K20D firmware 1.03 - faster AF?

WerTicus · 04-09-2009, 08:02 PM

well its very possible we got the km logic for our k20d's auto focus but wouldn't pentax have probably mentioned that in the patch notes?

**Sailor** · 04-10-2009, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by WerTicus

well its very possible we got the km logic for our k20d's auto focus but wouldn't pentax have probably mentioned that in the patch notes?

Indeed. Why wouldn't Pentax simply mention this fact - especially since Pentax AF performance is such an issue? Over the past few years, it seems as if every new firmware upgrade for Pentax cameras generates a belief that AF speed is somehow improved (even though Pentax makes no such claims). I'll upgrade, but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

Jer

Edit: I just updated my camera to 1.03. I have no means to measure AF speed before and after the change, so I can't verify quantitatively whether AF is faster or slower. Nevertheless, in qualitative terms, I can tell you that my DA 35/2.8 and DA 70/2.4, in daylight outside, focus very fast (just as they have always done), and indoors (with no light and the blinds closed), the two lenses hunt and vibrate prior to locking on focus (just as they have always done). Qualitatively, I just don't see a difference in behavior. While AF speed is not a major issue with me, I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates.

nanok · 04-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by Sailor

(....)I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates.

argh,,, party wrecker. it's better, it flies now, only pentax won't admit it because it will make them look bad.

**rparmar** · 04-10-2009, 05:09 PM

I went ahead and flashed the firmware, for the first time since I bought my camera. My K50/1.2 doesn't focus any faster.

But seriously, is anyone privy to more details on this fix? I can't believe how minimal the official Pentax info is. Oh, sorry, yes I can... it is Pentax after all!

**rparmar** · 04-10-2009, 06:41 PM

Two shots in poor light to test the new firmware. I can't say with any scientific rigour, but this does seem significantly better than I could do before. (Not a very steady shooter.)

cat - shake test

FA77
ISO100
f/1.8
1/10s
SR +3 stops
Would have been a bit sharper had I stopped down one, but very nice!

mug - shake test

K50 /1.2
ISO100
f/2
1/3s
SR +5 stops
A bit soft with that many stops gone, but that suits the image.

RioRico · 04-10-2009, 07:39 PM

So I just updated - downloaded, copied to "route directory" (rather than go cross-country), installed. Aimed the DA 18-250 at a dark corner and it AF'd very fast. I am so happy. Happy happy joy joy! The camera is still smarter than I.

Raybo · 04-10-2009, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by Sailor

Indeed. Why wouldn't Pentax simply mention this fact - especially since Pentax AF performance is such an issue? Over the past few years, it seems as if every new firmware upgrade for Pentax cameras generates a belief that AF speed is somehow improved (even though Pentax makes no such claims). I'll upgrade, but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

Jer

Edit: I just updated my camera to 1.03. I have no means to measure AF speed before and after the change, so I can't verify quantitatively whether AF is faster or slower. Nevertheless, in qualitative terms, I can tell you that my DA 35/2.8 and DA 70/2.4, in daylight outside, focus very fast (just as they have always done), and indoors (with no light and the blinds closed), the two lenses hunt and vibrate prior to locking on focus (just as they have always done). Qualitatively, I just don't see a difference in behavior. While AF speed is not a major issue with me, I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates.

"with no light and the blinds closed"

Is this really an issue with any platform?

**Sailor** · 04-11-2009, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by Raybo

"with no light and the blinds closed"

Is this really an issue with any platform?

Sorry, I made the room sound darker than it was. Again, the point is that since I have no reliable means to measure AF speed under the controlled conditions necessary to make such measurements meaningful, I can't say with certainty whether AF is affected by the update. Qualitatively, however, the camera seems to behave as before in this regard.

