K-7 new firmware ?

JackBak · 10-22-2009, 12:11 PM

And see if Pentax has allowed us to turn OFF dark frame subtraction in exposures longer than 30 seconds.

Anybody know if this can this be done (turn off DFS over 30 sec. that is) with the K-x ?

Kameraten · 10-22-2009, 12:27 PM

Well this might be a big experiment i mass psychylogy. But I'm pretty confident I see the following:
1) IQ at high ISO JPEG:s is better both concerning noise and edge sharpness (the new Fine sharpness 2-setting). It seems 1600 is quite smooth and 3200 still useful for some purposes.
2) Focusing in low light is better, at least with SDM lenses, at least with the DA 17-70/f4. Ive had reason to despair about the AF-performance of this lens, but now it works instantly, albeit not more accurately than before. I have tested it in the exact same lighting conditions as earlier, it's a windowless space.
I'm sure something has been done to the focusing because a new bug has been introduced into it: In Live View and Contrast focusing (or Face recognition) you cannot move the AF point around anymore. This is clearly a bug.
But any improvement on focusing speed is appreciated nevertheless, thanks, Pentax !

PolishMike · 10-22-2009, 01:32 PM

Ok, I may be imagining things, but the above post got me to try some low light AF and it seems like the AF-assist lamp is more decisive - before te camera could not make up its mind whether to turn on the lamp or not - now it seems to engage almost instantly if needed. It seems in low light he K-7 pulses the light on and deterines whether it's actually doing anything. It also turns the light on to check focus, then off as the lens motor moves into the expected focus position and then on again to verify as needed. Was this the behaviour before?

Kameraten - I cannot replicate the bug you mention, could you provide more details? Movig the AF point in contrast-AF works just fine for me...

netuser · 10-22-2009, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Kameraten

..................................
1) IQ at high ISO JPEG:s is better both concerning noise and edge sharpness (the new Fine sharpness 2-setting). It seems 1600 is quite smooth and 3200 still useful for some purposes.................... !

Anyone else come to the same conclusion ? about jpeg engine/high iso use ?

falconeye · 10-22-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Kameraten

I'm sure something has been done to the focusing because a new bug has been introduced into it: In Live View and Contrast focusing (or Face recognition) you cannot move the AF point around anymore. This is clearly a bug.

I think you have fallen into the following trap:

In LV, AF point can only be moved if:
1. Focus point selector is set SEL
2. Focusing is AF (not manual)
3. You press OK

The last step (press OK) may have been configured to be not necessary. However, this configuration was lost by the firmware upgrade which makes the setup fall back to defaults. You probably missed #3.

dlacouture · 10-22-2009, 03:27 PM

Well, after a quick try, I found out that videos using pre-A manual lenses no longer overexpose crudely at the start...

There is still a slight lightness decrease for the first 1 or 2 seconds, but nothing bad...
Before, the first frames were totally white...

In fact, we can still see that white-out on the LCD when starting a record, but those first overexposed frames seem no longer recorded...

jgredline · 10-22-2009, 03:49 PM

I am getting excited here boys. I am just waiting for a customer to pick up his stuff and I am out shooting

r0ckstarr · 10-22-2009, 06:21 PM

JPEG Test with new firmware. Direct from camera.

ISO TEST:
1. ISO Speed: 100

Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4035483023_bace7c458d_o.jpg

2. ISO Speed: 3200

Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4036243230_65f6c957a2_o.jpg

SHARPENING TEST:

All 3 were shot at ISO-100, F/5, and 1/200th shutter speed.

1. Default Sharpening.

Large: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/4035500155_bc1d878d35_o.jpg

2. Sharpen Fine.

Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4036255518_ced99239d5_o.jpg

3. Sharpen Fine 2.

Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4036260216_c0b1ed6d4d_o.jpg

Trig · 10-22-2009, 07:27 PM

Just in case this happens to anyone else, I just tried to update my K-7's firmware to 1.02. Followed the instructions very carefully. When I went to select YES on the update, the screen very briefly showed that it was updating and then went blank. I could not turn the camera back on at all, everything I tried did not work until I removed the battery and put it back in. Only then I could turn the camera back on. I nearly had a panic attack during this

Anyway, after all that I was able to update to the 1.02 without problems. So, if this happens to you try what I did.

jgredline · 10-22-2009, 07:47 PM

I just spent the last 4 hours wasting time with this and getting me really mad which is hard to do.

