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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-13-2013, 05:53 PM
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The shutting off problem seems to have been solved with V1.04.
I don't know how long I had the problem and which version caused it but it became apparent when I was trying to shoot a still life.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-04-2013, 09:10 AM
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I have just installed the 1.04 firmware update.
The most immediate thing that I have noticed is that it seems to have fixed the problem of the screen switching off after a few seconds, irrespective of the timout settings in the menu.
See my post "Strange Behaviour" for an explanation of the problem.
On a more general level, I have spent the majority of my life working in the software industry and I think that continual release of firmware updates, to fix problems in previous releases is completely unacceptable.
We had versions 1.01 and 1.02 which actually enhanced the performance of the camera and since then we have had updates which are actually bug fixes to previous versions.
Do they never test the software before it is released?
The "Strange Behaviour" issue caused me many hours of worry and frustration, yet it is so apparent that even in the most cursory examination of 2 cameras (pre and post update) the problem would be noticed in a few seconds (when the screen went blank).
There are further implications of these bug-fix releases:-
1 Firmware updates are inherently risky. Out of all of the K30 users there is a probability that some people may have an un-successful update, thereby turning the camera into a brick.
2 We all want third party apps for pc's tablets and phones which would allow tethering and remote control (like those availabe for Nikon and Canon). However any developer would surely stay clear of a platform who's firmware was changing on an almost monthly basis.
Overall I am happy with the camera but I think that Pentax should look to improving quality control in their software department.
Perhaps the next release should give us a "goodie" (e.g. longer max shutter speed) to placate the masses.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-02-2013, 09:00 PM
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I think that Pentax should, as a priority, provide an interface and/or software for an Android and IOS phone/tablet interface similar to that available for Canon, in order to increase their market share.
When I was making the decision to buy a Conon or a Pentax, I initially thought of getting the Canon and one of the major points was the ability to use my Nexus tablet to control it. The reason I eventually bought the Pentax was that I could use my old Pentax lenses from my ME Super in a better way han using the Canon adaptor. One other bone of contention was the fixed screen on the Pentax as opposed to the touch control articulated screen on the Canon.
I am sure that many people would be making the same judgements and probably coming down on the other side.
By providing the interface/software they would introduce a "WOW" factor, without having to make any hardware changes which would surely help sales.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-01-2013, 04:36 PM
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Thanks. I've just downloaded an update for Adobe Raw 4.6.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-25-2013, 09:43 AM
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I have the use of Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Bridge. Is there any point in installing the Pentax software which was supplied with my K30?
I have installed software from previous cameras and ghave found it to be redundant, mainly about transferring pictures from the camera to the pc via a USB cable. I have a card reader so this was not required.
Thanks
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-24-2013, 10:13 AM
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Thanks for your help.
I was begining to see some form of perverted logic whilst doing my experiments for my second post.
I suppose that the camera has different levels of sleep to save battery life, which are not apparent to the user.
Its rather cold and wet in the UK at present and I hit upon the idea of still life as a way to play with my new toy, indoors. There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with this type of photography, moving between the camera, the subject and the lighting and the camera switching off was really annoying. I suppose that I could set it to movie mode and take a movie (which would be discarded) to keep everything switched on prior to taking the final photo.
I am using the 18-55 WR kit lens at F14 with ISO 100 and I was realy impressed with the results. The picture, straignt out of the camera was sharp and I viewed it at 400% in Photoshop and it still looked presentable.
I have a few questions about the Pentax software, but I will create another post.
Thanks again.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-23-2013, 09:38 PM
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I have the K30 with the 18-55 WR lens.
I recharged the battery (it was nearly fully charged anyway) and have done a few more tests after switching auto power off to OFF.
TV mode - The aperture display goes blank after about 8 seconds
AV mode - The shutter display goes blank after about 8 seconds.
TAV mode - everything flashes and the IOS says AUTO then shutter and aperture flash then camera shuts down after 30sec.
The anti shake starts off green then changes to white and shows ON.
Also I cannot see any info in the viewfinder unless I half depress the shutter.
I had set the still life shot in the kitchen but I was not aware of any humidity.
The only other thing was to set the camera on a tripod. I was not aware of overtightening the screw.
I don't know if this has always been a problem as I normally use the camera outside and half depress the shutter to take the pic. It was only whilst setting up the still life that I was aware of the problem as I was changing the composition and checking the exposure and composition on the camera.
I changed the meter operating time and this seems to correspond to the time it takes for the changable value to disappear.so perhaps this is design feature that I was not aware of, however I would have thought that display would have continued for the length of the Auto Power off setting.
Perhaps this is not a problem as I suppose that if the metering was limited to 10 sec, I would have to half depress the shutter in order that the meter would re-measure the scene, prior to taking the picture.
However it seems that the Auto Power off does not have any effect as if I set it to 1 min, half depressing the shutter brings it back to life in the same way as if it was set to 30 min (although the screen blanks out after about a minute in both cases)
Could somebody please try this on their camera and tell me if I have a faulty camera or whether the length of the Auto Power off setting is meaningless.
I hope that this is not a hardware fault as I have heard of 5 week delays.
Thanks in advance
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-23-2013, 07:12 PM
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I was taking some still life photos last night and the camera kept switching itself off. I had set the auto-power off to 3min however this was happening in less than a minute.
I have reset the value to 5 min and tonight I noticed that shutter speed indicator blanks out after 6 sec and the camera powers off in about 20 sec. The camera is set to AV, aperture at F8, ISO Auto (100-3200) and I am testing this under indoor lighting. The only thing out of the ordinary is that I tried the (non Pentax)IR remote, which did not seem to work properly and then I used the wired remote, the problem manifests itself tonight without any remote attached. I fully charged the battery before use tonight. The camera is only 2 months old and has taken about 1600 photos. When I half press the shutter, the camera returns to normal but then the problen returns.
Is this a fault or caused by the interaction of another setting.
Thanks
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