Is My Camera Dead??? Please Help!

[dolPhinlovEr83]

I have had a Pentax DSLR for 3-4 years. I absolutely love it but I went to Disney this past week and couldn't use it at all. Only could use P & S. Great for quick shots, but definitely not as enjoyable as my Pentax. Anyway, I charged all of my batteries in preparation for the vacation. Put one set in, got a few shots and the batteries were dead. Thought to myself, ok, maybe the rechargeable batteries are getting old (as old as my camera), so I tried another group of rechargeable batteries. Again, died before even getting a shot off. Tried recharging the batteries overnight and put them into the camera only to show that they're dead. So at this point, I'm very frustrated and I go out and buy regular (non-rechargeable) batteries at the store. I put 4 of those batteries in, and the camera shows that the batteries are dead!! But they're brand new!

Has anyone experienced this before? What can I do or check out? What could be wrong with it? Or is it time to buy a new camera??

Thanks for the help!!

[Gianna'sPapa]

Which Pentax DSLR are you using? When you say rechargeable batteries, are you using a proprietary battery or something like eneloops?

[dolPhinlovEr83]

Pentax DSLR K100D and I used Energizer, Fujifilm, and Kodak rechargeable batteries. No mixing and matching...yes, I have 4 sets of rechargeable batteries for this camera! Any ideas on what the problem could be?? The regular batteries I bought this vacation after the rechargeables failed were Duracells.

Thanks!

[photo_chick]

Were the non-rechargeable batteries lithium or regular alkaline batteries? Some cameras will not work with regular alkaline batteries. The power output isn't what they need. Read your manual, it will tell you what you need for your camera. If it says rechargeables or lithium avoid alkaline.

I've had multiple sets of rechargeable batteries fail in succession. I found out it was my charger killing them.

[Gianna'sPapa]

Originally Posted by photo_chick

Were the non-rechargeable batteries lithium or regular alkaline batteries? Some cameras will not work with regular alkaline batteries. The power output isn't what they need. Read your manual, it will tell you what you need for your camera. If it says rechargeables or lithium avoid alkaline.

I've had multiple sets of rechargeable batteries fail in succession. I found out it was my charger killing them.

Your manual says to stay away from Alkaline except in emergencies, Lithium, Mi-mh and non-rechargeable CR-V3 are okay. I don't think battery orientation is your problem, but check it just in case. You may want to check/clean the battery contacts. If all that fails then I would try resetting the camera to its orginal defaults. That is on page 179 of your manual. If all that fails then I can't think of anything else and it may have to go in for service. Remember that you are dealing with an older model (although a very good camera in its time) with 6.1 mp and some older technology. Depending on repair costs it may be more cost effective to replace it. Now, depending on your investment in lenses, you would have to decide to remain with Pentax or switch manufacturers. I am a Pentax shooter with two K10D's and a K-5. This is a transition year for Pentax with its camera division being sold to Ricoh. From what has been announced I am very optimistic for the future of the brand. Good luck.

[hydrotony]

Pentax DSLR users, need some info. I was/am a long time K1000 35 mm camera user. I have quite a set of K-mount lens' for my 3 different K-mount cameras.
Do Pentax digital cameras take the 35mm Pentax K-mount lens'? I have heard both yes and no to this question. I even took one of my lens' to a camera store where the salesman said it could be done but we never got it in correctly. I have not bought a DSLR yet and this may be a reason to do so.

[Gianna'sPapa]

All K-mount lenses will fit on the digital models. Depending on the lenses, there may be metering restrictions. Here is a website. There are other compatibility charts if this is too complicated. You can find those with an internet search.

http://www.mosphotos.com/PentaxLensCompatibility.html

An example is that I own an M 50mm f1.4 lens. It works as a manual lens and by use of the green button to meter for it.

There are also adaptors for the older screw mount lenses. This backward compatibility is one of the strengths of the Pentax line.

