K1 usb cable usage

**jatrax** · 06-02-2016, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by rawr

I will now try this, and see if it works. Will report back in a few hours.

You are a brave man....................

stevebrot · 06-02-2016, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by rawr

The USB plug on the K-5 body, like the K-x, resembles a mini-B 4-pin connector, but looks to me like a proprietary, non-standard mini-plug (the supplied cable had a standard big USB2 Type A male plug on the other end though). So it's no surprise that a K-5 cable would not fit the K-1.

I think you may be correct regarding the K-5 cable. IIRC, the cable on my K10D was proprietary as well.

Steve

rawr · 06-02-2016, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

You are a brave man....................

Probably not. They must expect that any USB devices the camera connects to normally must carry some voltage.

Anyway, I plugged the K-1 into the wall-charger that I use for my other USB devices which is known to be low-power (ie it takes ages to charge anything), and the camera hasn't caught on fire yet. Battery I have in the K-1 is about 2/3 full, so we'll see in a while if it gets topped up.

When the camera is turned on while being 'charged', the top LCD comes on and I see 'Pc S' in the top left of the display, as well as the battery indicator. 'Pc S' must indicate the USB connection mode. None of the camera buttons work while connected to the USB (info, menu, shutter, GPS etc), and the viewfinder is blank. However in the viewfinder, the vertical and horizontal level indicators work, for some reason.

**jatrax** · 06-02-2016, 11:05 PM

Usb would be connected when tethered too so I wonder how that changes things. If the buttons do not work then tethering cannot work?? Maybe a setting change?

rawr · 06-03-2016, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

If the buttons do not work then tethering cannot work?? Maybe a setting change?

The USB mode in camera is set to the default MSC mode (Mass Storage Class). No buttons is normal for this mode: 'The camera cannot be operated while it is connected to a computer'.

If I set the USB mode to PTP before 'charging' the camera, the buttons will probably work, as the manual says tethering will work [with the right software] in PTP mode, which implies normal camera operation will be available.

rawr · 06-03-2016, 03:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rawr

so we'll see in a while if it gets topped up.

An update - attempting to power charge the camera via the USB port did nothing. In fact, running the camera with the USB powered up and plugged in, and the camera left on in that mode, drained the battery, rather than charged it. Not a surprise, really - but a pity nonetheless. Being able to charge in-body via USB would be handy sometimes while travelling or in the field.

**jatrax** · 06-03-2016, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by rawr

An update - attempting to power charge the camera via the USB port did nothing.

As expected. But thanks for testing.

Not a Number · 06-03-2016, 07:56 AM

It's not surprising that you can't charge the battery via USB. The USB charging spec is for 5V and Pentax batteries are usually around 8V. There is a USB power delivery spec which can supply 5V, 12V and 20V (spec 1 USB 1 and 2) or 5V, 9V, 15V or 20V (spec 2 with USB 3.1). These require a Power Delivery Aware cable and power supply. You would have to look at the output spec on the charger to see if it uses USB Power Delivery.

There is one PF member with the pet must have is USB charging. Even though I've mention the USB charging spec is 5V many times. You would have to use USB Power Delivery to charge the typical Pentax DSLR battery. If you don't have a Power Delivery aware cable and charging device (Power Delivery is bi-directional) then you have to carry around a cable and charger so you essentially gain nothing over carrying around a battery charger.

funktionsfrei · 06-03-2016, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

k-5 was mini-B I feel certain, though I no longer have a k-5 to check

Nope. That's a Pentax proprietary connector and not mini-B.

The K-5's socket carries AV and USB signals, and came with two separate cables, a proprietary plug to USB cable and a proprietary plug to two RCA ("cinch") connectors cable to connect the camera to old analogue TVs and/or VCRs.

Ricoh sells the cable as "I-AVC 7"
http://s2.media.ricoh-imaging.de/media/dd4ca59e7499662631c06d749f087f16;w400...eo_I-AV-C7.jpg

Not a Number · 06-03-2016, 01:14 PM

The connector on the I-USB7 cable is designated EC-U6 and can be bought off the shelf. Other cameras use the same connector but the pin outs may be different. It should not matter unless there are cross-overs of pins shorted for each companies specs.

I'm not sure if the I-AVC7 uses the same connector.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/297558...ml#post3283887

Edit: the I-AVC7 and I-USB7 use the same connector. The difference being is the AVC cable has RCA connectors for video and sound out.

gsande2016 · 07-13-2016, 02:31 PM

I thought initially that my K5 would work too, but as all found out it doesn't --- however rather than buying a new one right away I thought about my Kindle and alas it fits and it registers on my Mac.... so those that have kindles and a usb for them they can be used on the K1

dr5chrome · 11-03-2019, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by Ray Cox

According to the manual for the K1, a micro"B" cable is to be used to tether or transfer data. I have a micro usb b cable and it does not fit. Has anyone else encountered this issue?

Sorry to reopen this thread.. But most of the replies have me a little confused.

I got that the port on the K-1 was the same as a cell phone jack [not a mac].
So I tried my cord from my samsung - the cord did not fit ! As I understand the Samsung jack is a micro USB.

Cords online seem like the samsung plug, so i dont want to order them.

Does anyone know if best-buy carries this cord? Just as well go there with body in hand.

dw

rawr · 11-03-2019, 06:08 PM - **2 Likes**

For visual info, the K-1 port panel on the left hand side of the body uses the following USB and HDMI port plugs.

