K-5 Firmware Suggestions

boardhead · 11-09-2010, 07:34 AM

I would really like to be able to set the quality of the JPEG embedded in PEF images. Right now the quality seems to be fixed at "very poor". A side effect of this is bad histogram combing for some shots.

- Phil

Last edited by boardhead; 11-09-2010 at 07:45 AM.

falconeye · 11-09-2010, 07:42 AM

-- post deleted after end of project --

pxpaulx · 11-09-2010, 07:50 AM

Great list Falk - I think the Fx button should really be opened up, would love to be able to assign it to turn on/off catch in focus as well as all the points you already listed (though having 5 name-able user settings does alleviate some of the Fx button's limited assignable attributes already).

falconeye · 11-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by pxpaulx

Great list Falk - I think the Fx button should really be opened up, would love to be able to assign it to turn on/off catch in focus as well as all the points you already listed (though having 5 name-able user settings does alleviate some of the Fx button's limited assignable attributes already).

Ok, this is a wishlist.

But I really think parts of the firmware need to be overhauled. Pentax follows the "one hand operates the camera" principle which is great. So, they didn't use much of the press button and simultaneously turn a dial philosophy. Currently, they only do so for the ISO and EV buttons. Some more buttons start a mode where the dials work too (MENU, INFO, PLAY).

It's not possible for every button position (for anatomic reasons). But to press a button and simultanesously turn a dial is a very powerful interface. E.g., Nikon uses it with a button located where Pentax has its focus mode selector to control the AF system (needs a 2nd hand but can be done while looking into the VF).

An obvious oversight is that the dial cannot change the burst mode after pressing the burst button. BTW, video should simply be a burst mode, with the various formats (24/25/30p) as submodes. This would allow to select it from within LV and map any burst mode (not just bracketing) to the Fx button.

All in all, wishlists are ok. But they have no impact compared to an accurate study of an improved interface with all details being sorted out.

dlacouture · 11-09-2010, 08:37 AM

Falk, being a software engineer with my share of dumb GUI users, I'd love to work with you and others on a really detailed proposal to Pentax to improve the handling of the current bodies.

Amongst other "quirks" I've found (at least to me), one is that the ISO button has no real use in Av or Tv mode when Iso is set to a wheel, except to allow ISO+green Button to enable Auto-ISO, but it's kinda useless, as just pressing ISO could be made to have the same behavior in this case and would be easier to operate.

Same goes for Ev, BTW.

EDIT : even more, in this mode, I think that pressing the Green button alone enable Auto-iso, so ISO has really no use here, and thus there is nothing to change, really. I'll check later.

falconeye · 11-09-2010, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by dlacouture

Falk, being a software engineer with my share of dumb GUI users, I'd love to work with you and others on a really detailed proposal to Pentax to improve the handling of the current bodies.

I would welcome a worked out proposal. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to work on this myself. I can make comments when asked, though.

Something else are the little useful bits from the list above. After filtering, they may be a useful thing for Pentax to know about. But it cannot be a list of everything you can think about. Every commercial implementation must stop somewhere. So, after prefiltering, the list could be made a poll for the top seven.

kevinschoenmakers · 11-09-2010, 09:41 AM

Falk, you are right in your criticism, but I didn't want to be the one to filter everyone's ideas, just because I started the thread. I'll have a further look at it tomorrow when I have some more time.

In any case, thanks for your comment.

MRRiley · 11-09-2010, 09:57 AM

+1 for Tethering, FX button SR on/off, mirror lockup and lower ISO...

Mike

BEDON · 11-09-2010, 11:11 AM

Sorry about my english, I'm a french speaker...

I might be wrong but I have the feeling that the AF assist (green little light) works only within the green mode.

I believe it should work within any mode and we could choose to enable it or not

Col · 11-09-2010, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by BEDON

Sorry about my english, I'm a french speaker...

I might be wrong but I have the feeling that the AF assist (green little light) works only within the green mode.

I believe it should work within any mode and we could choose to enable it or not

AF Assist light is available in all modes in AF-S. And you can turn it off in the custom settings.

MRRiley · 11-09-2010, 11:43 AM

ohhhh and +1 for the 2 focus distance idea...

dlacouture · 11-09-2010, 02:35 PM

Found another one on DPReview : in SEL AF mode, revert to focus point selection on half-press.

This way, you always know how to enter the Fn mode : a long press on OK.

I found this sharing of the OK button a little awkward...

Arpe · 11-09-2010, 04:44 PM

A "User Menu" where one can assign frequently used menu items.

deadwolfbones · 11-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

*Autorotation during playback (2x)
- not undebated
+ if there is a consensus

If this is an option, I don't see why we'd need consensus. The K-7 did it and I believe had the option to turn it off. I liked that a lot and miss it on the K-5.

deadwolfbones · 11-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by Arpe

A "User Menu" where one can assign frequently used menu items.

One of my favorite things about Nikon's menu system...

