwm]

Thanks for all the feedback. The NiMH's worked fine in the K200D, put them in the K100D Super and again they worked fine, put them in the K100D, and at first showed 1/2 charge, then after making some settings, they stopped working. Put back into K100D Super, and again they worked fine. The K100D has the most mileage of the three (other two are mint) and maybe my experience reflects the input from UncleVanya above (gradual deterioration).

Have you updated the firmware on the 100D? Mine came to me a couple months ago with the original firmware in it despite having been used for 10K clicks in its lifetime. Might help.

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, I'm late to the party as usual... so hopefully your issues have now already been resolved, with all the good input you've received.