New firmware, lens-specific custom image and features for K-1, K-1 II and K-3 III

**Larrymc** · 10-18-2022, 06:59 AM - **2 Likes**

Pentax finally added the descriptive terms for the Custom User Modes in the K-3 Mk III and they show up on the rear screen.

The only caveat is that the description only stays visible on the rear screen after you turn the Mode Dial for around three seconds but its there. So to see the user mode description you must first turn the mode dial as it doesn't show up when the camera is turned on and already in the specific user mode.

jcdoss · 10-18-2022, 07:21 AM

Has anyone seen any significant feature upgrades from this firmware in the K-1 mII?

steephill · 10-18-2022, 09:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jcdoss

Has anyone seen any significant feature upgrades from this firmware in the K-1 mII?

Improved stability for general performance. As always with firmware updates.

Andrea K · 10-18-2022, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by jersey

ND filter is not an update, but rather a feature that you can buy or not. I hardly see this as an update, it does not upgrade camera software, it just add specific new feature. It is also a way for Pentax to earn money. And this is a good way as the feature they bring is something that is/can be really useful for people who normally use ND filters.

For me it is ok for it to be paid update. Pentax already gives a lot of features for free with its cameras (like new astrotracer for example). If it get enough attention and customers maybe we will see some interesting paid software upgrades for current cameras in the future. I suppose there is a lot that can be done with digital sensor that no one ever did.

I downloaded the manual of this new function, it's in japanese, .... is a huge piece of software not a small function with only on/off or type 1/2/3 .... there are many settings and UI behaviors.
I'm curious about the activation mail ... is this real?

titrisol · 10-18-2022, 10:17 AM

Update of the DCU 5.95
Digital Camera Utility 5 Update for Windows : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

**Kevin B123** · 10-18-2022, 10:54 AM - **1 Like**

I am very interested in the GND software, and likely to buy it when it comes to the UK. It will be a killer with the D FA 15-30.

**Rondec** · 10-18-2022, 11:12 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I am very interested in the GND software, and likely to buy it when it comes to the UK. It will be a killer with the D FA 15-30.

That's the thing about it. The DFA 15-30 is a nice lens, but using in in conjunction with filters is not easy. This could certainly provide an alternative for lenses without filter rings. I already typically use tripods for landscape shots with the DFA 15-30 so that wouldn't be a big deal to do.

Kunzite · 10-18-2022, 11:34 AM - **2 Likes**

I don't like the "Premium Features" thing. We're not talking about relatively complex apps, but a GND "filter"...
This can turn against Pentax, since others are adding more complex functions for "free".

**Rondec** · 10-18-2022, 01:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

I don't like the "Premium Features" thing. We're not talking about relatively complex apps, but a GND "filter"...
This can turn against Pentax, since others are adding more complex functions for "free".

We are also talking about adding functions to cameras that are pretty old. I might feel a bit differently about the K-3 III, but the option of adding something to a K-1 which is now six and a half years old is nice. I do think the software is more complex as I would hope there is some blending of the two exposures rather than a hard line with a darker exposure above and lighter exposure below.

pschlute · 10-18-2022, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

That's the thing about it. The DFA 15-30 is a nice lens, but using in in conjunction with filters is not easy. This could certainly provide an alternative for lenses without filter rings. I already typically use tripods for landscape shots with the DFA 15-30 so that wouldn't be a big deal to do.

Lee filters, and I believe one other make a filter holder for the 15-30. It works very well with the 150 Lee filters. The downside is it is not cheap and nor are the filters.

I tend these days to bracket my exposures and merge them in software, rather than using a physical GND

**RobA_Oz** · 10-18-2022, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

We are also talking about adding functions to cameras that are pretty old. I might feel a bit differently about the K-3 III, but the option of adding something to a K-1 which is now six and a half years old is nice. I do think the software is more complex as I would hope there is some blending of the two exposures rather than a hard line with a darker exposure above and lighter exposure below.

The information on the website (in Japanese, but I used a translation tool) seems to fairly convincingly say that it’s gradual, which accords with the name. In principle, it’s no different to adding a graduated filter in post, except that it will maintain features that might otherwise be blown out too far for post-processing to recover.

Plus, of course, it differs from HDR in that it is sensor location-dependent, rather than luminosity-dependent. Which leads me to wonder if it’s available in portrait as well as landscape orientation, though I can’t see why it wouldn’t be.

