[Yyh]

Dear all,

Can Pentax K-1 users/enthusiasts/experts please share your experience if you have a HD Pentax-D FA 70mm~210mm/F4 lens? I recently purchased this lens. The aperture seems to only stay at F4 even if I step it down. At first, I thought the lens was defective, so I had it replaced with a new one. Same issue again. What has happened is that under TAv, I get properly exposed images when I set aperture to F4. However, as I step down on the aperture, the image becomes brighter and brighter. The depth of field does not change, e.g. F32 has the same depth of field as F4. Another experiment I did was that after I get a properly exposed image at F4, I switch to M. I used the same shutter speed and ISO and stepped down on the aperture. Supposedly the image should become darker and darker, but all images look the same (in terms of lighting and depth of field). This confirms my believe that the aperture of the lens does not change under the command of the camera. Anyone ran into the same problem? I learned that there is a firmware update that can optimize this lens. I assume it will fix the communication problem between the lens and the camera body. But I am afraid to do it as firmware update sounds quite dangerous; it can cause serious damage to the camera if not careful. Thank you for any advice you will be able to provide!

Kind regards

[pschlute]

learned that there is a firmware update that can optimize this lens

Update to the latest firmware.

But I am afraid to do it as firmware update sounds quite dangerous

It is not dangerous . It is how cameras have been updated for years.

[mlag]

The firmware update comes with Instructions you should follow.
Most important is not to interupt it, an half software doesn’t work. Hence the need for full charged battery.
See here how to
Firmware Updates: Pentax K-1 II, K-1, KP, K-70, K-3 II, K-3 - Firmware Updates | PentaxForums.com

[Yyh]

Update to the latest firmware.



It is not dangerous . It is how cameras have been updated for years.

I have never updated the firmware (I purchased my K-1 more than 5 years ago). I did not find a need to do it. I am hoping to confirm if the update can solve the problem before I proceed. How long does it take to update? The instruction says to have a fully charged battery and absolutely no interruption during the update as interruption will result in an inoperable camera. This sounds intimidating ...

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Last edited by Yyh; 11-04-2022 at 01:35 PM.

[pschlute]

I have never updated the firmware (I purchased my K-1 more than 5 years ago). I did not find a need to do it, but now it looks like I have to. How long does it take to update? The instruction says to have a fully charged battery and absolutely no interruption during the update as interruption will result in an inoperable camera. This sounds intimidating ...

Updates take about two minutes. or less

With a modern camera like the K-1 It won't allow you to update with a sub optimal battery.

[Kevin B123]

I have never updated the firmware (I purchased my K-1 more than 5 years ago). I did not find a need to do it, but now it looks like I have to. How long does it take to update? The instruction says to have a fully charged battery and absolutely no interruption during the update as interruption will result in an inoperable camera. This sounds intimidating ...

It's quite a simple procedure and only takes a couple of minutes.
Make sure the SD card is formatted before you put the firmware in the root of the card, and follow the instructions.

This lens is KAF4 and newer that the camera, so it's essential to make it work.

[mlag]

I have never updated the firmware (I purchased my K-1 more than 5 years ago). I did not find a need to do it, but now it looks like I have to. How long does it take to update? The instruction says to have a fully charged battery and absolutely no interruption during the update as interruption will result in an inoperable camera. This sounds intimidating ...

Old cameras that need support for new (as appeared on market after the camera) lenses are indeed a good reason...

The duration of reading the new firmware until the camera indicates it is ok (see also instructions) is several minutes, important is to wait till camera indicates ready. Never remove sdcard or battery, or start pushing buttons during this phase because you "think" it is slow, it needs to read 100% of the firmware and activate it. Patience , even if the camera is not saying much , just give’it plenty of time to finish. Go for a cup of coffee, thee or maybe a beer... unfortunately there is no progress bar on pentax camera during firmware-updates , so all you can do is wait till it’s saying ready.

The whole process, from download , copying ...etc can be done in 15 20 minutes. Might vary a bit per camera type and how quick you are in reading+following instructions . Avoid doing it when you are time constrained or stressed.., not just before your next big photoshoot, or ...
Check also size of sd card, it should be larger than the firmware: 32 MB or more.
And it is ok to load latest version at once...., it is not a problem that you missed older updates.

[AfterPentax Mark II]

Ricoh states that for the DFA 70-210mm F4 to work with the K-1 you need to update the firmware. I guess that can also be found in the manual that accompanied the lens. The behaviour you described is the result of not preparing the camera to work with the lens.

[UncleVanya]

KAF4 lenses use an electronically controlled shutter. The firmware adds support for that. You are missing a lot of functionality and keeping bugs in the camera if you don't update. Below I have copied the release notes for all the firmware updates of the K-1. I have highlighted stability or bugfixes and left the enhanced features in a normal font except for the KAF4 feature which I bolded and highlighted.

Changes to V2.00
[Enhanced features]

Added limited function [Grad ND Shooting].
* A special activation key (release key) obtained from a website or other source is required to activate the limited functions.
Note: The Grad ND Shooting activation key issuance is a service that will be launched first in Japan. the launch of this service outside of Japan has not yet been determined.
* Added custom image Special Edition [KYUSHU]. For more details click here
* It can be used when attaching the following compatible lenses.
HD PENTAX FA 43mmF1.9 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 70mmF2.4 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 Limited
HD PENTAX-DA 21mmF3.2 AL Limited

[Others]
Improved stability for general performance.

