[beholder3]

Nowadays DSLRs are really small computers and much of their functionality is software - firmware.

I personally believe that Pentax Ricoh has a very good opportunity to enchant their customers and prospective buyers by adding more options and features to firmware, since while software engineering is not free, many items are quite modest changes and seem to be much, much cheaper than full scale hardware changes.

Update:
Here is a fresh survey/poll to find out which option has the most fans behind them: Firmware Upgrade Feature Requests based on 2016 Status of Pentax DSLRs

And here are the current results: https://www.murvey.com/report?57ebb18722f26fe60195ab36&key=weEaR

So first of all here is my own little feature request list:


Exposure modes and options:

• a. aperture bracketing: offer aperture bracketing mode (in Tv mode with fixed ISO the brightness level still changes. We want same exposre overall, just with different apertures) (now covered in KP fw)
• b. focus bracketing: offer focus bracketing mode (n pictures, m size focus advance steps); maybe even add JPG focus stacking
• c. option to allow choosing any shutter speed when in M mode with flash or flash trigger attached on hot shoe; maybe display warning for noobs
• d. extended bracketing options: bring back the extended bracketing options from the K-5 series
• e. block shutter if SR is not ready yet: allow option to block shutter if SR is not ready yet
• f. maximum shutter time in AutoISO: provide option to choose maximum shutter time in AutoISO or TAv mode to set "maximum"/longest allowed shutter speed instead of "fixed" shutter speed as option. (now covered in KP fw)
• g. set EV offset for AutoISO: provide option to set EV offset for AutoISO (currently the low and high curves represent +1 EV and -1 EV shutter speeds; but it should be possible to set this offset manually in 0.5 EV steps between 0 and 5; with an SR which provides a 3 EV improvement to handheld shots it makes sense to offer something like this)
• h. mirror up on 10sec timer: allow option to have mirror up on 10sec timer just as it is on 2sec timer (yes, mirror up is there, but it would be more convenient if it was built into 10 sec timer).
• i. manual selection of seconds for self timer: allow manual selection of seconds for self timer (with auto mirror up) instead of fixed 2 and 10.
• j. multiexposure to use a mode "dark"
• k. maximum of 7 or even 9 instead of only 5 bracketing shots.
• l. increase maximum possible steps for bracketing from +/- 2 to +/- 3
• m. manual mode to go beyond 30 second shutter. Maybe add 45sec, 1min, 1.5min, 2min, 3min, 5min, 10min. Yes, we know there is bulb mode, but that requires external watch. (now covered in fw v1.40)
• n. astrotracer with interval shooting (as long as total duration is shorter than 5 min astrotracer capability); as next step to stacking of results in camera.
• n2. full electronic shutter (noiseless), especially for intervall shooting, to save lifetime of shutter: this actually happens for shots 2 and 3 of a pixelshift image, so why not offer it standalone?
• n4. composition adjustment bracketing
• n5. KP like in-camera noise reduction
• n6. shutter speed bracketing (now covered in KP fw)
• n7. electronic shutter in OVF mode(now covered in KP fw)

Raw:

• o. three separate DNG files for an HDR: option to allow saving three separate DNG files for an HDR instead of one combined
• p. 12bit versus 14bit RAWs option
• p2 smaller raw for square crop: not only metadata crop, but actual file reduction

Metering:

• q. advanced matrix metering: allow advanced matrix metering variants which do to target 18% grey but a ETTR logic with user choice of maximum % of pixels to clip in highlights. Default should be 1% and other options should include 0%, 0,1%, 0,25%, 0,5%, 1%, 2%, 5%. Suboption to define this overall or by RGB channel.

Autofocus:

• r. AF-Correction for Zoom lenses in 3 steps: allow AF-Correction for Zoom lenses in 3 step (close/medium distances/far) and for different focal lengths for zooms.
• s. keep autofocus points and grid in the K-1 type viewfinder illuminated in red all the time (especially for dark environments where black is no good) option
• t. software-focus-limiter: allow software-focus-limiter for macro lenses
• u. more customization of the autofocus in AF.C to include (reference the options in a Canon 5D3)
  • Accelerate/Decelerate Tracking: acceleration of adjusting focus (how quickly focus will be adjusted from near to far): see Making the most of Canon's new autofocus - 5Dmk3 and 1D
  • AF Point Auto Switching f ollowing/tracking of AF points when the subject is being handed over from one AF point to another see Making the most of Canon's new autofocus - 5Dmk3 and 1DX
• x. automated support for AF adjustments. The camera could shoot automated picture series of 21 pictures, each one with a plus one adjustement starting from -10 up to +10. User could select how many shots to be fired at one stage (e.g. 1-10 shots each). The camera should also automatically unfocus to one extreme position after each shot. This is what users today do and it is a pain to do manually.
• y. switch AF drive between SDM and screwdrive: allow user to switch AF drive between SDM and screwdrive for SDM lenses
• z. drive AF to target hyperfocal distance option (yes, this would require the camera to calculate subject distance a little bit more precise.
• aa. automatically tilt the selected AF point depending on landscape/portrait orientation of the camera
• aa2. extended autofocus adjustements to -20/+20