[Gianna'sPapa]

I almost forgot, if you have any of the ricoh models or those rebranded from ricoh, they have a button that has to be disabled/removed, otherwise they can get stuck on the newer cameras.

[dolPhinlovEr83]

Thank you for your suggestions!! The non rechargeable batteries are alkaline and I have seen (after a previous post) that it should only be used in emergency situations. Even with that, I would still think that when I put them in, it shouldn't read dead batteries, regardless. All of my rechargeables are lithium and NimH, and those are the ones I have always used. I will definitely start to read through the manual again and try the troubleshooting suggestions that you have recommended.

As far as investment, I have not invested in many lenses. I have one that came in the package when I bought the camera. The other lenses that I have are all manual lenses from an even older model (SLR). I also have an external flash and when placing the rechargeable batteries into it, it definitely turns on. But I will troubleshoot further....

More suggestions are always welcome!

Thanks!

[ukcatfan]

Originally Posted by dolPhinlovEr83

Thank you for your suggestions!! The non rechargeable batteries are alkaline and I have seen (after a previous post) that it should only be used in emergency situations. Even with that, I would still think that when I put them in, it shouldn't read dead batteries, regardless. All of my rechargeables are lithium and NimH, and those are the ones I have always used. I will definitely start to read through the manual again and try the troubleshooting suggestions that you have recommended.

As far as investment, I have not invested in many lenses. I have one that came in the package when I bought the camera. The other lenses that I have are all manual lenses from an even older model (SLR). I also have an external flash and when placing the rechargeable batteries into it, it definitely turns on. But I will troubleshoot further....

More suggestions are always welcome!

Thanks!

Here are a few things to consider. Are you actually using lithium rechargeables? Those are rare in a AA form factor. If so, that could be a problem. The lithium rechargeable CRV3 batteries can damage Pentax DSLRs. The other thing is the external flash. Is it from the film days as well? Those should also not be used because they can damage a Pentax DSLR.

If either of those apply to you, then you might try the factory reset or even leaving no batteries in it for about a week and see if that helps.

[hydrotony]

Originally Posted by Gianna'sPapa

All K-mount lenses will fit on the digital models. Depending on the lenses, there may be metering restrictions. Here is a website. There are other compatibility charts if this is too complicated. You can find those with an internet search.

http://www.mosphotos.com/PentaxLensCompatibility.html

An example is that I own an M 50mm f1.4 lens. It works as a manual lens and by use of the green button to meter for it.

There are also adaptors for the older screw mount lenses. This backward compatibility is one of the strengths of the Pentax line.

Thanks, all my lens' fit the K1000 so I guess only the first line of the chart applies. I see that small adjustments may be needed to make them fit, so the camera clerk probably didn't know enough. I'll start looking around at DSLRs now.

[ukcatfan]

Originally Posted by hydrotony

Thanks, all my lens' fit the K1000 so I guess only the first line of the chart applies. I see that small adjustments may be needed to make them fit, so the camera clerk probably didn't know enough. I'll start looking around at DSLRs now.

If they are a true Pentax K mount, then they will not need any adjustments. I have several myself. The Ricoh mount lenses (which was based on the Pentax K mount) need to be adjusted. Be careful because the Ricoh mount ones can get stuck on the camera. What are the brands of the lenses? If any are Pentax, then there should be no problem.

[hydrotony]

Originally Posted by ukcatfan

If they are a true Pentax K mount, then they will not need any adjustments. I have several myself. The Ricoh mount lenses (which was based on the Pentax K mount) need to be adjusted. Be careful because the Ricoh mount ones can get stuck on the camera. What are the brands of the lenses? If any are Pentax, then there should be no problem.

My lenses are of various manufacturers. Most lenses are not "Pentax" but may be just renamed, I don't know. I know the Pentax 50mm lenses are true, and suspect the Sears lenses are just rebrands, the other ones are mysteries.