Jer

Ratmagiclady · 04-11-2009, 12:18 PM

I dunno, it seems to me the AF is most definitely behaving differently on my FA 50. (Seems I jumped straight from the 1.00 firmware to 1.03, ...mean to ask if they're cumulative or anything)

I don't know if you'd find it overall faster all the time, but it definitely leaps right to about where it wants to be more of the time: less huntey. I'm not sure why that would be unless they sneaked something in there.

WerTicus · 04-12-2009, 12:12 AM

typically all updates will be within the latest update. when the internet was slower this wasnt always the case though.

Raybo · 04-12-2009, 12:24 AM

I need someone with two k20Ds for a real world death match, one loaded with the new firmware and the other...................

cupic · 04-12-2009, 03:17 AM

Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way

cheers

Riktar · 04-12-2009, 04:01 AM

There seems to be no difference in focus speed on my K20D. At least with the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 mounted.

Went from 1.00 to 1.03.

**rparmar** · 04-12-2009, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by cupic

Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way

You held down menu when you turned it on, right? That is needed for the firmware to load.

Then you wait very carefully not touching anything until it says Completed.

Riktar · 04-12-2009, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by cupic

Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way

cheers

Are you holding down the Menu button while turning the camera on?

I failed to do that and for the life of me could not figure out why my camera would not update.

So of course when I read how to "check" what version of firmware your camera has I FINALLY read about the "hold menu button in while turning on the camera" to see what version firmware you have. Imagine my surprise when I also get asked if I want to update my firmware.

One last thing to note: When the system is done updating you can ignore the flashing status bar as long as you see UPDATE COMPLETED in the lower left corner of the screen.

I decided to leave my camera sitting on the desk next to me while I was surfing the net during the update process. I figured I would notice the flashing progress bar stop and I would then turn off the camera. Well after 5 minutes go by and the damn thing is still flashing I finally notice the "notice" in the lower left part of the screen.

04-10-2009, 03:15 PM	#17
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Originally posted by WerTicus well its very possible we got the km logic for our k20d's auto focus but wouldn't pentax have probably mentioned that in the patch notes? Indeed. Why wouldn't Pentax simply mention this fact - especially since Pentax AF performance is such an issue? Over the past few years, it seems as if every new firmware upgrade for Pentax cameras generates a belief that AF speed is somehow improved (even though Pentax makes no such claims). I'll upgrade, but I'm certainly not holding my breath. Jer Edit: I just updated my camera to 1.03. I have no means to measure AF speed before and after the change, so I can't verify quantitatively whether AF is faster or slower. Nevertheless, in qualitative terms, I can tell you that my DA 35/2.8 and DA 70/2.4, in daylight outside, focus very fast (just as they have always done), and indoors (with no light and the blinds closed), the two lenses hunt and vibrate prior to locking on focus (just as they have always done). Qualitatively, I just don't see a difference in behavior. While AF speed is not a major issue with me, I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates. Last edited by Sailor; 04-10-2009 at 04:20 PM.

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04-09-2009, 08:02 PM	#16
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	well its very possible we got the km logic for our k20d's auto focus but wouldn't pentax have probably mentioned that in the patch notes?

04-10-2009, 04:31 PM	#18
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	Originally posted by Sailor (....)I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates. argh,,, party wrecker. it's better, it flies now, only pentax won't admit it because it will make them look bad.

04-10-2009, 05:09 PM	#19
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	I went ahead and flashed the firmware, for the first time since I bought my camera. My K50/1.2 doesn't focus any faster. But seriously, is anyone privy to more details on this fix? I can't believe how minimal the official Pentax info is. Oh, sorry, yes I can... it is Pentax after all!

04-10-2009, 06:41 PM	#20
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Two shots in poor light to test the new firmware. I can't say with any scientific rigour, but this does seem significantly better than I could do before. (Not a very steady shooter.) cat - shake test FA77 ISO100 f/1.8 1/10s SR +3 stops Would have been a bit sharper had I stopped down one, but very nice! mug - shake test K50 /1.2 ISO100 f/2 1/3s SR +5 stops A bit soft with that many stops gone, but that suits the image.

