K50 firmware running on a K30?

Brownie4u · 07-16-2013, 11:12 PM

Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work?
I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother.
I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same.

It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30

**crewl1** · 07-16-2013, 11:36 PM

I think firmware is camera specific so there is a chance you could brick it.

Adam · 07-17-2013, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by Brownie4u

Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work?
I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother.
I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same.

It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30

Each firmware release is restricted to the camera model that it's designed for, so no, it won't work. The two are virtually identical feature-wise, anyway.

Anvh · 07-17-2013, 01:49 AM

While everyone is saying it does not work, i'm going to say it will but how well it will work is a second question.

Someone has installed K20D software on the K10D and that worked for the most part but i believe it was not quite that stable.
Now the K30 and K50 there is something else going on becasue by the looks of it those camera's are 99% the same on the inside so your changes are most likely higher.

The problem is though that you need to forcefully install the software, one of thw ways i believe was to adapt some lines inside the firmware so that it registered as it was for that camera model.
Other way was to force install with the debug menu.

If you're handy with these kind of things i wish you a lot of luck but if you've no idea then steer away from it

But in all honesty, i think the K30 and K50 actually already share the same firmware. Lets wait and see what happens when new firmware for the K50 is announced if the K30 and K-01 will also be updated. I think the changes are quite high they will.

Last edited by Anvh; 07-17-2013 at 03:21 AM.

Na Horuk · 07-17-2013, 04:05 AM

Why would you want that? What is a firmware feature that the K50 has and K30 doesnt?

Tanzer · 07-17-2013, 04:36 AM

Even If it initially works (and I seriously doubt that), a latter firmware release probably would not.

Anvh · 07-17-2013, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by Tanzer

Even If it initially works (and I seriously doubt that), a latter firmware release probably would not.

Why not?

IchabodCrane · 07-17-2013, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by Brownie4u

Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work?
I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother.
I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same.

It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30

Suggest you read page 153 of your K-30 manual. It's titled "Composition Adjustment".

VoiceOfReason · 07-17-2013, 06:14 AM

Bricking isn't covered by warranty! Of course if you do it post the results.

civiletti · 07-17-2013, 11:06 AM

Danger, Davey!

Brownie4u · 07-17-2013, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by IchabodCrane

Suggest you read page 153 of your K-30 manual. It's titled "Composition Adjustment".

I will have to check that page out.
I was going on a Pentax forum video tutorial on the PF facebook page on how to use composition adjustment. In that video they said that feature was for the K5 and up cameras.

I would not take a chance with turning my K30 into a paper weight.
I just thought in this day and age where hacked phone roms are floating around everywhere that someone may have hacked camera software too.

Maybe I will wait and see what the next update looks like.

Thanks for they great info as always

Anvh · 07-17-2013, 02:38 PM

The K30 is newer then the K5 you know

Tanzer · 07-17-2013, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Anvh

Why not?

A couple reasons. Part of this is qualification. Part of my day life is working with some embedded products, and they all have hooks to identify the platform and assure the firmware runs only where the company wants it to.

Another reason is marketing. Even if the first generation of firmware somehow (or intentionally) ignores whether it is running on a K-30 or K-50, a product manager would probably want the updates to only work on the newer platform. Even if the code is otherwise identical, the updates could be provided as separate downloads, maybe released on different dates or withheld for business reasons.

Anvh · 07-18-2013, 04:01 AM

Well sure but you can off course change those codes or force a installation.

Just look what magic latern is doing, that's much more extreme.

Anyway because of the short life of the K30 and the simularities with the K50 i doubt they will not support it.

Tanzer · 07-18-2013, 05:00 AM

Just to be clear, there is no public hack for recent Pentax cameras, right?

Canon could easily prevent Magic Lantern hacks on the next generation of hardware if they wanted to, but so far they're remaining silent on the issue. Not sure what is up with the 70D.

