batteries dieing really fast in hexar AF

[weetsie]

so i got my hexar AF a few months ago which came with a battery.

after about 10 rolls of film it started flashing "bc" so i bought 2 new Panasonic batteries online.

the first battery however started giving me the "bc" warning only a few frames into the roll and shortly after didn't even power the camera.

so i tried the second battery and exactly the same thing happened, i got about 10 frames before it died.

so thinking maybe the batteries i got online were duds i went and bought a Duracell battery from a retail shop and the exact same thing happened.

i tried to use it a few days ago in the snow but the 0-5c temp meant the camera wouldn't power on at all.

anyone know what the problem might be? ive gone through 3 batteries for 20 exposures 🙁

 

[gb hill]

I don't know but I bought my wife a Samsung digital camera for Christmas. She likes the camera but after only a few minutes of use the two AA batteries die. I read reviews on line where the camera eats batteries after 100 photos. Heck I would be happy with that but she's only getting five to ten shots before it dies. Today she traded it for another one. I'm beginning to think these camera companies are putting cameras out & not doing much of any testing on them.

 

[weetsie]

thing is the camera used to work because the battery it came with lasted 10+ rolls of 36 and i messed about with it for ages before i put any film through it.

 

[filmfan]

I have had a Hexar AF for a while now (actually two until recently). In cold conditions, I have found that the camera's shutter freezes and BC comes up in the display window on top. When I take the camera inside, it works fine. It may be just that the camera mistakenly identifies the problem as low battery when it is really the cold temp...

 

[weetsie]

even inside where its 25c i get the flashing bc warning

if i was to go outside im pretty sure i would get a solid bc and it wouldnt operate at all.

 

[tribleyl]

I’m an original Hexar owner. I’ve never experienced problems with battery life or cold. It’s worked flawlessly over the years. You might want to check the battery voltage when new and, if you can shoot more than a few frames, check the voltage drop along the way and graph it. Maybe it would help a technician later.

I suggest contacting CameraQuest and see if they know of any battery issues. They have a nice write-up at http://www.cameraquest.com/konhex.htm. Their review indicates that the batteries should last for an estimated 200 24 exp. rolls.

I love my Hexar and it’s one of the few cameras’ I will not part with.

Good luck!

 

[ampguy]

My batteries last a long time, even when sitting for months idle, in about 3 different HAFs. Is it possible your shutter is being depressed somehow keeping the power on? These shutters and other contact buttons need cleaning or they can stick.

 

[weetsie]

im pretty sure none of the buttons are sticking as the camera functions fully and the lens only focuses when you actually press the shutter.

i think im going to try a 4th battery, is it possible i could of gotten 3 bad batteries?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

My batteries always give me snake eyes.

 

[ampguy]

anything's possible

anything's possible

but it's unlikely if you're getting the batteries from different sources.

Are you also switching the round rotary dial to off instead of "P" or "A" when not using it?

im pretty sure none of the buttons are sticking as the camera functions fully and the lens only focuses when you actually press the shutter.

i think im going to try a 4th battery, is it possible i could of gotten 3 bad batteries?

 

[user237428934]

I don't know but I bought my wife a Samsung digital camera for Christmas. She likes the camera but after only a few minutes of use the two AA batteries die. I read reviews on line where the camera eats batteries after 100 photos. Heck I would be happy with that but she's only getting five to ten shots before it dies. Today she traded it for another one. I'm beginning to think these camera companies are putting cameras out & not doing much of any testing on them.

Buy her a Hexar AF and you don't have that problem. Used my Hexar AF regularly between 1998 and 2005 and very seldom from 2006 until now and I think it is still running with the 3rd battery now.

 

[vrgard]

Without meaning to gloat or make you feel bad, but rather to give you another data point, I've had exactly the opposite experience with my Hexar AF in that despite having an extra battery on hand I've not had to use it because the camera just never seems to run the existing battery down. To put it differently, the battery in my Hexar AF justs keeps on going like the Everyeady bunny. Sounds like you may have some problem with your camera. Good luck sorting it out.

-Randy

 

[FrankS]

Unfortunately it sounds like an electrical problem that you need to get checked out. Does anyone know who/where to send it?

 

[Roverbovver]

Forgive me, I don't wish to sound pedantic. Have you checked with some other method that the batteries really are drained ?
Try just a very light touch of anti-oxidant spray on the contacts applied with a tooth pick.

 

[weetsie]

ok bought a brand new battery today

dated 2019 panasonic lithium battery.

gives out 6.5v out of the packet no load.

i put it into the camera still connected to the meter and turned it on, the needle wobbled slightly then returned to 6.5v proving that the battery isnt shorting out in anyway.

i took a few exposures with a film in and focusing and film winding causes the voltage to dip under load as expected.

i then rewound 23 frames and the battery voltage dropped to
6.2v.

i turned it off and on and as expected a flashing "bc"

i took the battery out and still 6.2v under no load, the battery was completely cold and had only been in the camera a minute or so and i was watching the voltage the whole time.

im even more confused now as its indicating the battery was bad. 🙁

 

[FrankS]

Could it be that the battery condition sensor of the camera is defective, and that the battery really is fine and can be used for months and months? If you ignore the BC warning, does the camer work okay? Or does the battery really die?

 

[weetsie]

it really dies, after a few minutes of using the battery it gives a solid "bc" no flashing and turns off.