Astrotracer Type 3 added for Pentax K-1 and K-1 II

Firmware v2.41 update unlocks astrotracer functionality without GPS

By PF Staff in Firmware Updates on Jan 12, 2024

December 7, 2023 saw some good news for Pentax K-1 and K-1 II owners who are into astro photography: Ricoh announced that the Astrotracer type 3 functionality first introduced with the Pentax K-3 III has been made available through a firmware update. Astrotracer type 3 is much easier to use than the original type (type 1), since it does not rely on the built-in GPS and compass meaning that the related camera calibration is not needed.

In addition to the astrotracer update the new firmware also adds a focus limiter for the HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited lens. An earlier firmware update introduced the focus limiter for the HD Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro lens.

Make sure that you download the firmware version matching your camera, i.e., 2.41 for K-1 won't work for the K-1 II and vice versa.

Note: it was originally announced that this Type 3 astotracer would also be available for the Pentax KF.  We have confirmed with Ricoh that this was a typo, and the KF will not be getting the feature.

Note: On December 15, 2023 this firmware release (2.40) was suspended due to a number of bugs. By January 11, 2024 the bugs had been fixed and a new release (2.41) of the firmware was released.

By installing the latest firmware version you also get all functionality introduced with the earlier releases.

Pentax has a fine explanation of the new firmware which follows here:

Pentax KF, K-3 III and K-3 III Monochrome Firmware Updates

New Gold Custom image for color cameras; More custom buttons for both K3IIIs

By cjfeola in Firmware Updates on Sep 25, 2023

Pentax has released three new firmware updates: version 2.10 for the K-3 III, version 2.10 for the K-3 III Monochrome, and version 1.30 for the KF.

Version 2.10 for the K-3 III adds the Gold custom image setting, plus the ability to assign a function to the Fx button when it is pressed.

According to Pentax, the Gold custom image setting creates “gold-tinted images by applying yellow-toned finishes to brighter areas while expressing darker, shadow areas with bluish tones. Yellow tones become more intense in highlighted areas.”

The update also changes how the Fx button works, allowing one of 10 functions to be activated when the button is pressed. The options are:

  • User AF (While Pressed)
  • AE Lock (While Pressed)
  • Preset Sv (While Pressed)
  • Preset Tv (While Pressed)
  • Preset Av (While Pressed)
  • AE Metering (While Pressed)
  • Flash Mode (While Pressed)
  • HDR Capture (While Pressed)
  • AA Filter Simulator (While Pressed)
  • One touch RAW+
  • Crop
  • Shake Reduction
  • Key Lock
  • Shooting Info Display (While Pressed)

The K-3 III update, which also brings improved stability, can be downloaded here.

Pentax also released the similar firmware version 2.10 for the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome. The big difference, obviously, is that there is no Gold custom image mode. It adds the same Fx button enhancements as the original K-3 III, so the same 10 functions can be assigned, and also improves stability. Download it here

The Pentax KF, meanwhile, gets a firmware update to version 1.30. The main feature here is the addition of the same Gold custom image setting as the K-3 III. The update, which also improves stability and updates fonts, can be downloaded here.

Pentax K-1 and K-1 II Firmware v2.30 Released

New Gold Custom Image for the new FA 50mm F1.4 lenses

By cjfeola in Firmware Updates on Jun 23, 2023

Ricoh has just released a firmware update for the Pentax K-1 that adds a new Gold Custom Image profile, optimizations for the HD Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 and SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic, and stability improvements.

The K-1 firmware update is here and the K-1 Mark II firmware update is here

“This firmware adds the new Gold Custom Image mode to your camera. With scenes accentuated by light, this mode is designed to create gold-tinted images by applying yellow-toned finishes to brighter areas while expressing darker, shadow areas with bluish tones. Yellow tones become more intense in highlighted areas,” according to Ricoh.

Ricoh also released a new version (5.10.1) of Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 that introduces support for Special Edition Custom Image Modes HARUBENI, KYUSHU, KATEN and FUYUNO; image processing for the new image finish Gold Custom Image Mode; and lens data for the HD PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4.

Pentax K-3 III & K-3 III Monochrome Firmware Update v2.00

New AF settings, plus save and share user settings!

