K-1 Upgrade Concern

cpoteet · 03-13-2019, 04:20 PM

I have not upgraded the K-1 firmware from ver 1.0 since I bought the camera.

I am a bit trepidatious about updating as the instructions on the Ricoh site say to make certain a full battery is in place before starting (no problem) and that if the "camera turns off due to lack of battery power, the camera will become inoperable. If this happens, a charge will be made for repairs even if within the warranty period (problem)".

If I use a full battery, should I be concerned; in other words, has anyone had a battery fail during upgrade?

Thank you.

MarkJerling · 03-13-2019, 04:30 PM

I have performed several firmware updates on my K-5 but have not yet done so on my K-1. I would have no hesitation doing so, provided I'm using a fully charged and healthy battery to do so.

There have, over the years, been several cases of cameras bricked due to firmware updating going wrong, but, with few exceptions, these occured when the instructions were not followed. There is, therefore, a minor risk with every firmware update, but so minor as to not prevent me from doing it.

Good luck!

Adam · 03-13-2019, 04:33 PM

If your battery isn't failing (i.e. old) and fully charged, you should be more than fine. The update doesn't take long.

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-13-2019, 04:36 PM

Charge your battery and just do it. Pentax wants you to update the firmware, just do it.

rawr · 03-13-2019, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by cpoteet

If I use a full battery, should I be concerned; in other words, has anyone had a battery fail during upgrade?

Don't worry too much about it. The upgrade process takes only about 2 minutes, not much chance of anything going wrong. And the camera won't let you do the firmware install if the battery doesn't have enough charge. So it's a very low risk procedure if you start with a full battery and follow the instructions.

I've done firmware upgrades several times now for K-1, same amount of times for K-5, K-3, and firmware upgrades for other cameras, plus other devices like flashes, lens accessories, GPS tools etc. Never had the procedure cause any damage.

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-13-2019, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Don't worry too much about it. The upgrade process takes only about 2 minutes, not much chance of anything going wrong. And the camera won't let you do the firmware install if the battery doesn't have enough charge. So it's a very low risk procedure if you start with a full battery and follow the instructions.

I've done firmware upgrades several times now for K-1, same amount of times for K-5, K-3, and firmware upgrades for other cameras, plus other devices like flashes, lens accessories, GPS tools etc. Never had the procedure cause any damage.

Just to emphasize, rawr has said it much better than I could.

pschlute · 03-13-2019, 05:09 PM

Charge your battery and upgrade. You get the benefits of Electronic Shutter and other tweaks too.

**clickclick** · 03-13-2019, 05:24 PM

Another confidence vote. If you're still truly paranoid, then just make sure it's a fully charged Pentax branded battery. And as already mentioned, the camera actually does a check on the battery to make sure it's happy. Follow the directions, and you'll be fine.

cpoteet · 03-13-2019, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by clickclick

Another confidence vote. If you're still truly paranoid, then just make sure it's a fully charged Pentax branded battery. And as already mentioned, the camera actually does a check on the battery to make sure it's happy. Follow the directions, and you'll be fine.

Thanks to all, I shall go forth and upgrade.

**DW58** · 03-13-2019, 06:08 PM - **3 Likes**

There probably is no one on this planet more technologically challenged than yours truly. I'm over 60 years old and the last 15 years I spent farming. First DSLR I bought was the K-50 in 2015. DECEMBER of 2015. Bought my first "smart" phone two years ago. A MOTOROLA!!! My K -1 upgrade went smoothly. You can do this.

rawr · 03-13-2019, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by cpoteet

Thanks to all, I shall go forth and upgrade.

For additional re-assurance, PentaxForums have a firmware update guide with a Youtube video on updating Pentax firmware step-by-step. The basics are much the same for K-1 as previous Pentaxes:

You Tube

**lithedreamer** · 03-13-2019, 09:02 PM

I have an AC Adapter for my K-1 and will probably use that the next time I update (out of an abundance of caution). That said, I’ve updated my K-x, my K-30, and my K-1 without issue ever.

MrB1 · 03-13-2019, 09:45 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lithedreamer

I have an AC Adapter for my K-1 and will probably use that the next time I update (out of an abundance of caution).

Wouldn't the power supply from a fully-charged battery be smoother and more reliable than that from the mains supply?

Philip

Leumas · 03-13-2019, 10:09 PM

I've done many firmware updates, some not even on a full battery. It's quick and easy. Wouldn't fret at all.

**lithedreamer** · 03-13-2019, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by MrB1

Wouldn't the power supply from a fully-charged battery be smoother and more reliable than that from the mains supply?