11-09-2010, 07:42 AM	#32
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	-- post deleted after end of project -- Last edited by falconeye; 11-20-2010 at 04:44 AM. Reason: no longer of any merit

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11-09-2010, 07:34 AM	#31
boardhead Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 58	I would really like to be able to set the quality of the JPEG embedded in PEF images. Right now the quality seems to be fixed at "very poor". A side effect of this is bad histogram combing for some shots. - Phil Last edited by boardhead; 11-09-2010 at 07:45 AM.

11-09-2010, 07:50 AM	#33
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Great list Falk - I think the Fx button should really be opened up, would love to be able to assign it to turn on/off catch in focus as well as all the points you already listed (though having 5 name-able user settings does alleviate some of the Fx button's limited assignable attributes already).

11-09-2010, 08:10 AM	#34
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by pxpaulx Great list Falk - I think the Fx button should really be opened up, would love to be able to assign it to turn on/off catch in focus as well as all the points you already listed (though having 5 name-able user settings does alleviate some of the Fx button's limited assignable attributes already). Ok, this is a wishlist. But I really think parts of the firmware need to be overhauled. Pentax follows the "one hand operates the camera" principle which is great. So, they didn't use much of the press button and simultaneously turn a dial philosophy. Currently, they only do so for the ISO and EV buttons. Some more buttons start a mode where the dials work too (MENU, INFO, PLAY). It's not possible for every button position (for anatomic reasons). But to press a button and simultanesously turn a dial is a very powerful interface. E.g., Nikon uses it with a button located where Pentax has its focus mode selector to control the AF system (needs a 2nd hand but can be done while looking into the VF). An obvious oversight is that the dial cannot change the burst mode after pressing the burst button. BTW, video should simply be a burst mode, with the various formats (24/25/30p) as submodes. This would allow to select it from within LV and map any burst mode (not just bracketing) to the Fx button. All in all, wishlists are ok. But they have no impact compared to an accurate study of an improved interface with all details being sorted out.

11-09-2010, 08:37 AM	#35
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	Falk, being a software engineer with my share of dumb GUI users, I'd love to work with you and others on a really detailed proposal to Pentax to improve the handling of the current bodies. Amongst other "quirks" I've found (at least to me), one is that the ISO button has no real use in Av or Tv mode when Iso is set to a wheel, except to allow ISO+green Button to enable Auto-ISO, but it's kinda useless, as just pressing ISO could be made to have the same behavior in this case and would be easier to operate. Same goes for Ev, BTW. EDIT : even more, in this mode, I think that pressing the Green button alone enable Auto-iso, so ISO has really no use here, and thus there is nothing to change, really. I'll check later.

11-09-2010, 09:22 AM	#36
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by dlacouture Falk, being a software engineer with my share of dumb GUI users, I'd love to work with you and others on a really detailed proposal to Pentax to improve the handling of the current bodies. I would welcome a worked out proposal. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to work on this myself. I can make comments when asked, though. Something else are the little useful bits from the list above. After filtering, they may be a useful thing for Pentax to know about. But it cannot be a list of everything you can think about. Every commercial implementation must stop somewhere. So, after prefiltering, the list could be made a poll for the top seven.

11-09-2010, 09:41 AM	#37
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509 Original Poster	Falk, you are right in your criticism, but I didn't want to be the one to filter everyone's ideas, just because I started the thread. I'll have a further look at it tomorrow when I have some more time. In any case, thanks for your comment.

11-09-2010, 09:57 AM	#38
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	+1 for Tethering, FX button SR on/off, mirror lockup and lower ISO... Mike

11-09-2010, 11:11 AM	#39
BEDON New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Belgium Wavre Posts: 3	Sorry about my english, I'm a french speaker... I might be wrong but I have the feeling that the AF assist (green little light) works only within the green mode. I believe it should work within any mode and we could choose to enable it or not

11-09-2010, 11:35 AM	#40
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by BEDON Sorry about my english, I'm a french speaker... I might be wrong but I have the feeling that the AF assist (green little light) works only within the green mode. I believe it should work within any mode and we could choose to enable it or not AF Assist light is available in all modes in AF-S. And you can turn it off in the custom settings.

11-09-2010, 11:43 AM	#41
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	ohhhh and +1 for the 2 focus distance idea...

11-09-2010, 02:35 PM	#42
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	Found another one on DPReview : in SEL AF mode, revert to focus point selection on half-press. This way, you always know how to enter the Fn mode : a long press on OK. I found this sharing of the OK button a little awkward...

11-09-2010, 04:44 PM	#43
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	A "User Menu" where one can assign frequently used menu items.

11-09-2010, 05:17 PM	#44
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by falconeye *Autorotation during playback (2x) - not undebated + if there is a consensus If this is an option, I don't see why we'd need consensus. The K-7 did it and I believe had the option to turn it off. I liked that a lot and miss it on the K-5.

11-09-2010, 05:17 PM	#45
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by Arpe A "User Menu" where one can assign frequently used menu items. One of my favorite things about Nikon's menu system...