Read this self-explanatory post and the full story below:-
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30240362
The post was made by the King of Pentaxians, Mr. Jim King, whose probably has the largest collection of Pentax gear on this planet than anyone else. I bet if a single place on Earth where more Pentax gear can be found, this place must only be the Pentax Museum at Japan! (Fortunately, Hoya haven't closed this Museum to save operating costs, like they did this, that, this and that! I still hope some days later I can go there for a tour! So, I will bless!)
This is misleading. The battery indicator shows a picture half-full battery, but that indicator doesn't mean that the battery is half-used. The power curve of lithium rechargeables is a slow decline until a rapid dropoff at the end. The indicator doesn't show up until the battery is almost completely exhausted.
ReplyDeleteSo, it's not as if you can't trust the autofocus half the time, or need to keep completely topped-off batteries. Just change them before they get to the end. That's actually better for the life of lithiums anyway.
Ricehigh posts misleading information in his blog? Say it isn't so!
ReplyDeleteIF your supposed *misleading* battery indicator is really the cause of the problem, Pentax should fix this BUG for all K20D users who have encountered the problem for free and as soon as possible. Also, this issue should be avoided for the K20D replacement model too.
ReplyDeleteI suppose Pentax could change the symbol, but it's pretty clear from use that the indicator means "battery about to go", not "battery at half level". I agree that's poor form to behave badly when the voltage is getting low, but it is *definitely* misleading to say "at half battery level" when that's clearly not the situation described.
ReplyDelete--- Pentax K30d Li-ion batteries could improve to 3 pins way? ----
ReplyDeletehttp://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df2k6qz2_111c89p53p6
Some early time's camera li-ion batteries use 2 pins, that it does not have the special-pin as the safety function.
Since 2006, camera batteries are generally with 3 or 4 pins way, it has increased the safety, such as the detection to temperature or current, and it link to camera's control circuit.
Nikon have recalled a lot of EN-EL3/a camera batteries, it not only the quality security problem, it is also old type of batteries with 2 pins. Nov 2005, the D200 has taken new EN-EL3e batteries with 3 pins, and EN-EL3e able to with older D70/D70s etc is compatible.
The batteries of 3 or 4 pins would have another advantage, which it will effectively detect the capability for each battery cell, and as a batteries system's information to output.
In 2008 issued that K20D still take an old batteries type, it should be improved as the future k30d. Some Japanese Pentax users have noted this latent security problem.
Aug 2007, JEITA has published its "Industries to Formulate New Safety Standards for Li-ion Secondary Batteries".
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20070821/137989/
A total of four organizations, namely the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), the Battery Association of Japan (BAJ), the Communications and Information Network Association of Japan (CIAJ) and the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), started formulating technical standards in collaboration to enable the safe use of Li-ion secondary batteries.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cs3o43xCXno/SU8kOrxbLfI/AAAAAAAAA9o/-d0DAtMWW7Q/s800/N_C.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cs3o43xCXno/SU8kO87coSI/AAAAAAAAA9w/zwHwj7r2F1c/s800/K10d_k20d.jpg
PeterZheng
My 2001 Pentax Optio 330 has a "3-pin" Li-ion rechargeable battery (which is just an OEM Fujifilm "NP-60" anyway). I would be surprised if the latest K20D now adopts a 2-pin battery, which is just a step backward as such.
ReplyDeleteBefore a K10d, Pentax never use the Li-ion secondary batteries in their own DSLR, as well as them less care someone else's experience at the DSLR.
ReplyDeleteThe Optio 330 has a "3-pin" Li-ion rechargeable battery, which is similarly to a cellphone battery way, perhaps that this is just a third person's OEM battery way.
More recent reports by other K20D users about the inconsistent AF behaviours of the K20D are found below:-
ReplyDeletehttp://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=30510621