Battery Life

[TrevorW]

For some reason when using my camera with batteries (lithium and NiMh) over the last couple of nights (it's been quite cool over hear) taking pictures in RAW mode on bulb setting, I keep getting battery depleted although I know for a fact they are not has anyone else had a simliar problem.

:shrug:

[allan gould]

As the temperature drops these batteries loose effective charge. You may have to consider a powered option or a large 12v battery running an inverter to the adapter.

[Omaroo]

Trevor - How cold is it getting where you are? Even in Cooma it only gets to -10 or 11C. How old are your batteries?

Lithium ion cells (wet electrolyte type rather than dry) are designed to work reliably to -20C or so. Below this the increased impedance of the electrolyte affects the rate capability. These batteries should even work at temps down to -30C, and while they may slow to a trickle you won't damage them. They don't lose charge, as such, but their ability to supply their stored energy is compromised at lower temps.

Unless you go with a battery grip that holds a couple of cells in parallel (may work for you as it does me) then you are probably best advised to go with the direct DC source as mentioned.

[Tandum]

Maybe the batteries are stuffed ? I bought 2 new batteries off ebay last night for AU$16 delivered from Honkers :)

[StephenM]

Hi Trevor,

My K100D did the same thing in B mode with rechargable batteries. It seemed to me that the batteries were losing their ability to fully charge. I'm using non-rechargable CR-V3s at the moment and there's no problem.

Cheers,
Stephen

[TrevorW]

Stephen I've tried AA litium as well and they weren't cheap had the same problem. I'm looking at getting an AC adapter but the Pentax ones $100. Hopefully i'll be able to source something cheaper.

Regards