Anyone else with this problem? K200 freezes

anca · 10-24-2008, 03:45 AM

Hi all,

I am having this problems for some time now. After I take a photo or several it happens one of the following:

1: the lens blocks in an arbitrary state (remains open, or half open) and the camera doesn't even shut down. I have to manually remove the batteries.

2: the lens opens/closes rapidly and I have to remove the batteries.

3: the shutter click is heard, but the photo is not taken.

The batteries never show "low" or "empty".

Lens: Sigma 50mm Macro
Pentax 12-24 mm

Anca

rburgoss · 10-24-2008, 07:34 AM

Such erratic behavior means only one thing: False contacts! (dirty contacts somewhere).

I would try first to give a good cleaning to all the lens mount contacts (both sides camera and lens) and test again.

You can clean the contacts with a cotton swab damped in alcohol.

Good luck.

Robert B.

Vmax911 · 10-24-2008, 08:06 AM

I don't have any other suggestions for you, just a data point that I've never encountered the problems you mention with my K200D.

Clicker · 10-24-2008, 08:20 AM

Yes once but this was a cold drive across the Golden Gate bridge in one of those open top buses but in my case i think it was the batteries that got cold, that said , the manual does specify the operating temp is 0c to ? (i forgot) ...it'll be tested fully as winter approaches here in Toronto.

**ChipB** · 10-24-2008, 08:36 AM

Had a similar problem with my K200D - I'd take a shot, camera LCD would kinda "blink" (can't think of a better word) but there'd be no picture to look at. Battery indicater showed "half-full". Turned out to be the batteries - installed new ones and everything worked as it should.

Now, whenever the indicater shows "half-full", I replace the batteries and have had no more problems.

anca · 10-24-2008, 10:06 AM

Thanks guys. I'll try first to replace the batteries since its easier (ChipB) and then, if still doesn't do any good, to clean the mount (rburgoss).

Temperature is not an issue (Clicker)

. The temperature here, in it's lowest, it's +5Celsius degrees.

I'll post the results soon.

RaduA · 10-24-2008, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by anca

Thanks guys. I'll try first to replace the batteries since its easier (ChipB) and then, if still doesn't do any good, to clean the mount (rburgoss).

Temperature is not an issue (Clicker)

. The temperature here, in it's lowest, it's +5Celsius degrees.

I'll post the results soon.

off topic: are you by any chance romanian or of romanian descent?

Radu

anca · 10-26-2008, 07:55 AM

I can't believe that low batteries can make such a mess.

Isn't it a fault the way Pentax manages this power issue? After all, when opening the cammera, the batteries show full/half-full.

I am supposed to change the batteries when the cammera behaviour becomes erratic?

séamuis · 10-26-2008, 08:28 AM

Ive run my batteries completely dead countless times. I don't own a K200, but I have never experienced this with my camera. what kind of batteries are you using?

Marc Sabatella · 10-26-2008, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by anca

I can't believe that low batteries can make such a mess.

Isn't it a fault the way Pentax manages this power issue? After all, when opening the cammera, the batteries show full/half-full.

I am supposed to change the batteries when the cammera behaviour becomes erratic?

Well, this isn't normal behavior. I've never seen anything like what you describe. When my batteries lose juice, the camera simply shuts down, as one would expect. What kind of batteries are you using? Hopefully not alkaline...

anca · 10-27-2008, 01:31 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

Ive run my batteries completely dead countless times. I don't own a K200, but I have never experienced this with my camera. what kind of batteries are you using?

The batteries came with the package. Energizer +AA. Lithium.

I'll see in a few days how these new ones behave when they will run low.

Maffer · 10-27-2008, 03:35 AM

Yeah, batteries running low should not do that. I just get a message about batteries being empty on the LCD screen and the thing shuts down.

ftpaddict · 10-27-2008, 03:49 AM

For future reference, 4 Sanyo Eneloops + good charger should keep you happy for a long time.

**ChipB** · 10-27-2008, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by anca

The batteries came with the package. Energizer +AA. Lithium.

I'll see in a few days how these new ones behave when they will run low.

Interesting - when I had my problem I was also using the Energizer lithiums that came with the K200D. Installed some backup alkalines and used them until they went dead (no weird problems) and now use Eneloops.

séamuis · 10-27-2008, 02:40 PM

I think its definitely a problem with that particular brand of batteries. I second Dan's advice. a set of sanyo eneloops and a good quality charger, like the LaCrosse BC-900 will be the best investment you can make for your camera .

