Will it brick my K-1 if I apply K-1 Mark II firmware upgrade to it?

tax · 05-25-2018, 06:53 AM

I am happy with my existing K-1, but I would like to get an updated AF algorithms provided with K-1 Mark II.
What would happen If I try to apply K-1 Mark II firmware upgrade v102 to my plain K-1. Will it turn it into a brick?

Last edited by tax; 05-25-2018 at 07:07 AM.

**jatrax** · 05-25-2018, 07:03 AM

Most unlikely that Ricoh would allow that to happen. But let us know what happens.

I would expect the camera to check the firmware and refuse to install it unless it is for the correct model. That is the way it has always been.

And I'm not sure it would do you any good anyway, I believe any new "algorithms" would be using the accelerator chip in the MK II, which is not present in the MK I. Just my thoughts, and until someone is brave enough to try I do not think anyone can actually say for sure.

normhead · 05-25-2018, 07:07 AM - **1 Like**

With the different hardware on board, that would just be a disaster waiting to happen, even if Pentax didn't make it impossible.

D1N0 · 05-25-2018, 07:29 AM - **1 Like**

It probably would if you could.

**Bob 256** · 05-25-2018, 07:30 AM

The sad thing is that most likely, since the K-1II has come out, we won't see any more firmware updates for the K-1. I hope Ricoh proves me wrong, but that is the way with many other manufactures (and Ricoh would like to promote conversions of K-1s to K-1IIs).

I wouldn't take chances on using K-1II firmware on a K-1 (unless specifically endorsed by Ricoh) since that firmware may rely on hardware the K-1 doesn't have, and as said, the firmware probably has prohibitions preventing its use on other platforms. For all practical purposes, it's about like trying K-1 firmware on a K-3 (not quite, but technically the K-1II is a different camera than the K-1).

**ffking** · 05-25-2018, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

The sad thing is that most likely, since the K-1II has come out, we won't see any more firmware updates for the K-1. I hope Ricoh proves me wrong, but that is the way with many other manufactures (and Ricoh would like to promote conversions of K-1s to K-1IIs).

I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them?

normhead · 05-25-2018, 08:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ffking

I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them?

There was one that enabled my K-3 to use KAF4 on my DA 55-300 PLM. But, that being said, if the choice is between "get it right the first time" and continuous updates, I vote for "get it right the first time."

**BigMackCam** · 05-25-2018, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by ffking

I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them?

As Norm says, there was a K-3 update for KAF4 compatibility after the K-3II had been released, and an equivalent update for the K-3II. Nothing since then, but then again it was already a mature platform - so pretty much to be expected...

Not a Number · 05-25-2018, 11:01 AM

I don't think the K-3II firmware will install on the K-3. Or the K-5II or K-5IIs firmware on the K-5. I don't think anybody has been foolish enough to try it or at least admit to trying it. Odds are the K-1 won't accept the K-1II firmware. I suppose you could always hack the firmware code. Isn't there a way to load the K-50 firmware on the K-30?

Tan68 · 05-25-2018, 11:31 AM - **2 Likes**

I vote for : camera would not allow installation of incorrect firmware.

As for this....

Originally posted by Not a Number

... or at least admit to trying it. ...

I think most people would quietly exit the room if they made a fubar on their camera.
Still.. someone out there would bleat to heaven if they were ALLOWED to make fubar..
So Pentax is surely smart enough to prevent people sticking their finger in the electric socket..

normhead · 05-25-2018, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by Tan68

I vote for : camera would not allow installation of incorrect firmware.

As for this....

I think most people would quietly exit the room if they made a fubar on their camera.
Still.. someone out there would bleat to heaven if they were ALLOWED to make fubar..
So Pentax is surely smart enough to prevent people sticking their finger in the electric socket..

Makes you wonder when the event happened that caused Pentax to take this precaution.

**gaweidert** · 05-25-2018, 12:31 PM

The file names are different so It probably won't even attempt the upgrade.

E-man · 05-25-2018, 03:47 PM - **1 Like**

Given that Pentax is pimping the K1-II conversions pretty heavily--and can make money off of that, I'd be very, very surprised if that firmware update would even work. And if it were my camera, I wouldn't even think of trying it. I still remember how sickened I was when I bricked my lowly *istDL on a botched firmware update six years ago. Don't do it, Don't Do It, DON'T DO IT!!!

awscreo · 05-25-2018, 04:47 PM

It's very sad that we didn't get any fw updates in ages. I would be really upset if we won't get anything with release of the new body. "old" flagship is already forgotten? Olympus supported my EM1 for over two years, even with new bodies coming out every few month, and features kept it relevant.

rawr · 05-25-2018, 05:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by awscreo

Olympus supported my EM1 for over two years

Two years firmware updates is no big deal.

From what I can tell, the K-5 got four years of firmware updates 2010 to 2014 (v1.01 to v1.16), K-3 got updates 2013-2016 (v1.01 - v1.3), 645Z got firmware updates 2014-2017 (v1.10-v1.30). Even the modest K-x got three years of firmware updates from Pentax after launch (2009-2012 - v1.01 to v1.03).

Some of those firmware updates (eg to K-5 v1.01 and K-3 v1.02, v1.10, v1.3) added new features and capabilities, weren't just bug-fixes. K-1 has also been down a similar feature-adding path with v1.3, v1.4 firmware too.

