[Michael Piziak]

Seems like I read about it somewhere, that the K-1 could be upgraded to a K-1ii

Someone do tell please...
Also, if possible, what does it entail &/or what either physically or via software wise does it entail ?

[pschlute]

It was available for a short while at a price. Not available any more I don't think.

How old is your K-1 and what do you see are the benefits of the upgrade ?

[texandrews]

I upgraded mine. Cost $500usd. There was a specific window to do it, like a few months. It was so popular that they ran out of boards at least twice, causing some delays.

[Michael Piziak]

Thanks for the updates, folks.
I was simply intrigued by this - I don't own one, but am considering upgrading to the K-1.


I am interested in what the update did for the K-1. Could someone tell me. I already see that a board inside was replaced - so they must have done more than something simple, like a software upgrade...

[C_Jones]

The accelerator unit with the PRIME IV imaging engine of the K-1 II seemed to be the main component that was involved with the upgrade offer of the K-1.

I have the K-1 II. It is amazing.

[shyrsio]

The accelerator unit with the PRIME IV imaging engine of the K-1 II seemed to be the main component that was involved with the upgrade offer of the K-1.

I have the K-1 II. It is amazing.

Yes, and also an updated AF unit. In the tests there are mixed reviews about the accelerator unit, claiming that the images loose some detail from the "baked in" denoising process. And the autofocus ic somewhat faster on the K1ii, the difference is mostly noticed on the screw driven lenses.

[mikesbike]

I find rather than an update from APS-C, which in some respects it definitely is, both are actually valuable, each for different reasons. At last I got into FF because the price came down to such a comparatively reasonable level, and I'd had it in mind to do so for many years, due to my having many fine FF lenses already.

The K-1 II was already a bargain at about $2,000 for a FF DSLR of such extra-high resolution. Then a couple of years ago, it finally came down at about $200 off. The clincher for me was the HD DFA 28-105 WR lens when bought pre-packaged with the camera. This lens separately runs at about $500. With the prepackaged deal, I got the lens included for about $100 off as well. Although I have some old very good FA lenses in the same zoom range, this lens has excellent ratings, and with it I have a complete FF WR camera system. Just looking around at what is available in the world of FF camera options, it is not hard to see what a bargain this is, and for one of the best-built and best-performing camera models out there. And several useful extras were thrown in free, including a high-quality SD card and a very nice, generous-size camera and lens bag. I got mine from B&H, my usual source.

Now I am looking, and find the camera-body price still at $1,797 with the free extras, BUT, now the same free extras and with the fine FF HD DFA 28-105mm WR lens prepackaged, at only $1,997!! Now when bought prepackaged together- for just $200 more you get a $500 lens!! Talk about bargains! B&H closes on Friday afternoon until Sunday, I believe.

---

Last edited by mikesbike; 01-12-2023 at 01:42 PM.

[pschlute]

n the tests there are mixed reviews about the accelerator unit, claiming that the images loose some detail from the "baked in" denoising process

I own both K-1 and K-1 II. I have failed to see any difference in image quality between them.

I consider the argument against the "baked in" process to be half baked itself.

[mikesbike]

I own both K-1 and K-1 II. I have failed to see any difference in image quality between them.

I consider the argument against the "baked in" process to be half baked itself.

Ha, ha! Yes, indeed. If one does all RAW shooting and always does their own processing, there may be little difference. However, if sometimes or often shooting JPEG images right out of the camera, the new PRIME IV processor does a great job, especially if set up by fine-tuning the Custom Image menus, which I always do with all my Pentax DSLR models.

---------- Post added 01-12-23 at 02:18 PM ----------

I find rather than an update from APS-C, which in some respects it definitely is, both are actually valuable, each for different reasons.

Here are some examples of this- Lets say you do acquire a new K-1 II with the very fine WR lens. This will provide you with new capabilities over what you now have, but does not make what you have obsolete. The K-S2 is one fine little camera. And its being little can be an important advantage, according to what you are doing and the circumstances you are operating under.

Take for instance your excellent F 50mm f/1.7 lens, made for 35mm film or FF use. If wishing to use it for say portraits, on APS-C it is a very good FL, and offers very fine performance for this purpose with its quality imaging and large aperture availability. So throw it on your K-S2 and you are in great shape. OTOH, providing such a tele effect does not make it so good for general purpose, which is the case with APS-C. But it becomes the opposite when used in its original FF FOV! For this, and you want a fast-aperture, sharp, GP prime lens, throw this same lens onto your K-1 II and you've got it!

Your K-S2 does a fine job handling noise for low light use up to a point. For more challenging circumstances, your K-1 II with your F 50mm f/1.7 will easily out-distance what your K-S2 is capable of, and with a fast, sharp lens having fine edge-to-edge performance, offering more in the frame with a general-purpose FOV. Although you could put the DA 35mm f/2.4 on the K-S2 and get the same framed picture taken from the same spot as the 50mm lens on the K-1 II, but then you'd have f/2.4 availability instead of f/1.8 and taken with a 20mp camera instead of a 36mp camera! And that in addition to being far noisier at higher ISO settings!

Your K-S2 could still serve many uses. It has great features, including its articulating screen, and I think its selfie feature is neat and quite unique. It would make a great compact alternative and partner for a FF K-1 II. For telephoto use, the K-S2 would be much more practical, and with the right lens having fine IQ, far more useful than trying the same shots with bigger, more expensive lenses on the K-1 II. For other uses, including low-light/higher ISO scenarios, the K-1 II will blow away the K-S2. So with the combo, you would be ahead of the capability of the new K-3 III except for high-speed AF performance of action shots including burst shooting. IQ capability of the 20 mp K-S2 is very good, indeed. IQ of the K-1 II in the same framed shot is superb.

[C_Jones]

Yes, and also an updated AF unit. In the tests there are mixed reviews about the accelerator unit, claiming that the images loose some detail from the "baked in" denoising process. And the autofocus ic somewhat faster on the K1ii, the difference is mostly noticed on the screw driven lenses.

The deep crops that I get from my K-1 II images are excellent. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

---------- Post added 01-12-23 at 05:14 PM ----------

Thanks for the updates, folks.
I was simply intrigued by this - I don't own one, but am considering upgrading to the K-1.


I am interested in what the update did for the K-1. Could someone tell me. I already see that a board inside was replaced - so they must have done more than something simple, like a software upgrade...

This is a Pentax video that may show you some information (Pentax.EU site).

You Tube

You Tube