Firmware

I am either confused or dim, but this whole issue of firmware upgrading is baffling me. I received a shiny new K10D from Santa and after much messing about and proding and poking, I noticed that it has firmware version 1.00. I also noticed that the latest firmware available is 1.3 and according to the instructions for upgrading to the latest version, I need to, I quote "Make sure your camera currently has firmware version 1.00 through 1.20.".
The trouble is when I went searching for version 1.10, on the Pentax website, the earliest version I was able to download was version 1.11. Even though I found the link to version 1.10 it took me to the download for 1.11 and if I clicked the link for version 1.20 it took me to the download page for 1.30.
I suppose my question is, is it necessary to upgrade up to 1.20 before I can install 1.30?

Don't be ashamed to be the former, and being so does not imply the latter.

Anyone that says they haven't been (more than once, probably) is either lying, or knows much less than they imagine.

They don't exactly bend over backwards to make this stuff easy.

However, for once, the answer is easy...

No. You can if you want (although there's no advantage in doing so), or you can go straight to 1.3.

Just use a fully charged battery, and follow the instructions to the letter.

Welcome!

I can confirm that you can just go straight to v1.3, since that's what I did recently with my work camera.

Your camera, as you said, has version 1.00. Therefore that statement is perfectly correct

(They say that, because if there was ever a 1.40 you can't downgrade to 1.30 ... at least not normally!)

Just go ahead and put 1.30 straight in and enjoy

Matt

Thanks for the advice. Would I be correct in thinking that, if I do the 1.3 install, it will include all the improvements and bug fixes covered by the previous firmware upgrades, i.e remote flash and more comprehensive configuration of e-dials, etc?

Yes. In terms of the actual feature set, the upgrades are cumulative, that is to say, each includes all the previous additions, and adds to them.

It's computer programming, at the end of the day, so I expect it's not actually impossible for them to introduce bugs with a later version. But it would be something of a scandal if it happened, and they'd doubtless fix it pretty sharpish.

But other than the removal, with version 1.2 IIRC, of an undocumented 'back door' that gave access to some of the very low level factory adjustments, there's no evidence that it has happened so it's not a significant concern.

Chris,
Thanks, once again, for putting my mind at ease. Guess what I'm doing tomorow? Just as soon as my battery is fully charged!

I have just got a K100d and would like to know how to find out how ifind out which version is on mine?

If you type "download k100d firmware" into Google, you'll find that the first link in the search results contains precise instructions for upgrading the firmware, and includes an answer to this question.

Normally you hold down the MENU button while powering up the camera.
Matt

If it helps you visualise firmware upgrading, the firmware is stored on a chip in the camera, and every time you upgrade it, you're actually just downloading an entire new chip's worth of software and dumping it onto the chip

This is why 'upgrade' is a silly term, I think - 'replace' would be better.

Just to let you know, and those who are contemplating it in the near future, that I am now running version 1.30. All that fretting and sweating wasn't justified (visions of a failed upgrade and a dead camera!). The only disconcerting thing was the read/write LED flashing continuously after the "complete" message was displayed. After switching the camera off, removing the SD card and switching it back on again, to my great relief, I was running version 1.30.
Once again, thanks to everyone who offered advice.

I bought my K10D in early Jan 08 it came with firmware 1.0 installed. I've just upgraded to 1.30.

Very easy process to follow.