Frustrated by the battery problem with the K-X, and lack of a battery grip, I was inspired by another member on this group to solve the problem.

I chose a CANON type BG-E5 Battery Grip ( bought from Amazon for £15.88), which seemed to have the tripod bush in the same position as the K-X. This grip comes with two battery trays. One takes 6 x AA and the other takes 2 x LP-E5 lithium batteries.

With 5 x 1.2V rechargeable (and 1 x dummy battery) I will get 6V or more (better than the 4.8V with just 4), thus solving any battery problems. The cable isn't a problem, I have a small length of twin cable that connects to the grip (this is tucked inside the grip after connecting) that goes in via the small hole in the battery compartment. I have cut a small section off of the "door" so by the time the grip is fitted the cable is barely visible. The other end is connected to 2 x modified dummy batteries that are inserted into and power the K-X.

I have retained the metal post in the grip that stabilises the camera. I removed the bottom of the K-X and after exactly measuring the position, I drilled a hole in the bottom and glued a small piece of plastic over it to (stop any water/dust entering. The grip fits perfectly, and does feel much more comfortable than without, and adds a nice bit of weight and balance when using a strap, especially when using a large lens and/of flashgun.

As I got carried away with this project, I fitted a small voltmeter device (about £2.00 on ebay). This natty device runs from any source 3-30v and gives an accurate voltage reading. I wired it to the on/off switch on the grip, as, although it doesn’t consume much power, would eventually drain some power over a period of time. With 5 fresh batteries AA batteries, it will show 6.8V and lasts for ages. I shot a wedding a few weeks ago and took about 600 shots and the batteries still showed 6.2V with the camera switched on. I am basically getting the same performance as 4x Energizer Lithiums without the cost.

I have also fitted a trimmed down remote transmitter inside the grip wired to the portrait shutter button and powered by the grip. I fitted The remote transmitter LED in the bit that sticks out and houses the shutter botton. When remote operation is enabled, this works well in portrait mode, albeit without anti-shake.

I am intending using the LP-E5 battery tray, but I am concerned about the slightly higher voltage. This can be as high as 8.4 v on freshly charged batteries. Although my gut feeling is that the K-X must have some protection/regulation, I am not willing to take the risk at the moment. 4 x Energizer Lithium AAs can actually be as high as 7.2v.

If I have to use 4 x Lithium AA batteries, I use 2 x dummy batteries.

I have been a TV/Video engineer for 40 years, so I am used to working with electronics, but there was a lot of work and trial and error with this project. There are of course three buttons and one wheel that are not used, but that is normally the case is a grip is turned off and used in landscape mode.

All in all I think it was a worthwhile project, and I use it all the time.

[forensicscientist]

very nice...!

[rawr]

Well done. I love the battery meter gauge!
I'm still amazed that there are no Chinese eBay battery grips for the K-x though. Lots of people have been through this process DIY, so there is a demand for K-x grips.

[JimJohnson]

Kudos to Scorpion. More than likely a commercial designed grip for the K-x would also work with the K-r and K-30. They will all work with the equivalent of 4-AA batteries.

[Pauld]

The K-x was never designed to have a grip attached that is why you don't see anything on the market.

[rawr]

that is why you don't see anything on the market

Sometimes creative 3rd party manufacturers have been known to bring to market products that meet a need manufacturers did not originally cater for. eBay abounds with gadgets that are examples of that.

[sammy2806]

Good Morning,

I have tried to replicate this grip. Im not having much luck, I have recreated a aC charger using another 'Hack'. But the grip I can not seem to get to work.

I have modified the grip and dummies. I have soldered the dummies to the grip. I am getting a voltage using both A4 Ni-MH1.2V 2300mAh batteries and using the LP-E5 7.2 2100mAh batteries.

I am using the exact same solder and wiring layout as I did for the AC charger, but when I switch the camera on nothing. Try the A4 on their own it switches on.

There were 3 wires in the grip I had White, Red and black. I figured Red and black were + & - and removed the white as I assumed that was a cntrol wire.

I can send you images if you require.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Lee Samuel