10-24-2008, 03:45 AM	#1
anca New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cyprus Posts: 5	Anyone else with this problem? K200 freezes Hi all, I am having this problems for some time now. After I take a photo or several it happens one of the following: 1: the lens blocks in an arbitrary state (remains open, or half open) and the camera doesn't even shut down. I have to manually remove the batteries. 2: the lens opens/closes rapidly and I have to remove the batteries. 3: the shutter click is heard, but the photo is not taken. The batteries never show "low" or "empty". Lens: Sigma 50mm Macro Pentax 12-24 mm Anca

10-26-2008, 07:55 AM	#8
anca New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cyprus Posts: 5 Original Poster	It was the batteries I can't believe that low batteries can make such a mess. Isn't it a fault the way Pentax manages this power issue? After all, when opening the cammera, the batteries show full/half-full. I am supposed to change the batteries when the cammera behaviour becomes erratic?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-x freezes	lescatalpas	Pentax DSLR Discussion	8	06-18-2010 07:33 PM
AF-360FGZ Flash Problem (Freezes)	yusuf	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	4	04-10-2010 09:06 AM
Help! K20 Freezes up	SA Photo	Pentax DSLR Discussion	18	10-06-2009 12:41 PM
K200d freezes up while using	DaveInGR	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	06-29-2009 02:22 AM
k20d freezes.... ?!?!?!	Lanfriendly	Pentax DSLR Discussion	35	01-26-2009 03:50 PM

10-24-2008, 07:34 AM	#2
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Such erratic behavior means only one thing: False contacts! (dirty contacts somewhere). I would try first to give a good cleaning to all the lens mount contacts (both sides camera and lens) and test again. You can clean the contacts with a cotton swab damped in alcohol. Good luck. Robert B.

10-24-2008, 08:06 AM	#3
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	I don't have any other suggestions for you, just a data point that I've never encountered the problems you mention with my K200D.

10-24-2008, 08:20 AM	#4
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Yes once but this was a cold drive across the Golden Gate bridge in one of those open top buses but in my case i think it was the batteries that got cold, that said , the manual does specify the operating temp is 0c to ? (i forgot) ...it'll be tested fully as winter approaches here in Toronto.

10-24-2008, 08:36 AM	#5
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Had a similar problem with my K200D - I'd take a shot, camera LCD would kinda "blink" (can't think of a better word) but there'd be no picture to look at. Battery indicater showed "half-full". Turned out to be the batteries - installed new ones and everything worked as it should. Now, whenever the indicater shows "half-full", I replace the batteries and have had no more problems.

10-24-2008, 10:06 AM	#6
anca New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cyprus Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks guys. I'll try first to replace the batteries since its easier (ChipB) and then, if still doesn't do any good, to clean the mount (rburgoss). Temperature is not an issue (Clicker) . The temperature here, in it's lowest, it's +5Celsius degrees. I'll post the results soon.

10-24-2008, 11:00 AM	#7
RaduA Guest	Originally posted by anca Thanks guys. I'll try first to replace the batteries since its easier (ChipB) and then, if still doesn't do any good, to clean the mount (rburgoss). Temperature is not an issue (Clicker) . The temperature here, in it's lowest, it's +5Celsius degrees. I'll post the results soon. off topic: are you by any chance romanian or of romanian descent? Radu

10-26-2008, 08:28 AM	#9
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Ive run my batteries completely dead countless times. I don't own a K200, but I have never experienced this with my camera. what kind of batteries are you using?

10-26-2008, 05:33 PM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by anca I can't believe that low batteries can make such a mess. Isn't it a fault the way Pentax manages this power issue? After all, when opening the cammera, the batteries show full/half-full. I am supposed to change the batteries when the cammera behaviour becomes erratic? Well, this isn't normal behavior. I've never seen anything like what you describe. When my batteries lose juice, the camera simply shuts down, as one would expect. What kind of batteries are you using? Hopefully not alkaline...

10-27-2008, 01:31 AM	#11
anca New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cyprus Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by séamuis Ive run my batteries completely dead countless times. I don't own a K200, but I have never experienced this with my camera. what kind of batteries are you using? The batteries came with the package. Energizer +AA. Lithium. I'll see in a few days how these new ones behave when they will run low.

10-27-2008, 03:35 AM	#12
Maffer Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 308	Yeah, batteries running low should not do that. I just get a message about batteries being empty on the LCD screen and the thing shuts down.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-27-2008, 03:49 AM	#13
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	For future reference, 4 Sanyo Eneloops + good charger should keep you happy for a long time.

10-27-2008, 09:02 AM	#14
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Originally posted by anca The batteries came with the package. Energizer +AA. Lithium. I'll see in a few days how these new ones behave when they will run low. Interesting - when I had my problem I was also using the Energizer lithiums that came with the K200D. Installed some backup alkalines and used them until they went dead (no weird problems) and now use Eneloops.

10-27-2008, 02:40 PM	#15
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	I think its definitely a problem with that particular brand of batteries. I second Dan's advice. a set of sanyo eneloops and a good quality charger, like the LaCrosse BC-900 will be the best investment you can make for your camera .