Firmware update for K-x and K-7

kbrede · 01-17-2011, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

I know, right? Seems ridiculous. But it does in fact seem to be true. They only document the biggest user-visible changes.

For this reason, it's a good idea to always update, even if you don't care about the listed improvements.

I wasn't going to upgrade but went ahead and did so today, just in case...
Thanks,

**jhaji** · 01-19-2011, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by elg

For Pentax K-x officially there was just one firmware update v1.01, and now there is a second official update - v.1.02.

Reality was a bit different. Depending on when one downloaded v1.01 firmware for K-x they got

1.01.00.05 (as the first 1.01)
1.01.00.07 (as the second 1.01, that followed some time later)
1.01.00.10 (as third 1.01, that was released in April 2010, if I remember this correctly).

There were people who installed 1.01.00.07 and claimed that it helped not only with battery level indicator, but sorted out or reduced some SR problems as well (1/100s shutter speed issue).

These are the reasons why I think that there may be something else in v1.02 firmware release, beside the things that are stated officially.

I can confirm that my version of 1.01 did not have the battery indicator problem fix. Now that I have downloaded 1.02, it has been fixed and I am a happy camper

Thanks, elg! I probably would not have installed the 1.02 firmware had I not seen elg's quoted post. The indicator was next to useless with a set of hybrid Rayovacs that I had.

antzutd · 01-21-2011, 01:22 PM

sorry, might be a silly question,
but how do you know which version of 1.01 you have?
coz' i tried the menu+power button,
and it only tells me its v1.01,
it doesn't say 1.01.00.10 etc etc.

where can i find the info?
thank you

mattdm · 01-21-2011, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by antzutd

sorry, might be a silly question,
but how do you know which version of 1.01 you have?
coz' i tried the menu+power button,
and it only tells me its v1.01,
it doesn't say 1.01.00.10 etc etc.

where can i find the info?
thank you

It's in the EXIF data -- look for Firmware Version.

Spongyab · 01-22-2011, 10:02 AM

On my Pentax K-x camera, during update firmware from 1.01 to 1.02 I have an error message at Phase 1/2 step. Nothing happen if I push any buttons and I can't turn it off either. What should I do now?

Thank you in advance,
Zoltan

elg · 01-22-2011, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by Spongyab

On my Pentax K-x camera, during update firmware from 1.01 to 1.02 I have an error message at Phase 1/2 step. Nothing happen if I push any buttons and I can't turn it off either. What should I do now?

It could be that the firmware file or your card is corrupt, or there is a bug in the firmware update routine. I would suggest calling Pentax (if camera is still under warranty) in order to see what they can do about it. This depends a lot on how this fault is interpreted (it is a user fault or Pentax software fault that the firmware update got errors).
If firmware update fails, the camera will become as good as brick.
Did you format the card before copying the firmware on it?

piesforyou · 01-22-2011, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by dankolal

I have updated the firmware yesterday and noticed that when I shoot with the flash, pictures are not burnt out anymore. Usually when shooting macro or portrait with flash subjects would be overexposed. Previous firmware version was 1.01.00.05.

That's interesting. Anyone else seeing improved exposure with flash?

mattdm · 01-22-2011, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by dankolal

I have updated the firmware yesterday and noticed that when I shoot with the flash, pictures are not burnt out anymore. Usually when shooting macro or portrait with flash subjects would be overexposed. Previous firmware version was 1.01.00.05.

Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks!

HGMonaro · 01-22-2011, 08:33 PM

updated my K7, now showing v1.11.22.27, was v1.10.20.26

took couple of pics to make sure it was still working.. it is

kyc · 01-23-2011, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by piesforyou

That's interesting. Anyone else seeing improved exposure with flash?

Originally posted by mattdm

Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks!

Given the reported fix to HyperProgram mode, I went ahead and updated my K-7 to 1.11 also. Last night I was testing wireless flash as I had just replaced a dead 360FGZ and found that the onboard flash is still firing at quite high power (as has been reported) when acting solely as controller (flash in wireless mode set to off). Using two off-camera wireless flashes, I couldn't get the shadows I wanted unless I blocked off the onboard flash from with my hand or black tape.

So the firmware may have tweaked the flash metering (I haven't noticed anything significantly different) but the inconvenience of the onboard flash firing stronger than necessary remains.

mattdm · 01-27-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by kyc

So the firmware may have tweaked the flash metering (I haven't noticed anything significantly different) but the inconvenience of the onboard flash firing stronger than necessary remains.

I ended up getting some dark blue + red filter gel and fastening that over my built-in flash (as seen here). The result is transparent to IR, but effectively blocks the visible light. Works very well in my basic tests, but I have to figure out a good way to make it semi-permanent yet still let the pop-up flash close....

dankolal · 01-27-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks!

It is built in flash. Sorry for late answer.

