[procyon]

I have seen it before, this website is used as the make name of firmware that is able to downgrade K10d from 1.3 back to 1.1 with it's hidden menu.

[davemdsn]

I have seen it before, this website is used as the make name of firmware that is able to downgrade K10d from 1.3 back to 1.1 with it's hidden menu.

So, a firmware update may fix the issue?

[Tom M]

I've done simple hacks like this in the past - not with a camera though.. In the past I've opened a program up in a viewer, sometimes notepad, scrolled through all the nonsense just looking for the word 'Pentax' and replaced that word with something else.. You could do the same with this firmware.

So, if you open the .bin file with binary editor you'll see "Pentax Corporation" - Replace that with www.blahblahblah.com and you'll have done what he did...

There are a few instances so changing the right one becomes the issue.

See attached... This will tell you exactly how to make some changes - LOTS of changes

If I were to load this firmware onto a K10D it would report the 'make' as PentaxForums.com

I could also go so far as to switch the languages around so that when you chose Spanish it displayed Chinese or German, etc.. I could even change menu text - Make the display for ISO 400 show as ISO 1600 (lol) and so on... Adding countries is neat to - My time zone is now Utopia

[Tom M]

No more New York for my Time Zone - I'm now in Utopia!!

Actually, I'm keeping this hack.. I like it..

I think I'll also hack the 'no card in the camera' message as well.. How about something like... "Forgot the card dummy"

Attached Images

   

[Tom M]

Also, I did notice that while perusing through firmware vesion 1.30 there is indeed a 'Focus Corr' entry right after the 'AF Area Test' entry - Seems that maybe they did nto remove AF correction in later firmware, they just turned it off - might just need to flip the switch back On, save the change and then update to 1.30...

ALSO - Very strange!!!

There are entries for ISO values from 50 through 3200 !! This is for the K10D V 1.30 firmware!!

[rormeister]

No more New York for my Time Zone - I'm now in Utopia!!

You're a brave man Tom. Usually, editing binary files without regard to the checksum is treading on pretty thin ice. Please keep us posted on how your updates go.

[Tom M]

Ahh.. This is nothing

Just a simple text edit - no function changes. Though, that ISO 3200 and ISO 50 has me very curious!!

Anyone else want to look into that?

[little laker]

ISO is a firmware thing Tom, My Sigma left the factory with ISO100, but a firmware update gave me ISO50

However they may have a few bugs in the system that they're working on before they activate it.

I'd be interested in seeing how a hacked version enabling ISO50 would work.

[Tom M]

Well, someone else will need to look at it because I can't find the switch.

Here's the available ISO in the firmware.. 50, 64, 70, 80, 100, 125, 140, 160, 200, 250, 280, 320, 400, 500, 560, 640, 800, 1000, 1100, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2200, 2500, 3200

[Jodokast96]

That's also what's listed in the 1.1 Firmware.

[wowtip]

Hmm, maybe adding Property of [My name] to the info screen that shows when turning on the cam. Would make it harder for thieves to sell unless they know how to update firmware.

[Tom M]

Looking at things - it appears that maybe you can change the file naming. Though having your name in place of Pentax Corp, though violating some laws, seems like a very good thing to do. Think about it. You make the change, someone swipes your camera, a few months later it's sold and in the hands of someone using it, he posts images online, you do a search for your EXIF and you find your camera again.

I really want to see that ISO thing opened up - I'm willing to bet money it can be done. I want the low ISO like little laker.. But wouldn't mind playing with 3200 either..

[ricardobeat]

Looking at things - it appears that maybe you can change the file naming. Though having your name in place of Pentax Corp, though violating some laws, seems like a very good thing to do. Think about it. You make the change, someone swipes your camera, a few months later it's sold and in the hands of someone using it, he posts images online, you do a search for your EXIF and you find your camera again.

I really want to see that ISO thing opened up - I'm willing to bet money it can be done. I want the low ISO like little laker.. But wouldn't mind playing with 3200 either..

Have you installed your modified firmware? Is it working?

[falconeye]

I really want to see that ISO thing opened up

Browsing through the firmware, did you see signs of open source pieces, maybe under GPL? Because if so, Pentax would have to publish the firmware's source code.

[Confused]

Hi Tom

Re your tinkering tendencies:

This will tell you exactly how to make some changes - LOTS of changes

You just wait till those malevolent Pentax Programming Pixies get their grubby little hands on you for messing with their classified oriental binary files......it'll be the high-jump for you, laddie ! On the other hand, just think of all the endless hours of mischievous fun to be had ? I say let's all throw caution to the wind and live dangerously from now on......lol !

Best regards
Richard