|
Forum: Maintenance and Repair Articles
10-14-2017, 08:42 AM
|
| |
* ist D, DS, DS2, DL and the just plain K100D
This sequence, embedded in one of the quotes above, has been tested and confirmed on the original * ist D and the K100D (non-Super) both with 1.00 firmware. It is claimed on DPReview to work for the models in between but I am unable to confirm that.
*istDS, debug is built-in, no need for a modset file.
procedure: During switch on, press the AEL-L and INFO buttons at the same time.
After that, you have approximately 5 seconds to press the MENU button twice, then the INFO button. Voilá!
Edit: You now see the debug menu, the cursor positioned on the first item DEBUG . Change it to .
To cancel debug mode, start the camera the same way, but now confirm the "DEBUG ".
---------- Post added 10-14-17 at 12:29 PM ----------
This is the story of how I came to gather this information and post it all together here in one place as Mike suggested so long ago.
I started shooting film in 1955. Around the turn of the century I explored digital with a Canon A300 and later an S70. After carefully researching DSLRs for a long time I bought a new * ist D, which I liked very much. In fact, I wore it out. Over the years I bought on eBay a used K100D and K100D Super and liked those, too. And another * ist D to replace my original -- for sentimental reasons. (It has pro features missing on the 100 series, but the 100s have some updated features, such as SD cards and a bigger display.) During a flush period, I decided to go full-frame, and after waiting a long time for Pentax to do the same, I bought a Canon 6D. I didn't like it at all so I sold that and bought a Pentax K5. That was OK but I found I liked my little Pentaxes better, so I sold the K5 as well. I don't really remember what possessed me to buy a K10 -- possibly finding one with a very low shutter count from a reputable seller on eBay -- for about $60 as I recall. I loved it! It looked brand new and took great pictures -- except for the fact that it kept locking up on me and refusing to take pictures. It had a 30-day return policy and I debated the whole 30 days and consulted with the seller, who offered a full refund, but had no idea how to solve the problem. After much experimentation I concluded that the problem was that when trying to focus on a distant object, the motor in the body would push the lens up against the stop at infinity, still not feel things were in focus, and so block the shutter release. (Later I discovered that the camera would work reliably with a rarely used Pentax/Tamron 18-250 zoom, presumably because the focus ring will go past infinity.)
Here and at other sites online I found out about debug mode. I decided to keep the K10D and sit on it until I got up the courage to mess with debug mode. In the meantime I bought another used K10, That cost more and was not in as good apparent shape, but it always worked. It became my default camera. I monitored things online and more info appeared and I was able to sort out some apparently conflicting information. Then my K100D Super developed the same problem! I tried replacing that with a K200, but that never felt right in my hands, though I have kept it. So, I decided to take the plunge into debug mode and see if I could get my K100D Super back as well as a second working K10.
I gathered up all the info I could online, then went through it and tried to distill what seemed most likely to work. I saw Mike's post here, as well as innumerable posts from others seeking this information, or saying the posted instructions did not work. So I decided to test the instructions for any camera I owned and post the results here. The outcome for me is that both cameras now work fine. The K10 needed a +150 adjustment to work with all my lenses, while the K100D Super only needed +100. (I live in New Hampshire so it is not hard to find distant mountains to focus on.) I did NOT make any attempt to get anything to focus perfectly. I was only interested in the more basic question of whether the camera refused to take pictures. Because I do not own any Pentax cameras newer than a K200, I don't expect to add cameras to this thread, though I welcome additions from others. I also welcome questions or corrections to what is posted here. I would really like this to be a one-stop source for people having focus problems. The fact I did with two out of seven Pentax DSLRs suggests the problem is not rare.
|
|
Forum: Maintenance and Repair Articles
10-06-2017, 04:12 PM
|
| |
K10D
Mike explained how to get into debug mode pressing magic buttons. You can also use the method above for the K200D with minor modifications. For my cameras with Firmware 1.00 and 1.11 the name for the file I put on the SD card is
MODSET.TXT
and what you need to type into it (followed by a Return/Enter) is
[OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]
You can turn the camera on with the SD card door closed. Rather than enter debug mode silently this will give you a menu that lets you turn it on or off as you wish. It includes various other mysterious options.
I now have the files for the K10D, K100D Super, and K200D all on the same SD card and they do not seem to be fighting with one another. The same card works in all three cameras.
Here is a tentative table from uttam.hathi that lists other Pentax cameras that you can get into debug mode with a file on an SD card and what the name of the file needs to be. Except as noted elsewhere in this thread I have not confirmed any of this. Note also that different cameras or firmwares may require different commands inside the file:o
*istDS, debug is built-in, no need for a modset file.
procedure: During switch on, press the AEL-L and INFO buttons at the same time.
After that, you have approximately 5 seconds to press the MENU button twice, then the INFO button. Voilá!
Edit: You now see the debug menu, the cursor positioned on the first item DEBUG . Change it to .
To cancel debug mode, start the camera the same way, but now confirm the "DEBUG ".
Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/274316-pentax-ha...#ixzz3Ed8NsBtz
K10D with firmware v1.20 -v1.30: MODSET.TXT
GX10 with firmware v1.20-v1.30:MODSET.TXT
K10D with firmware v1.10: MODSET.421
GX10 with firmware v1.10: MODSET.429
K20D: MODSET.442
K20D v1.03:MODSET.442
K200D: MODSET.445 -the SD card door must be open instead (can be closed immediately after switching on).
K200D v1.00.00.03 :MODSET.445 -the SD card door must be open instead (can be closed immediately after switching on).?
GX20 v1.01, v1.03:MODSET.454
Km : MODSET.464
Km v1.10: MODSET.464 press "Delete" during turn-on
K7: MODSET.474
K7 v1.01: MODSET.474
K2000 v1.10: MODSET.482 press "Delete" during turn-on
Kx: MODSET.492
k-5 MODSET.505
|
|
Forum: Maintenance and Repair Articles
10-06-2017, 02:54 PM
|
| |
Here are instructions for the K200D from
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/75223-k200d-autofocus-fine-tuning.htmlI have added some things in red based on my experience with my own K200D. At the link above you can also find a more detailed list of instructions particularly aimed at Windows users not accustomed to editing configuration files.That does say you cannot take pictures in debug mode but I seem to be doing that. Others have confirmed that you can with various other Pentax models. In fact some folks leave cameras permanently in debug mode so they can tweak settings for each lens.
K200D autofocus fine tuning. (from polur101 elsewhere on this site)
make a text file in the root folder of SD card.
name it MODSET.445
type the following in the text file.
to enable debug mode type
[DEBUG_MODE EN]
to disable debug mode type
[DEBUG_MODE DIS]
You must hit return at the end of each command line, just as you have to do when entering a user name, password, or a number into a spreadsheet cell. I would not put both these commands on the same card at the same time. Use the first to get into debug mode. Then edit the file on the card to make it look like the second command when you are ready to turn off debug mode.
put the SD card in the camera
leave the card door open!
Power on while holding the menu button.
camera enters debug mode.
Have faith. There is no explicit indication this has happened. :confused:
press menu button again.
go to setup menu (right arrow twice)
looks normal!!
press up arrow once
go to AF TEST
voila!
If you don't see AF TEST something went wrong. Try again and if it still does not work recheck all the instructions and check the file on the SD card for typos. I have only confirmed this for Version 1.00 of the firmware. Another user confirmed it for 1.1.
adjust AF compensation.
negative for front focus
positive for back focus
Positive is what you need for lenses that do not focus to infinity.
Mine needed -60um
To run debug disable edit the line in the SD card to say.
[DEBUG_MODE DIS]
put the SD card in the camera
leave the card door open!
Power on while holding the menu button.
cheers.
kris.
---------- Post added 10-06-17 at 06:14 PM ----------
K100D Super
From the thread cited above (sorry the link does not work for me and I don't know how to fix it)
It turns out that the instructions posted in PF for debug on the k200d worked for my k100d super, except that the modset file needed to be renamed modset.459. With that change, these instructions worked for my K100d super.
I can confirm this for my K100D Super with firmware 1.00. However, when it goes into debug mode I get WAIT HS... on the big LCD. I waited and nothing happened so I just turned off the camera and was in debug mode when I turned it back on. Then rather than a notice of debug mode being on in the top left corner of my big LCD I get cryptic numbers and letters across the top and bottom of the screen. If I take a picture the instant playback is covered with such letters and numbers and is useless. So I turned it off.
Read more at: K100d super k100ds debug mode - AF adjust - PentaxForums.com
|
|
Forum: Maintenance and Repair Articles
10-01-2017, 01:13 PM
|
| |
Mike, I am disappointed this thread has gone nowhere in three years. I think it is a great idea to post this info all in one place. I am struggling with a K10D and K100D Super that do not focus to infinity. There are many relevant posts even just within this forum but they are mostly incomplete or mutually contradictory. Right now I have the K10D working with most lenses (up from NOT working with most lenses). I will post what I learn when I am more sure of it.
Right now I can add that there are at least three ways to get into debug mode. You use magic button presses. This is the one that works in the field but it is also the one that is most camera specific and for many models the magic buttons are unknown. Second way is with software. PK-Tether and some hack from Russia are two options. Finally, you can get into debug mode by placing magic text files on an SD card. (This last is what worked for me.)
As you note, most sources say your magic button sequence works only for a K10D with firmware 1.10. You said you got it to work with 1.0 but I could not. Usually there are three digits when firmware versions are quoted so I am wondering if you left out a digit? I could not get it to work with 1.11 either.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-12-2017, 10:03 AM
|
| |
I just started having this problem with a K10D. This has been working fine for many months (hundreds of images) with the same memory card so I doubt it is a firmware or compatibility issues issue. It's a Sandisk card and has been nearly empty. I reformatted the card in the camera and got a couple shots before the trouble started again. When I can get out I will buy another card. In the meantime I will try an old card if I can dig one up. FWIW when I put the card in a card reader on my computer it detects the file name for the sick file (also shown on camera display) but reports a 0 byte file, i.e., no info in the file, just a name with no data.
I'm adding this to an old thread because this is the first thread that comes up in a Google search.
|