05-25-2018, 06:53 AM	#1
tax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Photos: Albums Posts: 113	Will it brick my K-1 if I apply K-1 Mark II firmware upgrade to it? I am happy with my existing K-1, but I would like to get an updated AF algorithms provided with K-1 Mark II. What would happen If I try to apply K-1 Mark II firmware upgrade v102 to my plain K-1. Will it turn it into a brick? Last edited by tax; 05-25-2018 at 07:07 AM.

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05-25-2018, 07:03 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Most unlikely that Ricoh would allow that to happen. But let us know what happens. I would expect the camera to check the firmware and refuse to install it unless it is for the correct model. That is the way it has always been. And I'm not sure it would do you any good anyway, I believe any new "algorithms" would be using the accelerator chip in the MK II, which is not present in the MK I. Just my thoughts, and until someone is brave enough to try I do not think anyone can actually say for sure.

05-25-2018, 07:07 AM - 1 Like	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	With the different hardware on board, that would just be a disaster waiting to happen, even if Pentax didn't make it impossible.

05-25-2018, 07:29 AM - 1 Like	#4
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It probably would if you could.

05-25-2018, 07:30 AM	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	The sad thing is that most likely, since the K-1II has come out, we won't see any more firmware updates for the K-1. I hope Ricoh proves me wrong, but that is the way with many other manufactures (and Ricoh would like to promote conversions of K-1s to K-1IIs). I wouldn't take chances on using K-1II firmware on a K-1 (unless specifically endorsed by Ricoh) since that firmware may rely on hardware the K-1 doesn't have, and as said, the firmware probably has prohibitions preventing its use on other platforms. For all practical purposes, it's about like trying K-1 firmware on a K-3 (not quite, but technically the K-1II is a different camera than the K-1).

05-25-2018, 07:38 AM	#6
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by Bob 256 The sad thing is that most likely, since the K-1II has come out, we won't see any more firmware updates for the K-1. I hope Ricoh proves me wrong, but that is the way with many other manufactures (and Ricoh would like to promote conversions of K-1s to K-1IIs). I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them?

05-25-2018, 08:29 AM - 1 Like	#7
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by ffking I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them? There was one that enabled my K-3 to use KAF4 on my DA 55-300 PLM. But, that being said, if the choice is between "get it right the first time" and continuous updates, I vote for "get it right the first time."

05-25-2018, 09:38 AM	#8
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by ffking I think there was one firmware update for the K-3 after the K-3ii came out, but nothing since, for sure - for either of them? As Norm says, there was a K-3 update for KAF4 compatibility after the K-3II had been released, and an equivalent update for the K-3II. Nothing since then, but then again it was already a mature platform - so pretty much to be expected...

05-25-2018, 11:01 AM	#9
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I don't think the K-3II firmware will install on the K-3. Or the K-5II or K-5IIs firmware on the K-5. I don't think anybody has been foolish enough to try it or at least admit to trying it. Odds are the K-1 won't accept the K-1II firmware. I suppose you could always hack the firmware code. Isn't there a way to load the K-50 firmware on the K-30?

05-25-2018, 11:31 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Tan68 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 501	I vote for : camera would not allow installation of incorrect firmware. As for this.... Originally posted by Not a Number ... or at least admit to trying it. ... I think most people would quietly exit the room if they made a fubar on their camera. Still.. someone out there would bleat to heaven if they were ALLOWED to make fubar.. So Pentax is surely smart enough to prevent people sticking their finger in the electric socket..

05-25-2018, 11:52 AM	#11
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Tan68 I vote for : camera would not allow installation of incorrect firmware. As for this.... I think most people would quietly exit the room if they made a fubar on their camera. Still.. someone out there would bleat to heaven if they were ALLOWED to make fubar.. So Pentax is surely smart enough to prevent people sticking their finger in the electric socket.. Makes you wonder when the event happened that caused Pentax to take this precaution.

05-25-2018, 12:31 PM	#12
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	The file names are different so It probably won't even attempt the upgrade.

05-25-2018, 03:47 PM - 1 Like	#13
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	Given that Pentax is pimping the K1-II conversions pretty heavily--and can make money off of that, I'd be very, very surprised if that firmware update would even work. And if it were my camera, I wouldn't even think of trying it. I still remember how sickened I was when I bricked my lowly *istDL on a botched firmware update six years ago. Don't do it, Don't Do It, DON'T DO IT!!!

05-25-2018, 04:47 PM	#14
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	It's very sad that we didn't get any fw updates in ages. I would be really upset if we won't get anything with release of the new body. "old" flagship is already forgotten? Olympus supported my EM1 for over two years, even with new bodies coming out every few month, and features kept it relevant.

05-25-2018, 05:28 PM - 1 Like	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by awscreo Olympus supported my EM1 for over two years Two years firmware updates is no big deal. From what I can tell, the K-5 got four years of firmware updates 2010 to 2014 (v1.01 to v1.16), K-3 got updates 2013-2016 (v1.01 - v1.3), 645Z got firmware updates 2014-2017 (v1.10-v1.30). Even the modest K-x got three years of firmware updates from Pentax after launch (2009-2012 - v1.01 to v1.03). Some of those firmware updates (eg to K-5 v1.01 and K-3 v1.02, v1.10, v1.3) added new features and capabilities, weren't just bug-fixes. K-1 has also been down a similar feature-adding path with v1.3, v1.4 firmware too.