20 Most Recent Pentax Optio S40 Digital Camera - Page 3 Questions & Answers

It's definitely painful. I set my camera to default to no-flash because of the extra time it takes to recharge the flash. It may be because Pentax allows the use of alkaline batteries, so they've made the peak power usage lower by processing the picture, writing to the card, and recharging the flash sequentially, rather than doing the flash recharging in parallel which would speed up things *alot*. Maybe they can add a Lithium/NiMH mode that would help speed things up?!? I've done some adhoc testing with my new panasonic 10mb/s SD card versus a plain jane Sandisk 2mb/s card and from what I can tell, there's less than 1 sec difference between the two cards in cycle times. So taking pictures with a faster card won't help the cycle time enough to really matter... even without the flash activated. With flash it doesn't matter at all. It may affect movie mode, but I haven't tested that yet.

The underexposed pictures are annoying but it can be easily solved. Just use the 4-way pad and add positive EV compensation. Then decided what works for you (0.3, 0.7 or 1.0, etc...)

Do not be too bummed out. The DPI reported in the EXIF data does not mean all that much. What does matter is the total number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image and how this relates to the output size. For instance, your camera is capable of producing a 2304 by 1728 pixel image. This works out to about 220 DPI when printing an 8 by 10 inch picture. If you look at this the other way around, image editors will indicate an image size of 32 by 24 inches for an image taken by your camera (2304/72 and 1728/72). It is doubtful you will print at this size. Image software will take advantage of the full resolution when printing an 8 by 10, or 11 by 14.

Somewhere I read to be careful using cardreaders, using your memory card in different camera's and managing your card via the computer. Appearantly all of these can corrupt your card. The advice is to hook your camera directly up to your computer to transfer images and perhaps it is wise to erase images through the camera's menu instead of via the transfer program of the computer. Try formatting the card using the camera's menu and see if the problem persists.

I haven't had this particular problem before, but I have had a similar one. For some reason, my card reader couldn't read beyond 256MB. The solution was to download the photos from the camera to the computer until I bought a card reader that worked better. Photoshop Elements gave me a similar error to your's, but I don't remember the exact message. Some things that I would try in order to isolate the problem: Can you review the photos using the camera? Can you view the photos on the computer using something other than PCS? (Like...thumbnail preview in Windows XP or the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer) Does this problem occur when you use the camera to transfer the photos? Does this problem occur when you use a different card reader? Does this problem occur when you use a different computer? If you are using a large SD card, does this happen when you use a smaller capacity card? This would get you on the right track to figure out if it is the camera, card reader, or software that is giving you the trouble.

I see that the S40 uses AA batteries. I have been reading on many of these forums about the regular alkaline batteries causing "strange" problems with digital cameras. My suggestion is (if you are not already doing it) is to get some 2000ma - 2500ma NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger. This will probably solve your problem.

I've had this problem. The S40 is *really* picky about good connections for the contacts to the batteries. Make sure you use a facial tissue or something similar to wipe off the ends of the batteries to take off as much finger oil or what have you. Then when the batteries are inserted into the camera, spin them around a couple of times to ensure that contacts have a good connection then wipe the tops of the batteries again and close the battery cover. I've had the same problem with NiMH batteries that I've had no problems with *ever* in other digital cameras and game boys. It probably has something to do with the small prongs that pentax uses on the battery contacts.

Never remove or insert a memory card while the camera is turned on. Try removing the battery, waiting about 30 minutes, and then putting in a freshly charged battery. Never remove or insert a memory card while the camera is turned on!!!!!!

Put it in the airing cupboard to dry out for 48 hours

Hi. Your camera is too old to accept that big a card. The camera will let you know what size it will accept. Just keep putting larger sizes until it stops. Hope that helps.

The green light only means the memory card is getting power. That nothing else comes on indicates a serious problem that requires a trip to your local camera shop for help.

The nearest Pentax/Ricoh service center is Mumbai. See http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/repair_entry-asia.html

The nearest Pentax/Ricoh service center appears to be Mumbai. See http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/repair_entry-asia.html

The Pentax Optio WG-2 takes an OEM manufactured battery or one designed for it. Google "Pentax Optio WG-2 replacement battery" or do a Amazon.com search for the same and you'll get thousands of options where to buy.

Try NOT connecting your camera to your computer. The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Most of the time the charge light will change from red to green when the battery is full.