01-19-2011, 03:05 PM	#17
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	Originally posted by elg For Pentax K-x officially there was just one firmware update v1.01, and now there is a second official update - v.1.02. Reality was a bit different. Depending on when one downloaded v1.01 firmware for K-x they got 1.01.00.05 (as the first 1.01) 1.01.00.07 (as the second 1.01, that followed some time later) 1.01.00.10 (as third 1.01, that was released in April 2010, if I remember this correctly). There were people who installed 1.01.00.07 and claimed that it helped not only with battery level indicator, but sorted out or reduced some SR problems as well (1/100s shutter speed issue). These are the reasons why I think that there may be something else in v1.02 firmware release, beside the things that are stated officially. I can confirm that my version of 1.01 did not have the battery indicator problem fix. Now that I have downloaded 1.02, it has been fixed and I am a happy camper Thanks, elg! I probably would not have installed the 1.02 firmware had I not seen elg's quoted post. The indicator was next to useless with a set of hybrid Rayovacs that I had. Last edited by jhaji; 01-19-2011 at 03:13 PM.

01-22-2011, 10:02 AM	#20
Spongyab New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1	error message during update firmware On my Pentax K-x camera, during update firmware from 1.01 to 1.02 I have an error message at Phase 1/2 step. Nothing happen if I push any buttons and I can't turn it off either. What should I do now? Thank you in advance, Zoltan

01-22-2011, 01:09 PM	#21
elg Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Dublin Posts: 73 Original Poster	Originally posted by Spongyab On my Pentax K-x camera, during update firmware from 1.01 to 1.02 I have an error message at Phase 1/2 step. Nothing happen if I push any buttons and I can't turn it off either. What should I do now? It could be that the firmware file or your card is corrupt, or there is a bug in the firmware update routine. I would suggest calling Pentax (if camera is still under warranty) in order to see what they can do about it. This depends a lot on how this fault is interpreted (it is a user fault or Pentax software fault that the firmware update got errors). If firmware update fails, the camera will become as good as brick. Did you format the card before copying the firmware on it? Last edited by elg; 01-22-2011 at 01:13 PM. Reason: adding more information

01-23-2011, 07:57 AM	#25
kyc Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 69	Onboard flash still quite strong when used as wireless controller Originally posted by piesforyou That's interesting. Anyone else seeing improved exposure with flash? Originally posted by mattdm Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks! Given the reported fix to HyperProgram mode, I went ahead and updated my K-7 to 1.11 also. Last night I was testing wireless flash as I had just replaced a dead 360FGZ and found that the onboard flash is still firing at quite high power (as has been reported) when acting solely as controller (flash in wireless mode set to off). Using two off-camera wireless flashes, I couldn't get the shadows I wanted unless I blocked off the onboard flash from with my hand or black tape. So the firmware may have tweaked the flash metering (I haven't noticed anything significantly different) but the inconvenience of the onboard flash firing stronger than necessary remains.

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01-17-2011, 10:02 PM	#16
kbrede Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 327	Originally posted by mattdm I know, right? Seems ridiculous. But it does in fact seem to be true. They only document the biggest user-visible changes. For this reason, it's a good idea to always update, even if you don't care about the listed improvements. I wasn't going to upgrade but went ahead and did so today, just in case... Thanks,

01-21-2011, 01:22 PM	#18
antzutd Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 50	sorry, might be a silly question, but how do you know which version of 1.01 you have? coz' i tried the menu+power button, and it only tells me its v1.01, it doesn't say 1.01.00.10 etc etc. where can i find the info? thank you

01-21-2011, 02:28 PM	#19
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by antzutd sorry, might be a silly question, but how do you know which version of 1.01 you have? coz' i tried the menu+power button, and it only tells me its v1.01, it doesn't say 1.01.00.10 etc etc. where can i find the info? thank you It's in the EXIF data -- look for Firmware Version.

01-22-2011, 05:17 PM	#22
piesforyou Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 129	Originally posted by dankolal I have updated the firmware yesterday and noticed that when I shoot with the flash, pictures are not burnt out anymore. Usually when shooting macro or portrait with flash subjects would be overexposed. Previous firmware version was 1.01.00.05. That's interesting. Anyone else seeing improved exposure with flash?

01-22-2011, 07:06 PM	#23
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by dankolal I have updated the firmware yesterday and noticed that when I shoot with the flash, pictures are not burnt out anymore. Usually when shooting macro or portrait with flash subjects would be overexposed. Previous firmware version was 1.01.00.05. Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks!

01-22-2011, 08:33 PM	#24
HGMonaro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melb. Aust Posts: 840	updated my K7, now showing v1.11.22.27, was v1.10.20.26 took couple of pics to make sure it was still working.. it is

01-27-2011, 01:28 PM	#26
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by kyc So the firmware may have tweaked the flash metering (I haven't noticed anything significantly different) but the inconvenience of the onboard flash firing stronger than necessary remains. I ended up getting some dark blue + red filter gel and fastening that over my built-in flash (as seen here). The result is transparent to IR, but effectively blocks the visible light. Works very well in my basic tests, but I have to figure out a good way to make it semi-permanent yet still let the pop-up flash close....

01-27-2011, 01:44 PM	#27
dankolal New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	Originally posted by mattdm Built-in flash or an external flash? If external, which one? Thanks! It is built in flash. Sorry for late answer.