[Mikesul]

There is usually nothing noticeable in these updates for lens compatibility. Placebo effect will mislead a few.

[Ascencio]

Updated K-1 faster AF with Tamron 70-200 and Sigma 35 no real difference with my D FA 28-105.

[stevebrot]

I would just enjoy seeing that it is still supported despite the body being discontinued.

As with the K-3, Ricoh will push updates if there is a new product that needs support and active customer base is large enough. It is very likely that the K-3II will get this update and possibly the KS-1, KS-2, and K-70.

As for whether a body is "supported", that is a soft concept. Ultimately, all cameras will be unsupported when parts are no longer available. Current practice is to not maintain parts inventories, except for assemblies shared with current product, once a model is discontinued. With Ricoh/Pentax, firmware update support is often extended one generation back and almost never two. Both the K-3 and K-3II are one generation back.


Steve

[stevebrot]

Do you notice any difference in performance?

I would not expect any significant performance boost, in that most of that sort of thing is hardware limited or set in deep firmware inaccessible to the update process.


Steve

[Ascencio]

I would not expect any significant performance boost, in that most of that sort of thing is hardware limited or set in deep firmware inaccessible to the update process.


Steve

It's faster.

[Mikesul]

It's faster.

Hope you are right.

[x4rd]

I have checked mine K-3 with Sigma 18-35 and DFA 70-200* and in my opinion the AF as a whole is much more reliable.

[beachgardener]

Do you notice any difference in performance?

not yet, I will have more time with it next week.

I noticed prior to the update that I need to revisit AF fine adjust, so more critical time with it will tell. Might send it in with often used DA 35mm 2.4 lens and have them calibrated together. Did that with my D FA50 macro and the K-5, works like a treat.

[stevebrot]

It's faster.

On the K-3 (the camera I was responding about)?

FWIW, as noted earlier on this thread, just about all firmware updates result in at least one user that claims significantly improved speed. I am not suggesting that the K-1 does not see an improvement, only that a little more details might be helpful.

Back to the K-3. That model has a fairly long list of firmware upgrades, all of which include the standard phrase. I am only aware of two intended to provide improved speed for any feature: 1.10 (post-exposure in-camera filters and CA/fringe correction) and 1.01 (in-camera HDR processing).


Steve

[Ascencio]

On the K-3 (the camera I was responding about)?

FWIW, as noted earlier on this thread, just about all firmware updates result in at least one user that claims significantly improved speed. I am not suggesting that the K-1 does not see an improvement, only that a little more details might be helpful.

Back to the K-3. That model has a fairly long list of firmware upgrades, all of which include the standard phrase. I am only aware of two intended to provide improved speed for any feature: 1.10 (post-exposure in-camera filters and CA/fringe correction) and 1.01 (in-camera HDR processing).


Steve

Updated K-1 faster AF with Tamron 70-200 and Sigma 35 no real difference with my D FA 28-105.

As i stated earlier

maybe you can state what lenses you tested with no difference

[tonver]

Thanks OoKu, I am installing it now.

[stevebrot]

maybe you can state what lenses you tested with no difference

Perhaps you can provide your impressions for the camera my original comment concerned (not the K-1). It may well be possible that the stability fixes on the K-3 might have been different than those for the K-1. (A later comment indicates greater AF reliability on the K-3 with two Pentax-brand lenses.)

I am happy you are seeing what in Ricoh/Pentaxland is a minor miracle...a performance enhancement without a fanfare or press release. Now it may well be that there was a bug specific to your two non-Pentax lenses that was fixed on the K-1. Cool! There is no dispute. You saw "Faster" with your camera.


Steve

(...not planning on the update because I am not having problems (AF is snappy and rarely misses focus) and am not planning on purchasing the DA F* 50/1.4...)

[mazinger]

Updated my K-3 and I noticed one of my AF issue has been fixed. I have a DA 16-45 which was bought used a few years back and at 16mm (only at 16mm) the focus lock is kind of iffy..it won't focus lock on the subject 50% of the time. After the K-3 update the focus now locks perfectly at 16mm all the time. I thought it was just a one-time thing but it wasn't. I kept switching the lens between my updated K-3 and my old K200D and the focus lock issue is still happening with the K200D. I guess that's what 'Improved stability for general performance' is all about.

[Zygonyx]

On my updated K-1, focus speed with DA*55/1.4 has slighltly improved in the fact that intervals between AF ajustements are faster, thus making the whole AF process quicklier.
The difference with previous firmware is lessening or inexistent in low light.

On my updated K-3, i couldn't find any difference using HD DA 55-300mm PLM.

[Mikesul]

On my updated K-1, focus speed with DA*55/1.4 has slighltly improved in the fact that intervals between AF ajustements are faster, thus making the whole AF process quicklier.
The difference with previous firmware is lessening or inexistent in low light.

On my updated K-3, i couldn't find any difference using HD DA 55-300mm PLM.

Good to hear.