Can K5 AF improve via firmware like K-01?

LFLee · 10-16-2012, 08:46 AM

Can K5 further improve the AF like the K-01 firmware update did?
AF Test after firmware update:

You Tube

That's a very significant improvement in AF speed (in live view at least)

Now I hope they can update K5 as well...

JinDesu · 10-16-2012, 08:50 AM

Probably not to the same capacity for PDAF, but maybe something similar to the CDAF....

In review of the video, and hopefully John can respond here, it seems to allow the CDAF to rack much faster and still recognize when focus is achieved. I would hazard a guess that prior to 1.01, the K-01 firmware had to cycle through the focus slower so it could recognize when focus was most contrasty. Now 1.01 allows the camera to rack faster - almost to the limits of the lens.

Not sure if this improvement helps with the slower lenses that focus very slowly on the k-01.

rawr · 10-16-2012, 09:14 AM

There is always latitude to tune and improve camera firmware. I think Pentax has shown with previous versions of the K-5 firmware that they can do AF tweaking, so anything is possible I guess, including big improvments to speed or accuracy.

ogl · 10-16-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by LFLee

Can K5 further improve the AF like the K-01 firmware update did?
AF Test after firmware update: Pentax K-01 Firmware 1.01 AF Test - YouTube

That's a very significant improvement in AF speed (in live view at least)

Now I hope they can update K5 as well...

I think - no. K-5II has new software.

kent · 10-16-2012, 09:45 AM

But they wont because of secong gen K5

Docrwm · 10-16-2012, 10:00 AM

I think that there is a limit imposed by the very gross nature of the sensor array used by Pentax in the PDAF. They are a specific size, a certain number, and arranged is a particular pattern. At some point you hit a hardware wall with AF accuracy and speed. While I would really, REALLY, like better AF in the K-5 I am not optimistic about the potential for significant improvement given what we have seen as marginal and very incremental changes in the 13 versions of the firmware to date.

Na Horuk · 10-16-2012, 10:05 AM

The K-01 only has CD AF. Maybe the CD AF of the K-5 can be improved (is the K-5ii's CD AF already better than the K-5? This would be an interesting test). We will see.

Raffwal · 10-16-2012, 11:26 AM

They have just announced and released a new DSLR model with an improved AF. Do you really think they would undermine that by improving a discontinued product?

LFLee · 10-16-2012, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by Raffwal

They have just announced and released a new DSLR model with an improved AF. Do you really think they would undermine that by improving a discontinued product?

I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible, and is a question if they want to do it or not.

Canon 7D firmware update basically make it up to date with improved features. I hope Pentax did that too.

Docrwm · 10-16-2012, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by LFLee

I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible, and is a question if they want to do it or not.

Canon 7D firmware update basically make it up to date with improved features. I hope Pentax did that too.

As I understand it Ricoh has a history of updating out-of-production models and continuing to support their users post sale. I hope that they do so but would expect that if they do so they may have a pause between the improvements in the II and IIs and providing them for the Classic K-5 via firmware update.

Na Horuk · 10-16-2012, 02:22 PM

I don't think a K-5 update would undermine the K-30 and K-5ii, provided they also get the same update (or better, if hardware permits)

123jippo · 10-17-2012, 03:48 AM

I did install new firmwares to my K5 but did not notice anything changes with AF...maybe changes were too little to notice. K5 AF accurancy still sucks...but ok I do take many pics just to make sure...

ve2vfd · 10-17-2012, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by LFLee

I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible

Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out.

Pat

Docrwm · 10-17-2012, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

As I understand it Ricoh has a history of updating out-of-production models and continuing to support their users post sale. I hope that they do so but would expect that if they do so they may have a pause between the improvements in the II and IIs and providing them for the Classic K-5 via firmware update.

Originally posted by ve2vfd

Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out.

Pat

Pat,

But we are now dealing with Ricoh. See my earlier post.

COULDBE2 · 10-17-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by ve2vfd

Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out.