First off, the cam had problems focusing. Unless there was allot of contrast, it would not go...Before this was not an issue...The noise is the same ugly noise and fine 2 is a joke..Introduces so many artifacts...Thirdly, I had to remove the lock and focus that fires when it is focused or it simply would not go...The exposer was also not good. Blown highlights even when facing away from the sun...I purposly shot at ISO 800-1000 and it is a joke...All I want from my K-7 is to control noise like my 2 K20D's... That would make me happy....I say Ok...Perhaps I did something wrong...I re-installed V1.2 and it was the still the same...I said, maybe it was the download, so I downloaded it at work and it was the same thing....

.....So I did end up fixing it though...I went back to Version 1.01...It now focuses great, fast., positive...Problem is that it is as noisy as Peggy Bundy...

r0ckstarr · 10-22-2009, 08:17 PM

Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02.

heliphoto · 10-22-2009, 08:33 PM

Bad news Javier! Thanks for the report. I think I'll wait a bit (since I don't think I saved the old update version)...

jgredline · 10-22-2009, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02.

I just saw your images you posted and they pretty much affirm what I saw. Not good. I uploaded the Green Line syndrome fix firmware version 1.01 to my still under construction website.

You can download it here...

Zebooka · 10-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02.

http://www.pentax-hack.info/firmware/k7/k7_e101m.zip

jgredline · 10-22-2009, 09:30 PM

Just in case anyone wants to see the catastrophy that went on with my K-7 and the ''new'' firmware fix, here are 100% crops all at a measly ISO800...You really don't want to see the ISO1000 images...Those who know me, know I am not a pixel peeper, but these are so bad, that I could see the noise on the Cameras LCD....This problem is now fixed with the old firmware....My K20D's at ISO 800 are super clean. Infact, I usually shoot those at between ISO640 and 1600 AND DON'T THINK about it to much...
All exif intact, I think.

10-22-2009, 12:27 PM	#32
Kameraten Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	The good and the bug Well this might be a big experiment i mass psychylogy. But I'm pretty confident I see the following: 1) IQ at high ISO JPEG:s is better both concerning noise and edge sharpness (the new Fine sharpness 2-setting). It seems 1600 is quite smooth and 3200 still useful for some purposes. 2) Focusing in low light is better, at least with SDM lenses, at least with the DA 17-70/f4. Ive had reason to despair about the AF-performance of this lens, but now it works instantly, albeit not more accurately than before. I have tested it in the exact same lighting conditions as earlier, it's a windowless space. I'm sure something has been done to the focusing because a new bug has been introduced into it: In Live View and Contrast focusing (or Face recognition) you cannot move the AF point around anymore. This is clearly a bug. But any improvement on focusing speed is appreciated nevertheless, thanks, Pentax !

10-22-2009, 07:47 PM	#40
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I just spent the last 4 hours wasting time with this and getting me really mad which is hard to do. First off, the cam had problems focusing. Unless there was allot of contrast, it would not go...Before this was not an issue...The noise is the same ugly noise and fine 2 is a joke..Introduces so many artifacts...Thirdly, I had to remove the lock and focus that fires when it is focused or it simply would not go...The exposer was also not good. Blown highlights even when facing away from the sun...I purposly shot at ISO 800-1000 and it is a joke...All I want from my K-7 is to control noise like my 2 K20D's... That would make me happy....I say Ok...Perhaps I did something wrong...I re-installed V1.2 and it was the still the same...I said, maybe it was the download, so I downloaded it at work and it was the same thing.........So I did end up fixing it though...I went back to Version 1.01...It now focuses great, fast., positive...Problem is that it is as noisy as Peggy Bundy...

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10-22-2009, 12:11 PM	#31
JackBak Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 88	And see if Pentax has allowed us to turn OFF dark frame subtraction in exposures longer than 30 seconds. Anybody know if this can this be done (turn off DFS over 30 sec. that is) with the K-x ?