Video:

• bb. choose video SR between software SR and hardware SR: allow user to switch video SR between software SR and hardware SR (like K-5); yes fully understanding that this records SR noise; maybe display a warning for the noobs
• cc. Capture options: MJPEG/.avi and AVC/.mp4: allow user to choose between MJPEG/.avi and AVC/.mp4 video formats
• ee. video bitrates: allow user to choose one of three video bitrates
• ff. focus peaking during video: allow focus peaking during video capture (not only before)
• gg. microphone input level control during video: allow microphone input level control during video (not only before)
• hh. raw video streaming
• ii. magnification during video recording (full screen or smaller picture in picture)

Legacy/Historic and manual lenses:

• jj. allow non-open-aperture-metering with non-A-lenses, so that using them in Av-mode does not require pressing the green button any longer
• kk. Customable short list of focal lengths in the input focal length menu
• ll. manually enter the aperture for K/M lenses, so it matches what's on the aperture ring

Usability / Ergonomics:

• mm. two sets of User modes: allow RAW/Fx button to toggle between two sets of User modes switchable from the mode dial (adding a second set U4, U5 and U6)
• nn. switch between SD cards to write using button: allow user to switch between SD cards to write onto via press of a button (configurable button, at least Fx-button).
• oo. Fx-button to completely/quickly turn on/off the backside display: allow user to switch off info intermediary menu step or alternatively allow an Fx-button to completely turn on/off the backside display. Today it is three clicks.
• pp. More options for the Fx buttons
• qq. all camera settings to be saved by the user to a xml/txt file stored on the SD card and to load/import it later.
• rr. don't exit live view when accessing the Control Panel. Seriously, I feel sorry for my poor mirror when it has to go up and down just for a small settings change.
• ss. configure green button more flexibly than today, similar to Fx buttons
• tt. Catch-In-Focus with the back AF button
• uu. user to calibrate electronic level: provide option for user to calibrate electronic level if needed
• uu2. option to name folders and image files to start with date of shooting. Dates should allow for selection of a chosen format (e.g. YYYY-MM-DD or just YY-MM or MM-DD, or in the case of files, YYYY-MM-DD-hhmmss)
• uu3. format both cards at the same time

Viewing / Displaying / Live View:

• vv. overlay chosen focus point when viewing: option to display chosen focus point as overlay to photo playback on display and immediately center magnification view on this. We want to see over which part of the subject the focus point was (not just which one was chosen).
• ww. two picture synopsis: bring back the two picture synopsis from the K-5I
• xx. underexposure clipping: bring back the underexposure clipping display / zebras from the K-5
• yy. display timer in large on backside display: option to display timer in large on backside display for both self-timer modes, interval shooting and exposure times beyond 1 sec
• zz. RAW histogram: option to display RAW histogram instead of JPG histogram
• aaa. zoom in to used focus point: provide option to zoom in to focus point chosen in display, not always middle of picture
• bbb. allow diagonal scrolling again (like K-3) in view mode
• ccc. LV display gain for very dark environments option
• ddd. dark red color scheme for the backside display for night time shooting (now covered in fw v1.40)
• eee. focus peaking color: allow user to choose focus peaking color (now: white); red, yellow, green, blue
• fff. keep liveview magnification active once the shutter is pressed option (currently it jumps back out of magnification)
• ggg. Live bulb like Olympus has
• hhh. Allow CDAF operation on a magnified live view image
• iii. display ETTR headroom: option to display ETTR headroom on backside display (that is how much more you could expose the correct exposed picture without clipping to white; this picture would then be overexposed but could be corrected in post processing; based on RAW histogram)
• jjj. Option to keep the status screen on when half-pressing (later they could add an eye sensor) and the reverse as well: turn of status screen completely until a backside button is pressed.
• kkk. display declination and right ascension in AstroTracer mode
• 5:4 aspect ratio (Magazines!) and 1,3x Crop.

Flash:

• lll. built-in flash trigger wirelessly off camera flashes in PTTL HSS: option to have the built-in flash trigger wirelessly off camera flashes in PTTL HSS (not do HSS itself, but trigger the other one into HSS)
• mmm. activate center flash hotshoe pin HSS mode / shutter times: option to activate center flash hotshoe pin HSS mode / shutter times in addition to side pins (today beyond snyc time the center pin does not trigger anything) and regradless of recognizing an HSS capable flash); may display a noob warning
• nnn. limit/set longest shutter time when using slow sync: allow user to limit/set longest shutter time when using slow sync flash mode (currently goes up without limits)

Pixel Shift:

• ooo. setting a time delay between the four pixelshift images to allow flash usage (to be set in 0.25 second steps; between 0 and 6 seconds) and activate the center pin on the flash hotshoe for pixelshift.

