K100D eating through batteries

justoboy · 11-13-2019, 06:27 AM

Hi guys,

I jut found my dads old K100D and it works great. Only the AAs that I have seen to only work for about 10 shots before the camera says low battery.

Does anyone have any battery recommendations? Right now I’m just using 1.5v AAs

**interested_observer** · 11-13-2019, 07:07 AM

The best experience I've had are with....

four Energizer Advanced lithium batteries
two CR-V3 lithium battery packs

**UncleVanya** · 11-13-2019, 07:24 AM

If the batteries are standard alkaline or worse yet carbon zinc non-rechargeable then I would try some good quality high capacity Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The same applies if the batteries are rechargeable but unknown age and quality.

Bertrand3000 · 11-13-2019, 08:54 AM

You will need either super alcaline, lithium or high capacity NIMH rechargeable (like 2800 mAh EBL). I recommend the latter.

Oh and you should use flash as few as possible. It's a battery killer.

**ProfessorBuzz** · 11-13-2019, 08:59 AM

I've had success with Panasonic Eneloop Pro NiMH batteries in my Pentax flashes and other high drain devices.

justoboy · 11-13-2019, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

You will need either super alcaline, lithium or high capacity NIMH rechargeable (like 2800 mAh EBL). I recommend the latter.

Oh and you should use flash as few as possible. It's a battery killer.

I probably won’t use the flash much, but I think I was just using super cheap Walmart batteries.

I’m going to buy some high quality rechargeable batteries later today

**UncleVanya** · 11-13-2019, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by justoboy

I probably won’t use the flash much, but I think I was just using super cheap Walmart batteries.

I’m going to buy some high quality rechargeable batteries later today

The non rechargeable lithium AA batteries work quite well also. Those are probably the longest lasting and most expensive option.

**pentaxus** · 11-13-2019, 09:22 AM

I cast a vote for lithium AA.

**photogem** · 11-13-2019, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by justoboy

Hi guys,

I jut found my dads old K100D and it works great. Only the AAs that I have seen to only work for about 10 shots before the camera says low battery.

Does anyone have any battery recommendations? Right now I’m just using 1.5v AAs

Then the old AA's are dead.

Buy Eneloops by Panasonic or even better Fujitsu (still made in Japan)

and a good charger (charger quality is very important).

I have no personal experience with the Eneloop Pro (2500mA/h) but heard good reports.
Doesn't matter that they take only 500 charges, one has to reach that first.... you'll be quite old then.

Bertrand3000 · 11-13-2019, 12:32 PM

And I recommend the EBL 2800 mAh (Ni-MH) batteries, and a fast EBL charger, that can be found on Amazon for quite cheap. I have not been disappointed by them. The 2800 mAh are heavier and a little bit larger than usual AA batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH) , but I had no problem fitting them in my K100D Super and you'll need the extra capacity.

**ismaelg** · 11-13-2019, 01:23 PM

Make sure the battery contacts are clean. I have used Energizer Ultimate Lithium with great results.

E-man · 11-13-2019, 05:42 PM - **1 Like**

I agree with what others have said. If you're going the single-use route, Energizer Lithiums are your only real choice. Yes, they're more expensive but they last an incredibly long time so the total cost of ownership is probably the same or maybe cheaper. If you have a Sam's Club or Costco membership, you can buy bulk packs there that will reduce your unit cost.

If you prefer rechargeable batteries--and I highly recommend them--Eneloops are indeed your best, albeit moore expensive--bet. A cost effective alternative is AmazonBasics high capacity NiMH rechargeables. Like Eneloops, they have an incredibly long shelf life. The gray ones are higher capacity than the black ones, but cost about half again more. I have several sets of both and no complaints about either. The black ones are presently on sale for $7.64 for a four-pack. Two sets and a charger (if you don't already have one) and you'll be set.

LensBeginner · 11-14-2019, 05:36 AM

Did you test the batteries with a multimeter?
I used to power my K100DS with Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries, but after some years it started signaling empty battery even when inserting a fresh set.
Of course the batteries still read good after removing them from the camera, and could power a flash, so they were not the issue at all.
Alkalines forget about it... in a cold climate they didn't work even when the camera was ok with the Ni-Mh.

