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OoKU · 04-03-2018, 01:01 AM - **6 Likes**

**RobA_Oz** · 04-03-2018, 01:21 AM

Interesting and amusing that they have created their own “meandering bicycle” AF test, and that the K-1ii scores considerably better in it.

MoiVous · 04-03-2018, 01:33 AM

It gilds the K1 nicely - AF update, ISO improvement etc - and makes that main board update appealing (particularly those of us using the low light capability)

Thanks for sharing

DimC · 04-03-2018, 02:19 AM

Reading this review Im very curious to know if the AF improvement will be provided via a Firmware update.
PentaxKlub is suggesting that Ricoh Pentax reworked the AF algorythm from scratch and I dont know if this new Algorythm needs the Motherboard upgrade to work.

Better ISO performance in my "usable" range (up to 6400) seems better as well, I might set the Auto ISO valued to 8000 with this upgrade.

OoKU · 04-03-2018, 03:46 AM

Google translate
Google Translate

zazism_rx · 04-03-2018, 06:03 AM

Hah! due to the translation, I can't figure out if the author felt the AF has been improved or not. :|

Not a Number · 04-03-2018, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by DimC

Reading this review Im very curious to know if the AF improvement will be provided via a Firmware update.

That would depend on how much of the AF algorithms is in flashable firmware and how much is embedded in the AF hardware module itself.

CarlJF · 04-03-2018, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by zazism_rx

Hah! due to the translation, I can't figure out if the author felt the AF has been improved or not. :|

They say the AF feels faster than anything Pentax has done before. Reactivity is comparable to a Canon 5ds. Coverage is the same. More multiple AF points light up in auto mode. Tracking feels to be improved.

Overall, they feel the AF has been improved and is mostly on par with the competition. The main limiting factor now being the limited coverage of the AF points instead of the speed of the system.

joergens.mi · 04-03-2018, 06:53 AM - **1 Like**

Because the new AU unit must be supported, there will be a lot of changes in the firmware. I think there is no hope for a firmware upgrade on the old one. I assume, that a lot of picture calculation has been transferred to the AU. These freed-up resources in the Prime IV can be used for AF and other enhancements.

DimC · 04-03-2018, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

That would depend on how much of the AF algorithms is in flashable firmware and how much is embedded in the AF hardware module itself.

Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update !

Originally posted by CarlJF

They say the AF feels faster than anything Pentax has done before. Reactivity is comparable to a Canon 5ds. Coverage is the same. Multiple AF points lights up in auto mode. Tracking feels to be improved.

Overall, they feel the AF has been improved and is mostly on par with the competition. The main limiting factor now being the limited coverage of the AF points instead of the speed of the system.

That is a very good news because folks at PentaxKlub (as far as I know the team behind the site is only 2 or 3 people as admin) are usually pretty honest with their reviews and opinions. I've had the chance to meet one of them and we had some nice conversation about Pentax system, he was not trying to overlook Pentax issues and seemed very fair in his opinion.

I think I need to ask myself the following question : Am I ready to pay 550€ for a really improved AF system and 2/3 stop of high ISO improvement

that's a tough one !

repaap · 04-03-2018, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by DimC

Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update !

That is a very good news because folks at PentaxKlub (as far as I know the team behind the site is only 2 or 3 people as admin) are usually pretty honest with their reviews and opinions. I've had the chance to meet one of them and we had some nice conversation about Pentax system, he was not trying to overlook Pentax issues and seemed very fair in his opinion.

I think I need to ask myself the following question : Am I ready to pay 550€ for a really improved AF system and 2/3 stop of high ISO improvement

that's a tough one !

That is a big question...I would like that fraction better AF, but with that money I could buy new lens.........that high ISO sounds really good too thou, 2 stops is basically make it or not some times.

**monochrome** · 04-03-2018, 07:58 AM

My original plan was to use the KP for AF telephoto lenses, travel and casual photography and use the K-1 in M Mode (and Av Mode for m42 Lenses) with my large set of manual focus lenses and FA Limiteds. I would upgrade if the IQ improvement is worth $500, and the AF is enough of a sweetener. Otherwise my plan was fine the day before K-1ll was announced.

stevebrot · 04-03-2018, 08:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by DimC

Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update !

You mean the update that might require different hardware? I believe it is being offered as a cost-plus option for current K-1 owners.

Steve

**Erictator** · 04-03-2018, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by repaap

That is a big question...I would like that fraction better AF, but with that money I could buy new lens.........that high ISO sounds really good too thou, 2 stops is basically make it or not some times.

Hmmm... They did not seem to address the touted improvement of color accuracy in the review... and it would be interesting to know if the MkII is improved in that and if so, how.

Eric

**monochrome** · 04-03-2018, 08:29 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stevebrot

You mean the update that might require different hardware? I believe it is being offered as a cost-plus option for current K-1 owners.

Steve

You mean the clever mainboard hardware upgrade offer that - after much contemplation - caused my rational brain to overrule my lizard brain, cancel my K-1ll preorder, and opt to send my camera in to have installed?

