USB cable for K-1

lesmore49 · 02-28-2017, 03:45 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

To begin with, I'm disappointed that the K-1 is not shipped with a USB cord to transfer pictures from the camera's memory card to a computer.

My manual on page 86 says to..." Make sure you have a commercially available USB cable equipped with a micro B terminal."

I'm surprised that a USB cable wasn't shipped for the K-1 with the camera. But that was not the case. I've tried my USB cable I use with my K10D...and the part that fits into the K-1's body...will not fit. This particular USB cable fits and functions in my K5 and Km bodies, along with the K10D.

So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....?

**jlstrawman** · 02-28-2017, 04:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lesmore49

So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....?

The cable you need, like the manual says, is a micro USB cable, a very common cable that is used on many cell phones, such as my
Samsung Android phone. Should be able to find one an any cell phone or electronics store. I bought high quality
micro USB cords for under 10USD.

Adam · 02-28-2017, 04:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lesmore49

To begin with, I'm disappointed that the K-1 is not shipped with a USB cord to transfer pictures from the camera's memory card to a computer.

My manual on page 86 says to..." Make sure you have a commercially available USB cable equipped with a micro B terminal."

I'm surprised that a USB cable wasn't shipped for the K-1 with the camera. But that was not the case. I've tried my USB cable I use with my K10D...and the part that fits into the K-1's body...will not fit. This particular USB cable fits and functions in my K5 and Km bodies, along with the K10D.

So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....?

Here's the cable you need:
https://www.amazon.ca/Rankie-Premium-Charging-Samsung-Motorola/dp/B00UFG5GVM/

If you already have an android smartphone, the usb cable for that will work with the K-1.

**monochrome** · 02-28-2017, 04:19 PM - **1 Like**

The EU is trying to discourage 'wasteful' inclusion of cables packaged with electronic products. They'd like electronic manufacturers to standardize on a small number of connections and encourage consumers to buy only one cable for many devices. Ricoh is a Global Green company. I'd bet the frequent specification of D-LI90 and D-LI109 Batteries drives to corporate stewardship of resources.

victormeldrew · 02-28-2017, 04:59 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by monochrome

The EU is trying to discourage 'wasteful' inclusion of cables packaged with electronic products..

I for one agree wholeheartedly. I must have 20 micro USB cables littering the house, all built down to a price to be included 'free' and half of them broken as a result. I would much rather buy one high quality one than throw away 10 'free' ones.

Worse though, is inventing a new propreitary connector for every product to force such waste by design. I'm looking at you, Apple.

mee · 02-28-2017, 05:11 PM - **1 Like**

15ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/28AWG Cable - Monoprice.com 15 feet of cable hahaha

lesmore49 · 02-28-2017, 05:13 PM

Thanks for the info and education about modern cables. I don't have a modern cell phone, wasn't aware of this type of cable. I called my local camera store and they also indicated that many use a card reader. Apparently it's fast, quick, etc and does away with the need for a cable system.

Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ?

victormeldrew · 02-28-2017, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ?

It uses SD cards, so any one that is compatible with SD...which will be nearly all. If you have a USB3 port on your computer you can get better speed from a USB3 reader, but other than that any will do.

kchamber4 · 02-28-2017, 05:19 PM

Kensington makes a card reader. Target and Walmart normally carry them. However, your laptop might already have a card reader built into it so no need for a card reader.

rawr · 02-28-2017, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ?

I've been using a Kingston MobileLite G4 card-reader for a while now, and can heartily recommend it. It's very fast, it's very solidly built, and it reads both micro-SD and normal sized SD cards:

Youtu.be

Kingston MobileLite G4

Only costs about $20.

biz-engineer · 02-28-2017, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....?

micro USB cables, I have more than I need at home, every battery pack and new device I bought have this kind of cable, I never used the USB connection of my K1 (I don't even know if it works), I don't notice the difference between the USB2 of K1 and USB3, because I use the built in SD card reader of my PC. I also bought a 5 euros SD card reader, works fine, is independent from the K1. Basically , I pull the SD card out of the SD card slots if the K1, fit them into the card reader and browse image directly on the SD card.

mee · 02-28-2017, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Thanks for the info and education about modern cables. I don't have a modern cell phone, wasn't aware of this type of cable. I called my local camera store and they also indicated that many use a card reader. Apparently it's fast, quick, etc and does away with the need for a cable system.

Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ?

Now you're making sense to me. I'd only use the USB port for wired tethering. For simple image transfer I'd just buy a USB3 SD card reader.

I've been using this one for 3 years now.. it works great. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMKS2DI/?tag=pentaxforums-20&

lesmore49 · 03-01-2017, 06:21 PM - **1 Like**

Thx to all. I bought a Lexar USB 3.0 card reader. It's a multi card 25-in-1. I've tried it once with my K-1 memory card...works like a charm. I guess I'm now officially in the 21rst century !

**lithedreamer** · 03-01-2017, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by rawr

I've been using a Kingston MobileLite G4 card-reader for a while now, and can heartily recommend it. It's very fast, it's very solidly built, and it reads both micro-SD and normal sized SD cards:
MobileLite G4 - microSD and SD Card Reader - Kingston Technology - YouTube

Kingston MobileLite G4

Only costs about $20.

If anyone else is looking for a compact card reader, this one is really good.

mee · 03-01-2017, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by lithedreamer

If anyone else is looking for a compact card reader, this one is really good.

The only issue with those kind of designs is they block any other USB ports next to them.

