Pentax IST ds

Scott pascall · 05-18-2019, 06:31 AM

We just bought a Pentax ist D's and are totally clueless. Our first problem I guess is the memory card. We have a large SD card and a smaller 1gig one but this one is a mini card in an adaptor, neither card will format so we can't try anything yet. Also we can't connect the camera to the pc.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

77tbholmes · 05-18-2019, 06:51 AM

Please see

Software Downloads : Support & Service | RICOH IMAGING

As I remember a firmware upgrade is required for the newer larger cards. So check which firmware you have via the link instructions and update the firmware. This is very important only use fresh good quality batteries when upgrading the firmware and do not turn it off until the instructions tell you to. If you turn it off mid update you will own a brick not a camera and you would need to send it in for repair. Start there and your problems should be solved.

**AlwaysAl** · 05-18-2019, 06:52 AM - **1 Like**

Hello Scott, is the card locked? I've had similar experience with the insertiion and removal of the card, the lock slides to locked position.

**jatrax** · 05-18-2019, 06:58 AM - **1 Like**

Here is the link to that camera in the database: Pentax *ist DS - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications There is a link at the bottom of the page for the camera manual in pdf. As noted above this camera can use only SD cards unless the firmware is updated. I believe SD cards were a maximum of 2GB. In order to update the firmware you will need a working memory card, so locating an older, small SD card will be required I think. The info page suggests that after the firmware update you can use SDHC cards.

What firmware version is on the camera?

Not a Number · 05-18-2019, 06:59 AM - **1 Like**

Ricoh and earlier Hoya/Pentax discourage the use of adapted microSD cards.

What firmware version is installed on the camera - press the menu button while powering up the camera, the version should be displayed on the rear LCD. You need version 1.02 or higher for support of cards larger than 1 GB. Sort of a Catch 22 if you don't have smaller cards and you need to update from earlier than v1.02 The latest is v2.03.

I suggest you purchase an SD card of 1 GB or less (if you can find one).

You may have to go into the setup menu and change the Transfer Mode to either PC or PC-F in order to connect the PC or Mac. You do have the appropriate cable?

Firmware and user manual downloads from Ricoh Imaging Japan:
Software Downloads : Support & Service | RICOH IMAGING
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/istds.pdf

Please make sure your battery is fully charged or you have an AC adapter connected before attempting to update the firmware.

Neuse River Sailor · 05-18-2019, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

I suggest you purchase an SD card of 1 GB or less (if you can find one).

They are getting hard to find, but a computer repair shop may have a drawer full of old cards and sell or give you one.

Scott pascall · 05-18-2019, 09:05 AM

I've just checked and it's on version 1.00.

Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update?

pentasonic49 · 05-18-2019, 11:12 AM - **1 Like**

Just google SD cards and find a seller who still has cards of 2 gb. They will work fine and give you plenty of shots per card.
When you get one, format it in the camera before using it.

Neuse River Sailor · 05-18-2019, 11:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Scott pascall

Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update?

Yes, you will need one to do the update.

Adam · 05-18-2019, 12:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Scott pascall

I've just checked and it's on version 1.00.

Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update?

Yes. Here's a card that would do the trick:

amazon: Transcend 2 GB SD Flash Memory Card (TS2GSDC): Electronics

(you can probably also use this card outright with the camera, since the DS produces fairly small files to begin with)

pentasonic49 · 05-19-2019, 12:30 PM

A 2 gig card or two will be fine for your 1st Ds, way back when they first came out, cards were so expensive that after buying my 1st Ds and a Sigma 18-125, I could only afford a 256MB SD card. My second card was a 512 MB, about 6 months later.

Scott pascall · 05-23-2019, 01:27 AM

Wahey it works. Thanks everyone. Next question is is it possible to view through the LCD screen at what I am looking at to photograph or is that just for looking at the picture I've taken

Sandy Hancock · 05-23-2019, 03:02 AM

CCD sensors did not allow live view. I think the K-7 was the first Pentax to have that feature.

**Just1MoreDave** · 05-23-2019, 06:07 PM

The *ist DS is sort of like a film camera. No "live view" on the rear screen. The screen isn't very high-resolution anyway. You can raise ISO but 800 on up is pretty grainy. Autofocus is not fast. The sensor doesn't have a lot of dynamic range (in current terms). When I use mine today, I try to get exposure exactly right, focus exactly right, framing exactly right, because you can't easily fix those things later. When things are right, the pictures are great. I have a nice 24"x36" print from one. If you stand a foot away from it, sure, you can tell it's 6Mp. Just don't do that, and don't tell anyone it's 6Mp.