04-03-2018, 01:01 AM - 6 Likes	#1
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740	Pentax K1 Mark II review [Test] Pentax K-1 II

04-03-2018, 06:49 AM	#8
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	Originally posted by zazism_rx Hah! due to the translation, I can't figure out if the author felt the AF has been improved or not. :\| They say the AF feels faster than anything Pentax has done before. Reactivity is comparable to a Canon 5ds. Coverage is the same. More multiple AF points light up in auto mode. Tracking feels to be improved. Overall, they feel the AF has been improved and is mostly on par with the competition. The main limiting factor now being the limited coverage of the AF points instead of the speed of the system. Last edited by CarlJF; 04-03-2018 at 07:00 AM.

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04-03-2018, 01:21 AM	#2
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Interesting and amusing that they have created their own “meandering bicycle” AF test, and that the K-1ii scores considerably better in it.

04-03-2018, 01:33 AM	#3
MoiVous Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	It gilds the K1 nicely - AF update, ISO improvement etc - and makes that main board update appealing (particularly those of us using the low light capability) Thanks for sharing

04-03-2018, 02:19 AM	#4
DimC Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 813	Reading this review Im very curious to know if the AF improvement will be provided via a Firmware update. PentaxKlub is suggesting that Ricoh Pentax reworked the AF algorythm from scratch and I dont know if this new Algorythm needs the Motherboard upgrade to work. Better ISO performance in my "usable" range (up to 6400) seems better as well, I might set the Auto ISO valued to 8000 with this upgrade.

04-03-2018, 03:46 AM	#5
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740 Original Poster	Google translate Google Translate

04-03-2018, 06:03 AM	#6
zazism_rx Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Kentucky, US Posts: 54	Hah! due to the translation, I can't figure out if the author felt the AF has been improved or not. :\|

04-03-2018, 06:33 AM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by DimC Reading this review Im very curious to know if the AF improvement will be provided via a Firmware update. That would depend on how much of the AF algorithms is in flashable firmware and how much is embedded in the AF hardware module itself.

04-03-2018, 06:53 AM - 1 Like	#9
joergens.mi Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 408	Because the new AU unit must be supported, there will be a lot of changes in the firmware. I think there is no hope for a firmware upgrade on the old one. I assume, that a lot of picture calculation has been transferred to the AU. These freed-up resources in the Prime IV can be used for AF and other enhancements.

04-03-2018, 07:02 AM	#10
DimC Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 813	Originally posted by Not a Number That would depend on how much of the AF algorithms is in flashable firmware and how much is embedded in the AF hardware module itself. Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update ! Originally posted by CarlJF They say the AF feels faster than anything Pentax has done before. Reactivity is comparable to a Canon 5ds. Coverage is the same. Multiple AF points lights up in auto mode. Tracking feels to be improved. Overall, they feel the AF has been improved and is mostly on par with the competition. The main limiting factor now being the limited coverage of the AF points instead of the speed of the system. That is a very good news because folks at PentaxKlub (as far as I know the team behind the site is only 2 or 3 people as admin) are usually pretty honest with their reviews and opinions. I've had the chance to meet one of them and we had some nice conversation about Pentax system, he was not trying to overlook Pentax issues and seemed very fair in his opinion. I think I need to ask myself the following question : Am I ready to pay 550€ for a really improved AF system and 2/3 stop of high ISO improvement that's a tough one !

04-03-2018, 07:49 AM	#11
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by DimC Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update ! That is a very good news because folks at PentaxKlub (as far as I know the team behind the site is only 2 or 3 people as admin) are usually pretty honest with their reviews and opinions. I've had the chance to meet one of them and we had some nice conversation about Pentax system, he was not trying to overlook Pentax issues and seemed very fair in his opinion. I think I need to ask myself the following question : Am I ready to pay 550€ for a really improved AF system and 2/3 stop of high ISO improvement that's a tough one ! That is a big question...I would like that fraction better AF, but with that money I could buy new lens.........that high ISO sounds really good too thou, 2 stops is basically make it or not some times.

04-03-2018, 07:58 AM	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	My original plan was to use the KP for AF telephoto lenses, travel and casual photography and use the K-1 in M Mode (and Av Mode for m42 Lenses) with my large set of manual focus lenses and FA Limiteds. I would upgrade if the IQ improvement is worth $500, and the AF is enough of a sweetener. Otherwise my plan was fine the day before K-1ll was announced.

04-03-2018, 08:03 AM - 1 Like	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by DimC Yep, very curious to know how Pentax will handle this firmware update ! You mean the update that might require different hardware? I believe it is being offered as a cost-plus option for current K-1 owners. Steve

04-03-2018, 08:20 AM	#14
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by repaap That is a big question...I would like that fraction better AF, but with that money I could buy new lens.........that high ISO sounds really good too thou, 2 stops is basically make it or not some times. Hmmm... They did not seem to address the touted improvement of color accuracy in the review... and it would be interesting to know if the MkII is improved in that and if so, how. Eric

04-03-2018, 08:29 AM - 2 Likes	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by stevebrot You mean the update that might require different hardware? I believe it is being offered as a cost-plus option for current K-1 owners. Steve You mean the clever mainboard hardware upgrade offer that - after much contemplation - caused my rational brain to overrule my lizard brain, cancel my K-1ll preorder, and opt to send my camera in to have installed?

Pentax K1 Mark II review

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