K7 firmware downgrade

**StephenMerola** · 01-04-2010, 08:18 PM

Wow. That is so odd. Please let us know what happens.

smitty · 01-11-2010, 09:42 PM

Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny.
It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button.
Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode.

Anyone else have these issues?

I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware.

ivoire · 01-11-2010, 09:54 PM

Still awaiting the repairs. I'll post an update once the body is returned. Its a nuisance not having a backup, but this a the slow real estate season. Am debating on a used or refurb k10 vs kx as backup if it isn't back soon. I'd hoped to hold out for the next pentax incarnation and retain K7 as backup.

netuser · 01-12-2010, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by ivoire

........... I'd hoped to hold out for the next pentax incarnation and retain K7 as backup.

That's the best option... if you can wait

ivoire · 01-12-2010, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by netuser

That's the best option... if you can wait

I'm working on patience, but the woot deal of a new w/warranty K20D with 18-55 alII lens for $584.99 shipped to my door is like the sirens song.

Yahoo! Shopping - Online Shopping with great products, prices and reviews

K7er · 01-12-2010, 11:56 PM

Check this thread: New K7 firmware! [Page 1]: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Pentaxor · 01-13-2010, 02:44 PM

guys, did you try overwriting the latest firmware version with the Japan firmware version?

ivoire · 01-13-2010, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

guys, did you try overwriting the latest firmware version with the Japan firmware version?

thats what i was using when the focus got weird. then i downgraded and the problem remained, so off for a warranty checkup

ivoire · 01-13-2010, 03:11 PM

just got this from the pentax authorized repair shop here in the chicago burbs:

"It looks like your unit needs to be sent out to Pentax for main circuit board and calibrate this will most likely take about 2-3 weeks for repairs. Please advise."

this may mean a replacement body instead of repair

now what to do for a backup???

eva2000 · 01-14-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by smitty

Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny.
It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button.
Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode.

Anyone else have these issues?

I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware.

no problems with latest firmware on my k-7 (original first shipment batch in Australia)

ivoire · 01-15-2010, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by smitty

Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny.
It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button.
Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode.

Anyone else have these issues?

I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware.

Smitty, if that is still happening, i recommend sending it in for a 'under warranty checkup'. Better to have it done while its still under warranty than get a bill for $200-400. I ended up spending $280 for a used K10D to use as a backup while waiting for the K7 repairs. May keep it or sell it later.

jgredline · 01-15-2010, 08:37 PM

I had experienced a very similar problem when I upgraded the firmware. I forget what post / thread it was, but it got worse...What fixed it for me was that I ended up re-installing the new firmware. It took three tries and then it was back to normal. It had me really upset when I first did the upgrade. Now it works ok.

Snydly · 01-16-2010, 07:34 AM

Didn't the FW V1.02 add a new sharpness level?

It's early, and I may be remembering the FW update on my wife's k-x.

I think it added a selectable 'Fine 2' level on the k7. That leads me to believe the sharpness was an issue.

Don't know enough about this to offer opinions though... I'll leave this to the resident 50 pound brains...

ivoire · 02-04-2010, 02:40 PM

The K7 was picked up today after waiting 30 days for replacement of the main circuit board. Everything is working fine. The repair time would have been less if I had sent it directly to Pentax. It took United Camera in Bensenville, IL 8 days to determine it had to go to Pentax. I'm just Happy that its back and in pristine condition.

**grey goat** · 02-04-2010, 04:40 PM

I just yesterday got a new K-7, and I'm in the beginning stages of figuring things out.

But one thing I wondered about was the firmware update. Reading this thread made me, well, a little wary of the latest update, US or Japanese version.

I have a really goofy question, though: how can one determine which firmware version is installed in the camera? I searched here, and looked at the Pentax site, and have hunted in the manual. I might be missing something somewhere.

If someone could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

01-13-2010, 03:11 PM	#24
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	just got this from the pentax authorized repair shop here in the chicago burbs: "It looks like your unit needs to be sent out to Pentax for main circuit board and calibrate this will most likely take about 2-3 weeks for repairs. Please advise." this may mean a replacement body instead of repair now what to do for a backup??? Last edited by ivoire; 01-13-2010 at 03:22 PM.

