Running K-50 firmware on K-30

RubPentax · 12-31-2018, 05:38 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ABel

Hi,

Try to open the debug menu with the contents of this archive.
Please let me know if this helps.

Thanks a lot ABel !

It helped, now Menu items are working fine.

Best regards

**photogem** · 01-01-2019, 02:03 AM

A friend of mine had a similar situation with his K50 which he purchased on ebay, it had the usual faulty solenoid and he asked me to repair it for him and if possible to change language settings.

After I changed the solenoid I used the usual debug mode and thus was able to change the region code.

But then I tried to do the firmware update, as soon as the card with the firmware was in, the K50 gave the message: Card not fomatted
I formatted several cards several times, every card was recognized immediately. But as soon as the firmware I tried several versions as well): Same message again.

Same if I tried again debug-mode!

So I downloaded PK_Tether and programmed: Debug mode ON

This was the solution: I could now install the latest firmware, programmed: Debug mode OFF

and now the K50 works fine.

rrmode · 01-02-2019, 04:33 PM - **1 Like**

ABel, Many Thanks !!!! Very nice, the former K-30 works very well as a (new) K-50

rrmode

sliawatimena · 01-03-2019, 01:13 AM

dear all,

Is it possible to read Focus Pulse value (focus stepper motor) using this firmware?
Thank you very much in advance.

Best regards,
suryadi

altopiet · 01-04-2019, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by ABel

Hi there,

I have adapted the latest K-50 firmware version 1.10 to work in K-30 cameras. The initial testing is complete, all test cameras work fine.

The following functionality from K-50 is available in K-30 after updating:

51200 ISO.
Eye-Fi card support.
Aperture control in 55-300 PLM lens.
Ability to change the picture filename prefix.

Several users of this update have also reported the AF improvement.

The firmware version 1.10 for K-30 can be downloaded here.

Some very important things to understand before installing this version.
Please read the following carefully:

This is firmware 1.10 for K-50 modified in a way that it can be installed in K-30 cameras. It will turn your K-30 into K-50, and the EXIF in your photos will reflect this change.
If you want your camera to be identified as "K-30" in EXIF information and during PC connection, here is a camera name preserving version.
This is not an official update, and when you install it you'll automatically void your camera warranty (if you still have one ).
This update should still be considered experimental. Flashing it can possibly be harmful to your camera (like any other firmware update, in fact).
During the installation all the camera settings will be reset to factory defaults. If some of them are important for you, please remember their values so you can restore them after the update.
Reverting to the original K-30 firmwares is possible. You'll just need to download and install the official firmware from the update page. But a repeated "upgrading" to K-50 firmware would no longer be safe and most likely will lead to camera hangups - this can be fixed by cleaning the settings via debug menu. I'm ready to give the instructions in case anyone needs them.
Please refer to "Preparation of update" and "Updating Procedure" section on the K-30 update page for the firmware installation instructions.
One of the tester reported random shutter actuations when 55-300 PLM lens was mounted on K-30. We need more testers to find out the reasons of this misbehavior.

If you are still here, I welcome you to the club

Thank you for making this available, I've loaded the version with the name change and so far so good.

I haven't had a chance for extensive testing, but just one point that I immediately discovered, and someone with more knowledge might chime in to say if it's possible, or if I'm dreaming

My K-30 had it's mirror box replaced due to the aperture motor failure, or something like that. I was never satisfied after that, as the difference in exposure between using OVF and LV, was about 1.5 stops, after this download, it seems normal, about 1/3 of a stop...

hnikesch · 02-28-2019, 08:01 AM

I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues.

stillshot2 · 02-28-2019, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by hnikesch

I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues.

Does the 55-300 PLM lens use a different aperture control mechanism than the 55-300 DA/DAL ones?

hnikesch · 02-28-2019, 03:26 PM

Yes it does. It uses electronic contacts and motor in the lens to control aperture

**photogem** · 03-18-2019, 08:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by hnikesch

I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues.

The solenoid with the aperture block is not in action at all when you use the 55-300 PLM lens!
But if you then use it again with another lens the solenoid might be more stuck.

massao · 06-23-2019, 05:21 PM

I applied it, and it killed my K-30

reh321 · 06-23-2019, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by massao

I applied it, and it killed my K-30

Please use 'Quote' when you reply; what did you apply, and it killed your K-30?

ABel · 06-23-2019, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by massao

I applied it, and it killed my K-30

Could you please give some more information?

**ThorSanchez** · 06-24-2019, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by massao

I applied it, and it killed my K-30

I'm curious, too. Did your K-30 get bricked by applying the K-50 firmware? I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30.

nocturnal · 06-24-2019, 05:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

I'm curious, too. Did your K-30 get bricked by applying the K-50 firmware? I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30.

He didn't brick it, he stated on dpreview that he was able to get into the menu and reload the K-30 firmware advising that nobody should try this firmware with a used K-30...

I know... Makes absolutely no sense as in my experience of electronics and firmware means it works or you get a dead brick. I remember bricking a PC motherboard once and I had to replace the firmware chip.

Nessie · 06-24-2019, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30.

I can confirm.
I applied the same firmware more than two years ago and never had a problem.