Philip

As I recall, it just switches back to battery power if the AC adapter is unplugged.

03-13-2019, 04:20 PM	#1
cpoteet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 100	K-1 Upgrade Concern I have not upgraded the K-1 firmware from ver 1.0 since I bought the camera. I am a bit trepidatious about updating as the instructions on the Ricoh site say to make certain a full battery is in place before starting (no problem) and that if the "camera turns off due to lack of battery power, the camera will become inoperable. If this happens, a charge will be made for repairs even if within the warranty period (problem)". If I use a full battery, should I be concerned; in other words, has anyone had a battery fail during upgrade? Thank you.

03-13-2019, 04:33 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	If your battery isn't failing (i.e. old) and fully charged, you should be more than fine. The update doesn't take long. 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:

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03-13-2019, 04:30 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	I have performed several firmware updates on my K-5 but have not yet done so on my K-1. I would have no hesitation doing so, provided I'm using a fully charged and healthy battery to do so. There have, over the years, been several cases of cameras bricked due to firmware updating going wrong, but, with few exceptions, these occured when the instructions were not followed. There is, therefore, a minor risk with every firmware update, but so minor as to not prevent me from doing it. Good luck!

03-13-2019, 04:36 PM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Charge your battery and just do it. Pentax wants you to update the firmware, just do it.

03-13-2019, 04:38 PM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by cpoteet If I use a full battery, should I be concerned; in other words, has anyone had a battery fail during upgrade? Don't worry too much about it. The upgrade process takes only about 2 minutes, not much chance of anything going wrong. And the camera won't let you do the firmware install if the battery doesn't have enough charge. So it's a very low risk procedure if you start with a full battery and follow the instructions. I've done firmware upgrades several times now for K-1, same amount of times for K-5, K-3, and firmware upgrades for other cameras, plus other devices like flashes, lens accessories, GPS tools etc. Never had the procedure cause any damage.

03-13-2019, 04:46 PM	#6
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by rawr Don't worry too much about it. The upgrade process takes only about 2 minutes, not much chance of anything going wrong. And the camera won't let you do the firmware install if the battery doesn't have enough charge. So it's a very low risk procedure if you start with a full battery and follow the instructions. I've done firmware upgrades several times now for K-1, same amount of times for K-5, K-3, and firmware upgrades for other cameras, plus other devices like flashes, lens accessories, GPS tools etc. Never had the procedure cause any damage. Just to emphasize, rawr has said it much better than I could.

03-13-2019, 05:09 PM	#7
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Charge your battery and upgrade. You get the benefits of Electronic Shutter and other tweaks too.

03-13-2019, 05:24 PM	#8
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Another confidence vote. If you're still truly paranoid, then just make sure it's a fully charged Pentax branded battery. And as already mentioned, the camera actually does a check on the battery to make sure it's happy. Follow the directions, and you'll be fine.

03-13-2019, 05:53 PM	#9
cpoteet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 100 Original Poster	Originally posted by clickclick Another confidence vote. If you're still truly paranoid, then just make sure it's a fully charged Pentax branded battery. And as already mentioned, the camera actually does a check on the battery to make sure it's happy. Follow the directions, and you'll be fine. Thanks to all, I shall go forth and upgrade.

03-13-2019, 06:08 PM - 3 Likes	#10
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,064	There probably is no one on this planet more technologically challenged than yours truly. I'm over 60 years old and the last 15 years I spent farming. First DSLR I bought was the K-50 in 2015. DECEMBER of 2015. Bought my first "smart" phone two years ago. A MOTOROLA!!! My K -1 upgrade went smoothly. You can do this.

03-13-2019, 09:02 PM	#12
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	I have an AC Adapter for my K-1 and will probably use that the next time I update (out of an abundance of caution). That said, I’ve updated my K-x, my K-30, and my K-1 without issue ever.

03-13-2019, 09:45 PM - 1 Like	#13
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	Originally posted by lithedreamer I have an AC Adapter for my K-1 and will probably use that the next time I update (out of an abundance of caution). Wouldn't the power supply from a fully-charged battery be smoother and more reliable than that from the mains supply? Philip

03-13-2019, 10:09 PM	#14
Leumas Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 454	I've done many firmware updates, some not even on a full battery. It's quick and easy. Wouldn't fret at all.

03-13-2019, 10:09 PM	#15
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by MrB1 Wouldn't the power supply from a fully-charged battery be smoother and more reliable than that from the mains supply? Philip As I recall, it just switches back to battery power if the AC adapter is unplugged.