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**Ray Cox** · 06-02-2016, 09:19 AM

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?

Adam · 06-02-2016, 09:26 AM - **1 Like**

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?

It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use.

If you used a USB2 cable with a K-3, that will also work with the K-1.

stevebrot · 06-02-2016, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by Adam

It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use.

~~Another thing to add to the "please fix" list? They need to correct/update the documentation!~~ Nope, nothing to fix...

Steve

**jatrax** · 06-02-2016, 10:51 AM

I cannot express my joy when my phone charger usb cable plugged right in!!!!!!! Just ordered a 16 ft cable to use in the studio for tethering.

**fs999** · 06-02-2016, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Another thing to add to the "please fix" list? They need to correct/update the documentation!

Or add the cable...

Not a Number · 06-02-2016, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by fs999

Or add the cable...

From what I've read here on PF EU regulations (to keep down eWaste) keeps Ricoh from including the cable. After tripping over piles of USB, networking and power cables unopened in the packages that were included with sundry devices it makes sense to me.

**fs999** · 06-02-2016, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

From what I've read here on PF EU regulations (to keep down eWaste) keeps Ricoh from including the cable. After tripping over piles of USB, networking and power cables unopened in the packages that were included with sundry devices it makes sense to me.

But if you don't have that cable, but tones of others, you have to buy it...

**Ray Cox** · 06-02-2016, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by fs999

But if you don't have that cable, but tones of others, you have to buy it...

I now have quite a collection of Pentax camera straps ( unused) but it is always a different cable requirement. I t would seem a lot easier to find a use for a cable!

rawr · 06-02-2016, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by Adam

It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use.

USB micro-E ? Never heard of that. Not sure it exists.

The new USB plug type they are introducing is Type-C ('one cable to rule them all'). The K-1 plug is certainly not one of those.

The Pentax K-1 plug is indeed a USB micro B, as the manual suggests. The 10 or so cables of mine with micro-B plugs can confirm.

**arnold** · 06-02-2016, 04:08 PM

None of my cables fitted the K1. Certainly not the K5 USB. What saved me was remembering my Kobo, and checking its cable. That fitted, so now they share. I would have appreciated an included cable with the K1

rawr · 06-02-2016, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by arnold

Certainly not the K5 USB.

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.

**jatrax** · 06-02-2016, 08:28 PM - **1 Like**

k-5 was mini-B I feel certain, though I no longer have a k-5 to check
k-3 was USB 3.0 but would also work with standard micro-b
k-1 is micro-b

Mini-a, ab and b connectors are now deprecated though still supported.
Micro-b is the de facto standard for small devices such as tablets, smartphones, cameras, etc. Except for Apple of course. My Sony RX100 uses the same cable as the K-1, and my tablet, and my phone. That is amazingly cool.

Type 'C' is the new bi-directional cable to replace all previous connectors. Eventually.

rawr · 06-02-2016, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

My Sony RX100 uses the same cable as the K-1, and my tablet, and my phone.

The same with me. Two oldish NEX, one RX-100, tablet, phone, K-1, PS4 controllers

- one cable.

Too bad I can't charge the K-1 via the same cable though, like I can all of the other devices and cameras.

**jatrax** · 06-02-2016, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Too bad I can't charge the K-1 via the same cable though, like I can all of the other devices and cameras.

Yeah, that would save taking another charger along. Wonder if that is possible...................

rawr · 06-02-2016, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Wonder if that is possible.

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

06-02-2016, 09:19 AM	#1
Ray Cox Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Utica,Il Posts: 184	K1 usb cable usage 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?

06-02-2016, 09:26 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	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? It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use. If you used a USB2 cable with a K-3, that will also work with the K-1. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-02-2016, 09:47 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Adam It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use. ~~Another thing to add to the "please fix" list? They need to correct/update the documentation!~~ Nope, nothing to fix... Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 06-02-2016 at 09:50 PM.

06-02-2016, 04:36 PM	#11
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by arnold Certainly not the K5 USB. 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. Last edited by rawr; 06-02-2016 at 04:45 PM.

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06-02-2016, 10:51 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I cannot express my joy when my phone charger usb cable plugged right in!!!!!!! Just ordered a 16 ft cable to use in the studio for tethering.

06-02-2016, 11:19 AM	#5
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,648	Originally posted by stevebrot Another thing to add to the "please fix" list? They need to correct/update the documentation! Or add the cable...

06-02-2016, 12:19 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by fs999 Or add the cable... From what I've read here on PF EU regulations (to keep down eWaste) keeps Ricoh from including the cable. After tripping over piles of USB, networking and power cables unopened in the packages that were included with sundry devices it makes sense to me.

06-02-2016, 12:47 PM	#7
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,648	Originally posted by Not a Number From what I've read here on PF EU regulations (to keep down eWaste) keeps Ricoh from including the cable. After tripping over piles of USB, networking and power cables unopened in the packages that were included with sundry devices it makes sense to me. But if you don't have that cable, but tones of others, you have to buy it...

06-02-2016, 02:50 PM	#8
Ray Cox Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Utica,Il Posts: 184 Original Poster	Originally posted by fs999 But if you don't have that cable, but tones of others, you have to buy it... I now have quite a collection of Pentax camera straps ( unused) but it is always a different cable requirement. I t would seem a lot easier to find a use for a cable!

06-02-2016, 03:56 PM	#9
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Adam It's actually a micro E connection, the type that smartphones use. USB micro-E ? Never heard of that. Not sure it exists. The new USB plug type they are introducing is Type-C ('one cable to rule them all'). The K-1 plug is certainly not one of those. The Pentax K-1 plug is indeed a USB micro B, as the manual suggests. The 10 or so cables of mine with micro-B plugs can confirm.

06-02-2016, 04:08 PM	#10
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	None of my cables fitted the K1. Certainly not the K5 USB. What saved me was remembering my Kobo, and checking its cable. That fitted, so now they share. I would have appreciated an included cable with the K1

06-02-2016, 08:28 PM - 1 Like	#12
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	k-5 was mini-B I feel certain, though I no longer have a k-5 to check k-3 was USB 3.0 but would also work with standard micro-b k-1 is micro-b Mini-a, ab and b connectors are now deprecated though still supported. Micro-b is the de facto standard for small devices such as tablets, smartphones, cameras, etc. Except for Apple of course. My Sony RX100 uses the same cable as the K-1, and my tablet, and my phone. That is amazingly cool. Type 'C' is the new bi-directional cable to replace all previous connectors. Eventually.

06-02-2016, 09:33 PM	#13
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by jatrax My Sony RX100 uses the same cable as the K-1, and my tablet, and my phone. The same with me. Two oldish NEX, one RX-100, tablet, phone, K-1, PS4 controllers - one cable. Too bad I can't charge the K-1 via the same cable though, like I can all of the other devices and cameras.

06-02-2016, 09:37 PM	#14
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by rawr Too bad I can't charge the K-1 via the same cable though, like I can all of the other devices and cameras. Yeah, that would save taking another charger along. Wonder if that is possible...................

06-02-2016, 09:39 PM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by jatrax Wonder if that is possible. I will now try this, and see if it works. Will report back in a few hours.

K1 usb cable usage

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