04-10-2009, 07:39 PM	#21
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	So I just updated - downloaded, copied to "route directory" (rather than go cross-country), installed. Aimed the DA 18-250 at a dark corner and it AF'd very fast. I am so happy. Happy happy joy joy! The camera is still smarter than I.

04-10-2009, 09:02 PM	#22
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	Originally posted by Sailor Indeed. Why wouldn't Pentax simply mention this fact - especially since Pentax AF performance is such an issue? Over the past few years, it seems as if every new firmware upgrade for Pentax cameras generates a belief that AF speed is somehow improved (even though Pentax makes no such claims). I'll upgrade, but I'm certainly not holding my breath. Jer Edit: I just updated my camera to 1.03. I have no means to measure AF speed before and after the change, so I can't verify quantitatively whether AF is faster or slower. Nevertheless, in qualitative terms, I can tell you that my DA 35/2.8 and DA 70/2.4, in daylight outside, focus very fast (just as they have always done), and indoors (with no light and the blinds closed), the two lenses hunt and vibrate prior to locking on focus (just as they have always done). Qualitatively, I just don't see a difference in behavior. While AF speed is not a major issue with me, I'd like to see Pentax develop a competitve AF system - I'm betting they will, but not in firmware updates. "with no light and the blinds closed" Is this really an issue with any platform?

04-11-2009, 05:42 AM	#23
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Originally posted by Raybo "with no light and the blinds closed" Is this really an issue with any platform? Sorry, I made the room sound darker than it was. Again, the point is that since I have no reliable means to measure AF speed under the controlled conditions necessary to make such measurements meaningful, I can't say with certainty whether AF is affected by the update. Qualitatively, however, the camera seems to behave as before in this regard. Jer

04-11-2009, 12:18 PM	#24
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	I dunno, it seems to me the AF is most definitely behaving differently on my FA 50. (Seems I jumped straight from the 1.00 firmware to 1.03, ...mean to ask if they're cumulative or anything) I don't know if you'd find it overall faster all the time, but it definitely leaps right to about where it wants to be more of the time: less huntey. I'm not sure why that would be unless they sneaked something in there.

04-12-2009, 12:12 AM	#25
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	typically all updates will be within the latest update. when the internet was slower this wasnt always the case though.

04-12-2009, 12:24 AM	#26
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	I need someone with two k20Ds for a real world death match, one loaded with the new firmware and the other...................

04-12-2009, 03:17 AM	#27
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way cheers

04-12-2009, 04:01 AM	#28
Riktar Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Neosho, Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 115	There seems to be no difference in focus speed on my K20D. At least with the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 mounted. Went from 1.00 to 1.03.

04-12-2009, 04:02 AM	#29
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by cupic Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way You held down menu when you turned it on, right? That is needed for the firmware to load. Then you wait very carefully not touching anything until it says Completed.

04-12-2009, 04:10 AM	#30
Riktar Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Neosho, Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 115	Originally posted by cupic Bit slow here folks no sleep I went to d/l on my sdhc card(V 1.03),slipped it back in the camera turned it on,off check firmware version and still 1.01 ,for the love of my sanity can some one show me the way cheers Are you holding down the Menu button while turning the camera on? I failed to do that and for the life of me could not figure out why my camera would not update. So of course when I read how to "check" what version of firmware your camera has I FINALLY read about the "hold menu button in while turning on the camera" to see what version firmware you have. Imagine my surprise when I also get asked if I want to update my firmware. One last thing to note: When the system is done updating you can ignore the flashing status bar as long as you see UPDATE COMPLETED in the lower left corner of the screen. I decided to leave my camera sitting on the desk next to me while I was surfing the net during the update process. I figured I would notice the flashing progress bar stop and I would then turn off the camera. Well after 5 minutes go by and the damn thing is still flashing I finally notice the "notice" in the lower left part of the screen.