K-01 question

scunning14 · 08-13-2013, 12:56 PM

I have the opportunity to pick up a used K-01 for cheap, but the previous owner received it from japan. Should I have any concerns about updating the firmware? The previous owner is also saying the main reason they are parting with it is that the screen is grainy in live view. I think this is just user error, but I plan on comparing it to my k5II to make sure. Also how concerned should I be if the body cap is missing or not on? Any thing else I should look out for?

RonHendriks1966 · 08-13-2013, 01:03 PM

Don't know, but you can just update the firmware, that is one general thing. When cheap, you can just take your chances and have fun with it.

JinDesu · 08-13-2013, 01:08 PM

Er - the image can be grainy in liveview when shooting in dim conditions. Like when I take pictures in a dim restaurant, the liveview is grainy and a bit slow. Side effect of having to update at 30fps.

scunning14 · 08-13-2013, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Don't know, but you can just update the firmware, that is one general thing. When cheap, you can just take your chances and have fun with it.

So firmware isn't regional?

scunning14 · 08-13-2013, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Er - the image can be grainy in liveview when shooting in dim conditions. Like when I take pictures in a dim restaurant, the liveview is grainy and a bit slow. Side effect of having to update at 30fps.

I figured the graininess complaint was do to low light/screen refresh, but I guess I can just compare to my k5II to see if that is the case.

**THoog** · 08-13-2013, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by scunning14

So firmware isn't regional?

I don't think you'll have a problem with English, but see this thread about trying to get Italian on an Asian-market K-01:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-01/209925-how-can-i-fix-multi-language-k-01-a.html

Tanzer · 08-13-2013, 03:09 PM

The graininess might just be the focus peaking.

Steve.Ledger · 08-13-2013, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Tanzer

The graininess might just be the focus peaking.

My exact thoughts too (or he has the sharpness maxed up)
Otherwise I can't see any graininess - it's actually a very high quality preview.

PiDicus Rex · 08-13-2013, 11:06 PM

The LCD is pretty damn good IMHO,

I'm shooting two short films at the moment, one on my K-01, the other on the Writer/Director/Actor's Canon550D with the latest Magic Lantern installed.
Focusing the manual lenses on the K-01 is a snap, with or without focus peaking, focus pulls are close to perfect, as are the unmarked focuses, when the actor misses their spot and you have to chase.
On the 550D, it's nearly impossible to chase focus, it often looks in, only to see it soft on the PC screen later.

If I had the opportunity to buy a second K-01 body, I would, no hesitation.

Na Horuk · 08-14-2013, 07:40 AM

If you can get it cheap, it would be a good idea. If for some reason you find it unusable, you can always just sell it off with a minimal loss.
You can get the firmware update online from any regional website, so that shouldnt be a problem. Im not sure if that camera has all the languages you want, but it should.
Missing body cap is not a big deal, as long as the camera is wrapped safely for shipping, or has a lens on it. Good luck

Oh, and grainy screen.. it gets grainy in dark places, where it tried to raise sensitivity a lot. Or in some cases when you use the digital zoom, because it simply magnifies the noise. I doubt it will be any grainier than a K-5 or K-30.

scunning14 · 08-14-2013, 11:00 AM - **1 Like**

Well I got the K-01 this afternoon. Loving it! Not sure what the previous owner was talking about with the screen graininess, but the screen is nice and clean. Makes me wish I had focus peaking on my K5II. Best $180 I have ever spent

08-13-2013, 12:56 PM	#1
scunning14 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 195	K-01 question I have the opportunity to pick up a used K-01 for cheap, but the previous owner received it from japan. Should I have any concerns about updating the firmware? The previous owner is also saying the main reason they are parting with it is that the screen is grainy in live view. I think this is just user error, but I plan on comparing it to my k5II to make sure. Also how concerned should I be if the body cap is missing or not on? Any thing else I should look out for?

08-14-2013, 11:00 AM - 1 Like	#11
scunning14 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 195 Original Poster	Well I got the K-01 this afternoon. Loving it! Not sure what the previous owner was talking about with the screen graininess, but the screen is nice and clean. Makes me wish I had focus peaking on my K5II. Best $180 I have ever spent Last edited by scunning14; 08-14-2013 at 12:50 PM.

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08-13-2013, 01:03 PM	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Don't know, but you can just update the firmware, that is one general thing. When cheap, you can just take your chances and have fun with it.

08-13-2013, 01:08 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Er - the image can be grainy in liveview when shooting in dim conditions. Like when I take pictures in a dim restaurant, the liveview is grainy and a bit slow. Side effect of having to update at 30fps.

08-13-2013, 01:09 PM	#4
scunning14 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 195 Original Poster	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Don't know, but you can just update the firmware, that is one general thing. When cheap, you can just take your chances and have fun with it. So firmware isn't regional?

08-13-2013, 01:11 PM	#5
scunning14 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 195 Original Poster	Originally posted by JinDesu Er - the image can be grainy in liveview when shooting in dim conditions. Like when I take pictures in a dim restaurant, the liveview is grainy and a bit slow. Side effect of having to update at 30fps. I figured the graininess complaint was do to low light/screen refresh, but I guess I can just compare to my k5II to see if that is the case.

08-13-2013, 01:26 PM	#6
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by scunning14 So firmware isn't regional? I don't think you'll have a problem with English, but see this thread about trying to get Italian on an Asian-market K-01: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-01/209925-how-can-i-fix-multi-language-k-01-a.html

08-13-2013, 03:09 PM	#7
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	The graininess might just be the focus peaking.

08-13-2013, 06:10 PM	#8
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by Tanzer The graininess might just be the focus peaking. My exact thoughts too (or he has the sharpness maxed up) Otherwise I can't see any graininess - it's actually a very high quality preview.

08-13-2013, 11:06 PM	#9
PiDicus Rex Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381	The LCD is pretty damn good IMHO, I'm shooting two short films at the moment, one on my K-01, the other on the Writer/Director/Actor's Canon550D with the latest Magic Lantern installed. Focusing the manual lenses on the K-01 is a snap, with or without focus peaking, focus pulls are close to perfect, as are the unmarked focuses, when the actor misses their spot and you have to chase. On the 550D, it's nearly impossible to chase focus, it often looks in, only to see it soft on the PC screen later. If I had the opportunity to buy a second K-01 body, I would, no hesitation.

08-14-2013, 07:40 AM	#10
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	If you can get it cheap, it would be a good idea. If for some reason you find it unusable, you can always just sell it off with a minimal loss. You can get the firmware update online from any regional website, so that shouldnt be a problem. Im not sure if that camera has all the languages you want, but it should. Missing body cap is not a big deal, as long as the camera is wrapped safely for shipping, or has a lens on it. Good luck Oh, and grainy screen.. it gets grainy in dark places, where it tried to raise sensitivity a lot. Or in some cases when you use the digital zoom, because it simply magnifies the noise. I doubt it will be any grainier than a K-5 or K-30.