K-01 v1.04 Firmware Changes

PiDicus Rex · 09-12-2013, 12:24 AM - **2 Likes**

Okie, so this is what I've spotted so far. And Yes, Video is my priority.

First up, the biggy. YES!!! The ISO no longer changes when a K-M lens or a K-A lens in Manual Iris positions is used.
This means that anyone wanting to use M42 mount lenses, or non K lenses with adapters, will be able to do so with confidence that the ISO (or Gain in video terms) will not change.
For comparison, I put the ISO in Auto, and it then alters, but it no longer does with a fixed ISO setting.

For me personally, this lets me be a lot more creative when shooting in varied lighting.

Unfortunately, no kick up in the data rate - it's still reported as around 20mBit/sec in QTPlayer's Movie Inspector.
And the Audio is still 32kHz sample rate.

Will edit post as I see what else is different, feel free to add Photo-Centric comments for those whose focus is stills (Pun intended)

FOX · 09-12-2013, 01:04 AM

good!
I have tested quickly the DA 21 limited and seems autofocus better, definetely faster, I always suspected it didn't autofocus properly. Not a problem before with DA 70 or 40 XS.

mbp · 09-12-2013, 08:04 AM

You can download the latest firmware here:
Latest K-01 Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

PiDicus Rex · 09-12-2013, 09:14 AM - **1 Like**

Yup, did that, installed with no probs.

One observation tho' - In the instructions it said the LCD would display as per the following.

Quote:

9. Card access lamp will be blinked and display will be changed from
[NOW LOADING] to [COMPLETE].
*Do not turn OFF the camera while updating.

I never saw the 'Complete' come up on the screen, the camera just auto-shut down exactly the same as when I installed v1.03

One fresh observation - the 'preview' function, to display what a photo will look like before shooting - the one where the Iris stops down to the users setting,.. Where before it suffered from ISO shift (just like video with a K-M lens), now the preview holds correctly.

I am so very tempted to go by a second K-01... I know where there is a black one still in stock.

If only the Data rate had been bumped up, and the sample rate shifted up to 44.1 or 48kHz,...

<sigh> Pentax: it's so much better, and it could be AMAZING with just a bit more work!

mbp · 09-12-2013, 03:52 PM

I did see the 'complete' come up on my screen, briefly. It's interesting that it didn't appear on your screen.
You are right, the k01 has just gotten more awesome. I don't know of any other camera around $300 that gives you true full manual mode while recording.
Pentax should really do something about the sample rate, though. I would even pay for an update to increase the rate up to 44.1KHz...

glealisla · 09-12-2013, 04:17 PM

good stuff! I bought the k-01 for video and its now even better

mcjm78 · 09-13-2013, 03:12 AM

I find the AF is slightly faster compared to the previous firmware.
Tested on FA* 24mm and FA 43mm.

PiDicus Rex · 09-13-2013, 10:18 AM

44.1 would be nice, 48kHz would be better - more common now for add-on recording devices like those from Tascam and the Zoom series.

And no joy on the HDMI output being available during recording

The stop-down-preview works properly in Video now, but when I swing it around to 'M', it still does the same thing, trigger the the iris to move, which is compensated for by the ISO in the live view.

shin888 · 09-13-2013, 04:29 PM

Thanks for heads up, didn't know this was out already!

K57XR · 09-14-2013, 11:52 AM

It’s either a placebo effect or the focusing on the K-01 has improved quite significantly with the latest firmware. I haven’t done any extensive testing – yet, but at least with the DA 35mm f2.4 indoor, in difficult lighting situation the camera seem to focus quicker, less hunting and improved accuracy.

LeRolls · 09-14-2013, 04:15 PM

Good to hear about the improved AF! Will be taking advantage of this update soon!

Rob22315 · 09-14-2013, 05:50 PM

Just installed, thanks for posting! The screen flashed 'COMPLETE' when the new firmware was loaded. AF algorithm has definitely changed. Seems more like the Q now.

**filoxophy** · 09-14-2013, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by Rob22315

AF algorithm has definitely changed. Seems more like the Q now.

Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam.

K57XR · 09-14-2013, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by filoxophy

Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam.

Most certainly a good thing especially for AF shooters like me. K-01 produces excellent IQ but the AF can get frustrating at times and takes some getting used to. From my limited tests using a DA 35mm f2.4, AF with the new firmware seem to be faster and have better accuracy on locking at the intended subject. Of course, if you will be using MF most of the time then the AF improvement might not be relevant for your intended purpose.

Rob22315 · 09-15-2013, 03:57 AM

Originally posted by filoxophy

Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam.

Yes, the Q is really fast and accurate.

