Pentax issues new firmware for six DSLRs

Pentax has also introduced new firmware for the *ist DS (ver 2.02), *ist DL (ver 1.03), *ist DS2 (ver 1.02), *ist DL (ver 1.02), K100D (ver 1.02) and K110D (ver 1.02).All of these updates simply "improve SDHC support" over previous versions. Currently the new firmware is only available on the Pentax Japan website @ http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/support/

Dwight,

Picked mine up at the Canadian site:

http://www.pentaxcanada.com/index.php

Cheers,

Mike

Having just upgraded my firmware to 2.02 , I have just seen on a Yahoo Pentax user forum that after upgrading that the PC software for controlling the camera from the PC no longer works. I have not had the chance to confirm this myself yet but I intend to do so at the first opportunity. I will then post again with my findings when I have done so.

Not all models support being run from the PC anyway. I think only the original D can be controlled in this fashion.

my ds2 does. so i'll wait till it's sorted before intalling the update.

[quote="Ammonyte"]Not all models support being run from the PC anyway. I think quote]

Hi 'Ammonyte' Glad you said "I think". As an istDS user I have actually used mine via a PC. see also another post by an istDS2 user who has also done so.

I know you can download directly from the DS/K10D to a PC, but can you use them in "tethered" mode - i.e. control the camera and take photographs via software on the PC? Thats what I wasn't sure about. I downloaded the latest version of Pentax Remote Software and it wouldn't recognise the K10D.

My *istDL2 works tethered

The software mistakes it for a D, and some of the functions don't work. For example you can't change the custom functions (DL2 has different ones to D) and the DL2 has less AF points, but you can fire the shutter remotely and use the time lapse thingy.

It's very cool, but I have yet to come up with a reason to use it.

I tested the Pentax Remote Assistant for controlling the camera (updated to the most recent version) from a PC on my K10D. Initially some functions were disabled (shutter release from PC for example), but I managed to take one photo using the camera's controls. After this the K10D locked up completely. When I disconnected it from the PC (being careful to release it properly via Windows) it was still locked up. Switching it off made no difference. With the camera switched off it continued to show "PC" in the LCD display and did not function when switched on again. Eventually I had to remove the battery. The K10D was OK after that.

I won't be touching this software again until/unless Pentax release a version that supports the K10D.

My understanding is that the remote sotware is only compatible with the *istD and not the later models.

Mike

Moderators - this is quite old news now. Does it need to remain 'sticky'?

Fair comment, duly dealt with.