**Rondec** · 10-18-2022, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by freighthaus

Software as a subscription is bad. Camera as a subscription is worse. Hard pass.

That's fine. I'm not sure I would purchase it either, but the nice thing about it is that you have the option not to purchase it. Nothing bad will happen to your camera and if this feature isn't useful to you, then it wouldn't have been helpful to have it auto installed anyway -- even if it was free.

I see this as quite a bit different from a subscription model, like Adobe uses -- with those it isn't that you have to pay for new features on Lightroom, for instance, it is that if you don't pay on a given month, your software vanishes. Unlike that, if you choose not to pay for this extra feature, your camera continues to function, just not with a GND.

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2022, 06:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

That's fine. I'm not sure I would purchase it either, but the nice thing about it is that you have the option not to purchase it. Nothing bad will happen to your camera and if this feature isn't useful to you, then it wouldn't have been helpful to have it auto installed anyway -- even if it was free.

I see this as quite a bit different from a subscription model, like Adobe uses -- with those it isn't that you have to pay for new features on Lightroom, for instance, it is that if you don't pay on a given month, your software vanishes. Unlike that, if you choose not to pay for this extra feature, your camera continues to function, just not with a GND.

Completely true. Camera as a subscription? No, firmware is still free. Added features cost money. This dovetails the craft model where custom features may be made available. Incremental updates for a fee sound like a great idea for a small company.

**bspn** · 10-18-2022, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by Larrymc

Pentax finally added the descriptive terms for the Custom User Modes in the K-3 Mk III and they show up on the rear screen.

Yaay, this was sorely missed going to the K3iii from the K3.

leekil · 10-18-2022, 08:59 PM

This "Autumn" look has just been added in Autumn, right, it isn't restricted to Autumn use? And the Summer/Satobi look is still in there as well?

10-18-2022, 06:59 AM - 2 Likes	#16
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Ver 1.60 for the Mk III is well worth the download Pentax finally added the descriptive terms for the Custom User Modes in the K-3 Mk III and they show up on the rear screen. The only caveat is that the description only stays visible on the rear screen after you turn the Mode Dial for around three seconds but its there. So to see the user mode description you must first turn the mode dial as it doesn't show up when the camera is turned on and already in the specific user mode.

10-18-2022, 08:05 PM	#29
bspn Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Northern MI Posts: 663	Customer User Mode descriptions Originally posted by Larrymc Pentax finally added the descriptive terms for the Custom User Modes in the K-3 Mk III and they show up on the rear screen. Yaay, this was sorely missed going to the K3iii from the K3.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
simple quick convenient basic editor but with specific features for ease of use	Unregistered User	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	22	11-02-2022 06:34 AM
New firmware for K3 III and K-1 introduced season specific shooting modes	JPT	Pentax News and Rumors	114	06-30-2022 04:01 PM
K-1 firmware 1.60 and K-1 II firmware 1.30 adds SATOBI Custom Image Profile	JPT	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	37	04-16-2022 07:53 PM
GR III Firmware 1.50 available - GR IIIx features added!	JPT	Ricoh GR	5	10-14-2021 02:41 AM
Eleven Pentax "specific / distinctive features" : do they impact your photography ?	Zygonyx	Pentax DSLR Discussion	70	12-11-2019 01:49 PM

10-18-2022, 07:21 AM	#17
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,769	Has anyone seen any significant feature upgrades from this firmware in the K-1 mII?

10-18-2022, 09:34 AM - 1 Like	#18
steephill Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 586	Originally posted by jcdoss Has anyone seen any significant feature upgrades from this firmware in the K-1 mII? Improved stability for general performance. As always with firmware updates.

10-18-2022, 09:48 AM	#19
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Originally posted by jersey ND filter is not an update, but rather a feature that you can buy or not. I hardly see this as an update, it does not upgrade camera software, it just add specific new feature. It is also a way for Pentax to earn money. And this is a good way as the feature they bring is something that is/can be really useful for people who normally use ND filters. For me it is ok for it to be paid update. Pentax already gives a lot of features for free with its cameras (like new astrotracer for example). If it get enough attention and customers maybe we will see some interesting paid software upgrades for current cameras in the future. I suppose there is a lot that can be done with digital sensor that no one ever did. I downloaded the manual of this new function, it's in japanese, .... is a huge piece of software not a small function with only on/off or type 1/2/3 .... there are many settings and UI behaviors. I'm curious about the activation mail ... is this real?