* When this update is done, the contents of version 1.70 and earlier will be also updated.
* When this update is done, you will not be able to restore back to version 1.70 or earlier.

Changes to V1.70
[Enhanced features]

Added [KATEN] to Custom Image.
For more details click here
* It can be used when attaching the following compatible lenses.
HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR
HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited
Changes to V1.60
[Enhanced features]

Added [SATOBI] to Custom Image.
[Others]

Improved stability for general performance.

Changes to V1.55
Optimized focus operation for new lens HD PENTAX-DA*16-50mmF2.8 ED PLM AW lens.
Improved stability for general performance.

Changes to V1.54
Optimized focus operation for new lenses HD PENTAX-FA 31 mm F1.8 Limited, HD PENTAX-FA 43 mm F1.9 Limited, HD PENTAX-FA 77 mm F1.8 Limited lenses and smc PENTAX-FA 31mm F1.8AL limited, smc PENTAX-FA 43mm F1.9AL limited and smc PENTAX-FA 77mm F1.8AL limited lenses.

Changes to V1.53
Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA*85mmF1.4ED SDM AW.
Improved stability for general performance


Changes to V1.52
Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-DFA70-210mmF4ED SDM WR.
Improved stability for general performance

Changes to V1.51
Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-DA*11-18mmF2.8ED DC AW

Changes to V1.50
Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA*50mmF1.4 SDM AW.
Improved stability for general performance.

Changes to V1.43
Corrected – Unstable performance may rarely occur in Movie mode or Live View status of still picture in firmware version 1.42.

Changes to V1.42
Corrected – Unstable performance may rarely occur in firmware version 1.41.

Changes to V1.41
[Enhanced features]

Correspond to Image Transmitter 2 version 2.3.0　
[Function enhancement/Additional item when using Image Transmitter 2 version 2.3.0 ]
- Drive mode change function.
- White balance change function.
- Custom image change function.
- Image recording format change function.
- JPEG recording size change function
- Recording image quality change function.
- Card slot setting function.
- Live view magnification change function.
- Focus fine adjustment function for live view.
- Focus assists setting function.
- Start and stop / file transfer for movie shooting. (Live view is incompatible)
Improved stability for general performance.　
*When this update is done, the contents of version 1.40 and earlier will be also updated.

Changes to V1.40
[Enhanced features]

Red-lighted LCD monitor display function
The PENTAX K-1 provides a red-lighted LCD monitor display function, which prevents the pupils of the photographer’s eyes from closing down after they have become accustomed to a dark environment during astrophotography.
Bulb timer function
The bulb timer function comes in handy when photographing celestial bodies or fireworks. The PENTAX K-1 allows the photographer to expend an exposure time up to 20 minutes in Bulb mode.
*For more details click here

[Others]

During slow shutter speeds the PENTAX K-1 features white dot noise reduction processing. (*1)
Overall Improved stability for general performance.
*1: When Slow Shutter Speed NR is OFF and JPEG image.


Changes to V1.30
[Enhanced features]

The Electronic Shutter can be selected at the Menu to reduce camera shake from the mechanical shutter when shooting with Live View mode.
Added and selectable [Square format (1:1)] size at the Crop mode.
Addition to the current [3 frames bracketing (OFF, TYPE1, TYPE2)], the [2 frames bracketing (OFF, TYPE2)] is added and selectable for the [AA Filter Simulator bracketing]
At the [BKT] setting, the bracketing range [±0 (=single frame)] can be selected.
*For more details click here

[Others]

Improved stability for general performance.

Changes to V1.20
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.

Changes to V1.10
Corresponded to IMAGE Transmitter 2 (Version2.2.0)
Correspond to PENTAX Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®(Simple Version)（Version1.1.0）
Improved stability for general performance.

[Yyh]

Ricoh states that for the DFA 70-210mm F4 to work with the K-1 you need to update the firmware. I guess that can also be found in the manual that accompanied the lens. The behaviour you described is the result of not preparing the camera to work with the lens.

Thank! I found on this page https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/hd-pentax-d-fa-70-210mm-f4-ed-sdm-wr/ the following information (not found in the manual)

*This lens features a KAF4 lens mount compatible with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system. 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.

Exactly the issue I ran into!

[Paul the Sunman]

You really can't complain about a camera if you refuse to update to the recommended firmware. Most of us on this forum have done it tens of times without fuss or incident. It's a normal part of camera ownership.

[Oldbayrunner]

If your too intimidated to update, take it to a camera shop and have them do it.

[kmarceau]

As others have pointed out, you are missing out on performance improvements and, in some cases, added functionality if you don’t update your camera’s firmware. Just follow the instructions and perform the firmware update.
Your problem will be solved.

[UncleVanya]

At least it isn’t Sony where until recently all updates required a laptop or desktop and is compatibility was often an issue.

[Yyh]

Thanks to all. I updated my firmware to version 2.0. It is straightforward and took less than a minute to complete. Now my D-FA 70mm~210mm/F4 lens is working properly!