Originally posted by Bob C. I'm hoping that if someone else has had a similar issue, they've managed to resolve it. The issue: I have a Pentax *ist-Ds I've used for about 12 years, and I've always used AA lithiums with no issues. I went to use it a few days ago, and it wouldn't power up - not even the blinking "battery depleted" symbol. I installed *new* (exp. 2027) AA lithiums, and got the blinking symbol. I tried four sets of AA lithiums and found *one* set that worked. I also tried a set of AA alkalines, which *also* worked. (Note: I don't have, and don't want, any NiMH rechargeables; my previous experience with them was not very good, even the top-of-the-line ones were just too much of a hassle, and had invariably self-discharged just when I wanted to use them. And that was using a "best quality" conditioning charger from Maha. NiMH just has too short a "charged" life to be acceptable when I only use the camera every couple of months. *And* one exploded - loud "BANG!"; crap all over the walls - in the charger.)
Anyway, I did some measurements, and found that the set of AA lithiums which worked were down to around 1.70-1.72 volts (unloaded); the AA alkalines were the usual 1.55V. All the AA lithiums which *didn't* work (which were all "new, unused" with expiration dates from 2022-2027) measured 1.84-1.86V (unloaded), the usual open-circuit voltage for new lithiums.
So here's the question: Has anyone experienced a problem with either the *ist-DS or another Pentax DSLR in which a too-*high* battery voltage caused the camera to show "depleted" and refuse to power-up? If so, did you find a solution? If not, I'll continue to use the batteries which work (and I have a pair of Duracell Ultra Cr-V3 lithiums on order, which I'll try when they arrive next week).
Thanks for any help!
kLEEN YOUR BATTERY TERMINALS FIRST