[RobG]

I had the rare opportunity of a pair of very small birds close up this afternoon, but after about ten frames at the high shutter release setting, the camera froze requiring the battery to be removed. I don't ever remember the K200 freezing, and maybe only one time the K7 froze, but the K5iis seems to freeze a lot when the CPU is working hard. First it was in-camera HDR (which seems to have been fixed with the first firmware update) and now high speed shutter. Also, the focus lock with the 1.03 firmware seems much worse than earlier firmware. When I first got the camera, its ability to achieve a focus lock with the DA55-300 was brilliant and now it's atrocious. I missed a lot of photos today because the camera wound the focus all the way in and out and still couldn't lock on a bird silhouetted against the sky. Yes, the light was poor, but the contrast was high, and the K5ii is supposed to focus in low light.

Is anyone else with a K5iis experiencing the same thing with the 1.03 firmware?

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Last edited by RobG; 04-01-2013 at 04:16 AM. Reason: added link

[Ayrat]

I had the rare opportunity of a pair of very small birds close up this afternoon, but after about ten frames at the high shutter release setting, the camera froze requiring the battery to be removed. I don't ever remember the K200 freezing, and maybe only one time the K7 froze, but the K5iis seems to freeze a lot when the CPU is working hard. First it was in-camera HDR (which seems to have been fixed with the first firmware update) and now high speed shutter. Also, the focus lock with the 1.03 firmware seems much worse than earlier firmware. When I first got the camera, its ability to achieve a focus lock with the DA55-300 was brilliant and now it's atrocious. I missed a lot of photos today because the camera wound the focus all the way in and out and still couldn't lock on a bird silhouetted against the sky. Yes, the light was poor, but the contrast was high, and the K5ii is supposed to focus in low light.

Is anyone else with a K5iis experiencing the same thing with the 1.03 firmware?

I experienced the same hang-ups 2 times, but as for me there was no CPU load. I shot RAW without any in-camera processing.

[RobG]

I experienced the same hang-ups 2 times, but as for me there was no CPU load. I shot RAW without any in-camera processing.

Glad I'm not the only one. Interesting to know that it is happening even when shooting only RAW.

[jsboening]

Same here. I updated from version 1.01 and was hoping this update would clear up the freeze issue. Unfortunately I think it's worse. I was out shooting my sons RC truck when it froze up 3 times in a couple minute period. The good news is that after that a got off a 100 shots or so with no problems. I'm still loving this camera though.

[RobG]

Same here. I updated from version 1.01 and was hoping this update would clear up the freeze issue. Unfortunately I think it's worse. I was out shooting my sons RC truck when it froze up 3 times in a couple minute period. The good news is that after that a got off a 100 shots or so with no problems. I'm still loving this camera though.

I love the results from the camera when it works as well! Having it hang is frustrating however, especially if it happens during a brief opportunity to take a photo. Have you noticed any change in the AF performance?

[jsboening]

I have not notice any change in the autofocus. I mainly use the selectable autofocus or the center autofocus. Any idea if I should have installed v1.02 first? I'm wondering if there was something in that package I'm missing by skipping right to v1.03. Thoughts?

[RobG]

I have not notice any change in the autofocus. I mainly use the selectable autofocus or the center autofocus. Any idea if I should have installed v1.02 first? I'm wondering if there was something in that package I'm missing by skipping right to v1.03. Thoughts?

I normally use centre AF myself, but yesterday I found I could only get focus lock using multipoint AF. On the Pentax web page for the update it says that the 1.03 update includes the 1.02 updates so no need to install 1.02.

[jsboening]

Thanks for clarifying that. I was hoping it was a software issue. I never had a problem with it freezing up before the current update so maybe it's something that will get worked out in the future. In any case is still a wonderful camera that I enjoy using.

[RobG]

Thanks for clarifying that. I was hoping it was a software issue. I never had a problem with it freezing up before the current update so maybe it's something that will get worked out in the future. In any case is still a wonderful camera that I enjoy using.

I'm hoping that a future update improves the stability and restores the AF performance. Agreed - the results when the camera works are awesome. The only other odd behaviour is that it doesn't work with my ring flash while the K7 and K200 are fine.

[Qwntm]

I had 1 freeze in 400 images on FW 1.02, so far it's been OK with 1.03.

And I hadn't noticed any difference in AF with 1.03.

[Kurt Euler]

Hi all. My Pentax iis still has firmware 1.00 on it. I don't use bounce flash, and I just use the standard 18mm-55mm zoom and the 1.4mm fixed. Are there other areas where I might see benefits from upgrading to a more recent firmware rev? I hesitate to proceed with just as part of regular maintenance, give some of your claims about freezes.

Thanks!

-Kurt

[RobG]

Hi all. My Pentax iis still has firmware 1.00 on it. I don't use bounce flash, and I just use the standard 18mm-55mm zoom and the 1.4mm fixed. Are there other areas where I might see benefits from upgrading to a more recent firmware rev? I hesitate to proceed with just as part of regular maintenance, give some of your claims about freezes.

The camera froze for me when doing in-camera HDR on the 1.00 firmware. Updating to 1.01 seemed to resolve this although it's not mentioned as a fix in the notes for the update. The camera is still freezing sometimes on 1.03, but I can't say for sure exactly what is causing the freezes. Personally I'm not sure that there's any significant improvements I have observed other than the initial update fixing the problem with HDR. In fact, the AF performance seems to have become worse - at least with the DA55-300. However, I haven't done anything like a significant amount of testing, and I don't have the means to do a side-by-side comparison of the AF behaviour at 1.00 and 1.03. At the moment I'd say stick with 1.00 if you don't need the LCD contrast adjustment feature in 1.01. I've mainly been upgrading because I have been hoping that the claimed "improved stability" will result in the elimination of freezes.

[optiosv]

Please HELP. My k5iis doesn´t allow to update firmware (is running 1.0), when i turn on the camera pressing de menu buton just turn on but doesn´t download de firmware?!!
Thank you inadvance.

Sorry for my english

[sholtzma]

Please HELP. My k5iis doesn´t allow to update firmware (is running 1.0), when i turn on the camera pressing de menu buton just turn on but doesn´t download de firmware?!!
Thank you inadvance.

Sorry for my english

Where are you in the process? Have you downloaded the most recent firmware from Ricoh/Pentax website?

[RobG]

FWIW I don't recall having a single time when the K5iis has needed a battery removal reset since 1.06.