[juliank100d]

Hey guys and gals, I have a K100d with a bug that seems to come and go. sometimes when attempting to enter and use the menu or Fn section the LCD will go black without warning.

It does this intermittently, after 1 second, 2 or 3, whenever it feels like. To simulate it is like entering the menu at the same time as pushing down the flash.

Just to clarify I don't have anything fingers resting on trigger or anything that would make it leave the menu. And also it is like the camera is having a power failure yet the top lcd screen still functions and battery indicator is at least at half full when this happens.

Any ideas or anyone that has this problem?

[flyer]

If you are using Lithium-Ion batteries, the power on those is very constant till they are almost empty. When it shows half full, the batteries are actually a lot closer to empty then what you may think. Since the LCD display takes quite a bit of "juice", that could be your problem. It is worth checking with fresh batteries when that happens.

[Canada_Rockies]

This happens to me constantly, and then I turn off the grip. The shutter button on the grip is perfectly placed to be in the way of my fingers when using the LCD.

[juliank100d]

Hi thanks for reply guys.

Yeah I'm actually using Sanyo Eneloop batteries. And at the time they were showing weird characteristics. For example, the camera would take 30 or so shots and then turn off with battery-depleted message, after which I turned it, back on and the batteries were showing full again.

I read a thread re: the issues with NiMH cells in K100d's and have since upgraded the firmware on the camera to 1.02. Apparently this will increase the cut of voltage to that of one that is more NiMH friendly.

Do you think re-chargeable Lithium's are better? That is better enough to justify the upgrade?

Cheers

[creampuff]

Perhaps the problem isn't with your batteries but rather your camera. I use a K100D with Eneloops and I have never encountered what you have described.

[juliank100d]

Yeah I have been happy with these batteries. but yesterday it was the first time that this set only took 30 photos rather then 500.. Just felt a bit odd...

I have since tried the camera with a set of fresh alkalines and another set of eneloops, and it seems ok... So fingers crossed...

I have read a thread re: this issue elsewhere, someone with same issue but frequently... so I anyone has experienced this issue directly I would love to hear from you!

thanks for your posts

[juliank100d]

OK so the problem is solved! It had nothing to do with the batteries or the camera body but the lens!

I found that the camera only had this issue with the kit sigma 50mm that came with it. To simulate it was like have the menu open and then half undoing the lens off the camera. I took it back to place of purchase and tried another lens of same type and it worked fine. The Ted's Camera House guy said that he's had a few back with bad connections in the lens, which effectively cut out on the camera sometimes.

Its fortunate that the lens started to get worse and so I could identify. It was almost out of warranty. And I'm stoked that my body is OK.. viva Pentax!

I have since purchased a pentax 55mm. Perfect!

When I get the sigma back, it will be a donkey spare that never gets used.. suites me!

Ciao