02-28-2017, 03:45 PM	#1
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342	USB cable for K-1 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. To begin with, I'm disappointed that the K-1 is not shipped with a USB cord to transfer pictures from the camera's memory card to a computer. My manual on page 86 says to..." Make sure you have a commercially available USB cable equipped with a micro B terminal." I'm surprised that a USB cable wasn't shipped for the K-1 with the camera. But that was not the case. I've tried my USB cable I use with my K10D...and the part that fits into the K-1's body...will not fit. This particular USB cable fits and functions in my K5 and Km bodies, along with the K10D. So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....?

02-28-2017, 04:13 PM - 1 Like	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by lesmore49 To begin with, I'm disappointed that the K-1 is not shipped with a USB cord to transfer pictures from the camera's memory card to a computer. My manual on page 86 says to..." Make sure you have a commercially available USB cable equipped with a micro B terminal." I'm surprised that a USB cable wasn't shipped for the K-1 with the camera. But that was not the case. I've tried my USB cable I use with my K10D...and the part that fits into the K-1's body...will not fit. This particular USB cable fits and functions in my K5 and Km bodies, along with the K10D. So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....? Here's the cable you need: https://www.amazon.ca/Rankie-Premium-Charging-Samsung-Motorola/dp/B00UFG5GVM/ If you already have an android smartphone, the usb cable for that will 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:

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02-28-2017, 04:01 PM - 1 Like	#2
jlstrawman Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,058	Originally posted by lesmore49 So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....? The cable you need, like the manual says, is a micro USB cable, a very common cable that is used on many cell phones, such as my Samsung Android phone. Should be able to find one an any cell phone or electronics store. I bought high quality micro USB cords for under 10USD.

02-28-2017, 04:19 PM - 1 Like	#4
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The EU is trying to discourage 'wasteful' inclusion of cables packaged with electronic products. They'd like electronic manufacturers to standardize on a small number of connections and encourage consumers to buy only one cable for many devices. Ricoh is a Global Green company. I'd bet the frequent specification of D-LI90 and D-LI109 Batteries drives to corporate stewardship of resources.

02-28-2017, 04:59 PM - 2 Likes	#5
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by monochrome The EU is trying to discourage 'wasteful' inclusion of cables packaged with electronic products.. I for one agree wholeheartedly. I must have 20 micro USB cables littering the house, all built down to a price to be included 'free' and half of them broken as a result. I would much rather buy one high quality one than throw away 10 'free' ones. Worse though, is inventing a new propreitary connector for every product to force such waste by design. I'm looking at you, Apple.

02-28-2017, 05:11 PM - 1 Like	#6
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	15ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/28AWG Cable - Monoprice.com 15 feet of cable hahaha

02-28-2017, 05:13 PM	#7
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342 Original Poster	Thanks for the info and education about modern cables. I don't have a modern cell phone, wasn't aware of this type of cable. I called my local camera store and they also indicated that many use a card reader. Apparently it's fast, quick, etc and does away with the need for a cable system. Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ?

02-28-2017, 05:17 PM	#8
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by lesmore49 Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ? It uses SD cards, so any one that is compatible with SD...which will be nearly all. If you have a USB3 port on your computer you can get better speed from a USB3 reader, but other than that any will do.

02-28-2017, 05:19 PM	#9
kchamber4 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Conroe, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154	Kensington makes a card reader. Target and Walmart normally carry them. However, your laptop might already have a card reader built into it so no need for a card reader.

02-28-2017, 08:05 PM	#11
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by lesmore49 So what to do ? Is there a special USB cable that needs to be used or....? micro USB cables, I have more than I need at home, every battery pack and new device I bought have this kind of cable, I never used the USB connection of my K1 (I don't even know if it works), I don't notice the difference between the USB2 of K1 and USB3, because I use the built in SD card reader of my PC. I also bought a 5 euros SD card reader, works fine, is independent from the K1. Basically , I pull the SD card out of the SD card slots if the K1, fit them into the card reader and browse image directly on the SD card.

02-28-2017, 09:13 PM	#12
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by lesmore49 Thanks for the info and education about modern cables. I don't have a modern cell phone, wasn't aware of this type of cable. I called my local camera store and they also indicated that many use a card reader. Apparently it's fast, quick, etc and does away with the need for a cable system. Any recommendations on whatcard reader would work well with the K-1 ? Now you're making sense to me. I'd only use the USB port for wired tethering. For simple image transfer I'd just buy a USB3 SD card reader. I've been using this one for 3 years now.. it works great. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMKS2DI/?tag=pentaxforums-20&

03-01-2017, 06:21 PM - 1 Like	#13
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342 Original Poster	Thx to all. I bought a Lexar USB 3.0 card reader. It's a multi card 25-in-1. I've tried it once with my K-1 memory card...works like a charm. I guess I'm now officially in the 21rst century !

03-01-2017, 06:24 PM	#14
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by rawr I've been using a Kingston MobileLite G4 card-reader for a while now, and can heartily recommend it. It's very fast, it's very solidly built, and it reads both micro-SD and normal sized SD cards: MobileLite G4 - microSD and SD Card Reader - Kingston Technology - YouTube Kingston MobileLite G4 Only costs about $20. If anyone else is looking for a compact card reader, this one is really good.

03-01-2017, 06:51 PM	#15
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by lithedreamer If anyone else is looking for a compact card reader, this one is really good. The only issue with those kind of designs is they block any other USB ports next to them.

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