K-x dies almost immediately even with fresh batteries

katie_m · 09-06-2016, 05:52 PM

Hi, everyone! I'm a very new camera user, but I inherited a 5-6 year-old K-x from my sister, who used it for a semester in college. Every time I've tried to use it with new lithium batteries (about 5 times), it dies after taking one or two shots. Is this a problem with the camera, do you think, or am I using the wrong type of battery? Is the camera just too old? Thank you for your help!

Adam · 09-06-2016, 05:58 PM

Have you tried any other type of batteries, such as alkaline?

**paulh** · 09-06-2016, 06:09 PM

Lithium batteries should work, but you never know with the older cameras. I've been using Eneloop rechargeable AAs for years with my ancient *ist D and K100D. No issues.

**sergysergy** · 09-06-2016, 06:22 PM

Try other batteries. Back when I had the K-x they came up with a firmware update that fixed a similar issue. Eneloops worked very well with mine.

Pentax_family · 09-06-2016, 06:24 PM

I had the same experience with my K-x several years ago. It never happens again after changing to Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries.

**ramseybuckeye** · 09-06-2016, 07:06 PM

I don't know about the Kx but the K-30 has a battery type selection in the menu and it makes a big difference if it is set wrong. Make sure the contacts are clean, and make sure the firmware is to the current update.

**dms** · 09-06-2016, 07:56 PM

My K-x worked w/ Lithiums, and then at some point it didn't. As I recall it showed similar symptoms to yours.

Switch to another type of battery. Annoying as Lithiums are the best for extensively using camera where recharging is not possible (e.g., backpacking).

katie_m · 09-07-2016, 04:37 AM

Thanks, everyone! I'll grab some new batteries. If I wanted to upgrade firmware, how would I do that? (Did I mention I'm also not super tech savvy? I'm just on the older scale of milennial where some technology confuses me.) Again, thank you all so much! I really appreciate it.

ddharriman · 09-07-2016, 03:31 PM

Hello

Here: Latest K-x Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING
you have access to the list of all the existing firmware updates for the Pentax K-x, the description how to upgrade and possibility to download the last firmware V1.03.

Best regards,

katie_m · 09-10-2016, 11:34 AM

Thank you for this link! I was all set to download, but I'm worried about messing up the camera if the batteries die during the download. Any ideas?

I purchased eneloop batteries, but as soon as I put them in the camera and turned it on, I got a "battery depleted" message and it turned off. Is there anything else I can do? I'm going on a trip in two weeks and would love to be able to bring this camera with me.

Thank you all, again, for your help! I really, really appreciate it.

**paulh** · 09-10-2016, 11:51 AM

Did you charge the eneloops before using them?

katie_m · 09-10-2016, 12:36 PM

I purchased them "pre-charged." No good?

pentasonic49 · 09-10-2016, 01:26 PM

I'm surprised that lithium batteries fail as they are higher voltage than any other type, new ones are about 1.75v.
I still have my K100D from 2006, it will only run on lithiums, everything else especially Nimh are too low voltage, a well known fault with some of the earlier cameras.

**paulh** · 09-10-2016, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by katie_m

I purchased them "pre-charged." No good?

I bought a set of pre-charged Rayovac AAs (eneloop copy), and I did have to charge them first. I would give it a try with the eneloops.

katie_m · 09-10-2016, 02:09 PM

Ok, will do! I'll keep you posted, once I've had a chance to pick up a charger. Fingers crossed!!

09-06-2016, 05:52 PM	#1
katie_m New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 6	K-x dies almost immediately even with fresh batteries Hi, everyone! I'm a very new camera user, but I inherited a 5-6 year-old K-x from my sister, who used it for a semester in college. Every time I've tried to use it with new lithium batteries (about 5 times), it dies after taking one or two shots. Is this a problem with the camera, do you think, or am I using the wrong type of battery? Is the camera just too old? Thank you for your help!

09-06-2016, 05:58 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Have you tried any other type of batteries, such as alkaline? 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:

09-10-2016, 11:34 AM	#10
katie_m New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thank you for this link! I was all set to download, but I'm worried about messing up the camera if the batteries die during the download. Any ideas? I purchased eneloop batteries, but as soon as I put them in the camera and turned it on, I got a "battery depleted" message and it turned off. Is there anything else I can do? I'm going on a trip in two weeks and would love to be able to bring this camera with me. Thank you all, again, for your help! I really, really appreciate it. Last edited by katie_m; 09-10-2016 at 11:43 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Working with the K-x (or even the K-5)	DRabbit	Video Recording and Processing	6	02-21-2011 04:14 AM
For Sale - Sold: Mint K-x with lens/12 batteries/box/accessories $425 (CONUS)	treebeard	Sold Items	2	02-14-2011 03:26 PM
Experience with NiZn batteries and K-x?	causey	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	4	09-15-2010 09:12 AM
K200D battery symbol in LCD flashes, even with good batteries	jaytaz	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	09-01-2010 03:31 AM
possible problem with my new K-x (other than batteries)	davidvcd	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	13	11-12-2009 03:43 PM

09-06-2016, 06:09 PM	#3
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	Lithium batteries should work, but you never know with the older cameras. I've been using Eneloop rechargeable AAs for years with my ancient *ist D and K100D. No issues.

09-06-2016, 06:22 PM	#4
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,168	Try other batteries. Back when I had the K-x they came up with a firmware update that fixed a similar issue. Eneloops worked very well with mine.

09-06-2016, 06:24 PM	#5
Pentax_family Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Albums Posts: 26	I had the same experience with my K-x several years ago. It never happens again after changing to Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries.

09-06-2016, 07:06 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,288	I don't know about the Kx but the K-30 has a battery type selection in the menu and it makes a big difference if it is set wrong. Make sure the contacts are clean, and make sure the firmware is to the current update.

09-06-2016, 07:56 PM	#7
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	My K-x worked w/ Lithiums, and then at some point it didn't. As I recall it showed similar symptoms to yours. Switch to another type of battery. Annoying as Lithiums are the best for extensively using camera where recharging is not possible (e.g., backpacking).

09-07-2016, 04:37 AM	#8
katie_m New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks, everyone! I'll grab some new batteries. If I wanted to upgrade firmware, how would I do that? (Did I mention I'm also not super tech savvy? I'm just on the older scale of milennial where some technology confuses me.) Again, thank you all so much! I really appreciate it.

09-07-2016, 03:31 PM	#9
ddharriman Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	Hello Here: Latest K-x Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING you have access to the list of all the existing firmware updates for the Pentax K-x, the description how to upgrade and possibility to download the last firmware V1.03. Best regards,

09-10-2016, 11:51 AM	#11
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	Did you charge the eneloops before using them?

09-10-2016, 12:36 PM	#12
katie_m New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	I purchased them "pre-charged." No good?

09-10-2016, 01:26 PM	#13
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	I'm surprised that lithium batteries fail as they are higher voltage than any other type, new ones are about 1.75v. I still have my K100D from 2006, it will only run on lithiums, everything else especially Nimh are too low voltage, a well known fault with some of the earlier cameras.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-10-2016, 02:06 PM	#14
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	Originally posted by katie_m I purchased them "pre-charged." No good? I bought a set of pre-charged Rayovac AAs (eneloop copy), and I did have to charge them first. I would give it a try with the eneloops.

09-10-2016, 02:09 PM	#15
katie_m New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Ok, will do! I'll keep you posted, once I've had a chance to pick up a charger. Fingers crossed!!