K-3 II Firmware

**tduell** · 08-01-2018, 04:27 PM

Hello All,
The current firmware for the K-3 II is v1.10, which was released in Sep. 2016, unless I've missed something more recent.
Does the K-3 II not require a firmware update for the recent FA* 50 f1.4 lens?
I feel a bit left out that the K-3 II hasn't got any of the latest "...improved stability for general performance" updates that the other bodies recently received

Cheers,
Terry

**gaweidert** · 08-01-2018, 04:38 PM

The K3-II can already handle with the new 50mm lens.

**aslyfox** · 08-01-2018, 04:42 PM

gaweidert is correct

the last firmware up date was a while ago:

Pentax K-3 Firmware v1.30 Released
Support for KAF4 lenses, including the DA 55-300mm PLM
By PF Staff in Firmware Updates on Nov 24, 2016

Read more at: Firmware Updates | PentaxForums.com

_______________________

The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW is a professional full-frame prime lens designed to deliver impeccable image quality for today's demanding cameras. It is the first star-series full-frame prime lens of the digital era.

The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW covers the full frame (24x36mm) format. On APS-C it works like a short telephoto lens. It features the latest KAF4 lens mount*, which incorporates electromagnetic aperture control. In addition, this is the first Pentax lens to use a ring-type autofocus motor which delivers significantly more torque than previous SDM motors.

* Cameras compatible with this system are K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, KP, K-70, K-3, K-S2, K-S1 and K-50. For K-1, K-3 II, K-3, K-S2, K-S1 and K-50, the camera’s firmware must be upgraded to the latest version. If this lens is mounted on a camera without proper firmware upgrade, its diaphragm control mechanism becomes inactive, making it impossible to obtain correct exposure.

Originally unveiled in February, 2017, the lens hit the market in July, 2018.

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-50mm-f14-sdm-aw.html#ixzz5MyP2Bd9e

but nothing since then

sjwoodworth · 08-01-2018, 06:52 PM

But the most recent batch of firmware updates goes beyond KAF4 support, which the K1 for example got back at V1.20.

leekil · 08-01-2018, 08:10 PM

I agree -- but didn't the firmware say something like "optimizing operation with the DFA 50"? It could be a bug only in some cameras?

sjwoodworth · 08-01-2018, 08:29 PM

The most recent K-3II firmware is v.1.10, released August 2016:
- Corresponded to [KAF4 lens mount] that is equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system.
- Enable new lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE to shoot stable by updating firmware.
- Improved stability for general performance.

This firmware update looks identical to K1 v1.20, also released August 2016 I believe:
- Corresponded to [KAF4 lens mount] that is equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system.
- Enable new lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE to shoot stable by updating firmware.
- Improved stability for general performance.

Since then the K1 has had a couple more updates, including v.1.50, released just this July 2018:
- Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA*50mmF1.4 SDM AW.
- Improved stability for general performance.

So it does look like it has something the K-3II doesn't have... Hopefully your suggestion is right that it's because it didn't have bugs that the others had. I haven't seen an explanation one way or the other.

If anyone wants to send me a copy of the new lens I can be sure to get to the bottom of it

leekil · 08-01-2018, 08:50 PM

Arguably the K-3 II is neglected in general; there were bugs in K-3 II operation I encountered early on, but it took them about a year & a half to issue a firmware update at all.

victormeldrew · 08-02-2018, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by sjwoodworth

- Improved stability for general performance.

So it does look like it has something the K-3II doesn't have...

That line seems to be copied and pasted into every release. They never tell us anything about what may or may not have been fixed. Quite possibly, nothing at all has been fixed...or, less likely, nothing needs fixing. As a result there is no way of knowing whether you need the update or not, either.

**Mikesul** · 08-02-2018, 11:01 AM

That's easy. You always need the update. It is a painless process if you just pay a little attention. This includes waiting a couple of days in case there is the occasional glitch in the software. 40 years of flashing roms from early motherboards through several camera brands without issue. There is way too much angst about firmware updates.

corvin · 08-16-2018, 11:20 PM

It's been maybe twenty minutes for me and I'm still getting a NOW LOADING flashing. (1.0 to 1.10)

How long do I wait? What do I do? Is it bricked?

corvin · 08-17-2018, 05:56 AM

Ran all night and drained the battery. No update occurred (1.0 still). This is one of the early ones that needs to be sent in for service. I suspect that if they'll still take it in, they'll update the firmware when they fix it.

