Ikon Battery Life?

[mllanos1111]

Ok this thing is really irritating me. Does the Ikon keep using battery if you dont shut it off, every other camera I own does.

This is the second time I've gone to pull out the ZI after putting it down for a few days and the batteries are dead because it was left on.
Nothing was setting off the meter it was nicely put away in the bag except the power was on and now it's dead again.

Is this a feature or a bug?

 

[sojournerphoto]

I've not had any issues - why not just turn it off and keep a couple of sets of batteries available

Mike

 

[mllanos1111]

I suppose that would be another solution, but I tend to leave them on when I shoot so I don't miss a shot. On occasion I forget to shut it off when I put it away and when I go to pick it up the battery is dead.
My Nikons always power down after a while and I never end up with a dead battery.
I guess that would be the advantage of a truly manual camera. hmmm

 

[sahe69]

You may have a problem with the cam - the meter should only activate by pushing the release halfway and should be automatically turned off in a while after you let go of the release (just like your Nikons). At least that's what the shutter speed readout in the VF is doing.

 

[kxl]

Your ZI may have some faulty circuitry.

Leaving the ZI on does drain battery life but not much. Obviously, while it's on, pressing the shutter, even halfway, creates additional drain, but again, not by much.

I have (on numerous occasions) left on my ZI for prolonged periods of time, and have never had the problems that you're having.

You should probably get it checked.

 

[ZeissFan]

And you can only activate the meter if you've advanced the film.

 

[mllanos1111]

Oh wow! really? so this thing should never burn through batteries like it has.
I sent a message to Zeiss and I'll see what they say.

Thanks!

And you can only activate the meter if you've advanced the film.

 

[mllanos1111]

Zeiss responded back and said that it should shut off as we all know.
They seem to think that the camera bag may be pushing on the button but I dont think so since the camera sits up.
I'm going to leave it on, on my dresser and see if this theory is correct.

 

[peripatetic]

I left mine on for about 2 weeks once, showed no ill effects.

My first battery was good for about 8 months, including that two-week period. I'm on my second one now.

 

[MichaelSt]

Because knowing is better than guessing: The standby current of my Ikon is about 4 Mikroampere. So you can leave the camera always on.
After pressing the shutter, the battery will discharge with a current of approx. 10 mA for 20 seconds at least. If the shutter is pressed in your bag and the film is advanced, a fresh CR1/3N battery will be dead after 16 hours.

Regards, Michael.