Miscellaneous:

• qqq. Open source API for firmware
• rrr. STF-simulator: More creamy bokeh through dynamic aperture movement
• sss. dust alert function brought back
• ttt. Catch In Focus work with modern lenses that don't have an AF/MF switch.
• www. FAT32 Support.
• give pixelshifted images a file name appendix

Metadata and GPS:

• Add last known Position to Image: When using the GPS, store the last Position and include it in the Image, even if there is no fix available yet.
• xxx. Exif info editor and auto fill
• uuu. lens identification into the standard exif field "exif:LensModel" writing
• vvv. enter text notes for an image and put these into exif option
• ppp. improved focus distance data in the metadata / exifs
• Add the possibility to copy height, longitude and latitude (GPS Position Info) from one (RAW or JPG) image to another one (RAW or JPG) or a series of images. This comes in handy if you shoot a series of images and the fix occurs only after shooting a few frames and you want all images to have a near exact Position Info. It would help a lot to get missing position info into an already shot RAW image.

Do you have any more suggestions? I can add them to this intro post later to have a complete set.

Remember: Nothing which requires changes hardware. Nothing which sounds like a complete overhaul. Nothing about external software/apps. Stay realistic. Be positive and constructive. No whining.

Attached Images

 

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Last edited by beholder3; 02-19-2017 at 05:11 AM. Reason: added new entries

[Giklab]

2. That's Bracketing.
7. No idea why they even removed that one in the first place
10. Probably not gonna happen, as that's a Panasonic/Sony thing
11. Isn't that what High/Med/Low does already?
19. Yes please!
24. is the same as 4.
25. Pretty sure you can do that already.
32. Not gonna happen.
44. Same
49. What exactly would be the purpose of that? o.O

[joergens.mi]

Improve the firmware interface, hat apps can used as simple remote release in all modes - loike the electrical one in the camera.

as small correction to your point 1. K1 has 5 user modes, therefore it must be u6, u7, ..., u10


@Gijlab
2 ist not bracketing - save the raws of an hdr as 3 pictures, it is also important for PSR with 4 pictures
24 is not the same as 4
49 using flashes

[Adam]

Great idea for a thread! Here's my suggestion:

• Don't exit live view when accessing the Control Panel. Seriously, I feel sorry for my poor mirror when it has to go up and down just for a small settings change.
• Allow CDAF operation on a magnified live view image
• Option to keep the status screen on when half-pressing (later they could add an eye sensor)

Hopefully we don't see suggestions like "put the K-3 II's improved AF in the K-3" because that won't happen. Pentax isn't in the business of discouraging users from upgrading to a newer model that has an upgraded feature

BTW, you should keep the list in the first post updated with suggestions from user replies that you think are worthwhile. (and also remove any suggestions that we agree aren't realistic)

I'll follow up with some additional comments in a separate post, to keep this one tidy.

Open source API for firmware

You're funny!

Adam
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[Adam]

option to allow saving three separate DNG files for an HDR instead of one combined

I second @Giklab 's comment that this is equivalent to bracketing, likely won't be added for that reason, and should be removed from the list to keep it concise.

allow user to choose one of three video bitrates

Or at least allow for raw video streaming, which would save Pentax from having to research other codecs.

allow user to switch video SR between software SR and hardware SR (like K-5); yes fully understanding that this records SR noise; maybe display a warning for the noobs

I'd classify this as a hardware issue, not a firmware issue.

allow user to choose between MJPEG and AVCHD video format

Isn't AVCHD proprietary?

allow option to block shutter if SR is not ready yet

It's always ready these days, isn't it?

allow focus peaking during video capture (not only before)

Yes please, and magnification too.

allow user to switch between SD cards to write onto via press of a button (configurable button, at least Fx-button).

Or at least in the menu, I'd be happy with that too.

allow non-open-aperture-metering with non-A-lenses, so that using them in Av-mode does not require pressing the green button any longer

This is already possible, assuming the lenses have a manual diaphragm. Right?

allow setting a time delay between the four pixelshift images (to be set in 0.25 second steps; between 0 and 6 seconds) and activate the center pin on the flash hotshoe to allow flash usage for pixelshift.