07-16-2013, 11:12 PM	#1
Brownie4u Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 53	K50 firmware running on a K30? Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work? I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother. I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same. It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30

07-17-2013, 12:35 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Brownie4u Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work? I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother. I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same. It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30 Each firmware release is restricted to the camera model that it's designed for, so no, it won't work. The two are virtually identical feature-wise, anyway. 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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07-16-2013, 11:36 PM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	I think firmware is camera specific so there is a chance you could brick it.

07-17-2013, 01:49 AM	#4
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	While everyone is saying it does not work, i'm going to say it will but how well it will work is a second question. Someone has installed K20D software on the K10D and that worked for the most part but i believe it was not quite that stable. Now the K30 and K50 there is something else going on becasue by the looks of it those camera's are 99% the same on the inside so your changes are most likely higher. The problem is though that you need to forcefully install the software, one of thw ways i believe was to adapt some lines inside the firmware so that it registered as it was for that camera model. Other way was to force install with the debug menu. If you're handy with these kind of things i wish you a lot of luck but if you've no idea then steer away from it But in all honesty, i think the K30 and K50 actually already share the same firmware. Lets wait and see what happens when new firmware for the K50 is announced if the K30 and K-01 will also be updated. I think the changes are quite high they will. Last edited by Anvh; 07-17-2013 at 03:21 AM.

07-17-2013, 04:05 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Why would you want that? What is a firmware feature that the K50 has and K30 doesnt?

07-17-2013, 04:36 AM	#6
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Even If it initially works (and I seriously doubt that), a latter firmware release probably would not.

07-17-2013, 05:18 AM	#7
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by Tanzer Even If it initially works (and I seriously doubt that), a latter firmware release probably would not. Why not?

07-17-2013, 06:09 AM	#8
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by Brownie4u Has anyone tried running new K50 firmware on a K30? Does it work? I am thinking of giving it a try but if someone has tried and failed I won't bother. I would assume it might be possible since the internals of the camera are basically the same. It would be nice to have the composition adjustment on my K30 Suggest you read page 153 of your K-30 manual. It's titled "Composition Adjustment".

07-17-2013, 06:14 AM	#9
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Bricking isn't covered by warranty! Of course if you do it post the results.

07-17-2013, 11:06 AM	#10
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Danger, Davey!

07-17-2013, 02:35 PM	#11
Brownie4u Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 53 Original Poster	Originally posted by IchabodCrane Suggest you read page 153 of your K-30 manual. It's titled "Composition Adjustment". I will have to check that page out. I was going on a Pentax forum video tutorial on the PF facebook page on how to use composition adjustment. In that video they said that feature was for the K5 and up cameras. I would not take a chance with turning my K30 into a paper weight. I just thought in this day and age where hacked phone roms are floating around everywhere that someone may have hacked camera software too. Maybe I will wait and see what the next update looks like. Thanks for they great info as always

07-17-2013, 02:38 PM	#12
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The K30 is newer then the K5 you know

07-17-2013, 03:36 PM	#13
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Originally posted by Anvh Why not? A couple reasons. Part of this is qualification. Part of my day life is working with some embedded products, and they all have hooks to identify the platform and assure the firmware runs only where the company wants it to. Another reason is marketing. Even if the first generation of firmware somehow (or intentionally) ignores whether it is running on a K-30 or K-50, a product manager would probably want the updates to only work on the newer platform. Even if the code is otherwise identical, the updates could be provided as separate downloads, maybe released on different dates or withheld for business reasons.

07-18-2013, 04:01 AM	#14
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Well sure but you can off course change those codes or force a installation. Just look what magic latern is doing, that's much more extreme. Anyway because of the short life of the K30 and the simularities with the K50 i doubt they will not support it.

07-18-2013, 05:00 AM	#15
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Just to be clear, there is no public hack for recent Pentax cameras, right? Canon could easily prevent Magic Lantern hacks on the next generation of hardware if they wanted to, but so far they're remaining silent on the issue. Not sure what is up with the 70D.