Scott pascall · 05-24-2019, 05:25 AM

I understand focus is so it's not blurry. I don't understand anything else at all. Is there a video somewhere I can learn from? Also where would I find lenses for a long distance shot and a night shot to capture the northern lights please

05-18-2019, 06:31 AM	#1
Scott pascall New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 9	Pentax IST ds We just bought a Pentax ist D's and are totally clueless. Our first problem I guess is the memory card. We have a large SD card and a smaller 1gig one but this one is a mini card in an adaptor, neither card will format so we can't try anything yet. Also we can't connect the camera to the pc. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

05-18-2019, 06:51 AM	#2
77tbholmes Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Libau, MB, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 75	ist ds Please see Software Downloads : Support & Service \| RICOH IMAGING As I remember a firmware upgrade is required for the newer larger cards. So check which firmware you have via the link instructions and update the firmware. This is very important only use fresh good quality batteries when upgrading the firmware and do not turn it off until the instructions tell you to. If you turn it off mid update you will own a brick not a camera and you would need to send it in for repair. Start there and your problems should be solved.

05-18-2019, 11:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	Just google SD cards and find a seller who still has cards of 2 gb. They will work fine and give you plenty of shots per card. When you get one, format it in the camera before using it. Last edited by pentasonic49; 05-18-2019 at 11:26 AM.

05-18-2019, 12:32 PM - 1 Like	#10
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Scott pascall I've just checked and it's on version 1.00. Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update? Yes. Here's a card that would do the trick: amazon: Transcend 2 GB SD Flash Memory Card (TS2GSDC): Electronics (you can probably also use this card outright with the camera, since the DS produces fairly small files to begin with) 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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05-18-2019, 06:52 AM - 1 Like	#3
AlwaysAl Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West GTA, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 549	Hello Scott, is the card locked? I've had similar experience with the insertiion and removal of the card, the lock slides to locked position.

05-18-2019, 06:58 AM - 1 Like	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Here is the link to that camera in the database: Pentax *ist DS - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications There is a link at the bottom of the page for the camera manual in pdf. As noted above this camera can use only SD cards unless the firmware is updated. I believe SD cards were a maximum of 2GB. In order to update the firmware you will need a working memory card, so locating an older, small SD card will be required I think. The info page suggests that after the firmware update you can use SDHC cards. What firmware version is on the camera?

05-18-2019, 06:59 AM - 1 Like	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Ricoh and earlier Hoya/Pentax discourage the use of adapted microSD cards. What firmware version is installed on the camera - press the menu button while powering up the camera, the version should be displayed on the rear LCD. You need version 1.02 or higher for support of cards larger than 1 GB. Sort of a Catch 22 if you don't have smaller cards and you need to update from earlier than v1.02 The latest is v2.03. I suggest you purchase an SD card of 1 GB or less (if you can find one). You may have to go into the setup menu and change the Transfer Mode to either PC or PC-F in order to connect the PC or Mac. You do have the appropriate cable? Firmware and user manual downloads from Ricoh Imaging Japan: Software Downloads : Support & Service \| RICOH IMAGING http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/istds.pdf Please make sure your battery is fully charged or you have an AC adapter connected before attempting to update the firmware.

05-18-2019, 07:05 AM	#6
Neuse River Sailor Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 531	Originally posted by Not a Number I suggest you purchase an SD card of 1 GB or less (if you can find one). They are getting hard to find, but a computer repair shop may have a drawer full of old cards and sell or give you one.

05-18-2019, 09:05 AM	#7
Scott pascall New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 9 Original Poster	I've just checked and it's on version 1.00. Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update?

05-18-2019, 11:28 AM - 1 Like	#9
Neuse River Sailor Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 531	Originally posted by Scott pascall Will I need an old small memory card in order to do the update? Yes, you will need one to do the update.

05-19-2019, 12:30 PM	#11
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	A 2 gig card or two will be fine for your 1st Ds, way back when they first came out, cards were so expensive that after buying my 1st Ds and a Sigma 18-125, I could only afford a 256MB SD card. My second card was a 512 MB, about 6 months later.

05-23-2019, 01:27 AM	#12
Scott pascall New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Wahey it works. Thanks everyone. Next question is is it possible to view through the LCD screen at what I am looking at to photograph or is that just for looking at the picture I've taken

05-23-2019, 03:02 AM	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	CCD sensors did not allow live view. I think the K-7 was the first Pentax to have that feature.

05-23-2019, 06:07 PM	#14
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The *ist DS is sort of like a film camera. No "live view" on the rear screen. The screen isn't very high-resolution anyway. You can raise ISO but 800 on up is pretty grainy. Autofocus is not fast. The sensor doesn't have a lot of dynamic range (in current terms). When I use mine today, I try to get exposure exactly right, focus exactly right, framing exactly right, because you can't easily fix those things later. When things are right, the pictures are great. I have a nice 24"x36" print from one. If you stand a foot away from it, sure, you can tell it's 6Mp. Just don't do that, and don't tell anyone it's 6Mp.

05-24-2019, 05:25 AM	#15
Scott pascall New Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 9 Original Poster	I understand focus is so it's not blurry. I don't understand anything else at all. Is there a video somewhere I can learn from? Also where would I find lenses for a long distance shot and a night shot to capture the northern lights please