This will never happen because you'd just be increasing the likelihood of getting artifacts. Or maybe not, I hope Pentax proves me wrong.

bring back the underexposure clipping display / zebras from the K-5

Isn't this already available through the shadow/highlight alert?

allow more customization of the autofocus in AF.C to include (reference the options in a Canon 5D3)

Another hardware-related suggestion.

following/tracking of AF points when the subject is being handed over from one AF point to another

Already possible on the K-3 and K-3 II (and properly displayed on the K-1).

automated support for AF adjustments. The camera could shoot automated picture series of 21 pictures, each one with a plus one adjustement starting from -10 up to +10. User could select how many shots to be fired at one stage (e.g. 1-10 shots each). The camera should also automatically unfocus to one extreme position after each shot. This is what users today do and it is a pain to do manually.

I would love this too, but to be honest, it's too much work for an in-camera feature. They should add this feature to Image Transmitter 2.

allow AF-Correction for Zoom lenses in 3 step (close/medium distances/far)

And for different focal lengths.

[beholder3]

BTW, you should keep the list in the first post updated with suggestions from user replies that you think are worthwhile. (and also remove any suggestions that we agree aren't realistic)

I did update it.

I second @Giklab 's comment that this is equivalent to bracketing, likely won't be added for that reason, and should be removed from the list to keep it concise.

I do not see it as redundant as the raws in HDR are kind of backup anyway for the in camera created JPG which is the main difference to just a bracketing which fully relies on external software.
It is just that the 2/3/5-image-Raws are unnecessarily clumsy to use versus individual ones.

I'd classify this as a hardware issue, not a firmware issue.

It worked on the K-5. I believe it is a deliberate decision, not a hardware challenge.

Isn't AVCHD proprietary?

We currently have AVCHD. I just ant the option for MJPEG back (like we had in the K-5).

It's always ready these days, isn't it?

I dont think so. If it were why would you need an icon in the viewfinder to tell you all is fine?

This is already possible, assuming the lenses have a manual diaphragm. Right?

No. Even a fully mnauly lens without A position in Av Mode is always shot wide open even with the aperture ring set at F22.

Isn't this already available through the shadow/highlight alert?

The point is, they removed the shadow alert, which was there on a K-5. Go find it on your K-1.

Another hardware-related suggestion.

No, this is pure software logic.

[k22]

32 has my vote...make it a 1-step process

[Giklab]

We currently have AVCHD.

Nope, and honestly that's just fine, as AVCHD is an immense faff for most people.

[beholder3]

Ok, I correct my answer based on Wikipedia:

For video compression, AVCHD uses the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 standard, supporting a variety of standard, high definition, and stereoscopic (3D) video resolutions.

The Pentax DSLRs output AVC/H.264 (High@L4.0), which is the same standard used in AVCHD but the total is not exactly the same.

[Not a Number]

How do you know any of one these "improvement" is easy to implement?

[JBox]

@beholder3
Which DSLR model(s) are you wanting to target with these changes? All recent models? There is a thread for firmware suggestions focused on the K-1 here that has a lot of good ideas as well.

Number 32 is sort of a pet project for me. I posted an idea for implementing that here. There is also another whole thread about the basic idea here. It looks like there is interest after all!

[08amczb]

56. Software STF lens simulator (like software focus limiter)

44. Open source API for firmware

I think a plugin-api with proper access privilege management would be a game changer.
(I wouldn't add privilege to the wifi, and the shutter for the same plugin...)

[beholder3]

@beholder3
Which DSLR model(s) are you wanting to target with these changes? All recent models? There is a thread for firmware suggestions focused on the K-1 here that has a lot of good ideas as well.

For whatever models Ricoh decides. I have no illusions about us having any say in it. While I hope they would add more functionality at least for the latest top tier model via firmware upgrades, they might just do it for future models.

There is also another whole thread about the basic idea here. It looks like there is interest after all!

I added the few from that other thread that were missing and made sense.

[DeadJohn]

1) Allow manual mode to go beyond 30 second shutter. Maybe add 45sec, 1min, 1.5min, 2min, 3min, 5min, 10min. We already know the shutter and sensor can do this; bulb mode and the astrotracer can go way beyond 30 seconds.

2) Allow a "no delay between photos" setting to Interval Shooting. That's to fix the current limitation with long exposures, where if the interval is too short some images get skipped, and if the interval is too long you get gaps in things like star trails (for example with a 20 second shutter, 21 second intervals are too short, and 22 second intervals are too long). Alternately, similar functionality could be done via a new drive mode that begins continuous shooting with a shutter press, and ends it with a second shutter press. Update: I just read that this feature already exists https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/169-pentax-full-frame/322559-interval-sho...ml#post3666483

3) Let Catch In Focus work with modern lenses that don't have an AF/MF switch. (maybe this one needs a hardware change rather than a simple firmware change).

4) A menu option for automatic fine tuning of autofocus. It would have the camera alternate between PDAF and CDAF to calibrate the autofocus module.

[beholder3]

added the two new ones