Pat

I would agree that no firmware update is coming, however, the K20 did received a firmware update (ver.1.04 4-22-2010) a year after the release of the K7.So it may be remotely possible.
Mike

10-16-2012, 08:50 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Probably not to the same capacity for PDAF, but maybe something similar to the CDAF.... In review of the video, and hopefully John can respond here, it seems to allow the CDAF to rack much faster and still recognize when focus is achieved. I would hazard a guess that prior to 1.01, the K-01 firmware had to cycle through the focus slower so it could recognize when focus was most contrasty. Now 1.01 allows the camera to rack faster - almost to the limits of the lens. Not sure if this improvement helps with the slower lenses that focus very slowly on the k-01. Last edited by JinDesu; 10-16-2012 at 08:57 AM.

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10-16-2012, 09:14 AM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	There is always latitude to tune and improve camera firmware. I think Pentax has shown with previous versions of the K-5 firmware that they can do AF tweaking, so anything is possible I guess, including big improvments to speed or accuracy.

10-16-2012, 09:40 AM	#4
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by LFLee Can K5 further improve the AF like the K-01 firmware update did? AF Test after firmware update: Pentax K-01 Firmware 1.01 AF Test - YouTube That's a very significant improvement in AF speed (in live view at least) Now I hope they can update K5 as well... I think - no. K-5II has new software.

10-16-2012, 09:45 AM	#5
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	But they wont because of secong gen K5

10-16-2012, 10:00 AM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I think that there is a limit imposed by the very gross nature of the sensor array used by Pentax in the PDAF. They are a specific size, a certain number, and arranged is a particular pattern. At some point you hit a hardware wall with AF accuracy and speed. While I would really, REALLY, like better AF in the K-5 I am not optimistic about the potential for significant improvement given what we have seen as marginal and very incremental changes in the 13 versions of the firmware to date.

10-16-2012, 10:05 AM	#7
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	The K-01 only has CD AF. Maybe the CD AF of the K-5 can be improved (is the K-5ii's CD AF already better than the K-5? This would be an interesting test). We will see.

10-16-2012, 11:26 AM	#8
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	They have just announced and released a new DSLR model with an improved AF. Do you really think they would undermine that by improving a discontinued product?

10-16-2012, 01:07 PM	#9
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292 Original Poster	Originally posted by Raffwal They have just announced and released a new DSLR model with an improved AF. Do you really think they would undermine that by improving a discontinued product? I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible, and is a question if they want to do it or not. Canon 7D firmware update basically make it up to date with improved features. I hope Pentax did that too.

10-16-2012, 02:21 PM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by LFLee I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible, and is a question if they want to do it or not. Canon 7D firmware update basically make it up to date with improved features. I hope Pentax did that too. As I understand it Ricoh has a history of updating out-of-production models and continuing to support their users post sale. I hope that they do so but would expect that if they do so they may have a pause between the improvements in the II and IIs and providing them for the Classic K-5 via firmware update.

10-16-2012, 02:22 PM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I don't think a K-5 update would undermine the K-30 and K-5ii, provided they also get the same update (or better, if hardware permits)

10-17-2012, 03:48 AM	#12
123jippo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 165	I did install new firmwares to my K5 but did not notice anything changes with AF...maybe changes were too little to notice. K5 AF accurancy still sucks...but ok I do take many pics just to make sure...

10-17-2012, 05:43 AM	#13
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Originally posted by LFLee I know, that's why the question. I think it is possible Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out. Pat

10-17-2012, 06:31 AM	#14
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Docrwm As I understand it Ricoh has a history of updating out-of-production models and continuing to support their users post sale. I hope that they do so but would expect that if they do so they may have a pause between the improvements in the II and IIs and providing them for the Classic K-5 via firmware update. Originally posted by ve2vfd Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out. Pat Pat, But we are now dealing with Ricoh. See my earlier post.

10-17-2012, 05:05 PM	#15
COULDBE2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: LAKE PLACID,FL Photos: Albums Posts: 110	Originally posted by ve2vfd Could Pentax do it? I'm sure they could. Will they do it? I seriously doubt it... Pentax has a long history of not adding any firmware features/improvements once a newer product comes out. Pat I would agree that no firmware update is coming, however, the K20 did received a firmware update (ver.1.04 4-22-2010) a year after the release of the K7.So it may be remotely possible. Mike