By cjfeola in Firmware Updates on Jun 14, 2023

Ricoh has released firmware updates for both the Pentax K-3 III and the K-3 III Monochrome which add new features to both cameras:

  • Type 3 AF.C tracking that uses user-selected AF points
  • Users can now fine-tune AF.C focus sensitivity  
  • USER BOXES allow you to save your best settings and share them via SD cards
  • An improved number of consecutive frames when shooting in crop mode

There are also the usual fixes that improve stability.

In addition, there is a Graduated Neutral Density software package that is currently only available in Japan for an additional fee. “Grad ND shooting takes two images with different exposures and synthesizes them,” according to Ricoh.

The K-3 III firmware is available here, while the separate K-3 III Monochrome firmware is here (see below for installation instructions).

According to Ricoh, the new Type3 AF point tracking uses your selected autofocus points for tracking. This is an addition to the current Type1, which uses both the autofocus and autoexposure sensors to track, and Type2, which uses the autofocus sensor and all autofocus points.

Pentax K-3 III v1.80, K-1 II and K-1 v2.20, KF v1.20 Firmware Update Released

New FUYUNO custom image mode and other feature enhancements

By PF Staff in Firmware Updates on Mar 25, 2023

Earlier this month, Ricoh Imaging released firmware updates for the Pentax K-3 Mark III, the Pentax K-1, the Pentax K-1 Mark II, and the Pentax KF. These updates introduce the final of the four special-edition Custom Image profiles that will work only with specific lenses.  An electronic focus limiter function with the new HD D FA 100mm macro, which was added for the other cameras in December, is now also available for the KF.  A few minor bugs were also fixed in the K-3 III's movie mode control panel.

The new custom image profile in this update is called HARUBENI, meaning spring, and is available only when using the HD FA 77mm Limited and HD DA 20-40mm Limited lenses. This profile is meant to emphasize spring blue and pink color tones, and is tailored to match the rendering of the lenses it works with.  Stay tuned for some sample photos!

More information is available on the Ricoh website:

New function-expansion firmware for PENTAX K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III and KF cameras:
Featuring the Spring-themed HARUBENI mode -- the fourth season-specific Custom Image option -- to upgrade the imaging performance of PENTAX Limited-series lenses


TOKYO, March 9, 2023 -RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce the release of new function-expansion firmware for PENTAX K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III and KF digital SLR cameras. This firmware lets users take advantage of special-edition Custom Images in combination with specific PENTAX Limited-series lenses. The HARUBENI (Spring Rouge) mode has been released as the fourth season-specific Custom Images option. This new mode joins the already-released KATEN, KYUSHU and FUYUNO modes to complete the lineup of four season-specific Custom Image modes.

● Special-edition Custom Images
To make photographic experiences with PENTAX digital SLR cameras even more enjoyable and exciting, PENTAX is providing a new approach to SLR photography, through special-edition Custom Images designed to create subject- or scene-specific finishing touches in combination with certain PENTAX Limited-series lenses -- lenses popular for their distinctive image rendition. PENTAX will release a series of season-specific Custom Images to create distinctive finishing touches dedicated to the spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons. As a lens is mounted, the camera automatically detects compatibility with the firmware. Once compatibility is confirmed, the user can then select special-edition Custom Images.

● HARUBENI (Spring Rouge)
This special-edition, season-specific Custom Image mode is designed to emphasize the pinkish colors of cherry blossoms -- the hint of the arrival of spring -- and the subdued blue colors of hazy spring skies. This mode can be selected in combination with HD PENTAX-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited and HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited lenses, both highly regarded for their soft, delicate image reproduction.


Special-edition Custom Image modeCompatible camera bodyPartner lens*
(Usable on all compatible camera bodies)
Summer:KATEN PENTAX K-1 /K-1 Mark II
PENTAX K-3 Mark III /
PENTAX KF
HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR
HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited
Autumn:KYUSHU PENTAX K-1 /K-1 Mark II
PENTAX K-3 Mark III /
PENTAX KF
HD PENTAX-FA 43mmF1.9 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 21mmF3.2AL Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 70mmF2.4 Limited
Winter:FUYUNO PENTAX K-1 /K-1 Mark II
PENTAX K-3 Mark III /
PENTAX KF
HD PENTAX-FA 31mmF1.8 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 35mmF2.8 Macro Limited
Spring: HARUBENI PENTAX K-1 /K-1 Mark II
PENTAX K-3 Mark III /
PENTAX KF
HD PENTAX-FA 77mmF1.8 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mmF2.8-4ED Limited DC WR

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