11-13-2019, 06:27 AM	#1
justoboy New Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	K100D eating through batteries Hi guys, I jut found my dads old K100D and it works great. Only the AAs that I have seen to only work for about 10 shots before the camera says low battery. Does anyone have any battery recommendations? Right now I’m just using 1.5v AAs

11-13-2019, 07:07 AM	#2
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	The best experience I've had are with.... four Energizer Advanced lithium batteries two CR-V3 lithium battery packs

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11-13-2019, 07:24 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	If the batteries are standard alkaline or worse yet carbon zinc non-rechargeable then I would try some good quality high capacity Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The same applies if the batteries are rechargeable but unknown age and quality.

11-13-2019, 08:54 AM	#4
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	You will need either super alcaline, lithium or high capacity NIMH rechargeable (like 2800 mAh EBL). I recommend the latter. Oh and you should use flash as few as possible. It's a battery killer.

11-13-2019, 08:59 AM	#5
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	I've had success with Panasonic Eneloop Pro NiMH batteries in my Pentax flashes and other high drain devices.

11-13-2019, 08:59 AM	#6
justoboy New Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 You will need either super alcaline, lithium or high capacity NIMH rechargeable (like 2800 mAh EBL). I recommend the latter. Oh and you should use flash as few as possible. It's a battery killer. I probably won’t use the flash much, but I think I was just using super cheap Walmart batteries. I’m going to buy some high quality rechargeable batteries later today

11-13-2019, 09:13 AM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by justoboy I probably won’t use the flash much, but I think I was just using super cheap Walmart batteries. I’m going to buy some high quality rechargeable batteries later today The non rechargeable lithium AA batteries work quite well also. Those are probably the longest lasting and most expensive option.

11-13-2019, 09:22 AM	#8
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	I cast a vote for lithium AA.

11-13-2019, 11:25 AM	#9
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,525	Originally posted by justoboy Hi guys, I jut found my dads old K100D and it works great. Only the AAs that I have seen to only work for about 10 shots before the camera says low battery. Does anyone have any battery recommendations? Right now I’m just using 1.5v AAs Then the old AA's are dead. Buy Eneloops by Panasonic or even better Fujitsu (still made in Japan) and a good charger (charger quality is very important). I have no personal experience with the Eneloop Pro (2500mA/h) but heard good reports. Doesn't matter that they take only 500 charges, one has to reach that first.... you'll be quite old then.

11-13-2019, 12:32 PM	#10
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	And I recommend the EBL 2800 mAh (Ni-MH) batteries, and a fast EBL charger, that can be found on Amazon for quite cheap. I have not been disappointed by them. The 2800 mAh are heavier and a little bit larger than usual AA batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH) , but I had no problem fitting them in my K100D Super and you'll need the extra capacity.

11-13-2019, 01:23 PM	#11
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Make sure the battery contacts are clean. I have used Energizer Ultimate Lithium with great results.

11-13-2019, 05:42 PM - 1 Like	#12
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	I agree with what others have said. If you're going the single-use route, Energizer Lithiums are your only real choice. Yes, they're more expensive but they last an incredibly long time so the total cost of ownership is probably the same or maybe cheaper. If you have a Sam's Club or Costco membership, you can buy bulk packs there that will reduce your unit cost. If you prefer rechargeable batteries--and I highly recommend them--Eneloops are indeed your best, albeit moore expensive--bet. A cost effective alternative is AmazonBasics high capacity NiMH rechargeables. Like Eneloops, they have an incredibly long shelf life. The gray ones are higher capacity than the black ones, but cost about half again more. I have several sets of both and no complaints about either. The black ones are presently on sale for $7.64 for a four-pack. Two sets and a charger (if you don't already have one) and you'll be set.

11-14-2019, 05:36 AM	#13
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Did you test the batteries with a multimeter? I used to power my K100DS with Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries, but after some years it started signaling empty battery even when inserting a fresh set. Of course the batteries still read good after removing them from the camera, and could power a flash, so they were not the issue at all. Alkalines forget about it... in a cold climate they didn't work even when the camera was ok with the Ni-Mh.