01-04-2019, 11:07 PM	#170
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Originally posted by ABel Hi there, I have adapted the latest K-50 firmware version 1.10 to work in K-30 cameras. The initial testing is complete, all test cameras work fine. The following functionality from K-50 is available in K-30 after updating: 51200 ISO. Eye-Fi card support. Aperture control in 55-300 PLM lens. Ability to change the picture filename prefix. Several users of this update have also reported the AF improvement. The firmware version 1.10 for K-30 can be downloaded here. Some very important things to understand before installing this version. Please read the following carefully: This is firmware 1.10 for K-50 modified in a way that it can be installed in K-30 cameras. It will turn your K-30 into K-50, and the EXIF in your photos will reflect this change. If you want your camera to be identified as "K-30" in EXIF information and during PC connection, here is a camera name preserving version. This is not an official update, and when you install it you'll automatically void your camera warranty (if you still have one ). This update should still be considered experimental. Flashing it can possibly be harmful to your camera (like any other firmware update, in fact). During the installation all the camera settings will be reset to factory defaults. If some of them are important for you, please remember their values so you can restore them after the update. Reverting to the original K-30 firmwares is possible. You'll just need to download and install the official firmware from the update page. But a repeated "upgrading" to K-50 firmware would no longer be safe and most likely will lead to camera hangups - this can be fixed by cleaning the settings via debug menu. I'm ready to give the instructions in case anyone needs them. Please refer to "Preparation of update" and "Updating Procedure" section on the K-30 update page for the firmware installation instructions. One of the tester reported random shutter actuations when 55-300 PLM lens was mounted on K-30. We need more testers to find out the reasons of this misbehavior. If you are still here, I welcome you to the club Thank you for making this available, I've loaded the version with the name change and so far so good. I haven't had a chance for extensive testing, but just one point that I immediately discovered, and someone with more knowledge might chime in to say if it's possible, or if I'm dreaming My K-30 had it's mirror box replaced due to the aperture motor failure, or something like that. I was never satisfied after that, as the difference in exposure between using OVF and LV, was about 1.5 stops, after this download, it seems normal, about 1/3 of a stop...

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12-31-2018, 05:38 AM - 1 Like	#166
RubPentax New Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 3	Originally posted by ABel Hi, Try to open the debug menu with the contents of this archive. Please let me know if this helps. Thanks a lot ABel ! It helped, now Menu items are working fine. Best regards

01-01-2019, 02:03 AM	#167
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	A friend of mine had a similar situation with his K50 which he purchased on ebay, it had the usual faulty solenoid and he asked me to repair it for him and if possible to change language settings. After I changed the solenoid I used the usual debug mode and thus was able to change the region code. But then I tried to do the firmware update, as soon as the card with the firmware was in, the K50 gave the message: Card not fomatted I formatted several cards several times, every card was recognized immediately. But as soon as the firmware I tried several versions as well): Same message again. Same if I tried again debug-mode! So I downloaded PK_Tether and programmed: Debug mode ON This was the solution: I could now install the latest firmware, programmed: Debug mode OFF and now the K50 works fine.

01-02-2019, 04:33 PM - 1 Like	#168
rrmode New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1	ABel, Many Thanks !!!! Very nice, the former K-30 works very well as a (new) K-50 rrmode

01-03-2019, 01:13 AM	#169
sliawatimena New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 6	dear all, Is it possible to read Focus Pulse value (focus stepper motor) using this firmware? Thank you very much in advance. Best regards, suryadi

02-28-2019, 08:01 AM	#171
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues.

02-28-2019, 03:04 PM	#172
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by hnikesch I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues. Does the 55-300 PLM lens use a different aperture control mechanism than the 55-300 DA/DAL ones?

02-28-2019, 03:26 PM	#173
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	Yes it does. It uses electronic contacts and motor in the lens to control aperture

03-18-2019, 08:45 AM - 1 Like	#174
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by hnikesch I have been running the firmware for a 1 1/2 years now mostly using the 55-300 PLM lens and I think it is holding off my aperture block failure. I first noticed dark first shots with my 55-300 DAL over a year ago. After switching to the new firmware and a new 55-300 PLM I no longer see dark images with my other Pentax lenses, maybe saving usage on the Aperture block solenoid as most of my images are with the PLM. I do use my 18-135 often without problems hope it continues. The solenoid with the aperture block is not in action at all when you use the 55-300 PLM lens! But if you then use it again with another lens the solenoid might be more stuck.

06-23-2019, 05:21 PM	#175
massao New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 11	I applied it, and it killed my K-30

06-23-2019, 06:42 PM	#176
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by massao I applied it, and it killed my K-30 Please use 'Quote' when you reply; what did you apply, and it killed your K-30?

06-23-2019, 07:46 PM	#177
ABel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Middle of Siberia Photos: Gallery Posts: 212 Original Poster	Originally posted by massao I applied it, and it killed my K-30 Could you please give some more information?

06-24-2019, 05:10 AM	#178
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,806	Originally posted by massao I applied it, and it killed my K-30 I'm curious, too. Did your K-30 get bricked by applying the K-50 firmware? I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30.

06-24-2019, 05:21 AM - 1 Like	#179
nocturnal Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 507	Originally posted by ThorSanchez I'm curious, too. Did your K-30 get bricked by applying the K-50 firmware? I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30. He didn't brick it, he stated on dpreview that he was able to get into the menu and reload the K-30 firmware advising that nobody should try this firmware with a used K-30... I know... Makes absolutely no sense as in my experience of electronics and firmware means it works or you get a dead brick. I remember bricking a PC motherboard once and I had to replace the firmware chip.

06-24-2019, 06:21 AM	#180
Nessie Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ticino, Switzerland Posts: 45	Originally posted by ThorSanchez I used the hacked firmware that even ID's the K-30 appropriately and I've never had a single glitch. My K-30 happly uses KAF4 lenses (at least the 55-300 PLM) and identifies itself as a K-30. I can confirm. I applied the same firmware more than two years ago and never had a problem.