09-12-2013, 12:24 AM - 2 Likes	#1
PiDicus Rex Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381	K-01 v1.04 Firmware Changes Okie, so this is what I've spotted so far. And Yes, Video is my priority. First up, the biggy. YES!!! The ISO no longer changes when a K-M lens or a K-A lens in Manual Iris positions is used. This means that anyone wanting to use M42 mount lenses, or non K lenses with adapters, will be able to do so with confidence that the ISO (or Gain in video terms) will not change. For comparison, I put the ISO in Auto, and it then alters, but it no longer does with a fixed ISO setting. For me personally, this lets me be a lot more creative when shooting in varied lighting. Unfortunately, no kick up in the data rate - it's still reported as around 20mBit/sec in QTPlayer's Movie Inspector. And the Audio is still 32kHz sample rate. Will edit post as I see what else is different, feel free to add Photo-Centric comments for those whose focus is stills (Pun intended)

09-14-2013, 05:50 PM	#12
Rob22315 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria VA USA Posts: 315	Just installed, thanks for posting! The screen flashed 'COMPLETE' when the new firmware was loaded. AF algorithm has definitely changed. Seems more like the Q now. Last edited by Rob22315; 09-14-2013 at 05:58 PM.

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09-12-2013, 01:04 AM	#2
FOX Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa Photos: Gallery Posts: 132	good! I have tested quickly the DA 21 limited and seems autofocus better, definetely faster, I always suspected it didn't autofocus properly. Not a problem before with DA 70 or 40 XS.

09-12-2013, 08:04 AM	#3
mbp Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 39	You can download the latest firmware here: Latest K-01 Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING

09-12-2013, 09:14 AM - 1 Like	#4
PiDicus Rex Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381 Original Poster	Yup, did that, installed with no probs. One observation tho' - In the instructions it said the LCD would display as per the following. Quote: 9. Card access lamp will be blinked and display will be changed from [NOW LOADING] to [COMPLETE]. *Do not turn OFF the camera while updating. I never saw the 'Complete' come up on the screen, the camera just auto-shut down exactly the same as when I installed v1.03 One fresh observation - the 'preview' function, to display what a photo will look like before shooting - the one where the Iris stops down to the users setting,.. Where before it suffered from ISO shift (just like video with a K-M lens), now the preview holds correctly. I am so very tempted to go by a second K-01... I know where there is a black one still in stock. If only the Data rate had been bumped up, and the sample rate shifted up to 44.1 or 48kHz,... <sigh> Pentax: it's so much better, and it could be AMAZING with just a bit more work!

09-12-2013, 03:52 PM	#5
mbp Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 39	I did see the 'complete' come up on my screen, briefly. It's interesting that it didn't appear on your screen. You are right, the k01 has just gotten more awesome. I don't know of any other camera around $300 that gives you true full manual mode while recording. Pentax should really do something about the sample rate, though. I would even pay for an update to increase the rate up to 44.1KHz...

09-12-2013, 04:17 PM	#6
glealisla Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 51	good stuff! I bought the k-01 for video and its now even better

09-13-2013, 03:12 AM	#7
mcjm78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 268	I find the AF is slightly faster compared to the previous firmware. Tested on FA* 24mm and FA 43mm.

09-13-2013, 10:18 AM	#8
PiDicus Rex Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,381 Original Poster	44.1 would be nice, 48kHz would be better - more common now for add-on recording devices like those from Tascam and the Zoom series. And no joy on the HDMI output being available during recording The stop-down-preview works properly in Video now, but when I swing it around to 'M', it still does the same thing, trigger the the iris to move, which is compensated for by the ISO in the live view.

09-13-2013, 04:29 PM	#9
shin888 New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 16	Thanks for heads up, didn't know this was out already!

09-14-2013, 11:52 AM	#10
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	It’s either a placebo effect or the focusing on the K-01 has improved quite significantly with the latest firmware. I haven’t done any extensive testing – yet, but at least with the DA 35mm f2.4 indoor, in difficult lighting situation the camera seem to focus quicker, less hunting and improved accuracy.

09-14-2013, 04:15 PM	#11
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Good to hear about the improved AF! Will be taking advantage of this update soon!

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09-14-2013, 09:31 PM	#13
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	Originally posted by Rob22315 AF algorithm has definitely changed. Seems more like the Q now. Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam.

09-14-2013, 11:00 PM	#14
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	Originally posted by filoxophy Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam. Most certainly a good thing especially for AF shooters like me. K-01 produces excellent IQ but the AF can get frustrating at times and takes some getting used to. From my limited tests using a DA 35mm f2.4, AF with the new firmware seem to be faster and have better accuracy on locking at the intended subject. Of course, if you will be using MF most of the time then the AF improvement might not be relevant for your intended purpose.

09-15-2013, 03:57 AM	#15
Rob22315 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria VA USA Posts: 315	Originally posted by filoxophy Is this a good thing? My K-01 is en route to my door. Got it for size, IQ, and focus peaking advantages over my K-7 (which I will most definitely be keeping!). So I'm interested in this apparent AF improvement, even though it was about the last thing on my list for this cam. Yes, the Q is really fast and accurate.