10-18-2022, 10:17 AM	#20
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	Update of the DCU 5.95 Digital Camera Utility 5 Update for Windows : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING

10-18-2022, 10:54 AM - 1 Like	#21
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	I am very interested in the GND software, and likely to buy it when it comes to the UK. It will be a killer with the D FA 15-30.

10-18-2022, 11:12 AM - 2 Likes	#22
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I am very interested in the GND software, and likely to buy it when it comes to the UK. It will be a killer with the D FA 15-30. That's the thing about it. The DFA 15-30 is a nice lens, but using in in conjunction with filters is not easy. This could certainly provide an alternative for lenses without filter rings. I already typically use tripods for landscape shots with the DFA 15-30 so that wouldn't be a big deal to do.

10-18-2022, 11:34 AM - 2 Likes	#23
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	I don't like the "Premium Features" thing. We're not talking about relatively complex apps, but a GND "filter"... This can turn against Pentax, since others are adding more complex functions for "free".

10-18-2022, 01:49 PM - 1 Like	#24
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Kunzite I don't like the "Premium Features" thing. We're not talking about relatively complex apps, but a GND "filter"... This can turn against Pentax, since others are adding more complex functions for "free". We are also talking about adding functions to cameras that are pretty old. I might feel a bit differently about the K-3 III, but the option of adding something to a K-1 which is now six and a half years old is nice. I do think the software is more complex as I would hope there is some blending of the two exposures rather than a hard line with a darker exposure above and lighter exposure below.

10-18-2022, 02:59 PM	#25
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by Rondec That's the thing about it. The DFA 15-30 is a nice lens, but using in in conjunction with filters is not easy. This could certainly provide an alternative for lenses without filter rings. I already typically use tripods for landscape shots with the DFA 15-30 so that wouldn't be a big deal to do. Lee filters, and I believe one other make a filter holder for the 15-30. It works very well with the 150 Lee filters. The downside is it is not cheap and nor are the filters. I tend these days to bracket my exposures and merge them in software, rather than using a physical GND

10-18-2022, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#26
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by Rondec We are also talking about adding functions to cameras that are pretty old. I might feel a bit differently about the K-3 III, but the option of adding something to a K-1 which is now six and a half years old is nice. I do think the software is more complex as I would hope there is some blending of the two exposures rather than a hard line with a darker exposure above and lighter exposure below. The information on the website (in Japanese, but I used a translation tool) seems to fairly convincingly say that it’s gradual, which accords with the name. In principle, it’s no different to adding a graduated filter in post, except that it will maintain features that might otherwise be blown out too far for post-processing to recover. Plus, of course, it differs from HDR in that it is sensor location-dependent, rather than luminosity-dependent. Which leads me to wonder if it’s available in portrait as well as landscape orientation, though I can’t see why it wouldn’t be.

10-18-2022, 05:56 PM	#27
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by freighthaus Software as a subscription is bad. Camera as a subscription is worse. Hard pass. That's fine. I'm not sure I would purchase it either, but the nice thing about it is that you have the option not to purchase it. Nothing bad will happen to your camera and if this feature isn't useful to you, then it wouldn't have been helpful to have it auto installed anyway -- even if it was free. I see this as quite a bit different from a subscription model, like Adobe uses -- with those it isn't that you have to pay for new features on Lightroom, for instance, it is that if you don't pay on a given month, your software vanishes. Unlike that, if you choose not to pay for this extra feature, your camera continues to function, just not with a GND.

10-18-2022, 06:02 PM - 1 Like	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by Rondec That's fine. I'm not sure I would purchase it either, but the nice thing about it is that you have the option not to purchase it. Nothing bad will happen to your camera and if this feature isn't useful to you, then it wouldn't have been helpful to have it auto installed anyway -- even if it was free. I see this as quite a bit different from a subscription model, like Adobe uses -- with those it isn't that you have to pay for new features on Lightroom, for instance, it is that if you don't pay on a given month, your software vanishes. Unlike that, if you choose not to pay for this extra feature, your camera continues to function, just not with a GND. Completely true. Camera as a subscription? No, firmware is still free. Added features cost money. This dovetails the craft model where custom features may be made available. Incremental updates for a fee sound like a great idea for a small company.

10-18-2022, 08:59 PM	#30
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	This "Autumn" look has just been added in Autumn, right, it isn't restricted to Autumn use? And the Summer/Satobi look is still in there as well?