Need help converting 16-50 to screwdrive

Flipmack · 08-28-2016, 06:24 AM

So I am in process of converting my 16-50 from SDM to screw drive and I can't seem to do it with my K3.

I am able to enter debug mode using pktether and I can pull specific camera log files from the camera to the SD card, but I'm unable to pull the lens file (lenseep) to the SD card - there's no black screen or anything that indicates that it writes to the card. As a result, I am unable to backup and subsequently modify the lens firmware.

I can restore it back to normal mode and everything is just as it was.

Is there something I am not doing correctly?

Does the K3 allow me to pull the lens info?

Thanks for the help.

Last edited by Flipmack; 08-28-2016 at 06:43 AM.

**csa** · 08-28-2016, 07:13 AM

Seems I read that you need an older model to achieve this. UncleVanya provides this service, so he can verify this.

Flipmack · 08-28-2016, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by csa

Seems I read that you need an older model to achieve this. UncleVanya provides this service, so he can verify this.

Thanks. I don't remember reading that...

I may need to find someone locally to help me then...unfortunately, I don't know anyone who shoots Pentax.

Is there anyone in the Orange County, CA (Irvine) area with an older body that I can borrow for a few minutes?

**csa** · 08-28-2016, 08:24 AM

Don't take my "memory" to be accurate; contact UncleVanya first to be certain if you do need an older model camera to perform this task, and what model is best to do it.

jcphoto · 08-28-2016, 09:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Flipmack

Thanks. I don't remember reading that...

I may need to find someone locally to help me then...unfortunately, I don't know anyone who shoots Pentax.

Is there anyone in the Orange County, CA (Irvine) area with an older body that I can borrow for a few minutes?

Not sure if you have the time, but you could always phone Pro Photo Connection and see if you could borrow a pentax body for a second. They're based in Irvine.
Pro Photo Connection
17671 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 250-7073 (Think theyre closed on Sundays)

If I were back in OC, I would've definitely helped you out. Good luck!

Flipmack · 08-28-2016, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by jcphoto

Not sure if you have the time, but you could always phone Pro Photo Connection and see if you could borrow a pentax body for a second. They're based in Irvine.
Pro Photo Connection
17671 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 250-7073 (Think theyre closed on Sundays)

If I were back in OC, I would've definitely helped you out. Good luck!

Excellent! I'll reach out to these guys and see what's available. They're literally down the street from me, so I can swing by there during lunch sometime this week!

Fingers crossed!

**chuck_c** · 08-28-2016, 12:16 PM

It would appear that the K100D is the camera model that UncleVanya uses for the conversion process. Check here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/311609-sal...nversions.html for additional info.

mholford · 08-28-2016, 02:29 PM

I beleive older models are required. My k20d did it no problem. The k5 is supposed to be able to do it too but I struggled and dug out my k20 a second time.
The thread on conversion is quite detailed but as noted really does take just minutes if you have the right body

Flipmack · 08-28-2016, 04:11 PM

Yeah - UncleVanya responded and indicated that he does it with a K100d.

I've started another thread in case there are OC users who would lend me their older body for a few minutes.

The thing is, SDM on my 16-50 still works - it's just slightly squeaky. Rather than risk failure at the last minute, I'd like to just convert now.

Flipmack · 08-29-2016, 11:58 AM

No luck with Pro Photo Connection - they don't have any older Pentax bodies to use.

08-28-2016, 06:24 AM	#1
Flipmack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 100	Need help converting 16-50 to screwdrive So I am in process of converting my 16-50 from SDM to screw drive and I can't seem to do it with my K3. I am able to enter debug mode using pktether and I can pull specific camera log files from the camera to the SD card, but I'm unable to pull the lens file (lenseep) to the SD card - there's no black screen or anything that indicates that it writes to the card. As a result, I am unable to backup and subsequently modify the lens firmware. I can restore it back to normal mode and everything is just as it was. Is there something I am not doing correctly? Does the K3 allow me to pull the lens info? Thanks for the help. Last edited by Flipmack; 08-28-2016 at 06:43 AM.

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08-28-2016, 07:13 AM	#2
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Seems I read that you need an older model to achieve this. UncleVanya provides this service, so he can verify this.

08-28-2016, 07:49 AM	#3
Flipmack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Originally posted by csa Seems I read that you need an older model to achieve this. UncleVanya provides this service, so he can verify this. Thanks. I don't remember reading that... I may need to find someone locally to help me then...unfortunately, I don't know anyone who shoots Pentax. Is there anyone in the Orange County, CA (Irvine) area with an older body that I can borrow for a few minutes?

08-28-2016, 08:24 AM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Don't take my "memory" to be accurate; contact UncleVanya first to be certain if you do need an older model camera to perform this task, and what model is best to do it.

08-28-2016, 09:44 AM - 1 Like	#5
jcphoto Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 35	Originally posted by Flipmack Thanks. I don't remember reading that... I may need to find someone locally to help me then...unfortunately, I don't know anyone who shoots Pentax. Is there anyone in the Orange County, CA (Irvine) area with an older body that I can borrow for a few minutes? Not sure if you have the time, but you could always phone Pro Photo Connection and see if you could borrow a pentax body for a second. They're based in Irvine. Pro Photo Connection 17671 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 250-7073 (Think theyre closed on Sundays) If I were back in OC, I would've definitely helped you out. Good luck!

08-28-2016, 10:33 AM	#6
Flipmack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Originally posted by jcphoto Not sure if you have the time, but you could always phone Pro Photo Connection and see if you could borrow a pentax body for a second. They're based in Irvine. Pro Photo Connection 17671 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 250-7073 (Think theyre closed on Sundays) If I were back in OC, I would've definitely helped you out. Good luck! Excellent! I'll reach out to these guys and see what's available. They're literally down the street from me, so I can swing by there during lunch sometime this week! Fingers crossed!

08-28-2016, 12:16 PM	#7
chuck_c Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Westerville, OH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,588	It would appear that the K100D is the camera model that UncleVanya uses for the conversion process. Check here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/311609-sal...nversions.html for additional info.

08-28-2016, 02:29 PM	#8
mholford Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 238	I beleive older models are required. My k20d did it no problem. The k5 is supposed to be able to do it too but I struggled and dug out my k20 a second time. The thread on conversion is quite detailed but as noted really does take just minutes if you have the right body

08-28-2016, 04:11 PM	#9
Flipmack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Yeah - UncleVanya responded and indicated that he does it with a K100d. I've started another thread in case there are OC users who would lend me their older body for a few minutes. The thing is, SDM on my 16-50 still works - it's just slightly squeaky. Rather than risk failure at the last minute, I'd like to just convert now.

08-29-2016, 11:58 AM	#10
Flipmack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	No luck with Pro Photo Connection - they don't have any older Pentax bodies to use.