06-03-2016, 07:56 AM	#23
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It's not surprising that you can't charge the battery via USB. The USB charging spec is for 5V and Pentax batteries are usually around 8V. There is a USB power delivery spec which can supply 5V, 12V and 20V (spec 1 USB 1 and 2) or 5V, 9V, 15V or 20V (spec 2 with USB 3.1). These require a Power Delivery Aware cable and power supply. You would have to look at the output spec on the charger to see if it uses USB Power Delivery. There is one PF member with the pet must have is USB charging. Even though I've mention the USB charging spec is 5V many times. You would have to use USB Power Delivery to charge the typical Pentax DSLR battery. If you don't have a Power Delivery aware cable and charging device (Power Delivery is bi-directional) then you have to carry around a cable and charger so you essentially gain nothing over carrying around a battery charger. Last edited by Not a Number; 06-03-2016 at 08:24 AM.

06-03-2016, 01:14 PM	#25
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The connector on the I-USB7 cable is designated EC-U6 and can be bought off the shelf. Other cameras use the same connector but the pin outs may be different. It should not matter unless there are cross-overs of pins shorted for each companies specs. I'm not sure if the I-AVC7 uses the same connector. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/297558...ml#post3283887 Edit: the I-AVC7 and I-USB7 use the same connector. The difference being is the AVC cable has RCA connectors for video and sound out. Last edited by Not a Number; 06-03-2016 at 01:24 PM.

07-13-2016, 02:31 PM	#26
gsande2016 New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13	pentax K1 USB I thought initially that my K5 would work too, but as all found out it doesn't --- however rather than buying a new one right away I thought about my Kindle and alas it fits and it registers on my Mac.... so those that have kindles and a usb for them they can be used on the K1

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06-02-2016, 09:43 PM	#16
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by rawr I will now try this, and see if it works. Will report back in a few hours. You are a brave man....................

06-02-2016, 09:58 PM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rawr The USB plug on the K-5 body, like the K-x, resembles a mini-B 4-pin connector, but looks to me like a proprietary, non-standard mini-plug (the supplied cable had a standard big USB2 Type A male plug on the other end though). So it's no surprise that a K-5 cable would not fit the K-1. I think you may be correct regarding the K-5 cable. IIRC, the cable on my K10D was proprietary as well. Steve

06-02-2016, 10:35 PM	#18
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by jatrax You are a brave man.................... Probably not. They must expect that any USB devices the camera connects to normally must carry some voltage. Anyway, I plugged the K-1 into the wall-charger that I use for my other USB devices which is known to be low-power (ie it takes ages to charge anything), and the camera hasn't caught on fire yet. Battery I have in the K-1 is about 2/3 full, so we'll see in a while if it gets topped up. When the camera is turned on while being 'charged', the top LCD comes on and I see 'Pc S' in the top left of the display, as well as the battery indicator. 'Pc S' must indicate the USB connection mode. None of the camera buttons work while connected to the USB (info, menu, shutter, GPS etc), and the viewfinder is blank. However in the viewfinder, the vertical and horizontal level indicators work, for some reason.

06-02-2016, 11:05 PM	#19
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Usb would be connected when tethered too so I wonder how that changes things. If the buttons do not work then tethering cannot work?? Maybe a setting change?

06-03-2016, 12:04 AM	#20
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by jatrax If the buttons do not work then tethering cannot work?? Maybe a setting change? The USB mode in camera is set to the default MSC mode (Mass Storage Class). No buttons is normal for this mode: 'The camera cannot be operated while it is connected to a computer'. If I set the USB mode to PTP before 'charging' the camera, the buttons will probably work, as the manual says tethering will work [with the right software] in PTP mode, which implies normal camera operation will be available.

06-03-2016, 03:50 AM - 1 Like	#21
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by rawr so we'll see in a while if it gets topped up. An update - attempting to power charge the camera via the USB port did nothing. In fact, running the camera with the USB powered up and plugged in, and the camera left on in that mode, drained the battery, rather than charged it. Not a surprise, really - but a pity nonetheless. Being able to charge in-body via USB would be handy sometimes while travelling or in the field.

06-03-2016, 07:23 AM	#22
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by rawr An update - attempting to power charge the camera via the USB port did nothing. As expected. But thanks for testing.

06-03-2016, 09:34 AM	#24
funktionsfrei Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 183	Originally posted by jatrax k-5 was mini-B I feel certain, though I no longer have a k-5 to check Nope. That's a Pentax proprietary connector and not mini-B. The K-5's socket carries AV and USB signals, and came with two separate cables, a proprietary plug to USB cable and a proprietary plug to two RCA ("cinch") connectors cable to connect the camera to old analogue TVs and/or VCRs. Ricoh sells the cable as "I-AVC 7" http://s2.media.ricoh-imaging.de/media/dd4ca59e7499662631c06d749f087f16;w400...eo_I-AV-C7.jpg

11-03-2019, 04:51 PM	#27
dr5chrome Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 53	Originally posted by Ray Cox According to the manual for the K1, a micro"B" cable is to be used to tether or transfer data. I have a micro usb b cable and it does not fit. Has anyone else encountered this issue? Sorry to reopen this thread.. But most of the replies have me a little confused. I got that the port on the K-1 was the same as a cell phone jack [not a mac]. So I tried my cord from my samsung - the cord did not fit ! As I understand the Samsung jack is a micro USB. Cords online seem like the samsung plug, so i dont want to order them. Does anyone know if best-buy carries this cord? Just as well go there with body in hand. dw

11-03-2019, 06:08 PM - 2 Likes	#28
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	For visual info, the K-1 port panel on the left hand side of the body uses the following USB and HDMI port plugs.