10-22-2009, 01:32 PM	#33
PolishMike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 150	Ok, I may be imagining things, but the above post got me to try some low light AF and it seems like the AF-assist lamp is more decisive - before te camera could not make up its mind whether to turn on the lamp or not - now it seems to engage almost instantly if needed. It seems in low light he K-7 pulses the light on and deterines whether it's actually doing anything. It also turns the light on to check focus, then off as the lens motor moves into the expected focus position and then on again to verify as needed. Was this the behaviour before? Kameraten - I cannot replicate the bug you mention, could you provide more details? Movig the AF point in contrast-AF works just fine for me...

10-22-2009, 01:36 PM	#34
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by Kameraten .................................. 1) IQ at high ISO JPEG:s is better both concerning noise and edge sharpness (the new Fine sharpness 2-setting). It seems 1600 is quite smooth and 3200 still useful for some purposes.................... ! Anyone else come to the same conclusion ? about jpeg engine/high iso use ?

10-22-2009, 01:40 PM	#35
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by Kameraten I'm sure something has been done to the focusing because a new bug has been introduced into it: In Live View and Contrast focusing (or Face recognition) you cannot move the AF point around anymore. This is clearly a bug. I think you have fallen into the following trap: In LV, AF point can only be moved if: 1. Focus point selector is set SEL 2. Focusing is AF (not manual) 3. You press OK The last step (press OK) may have been configured to be not necessary. However, this configuration was lost by the firmware upgrade which makes the setup fall back to defaults. You probably missed #3.

10-22-2009, 03:27 PM	#36
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	Well, after a quick try, I found out that videos using pre-A manual lenses no longer overexpose crudely at the start... There is still a slight lightness decrease for the first 1 or 2 seconds, but nothing bad... Before, the first frames were totally white... In fact, we can still see that white-out on the LCD when starting a record, but those first overexposed frames seem no longer recorded...

10-22-2009, 03:49 PM	#37
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I am getting excited here boys. I am just waiting for a customer to pick up his stuff and I am out shooting

10-22-2009, 06:21 PM	#38
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	JPEG Test with new firmware. Direct from camera. ISO TEST: 1. ISO Speed: 100 Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4035483023_bace7c458d_o.jpg 2. ISO Speed: 3200 Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4036243230_65f6c957a2_o.jpg SHARPENING TEST: All 3 were shot at ISO-100, F/5, and 1/200th shutter speed. 1. Default Sharpening. Large: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/4035500155_bc1d878d35_o.jpg 2. Sharpen Fine. Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4036255518_ced99239d5_o.jpg 3. Sharpen Fine 2. Large: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4036260216_c0b1ed6d4d_o.jpg

10-22-2009, 07:27 PM	#39
Trig Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Acushnet, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 211	Just in case this happens to anyone else, I just tried to update my K-7's firmware to 1.02. Followed the instructions very carefully. When I went to select YES on the update, the screen very briefly showed that it was updating and then went blank. I could not turn the camera back on at all, everything I tried did not work until I removed the battery and put it back in. Only then I could turn the camera back on. I nearly had a panic attack during this Anyway, after all that I was able to update to the 1.02 without problems. So, if this happens to you try what I did.

10-22-2009, 08:17 PM	#41
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02.

10-22-2009, 08:33 PM	#42
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Bad news Javier! Thanks for the report. I think I'll wait a bit (since I don't think I saved the old update version)...

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10-22-2009, 09:00 PM	#43
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02. I just saw your images you posted and they pretty much affirm what I saw. Not good. I uploaded the Green Line syndrome fix firmware version 1.01 to my still under construction website. You can download it here...

10-22-2009, 09:03 PM	#44
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Do you have a link to 1.01 for those that want to revert back? All I see on the Pentaximaging site is 1.02. http://www.pentax-hack.info/firmware/k7/k7_e101m.zip

10-22-2009, 09:30 PM	#45
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Just in case anyone wants to see the catastrophy that went on with my K-7 and the ''new'' firmware fix, here are 100% crops all at a measly ISO800...You really don't want to see the ISO1000 images...Those who know me, know I am not a pixel peeper, but these are so bad, that I could see the noise on the Cameras LCD....This problem is now fixed with the old firmware....My K20D's at ISO 800 are super clean. Infact, I usually shoot those at between ISO640 and 1600 AND DON'T THINK about it to much... All exif intact, I think.