08-01-2018, 04:27 PM	#1
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,514	K-3 II Firmware Hello All, The current firmware for the K-3 II is v1.10, which was released in Sep. 2016, unless I've missed something more recent. Does the K-3 II not require a firmware update for the recent FA* 50 f1.4 lens? I feel a bit left out that the K-3 II hasn't got any of the latest "...improved stability for general performance" updates that the other bodies recently received Cheers, Terry

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08-01-2018, 04:38 PM	#2
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	The K3-II can already handle with the new 50mm lens.

08-01-2018, 04:42 PM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,582	gaweidert is correct the last firmware up date was a while ago: Pentax K-3 Firmware v1.30 Released Support for KAF4 lenses, including the DA 55-300mm PLM By PF Staff in Firmware Updates on Nov 24, 2016 Read more at: Firmware Updates \| PentaxForums.com _______________________ The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW is a professional full-frame prime lens designed to deliver impeccable image quality for today's demanding cameras. It is the first star-series full-frame prime lens of the digital era. The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW covers the full frame (24x36mm) format. On APS-C it works like a short telephoto lens. It features the latest KAF4 lens mount, which incorporates electromagnetic aperture control. In addition, this is the first Pentax lens to use a ring-type autofocus motor which delivers significantly more torque than previous SDM motors. Cameras compatible with this system are K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, KP, K-70, K-3, K-S2, K-S1 and K-50. For K-1, K-3 II, K-3, K-S2, K-S1 and K-50, the camera’s firmware must be upgraded to the latest version. If this lens is mounted on a camera without proper firmware upgrade, its diaphragm control mechanism becomes inactive, making it impossible to obtain correct exposure. Originally unveiled in February, 2017, the lens hit the market in July, 2018. Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-50mm-f14-sdm-aw.html#ixzz5MyP2Bd9e but nothing since then

08-01-2018, 06:52 PM	#4
sjwoodworth Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 107	But the most recent batch of firmware updates goes beyond KAF4 support, which the K1 for example got back at V1.20.

08-01-2018, 08:10 PM	#5
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	I agree -- but didn't the firmware say something like "optimizing operation with the DFA 50"? It could be a bug only in some cameras?

08-01-2018, 08:29 PM	#6
sjwoodworth Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 107	The most recent K-3II firmware is v.1.10, released August 2016: - Corresponded to [KAF4 lens mount] that is equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system. - Enable new lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE to shoot stable by updating firmware. - Improved stability for general performance. This firmware update looks identical to K1 v1.20, also released August 2016 I believe: - Corresponded to [KAF4 lens mount] that is equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system. - Enable new lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE to shoot stable by updating firmware. - Improved stability for general performance. Since then the K1 has had a couple more updates, including v.1.50, released just this July 2018: - Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA*50mmF1.4 SDM AW. - Improved stability for general performance. So it does look like it has something the K-3II doesn't have... Hopefully your suggestion is right that it's because it didn't have bugs that the others had. I haven't seen an explanation one way or the other. If anyone wants to send me a copy of the new lens I can be sure to get to the bottom of it

08-01-2018, 08:50 PM	#7
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Arguably the K-3 II is neglected in general; there were bugs in K-3 II operation I encountered early on, but it took them about a year & a half to issue a firmware update at all.

08-02-2018, 07:38 AM	#8
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by sjwoodworth - Improved stability for general performance. So it does look like it has something the K-3II doesn't have... That line seems to be copied and pasted into every release. They never tell us anything about what may or may not have been fixed. Quite possibly, nothing at all has been fixed...or, less likely, nothing needs fixing. As a result there is no way of knowing whether you need the update or not, either.

08-02-2018, 11:01 AM	#9
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	That's easy. You always need the update. It is a painless process if you just pay a little attention. This includes waiting a couple of days in case there is the occasional glitch in the software. 40 years of flashing roms from early motherboards through several camera brands without issue. There is way too much angst about firmware updates.

08-16-2018, 11:20 PM	#10
corvin Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	It's been maybe twenty minutes for me and I'm still getting a NOW LOADING flashing. (1.0 to 1.10) How long do I wait? What do I do? Is it bricked?

08-17-2018, 05:56 AM	#11
corvin Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	Ran all night and drained the battery. No update occurred (1.0 still). This is one of the early ones that needs to be sent in for service. I suspect that if they'll still take it in, they'll update the firmware when they fix it.