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03-20-2022, 12:57 PM   #1
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Pentax ist ds and sd card.

Hi all.
I've recently aquired an ancient isd ds body to take on my dog walking duties because of its compact size. I installed a 16gb card from my samsung GX20 and it refused to recognise it. I tried an old 1gb card and no problems. Is there a size limit with this camera? I usually like to shoot in Raw so I would like to use a larger card. I've no idea how to do firmware updates if that is whats needed. If somebody could gently talk this thicko how to do it that it would be appreciated.
Cheers.

03-20-2022, 01:10 PM - 1 Like   #2
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The DS supports SDHC cards (up to 32Gb) once you've updated to firmware v2.01 or newer, otherwise it supports standard SD cards only, which go up to 4Gb.

Firmware updates are pretty painless. The official firmware page for the DS is found here:
Software Downloads : Support & Service | RICOH IMAGING

And we have a text guide + video below:

Pentax Firmware Update Guide - Tutorial Videos | PentaxForums.com

The only difference is that with these older cameras, rather than providing us with zip files, Pentax published .exe self-extracting files (for Windows) and .hqx files for Mac. When correctly opened, you'll then obtain the firmware .bin file, which is what needs to be copied to the root the SD card you will use for the update.

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03-20-2022, 07:06 PM   #3
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I still quite often use my *ist DS ( had it since new ), and it operates perfectly with a 16GB Sandisk Ultra. No firmware update required. Make sure that it is a new card, not one that has been used in a different camera.
03-21-2022, 02:24 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Terry C Quote
I still quite often use my *ist DS ( had it since new ), and it operates perfectly with a 16GB Sandisk Ultra. No firmware update required. Make sure that it is a new card, not one that has been used in a different camera.
I too have had my *istDS since new.
The update to v1.02 allowed the use of SD cards greater than 1GB
The firmware update to v2 warranted a two-page illustrated set of instructions!
It was v2.01 and above that allowed the use of SDHC cards
What firmware does your camera have?
Just hold the Menu Button down and switch the camera on to get a read-out of the firmware level.
Switch off then back on again and "Normal service is resumed"

03-22-2022, 01:00 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Terry C Quote
I still quite often use my *ist DS ( had it since new ), and it operates perfectly with a 16GB Sandisk Ultra. No firmware update required. Make sure that it is a new card, not one that has been used in a different camera.
Then it already had a firmware Update.
With the first firmware only 1GB was possible!
03-22-2022, 04:27 AM   #6
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Hi.
Thanks for all the answers. I'm on the case. The version is 0.2.0
I've fitted a 2gb card and it takes that ok. SD cards seem quite rare now. and 4gb seems to be the same price as much larger SDHC on the bay.
03-22-2022, 07:14 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by photogem Quote
Then it already had a firmware Update.
With the first firmware only 1GB was possible!
From new, my *ist DS had a 2GB card which I still have somewhere.

03-22-2022, 08:57 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Terry C Quote
From new, my *ist DS had a 2GB card which I still have somewhere.
You wrote first:
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry C Quote
I still quite often use my *ist DS ( had it since new ), and it operates perfectly with a 16GB Sandisk Ultra. No firmware update required. Make sure that it is a new card, not one that has been used in a different camera.
That simply means that when you bought it at aside of having a 2GB card with it but can use 16GB cards this MUST mean that it had the lastest firmware on it. Who updated the firmware is unimportant, it was there.
And it must be firmware 2.01 or 2.02which allowed for the first time LARGER than 2GB and SDHC.
QuoteOriginally posted by adenough Quote
The version is 0.2.0
There was no 0.2.0 firmware for the *istDS.
It started with 1.00, followed by 1.01, then 1.02, then 2.00 and then 2.01 which for the first time allowed SDHC and larger than 2GB.
The last one was 2.02:
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/20050415e.html

Last edited by photogem; 03-22-2022 at 09:05 PM. Reason: link added
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