Contax 645 Battery Woes

I'm using a Contax 645 with a Phase One P-25 back. It's worked fine for the last few

months using the MP-1 battery grip and Energizer rechargeables. Now that it's gotten cold

outside the batteries are of course runung down quite rapidly. This morning it was near

freezing and the batteries died after one shot. I then removed the MP-1 and connected a

fully charged Quantum Battery 1+ to the 645. The 645 would operate until I switched on

the P-25 back and then the battery readout flashed "E" and would cease to function. I

disconnected the Quantum and tried with a freshly charged set of energizer rechargeables

in the MP-1 grip and the same occurred. Indoors or out I now get the same flashing "E" as

soon as I switch on the P-25 back.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

JT

I suspect the batteries, or a battery. It only takes one per set. I had the same problem with rechargeables on underwater equipment. They would seem to charge fine, test fine and then fail 3 minutes into a one hour dive.

I got a radio shack charger that will flash an L.E.D. when it is trying to charge a bad battery and have never had the problem again.

Thanks Neil. I have four sets of rechargeables that I rotate as soon as a set gets low on

power. I suspect it's something between the 645 and the P-25. The batteries are fine until I

switch on the P-25 which has it's own battery. There also I have four batteries that I rotate.

JT

Isn't there a cold weather battery holder available? If I recall correctly, you can keet the batteries inside of your parka and connect to the camera via a cable.

Robert

It seems as if it's not a battery problem. I'm using fresh batteries indoors and switching on

the P-25 is causing the 645 to stop functionung as if the batteries are dead. I think now that

the battery dieing caused some kind of malfuntion that persists even with fresh batteries

indoors.

Thanks

I've never had such a battery problem with my C645/film

back..Clearly there's only one solution.

Send me that rotten P25 back & I'll send you with my reliable old

Coolpix 995.

It's a deal Patrick. But seriously - I discovered something interesting about the Contax 645

with the P-25 back. The flashing "E" in the 645 viewfinder was actually saying "you idiot -

there's no memory card in the P-25". Unlike most digital cameras which warn you when you

forget to load a memory card - the P-25 apparently depends on the 645 to remind you.

When I realized my error and loaded a CF card in the back all was fine. I guess the cold

weather froze my brain and not the batteries. Thanks for your input.

JT

You might try the Contax P-8D which holds four D cell batteries, has a belt clip and plugs

directly into the MP-1. This drastically improves battery life in the cold.

I have an extra one brand new in the box if interested.

Thanks for the offer Austin. The Quantum B1+ should be OK now that I know what the real

problem was. But if that doesn't work out I'll contact you.

JT

Austin I could be interested in that P8D battery holder if it is still available.

Contact me off line.

Thanks