How long does your K10D's battery last ?

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-02-2008, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

I wish the K10D had a battery charge indicator that was more precise than the one used now. Although I think the other manufacturers aren't much better in the indicator area. I will have to look in my manual to figure out how to do that though. I don't recall seeing the 'how to' in the manual. Maybe it's just a scroll through the menu ?

I think the problem is that the batteries are so good at maintaining voltage right until they are flat that the indicators are of little use. By the time the indicator knows the battery voltage has dropped, it's way too late.

nulla · 09-03-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

I think the problem is that the batteries are so good at maintaining voltage right until they are flat that the indicators are of little use. By the time the indicator knows the battery voltage has dropped, it's way too late.

Very good point Albert.

On another for someone here without a battery grip...

Is it best to let the battery go dead or near dead before charging?

I usually re charge when the indicator gets about halfway, sometimes less if I have an event the following day.

Neil

AdrianM · 09-03-2008, 04:39 AM

Usually find it is just over 400 shots using all sorts of Autofocus and full time Shake Reduction with a few flash shots thrown in. I don't bother with a grip, but always have two spare charged batteries hanging around.

Peter Zack · 09-03-2008, 04:51 AM

Unlike Nicad's these batteies shouldn't be totally drained to get the most life out of them. It's better to have a little power left in them before charging them.

As for the number of shots. It depends on the batteries. I carry 5 with me on a shoot just in case. I have 2 originals and those will give me about 500 shots per battery. The Ebay cheapos give me about half that and are only kept as backups. So with a grip (I have it set to "grip first") I'll replace the OEM battery aboult half way through a typical wedding shoot and have to uses the cheapos to finish the day. I try to leave the battery in the camera full as much as possible. Thoe cheap batteries will be replaced this winter with Pentax or Minolta originals.

ftpaddict · 09-03-2008, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Ouch! I have several Romanian friends here in the Portland/Vancouver area.

Steve

They have fled Romania because of the same people.

bt*ist · 09-03-2008, 05:05 AM

I find the K10D very good - up to and over 1000 shots , no flash, continuous autofocus, shake reduction on, startup sensor clean off. Limited chimping after shots. I'm using the on-brand Pentax battery that came with the K10D, the cheap off-brand one I got at the same time lasted a bit over a year before completely failing and it never got as many shots on a charge.

lesmore49 · 09-03-2008, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

You can set the camera to use either the camera battery or the grip battery first, as well as the default empty them both at the same time.

I have my camera set to use the grip battery first on the grounds that it is the easiest to pull out and recharge.

Thanks for the hint. I wasn't aware that I could do that, but after your suggestion, I looked at the manual and page 198 indicated the process. I have now set it off default and set it to use the battery grip power first.

Les

rfortson · 09-03-2008, 01:14 PM

How does this compare to the K20D? I've never run out of batteries on the K10D or K20D, though I haven't really timed it. If I'm in a situation where I'm going to be shooting a lot, I'll recharge the night before, and I'll put the grip on.

I was under the impression that the batteries were supposed to last for more than 1000 shots, though. Is that not the case?

res3567 · 09-04-2008, 10:24 PM

I get OVER 500 easy WITHOUT using the flash. It is a heckuva battery!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax D-BG2 battery grip for K10D or K20D (battery included) (US)	pswann	Sold Items	1	11-01-2010 11:37 AM
How long to charge battery?	schmik	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	20	05-19-2010 09:36 AM
For Sale - Sold: K10D/K20D Battery Grip DBG2 - w/extra battery	bigben91682	Sold Items	5	07-06-2009 04:14 PM
For Sale - Sold: Brand New Pentax BG2 Battery Grip for K10D and K20D + aftermarket battery	jjdgti	Sold Items	3	05-07-2009 10:43 AM
Long exposures & battery power	Ash	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	08-01-2008 04:27 AM

09-02-2008, 10:14 PM	#16
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by lesmore49 I wish the K10D had a battery charge indicator that was more precise than the one used now. Although I think the other manufacturers aren't much better in the indicator area. I will have to look in my manual to figure out how to do that though. I don't recall seeing the 'how to' in the manual. Maybe it's just a scroll through the menu ? I think the problem is that the batteries are so good at maintaining voltage right until they are flat that the indicators are of little use. By the time the indicator knows the battery voltage has dropped, it's way too late.

09-03-2008, 12:48 AM	#17
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Quote: I think the problem is that the batteries are so good at maintaining voltage right until they are flat that the indicators are of little use. By the time the indicator knows the battery voltage has dropped, it's way too late. Very good point Albert. On another for someone here without a battery grip... Is it best to let the battery go dead or near dead before charging? I usually re charge when the indicator gets about halfway, sometimes less if I have an event the following day. Neil

09-03-2008, 04:39 AM	#18
AdrianM Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 589	Usually find it is just over 400 shots using all sorts of Autofocus and full time Shake Reduction with a few flash shots thrown in. I don't bother with a grip, but always have two spare charged batteries hanging around.

09-03-2008, 04:51 AM	#19
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Unlike Nicad's these batteies shouldn't be totally drained to get the most life out of them. It's better to have a little power left in them before charging them. As for the number of shots. It depends on the batteries. I carry 5 with me on a shoot just in case. I have 2 originals and those will give me about 500 shots per battery. The Ebay cheapos give me about half that and are only kept as backups. So with a grip (I have it set to "grip first") I'll replace the OEM battery aboult half way through a typical wedding shoot and have to uses the cheapos to finish the day. I try to leave the battery in the camera full as much as possible. Thoe cheap batteries will be replaced this winter with Pentax or Minolta originals.

09-03-2008, 04:54 AM	#20
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by stevebrot Ouch! I have several Romanian friends here in the Portland/Vancouver area. Steve They have fled Romania because of the same people.

09-03-2008, 05:05 AM	#21
bt*ist Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 211	I find the K10D very good - up to and over 1000 shots , no flash, continuous autofocus, shake reduction on, startup sensor clean off. Limited chimping after shots. I'm using the on-brand Pentax battery that came with the K10D, the cheap off-brand one I got at the same time lasted a bit over a year before completely failing and it never got as many shots on a charge.

09-03-2008, 08:07 AM	#22
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344 Original Poster	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies You can set the camera to use either the camera battery or the grip battery first, as well as the default empty them both at the same time. I have my camera set to use the grip battery first on the grounds that it is the easiest to pull out and recharge. Thanks for the hint. I wasn't aware that I could do that, but after your suggestion, I looked at the manual and page 198 indicated the process. I have now set it off default and set it to use the battery grip power first. Les

09-03-2008, 01:14 PM	#23
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	How does this compare to the K20D? I've never run out of batteries on the K10D or K20D, though I haven't really timed it. If I'm in a situation where I'm going to be shooting a lot, I'll recharge the night before, and I'll put the grip on. I was under the impression that the batteries were supposed to last for more than 1000 shots, though. Is that not the case?

09-04-2008, 10:24 PM	#24
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	I get OVER 500 easy WITHOUT using the flash. It is a heckuva battery!