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01-04-2010, 08:18 PM	#16
StephenMerola Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 423	Wow. That is so odd. Please let us know what happens.

01-11-2010, 09:42 PM	#17
smitty New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cali Posts: 24	Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny. It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button. Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode. Anyone else have these issues? I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware.

01-11-2010, 09:54 PM	#18
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Still awaiting the repairs. I'll post an update once the body is returned. Its a nuisance not having a backup, but this a the slow real estate season. Am debating on a used or refurb k10 vs kx as backup if it isn't back soon. I'd hoped to hold out for the next pentax incarnation and retain K7 as backup.

01-12-2010, 03:29 AM	#19
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by ivoire ........... I'd hoped to hold out for the next pentax incarnation and retain K7 as backup. That's the best option... if you can wait

01-12-2010, 11:40 AM	#20
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by netuser That's the best option... if you can wait I'm working on patience, but the woot deal of a new w/warranty K20D with 18-55 alII lens for $584.99 shipped to my door is like the sirens song. Yahoo! Shopping - Online Shopping with great products, prices and reviews

01-12-2010, 11:56 PM	#21
K7er Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 58	Check this thread: New K7 firmware! [Page 1]: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

01-13-2010, 02:44 PM	#22
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	guys, did you try overwriting the latest firmware version with the Japan firmware version?

01-13-2010, 02:49 PM	#23
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentaxor guys, did you try overwriting the latest firmware version with the Japan firmware version? thats what i was using when the focus got weird. then i downgraded and the problem remained, so off for a warranty checkup

01-14-2010, 12:42 PM	#25
eva2000 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 239	Originally posted by smitty Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny. It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button. Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode. Anyone else have these issues? I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware. no problems with latest firmware on my k-7 (original first shipment batch in Australia)

01-15-2010, 06:09 PM	#26
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by smitty Ever since I installed the latest firmware, my photo playback has been funny. It sometimes makes the rear screen go blank until I hit the shutter button. Also, I'll be in playback, and when I move the camera body it will automatically go back to shooting mode. Anyone else have these issues? I just heard back from the studio I shot for last weekend. They asked if I had trouble getting tack sharp. I initially thought it was my shooting. Didn't even think it could have been the firmware. Smitty, if that is still happening, i recommend sending it in for a 'under warranty checkup'. Better to have it done while its still under warranty than get a bill for $200-400. I ended up spending $280 for a used K10D to use as a backup while waiting for the K7 repairs. May keep it or sell it later.

01-15-2010, 08:37 PM	#27
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I had experienced a very similar problem when I upgraded the firmware. I forget what post / thread it was, but it got worse...What fixed it for me was that I ended up re-installing the new firmware. It took three tries and then it was back to normal. It had me really upset when I first did the upgrade. Now it works ok.

01-16-2010, 07:34 AM	#28
Snydly Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Albums Posts: 242	Didn't the FW V1.02 add a new sharpness level? It's early, and I may be remembering the FW update on my wife's k-x. I think it added a selectable 'Fine 2' level on the k7. That leads me to believe the sharpness was an issue. Don't know enough about this to offer opinions though... I'll leave this to the resident 50 pound brains...

02-04-2010, 02:40 PM	#29
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	The K7 was picked up today after waiting 30 days for replacement of the main circuit board. Everything is working fine. The repair time would have been less if I had sent it directly to Pentax. It took United Camera in Bensenville, IL 8 days to determine it had to go to Pentax. I'm just Happy that its back and in pristine condition.

02-04-2010, 04:40 PM	#30
grey goat Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spring Green, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 926	I just yesterday got a new K-7, and I'm in the beginning stages of figuring things out. But one thing I wondered about was the firmware update. Reading this thread made me, well, a little wary of the latest update, US or Japanese version. I have a really goofy question, though: how can one determine which firmware version is installed in the camera? I searched here, and looked at the Pentax site, and have hunted in the manual. I might be missing something somewhere. If someone could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.