Pentax D-BG4 - power switch function

dan.a.nesheim · 10-02-2019, 01:59 PM

Just received a used D-BG4 battery grip. Never used one of these before, but my pinky is finally happy. Now using it on a K-7.

Question: is it normal that i can't power on the camera with the battery grip?

I have to power on the camera first, then power on the grip or just leave it on, to use it. I read the user manual but didn't find anything useful. I thought i would be able to use one or the other, not requierung both to be on.

**Pentax Syntax** · 10-02-2019, 02:13 PM - **1 Like**

Normal.

**luftfluss** · 10-02-2019, 02:30 PM

Yup, perfectly normal beahvior.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-02-2019, 03:38 PM

The switch on the grip enables or disables the grip only.
I leave it off unless shooting vertical, otherwise it is easy to inadvertently change settings by your palm hitting it.

MarkJerling · 10-02-2019, 04:30 PM

Data can only pass through the connector on the bottom of the camera when the camera is turned on, so the grip cannot send a signal to the body without the camera being powered on first.

mhoule418 · 10-02-2019, 06:08 PM - **2 Likes**

While you have to power on the grip (and obviously the camera) to use the buttons “of the grip” to take pictures, you do not have to power on the grip if you just need the extra power (battery in the grip).

I mean, using the buttons “of the camera”, the camera detect the battery “in the grip”, even when the grip is turned off... (in case you don’t know).

dan.a.nesheim · 10-03-2019, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by mhoule418

you do not have to power on the grip if you just need the extra power (battery in the grip).

Didnt know that, and doesnt say so in the manual either. Thanks!

---------- Post added 3rd Oct 2019 at 10:28 ----------

Thank you guys for the confirmation!

---------- Post added 3rd Oct 2019 at 10:29 ----------

I definitely should have bought this thing 10 years ago when i got the camera.

10-02-2019, 01:59 PM	#1
dan.a.nesheim Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 167	Pentax D-BG4 - power switch function Just received a used D-BG4 battery grip. Never used one of these before, but my pinky is finally happy. Now using it on a K-7. Question: is it normal that i can't power on the camera with the battery grip? I have to power on the camera first, then power on the grip or just leave it on, to use it. I read the user manual but didn't find anything useful. I thought i would be able to use one or the other, not requierung both to be on.

10-02-2019, 06:08 PM - 2 Likes	#6
mhoule418 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Quebec city Posts: 228	In case you don’t know... While you have to power on the grip (and obviously the camera) to use the buttons “of the grip” to take pictures, you do not have to power on the grip if you just need the extra power (battery in the grip). I mean, using the buttons “of the camera”, the camera detect the battery “in the grip”, even when the grip is turned off... (in case you don’t know).

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10-02-2019, 02:13 PM - 1 Like	#2
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Normal.

10-02-2019, 02:30 PM	#3
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Yup, perfectly normal beahvior.

10-02-2019, 03:38 PM	#4
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	The switch on the grip enables or disables the grip only. I leave it off unless shooting vertical, otherwise it is easy to inadvertently change settings by your palm hitting it.

10-02-2019, 04:30 PM	#5
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Data can only pass through the connector on the bottom of the camera when the camera is turned on, so the grip cannot send a signal to the body without the camera being powered on first.

10-03-2019, 02:27 AM	#7
dan.a.nesheim Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 167 Original Poster	Originally posted by mhoule418 you do not have to power on the grip if you just need the extra power (battery in the grip). Didnt know that, and doesnt say so in the manual either. Thanks! ---------- Post added 3rd Oct 2019 at 10:28 ---------- Thank you guys for the confirmation! ---------- Post added 3rd Oct 2019 at 10:29 ---------- I definitely should have bought this thing 10 years ago when i got the camera.