Camera date problems

I scored a replacement (don't ask)   Pentax WP on ebay for $50 and, though its old, its takes the sharp, colorful images, that I've come to expect.  Problem is the date resets every time I turn it off regardless of whether I remove the battery or not. Only really matters for kayak wars, but it's been a bit of a pita as I've lost a couple of fish because the date resets to 1/1/2005 after every shot.    Anybody got any idea or suggestions other than go buy a new camera?

Don't worry about it and edit the photo properties later? 

Download new firmware?  RTFM? 

Not sure of the precise manual so here's the general Pentax camera support link:

http://www.pentaximaging.com/support/manuals-and-literature

I scored a replacement (don't ask)   Pentax WP on ebay for $50 and, though its old, its takes the sharp, colorful images, that I've come to expect.  Problem is the date resets every time I turn it off regardless of whether I remove the battery or not. Only really matters for kayak wars, but it  been a bit of a pita as I've lost a couple of fish because the date resets to 1/1/2005 after every shot.    Anybody got any idea or suggestions other than go buy a new camera?

It is possible there could be an internal watch battery that powers the real time clock chip inside the camera so when the main batteries are removed, the clock keeps ticking.  Obviously, it would be inside the camera so that would require getting inside the camera to change it out.  I would check the users manual to see if it mentions anything about how long that internal watch battery is rated for or if it even exists.

Easy fix.

Make yourself a 1"x 3" long white tag that you can clip to the gill plate of a fish while measuring that you can write the date on with a waterproof pen.
This should provide enough proof of date caught, right?

I scored a replacement (don't ask)   Pentax WP on ebay for $50 and, though its old, its takes the sharp, colorful images, that I've come to expect.  Problem is the date resets every time I turn it off regardless of whether I remove the battery or not. Only really matters for kayak wars, but it  been a bit of a pita as I've lost a couple of fish because the date resets to 1/1/2005 after every shot.    Anybody got any idea or suggestions other than go buy a new camera?

I had one that did the same thing. talk about frustrating. I fixed mine by dropping it overboard and getting a new one...

I think it's the internal battery like rawkfish said

Thanks guys, but  I think I got it!

Easy fix.

Make yourself a 1"x 3" long white tag that you can clip to the gill plate of a fish while measuring that you can write the date on with a waterproof pen.
This should provide enough proof of date caught, right?

It should, but it isn't.   The program that they use to upload to the KW site rejects any pic with exif data that's not within the prescribed limits.  BUT the work around is to change the exif data! I stumbled into a "free" chunk of software from everyone's favorite Uncle Bill called Microsoft Pro Photo Tool that will do just that.
I think I will still use the date tag in the picture as a backup though.

I would check the Pentax discussion forums and see if anyone else has had the problem. It's possible there could be a recall on that particular camera, and you could get it fixed for the price of shipping.

Thanks guys, but  I think I got it!

It should, but it isn't.   The program that they use to upload to the KW site rejects any pic with exif data that's not within the prescribed limits.  BUT the work around is to change the exif data! I stumbled into a "free" chunk of software from everyone's favorite Uncle Bill called Microsoft Pro Photo Tool that will do just that.
I think I will still use the date tag in the picture as a backup though.

Be careful, they may have a way of determining if the exif data has been adjusted on the pic.  They probably won't like pictures that they find this way. 

Thanks guys, but  I think I got it!

It should, but it isn't.   The program that they use to upload to the KW site rejects any pic with exif data that's not within the prescribed limits.  BUT the work around is to change the exif data! I stumbled into a "free" chunk of software from everyone's favorite Uncle Bill called Microsoft Pro Photo Tool that will do just that.
I think I will still use the date tag in the picture as a backup though.

Be careful, they may have a way of determining if the exif data has been adjusted on the pic.  They probably won't like pictures that they find this way.

Especially if your competitors happen upon this website and see the posting. 

now, wait, guys. why should they take exception if that is what it took to fix the date /time stamp problem with an older camera?  sometimes i think we make simple competitions way too complicated....

Your right Rich, this is getting waaaay too complicated. But that's the nature of the beast. If men (as in mankind) are involved, everything  inevitably becomes a pissin match. Heck, people race lawnmowers and they are dead serious about it*.

Be careful, they may have a way of determining if the exif data has been adjusted on the pic.  They probably won't like pictures that they find this way.

Especially if your competitors happen upon this website and see the posting. 

I  think the whole idea is to keep folk from posting pics of old fish. The date tag in the picture on the fish should  take care of any concerns about the date in the metadata.

But wait a minute....YALL are the competition!

Forget I mentioned this at all.








*Lawnmowers come to mind because I've spent most of the day modding mine to pick up leaves better (not to mention a few more rpm) and then flying around the yard at absurd speeds.

*Lawnmowers come to mind because I've spent most of the day modding mine to pick up leaves better (not to mention a few more rpm) and then flying around the yard at absurd speeds.

i kno a cub cadet dealer looking for a driver.... you interested in joining the National Lawnmower Racers Assn?

Maybe I am wrong, but how does EXIF data keep someone honest?  Let's say I decide to risk loosing the respect from all of you (if there was any, after all you have seen my follys in videos), and loose the friends I have made on this forum so I can win a competition.  I go fish one day  and catch a bunch of fish.  Fishing is hot and it is February 29th.  I catch my 10 whateverfish for kayak wars for the month and I know tomorrow is a new month.  If I were a completely dishonest POS I could change the date on my camera to reflect March 1 and none would be the wiser.  People that want to cheat will always find a way.  Example:
Click link for EXIF data  http://mueller.smugmug.com/Outdoors/Fishing/Stuff/21729232_KpgV2v#!i=1732394533&k=rKrwFGK


Click link for EXIF data http://mueller.smugmug.com/Outdoors/Fishing/Stuff/21729232_KpgV2v#!i=1732391604&k=JZM8q9w

 

One appears to be from today and one appears to be from 2/1/2012. 

I don't think anyone here would risk loosing all the information and friends that have, or can be gained by participating in a forum like this one.  However, I don't know how serious the people in other regions take it.  Just my two cents. 

-Craig

Elliot Ness and Agent Fornel would be very proud of you...I feel safer knowing you're out there uncovering bad guys, fighting evil in the Cold (kayak) War. 

Elliot Ness and Agent Fornel would be very proud of you...I feel safer knowing you're out there uncovering bad guys, fighting evil in the Cold (kayak) War. 

My pleasure.   Except the last 10 days. That has been way too much work with no fishing.