JAK

Joined: 29th January 2010

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JAK
Having taken delivery of one today I put the lens on what I thought was my K-3 and it seemed quite good. Only it wasn't my K-3 but my K-1 in full frame mode!! There is a tiny bit of corner vignetting in FF mode when the lens is wide open, but for many images that might not matter. No worse than some other FF lenses. I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Comment by JAK posted on Amazon: HD Pentax-DA 55-300MM F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE at 24/11/2016 - 18:04

JAK
Looks like a scam to me. Probably wants you to install a virus!
No issue on my PC.
If only it was easy to run Adblocker on Android it would prevent that. Unfortunately the phone needs to be rooted to run it, which might mean the firmware won't update afterwards.
One of the reasons I hate accessing the web via phone.
I'd actually report that problem to Google.

Comment by JAK posted on Warning system damaged on Google?? at 24/11/2016 - 17:59

JAK
Indeed it is. While in one respect a nuisance having yet a different mount, if it helps get the AF on par with the opposition it should satisfy quite a few users. At least the new mount isn't that different one has to buy a completely new camera system. Best of the old and the best of the new!

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 14:14

JAK
It's not an 'officially fully supported by Pentax' full frame lens for which Pentax provide lens correction support for it in full frame mode as they do for the FA 77mm Ltd. It does however cover the full frame image perfectly well though.

Comment by JAK posted on FS: Pentax 70mm Limited at 24/11/2016 - 13:30

JAK
Zip files should open on any computer with the correct unzip program. I certainly used them regularly on my Amiga.
I'd investigate what you need to open them with on your Mac for another time. Google found izip
Anyhow, pleased you got it sorted.
Strangely, I had a 55-300mm PLM arrive in the post a moment ago, Pentax must have realised they needed to get the K-3 update ready for that. Timely! And does it work OK with the K-3 now? Yes it does! Should satisfy those who were recently complaining that the K-3 lacked the facility to use the PLM lenses. Patience is a virtue.

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 13:17

JAK
The zip file is named:, k3_v130.zip and it's size should be 14,053 KB.
The content is named: fwdc220b.bin (that's the file to be placed on the SD card) and it's size is 16,444 KB.
I'd suggest starting again as I've no idea what your cpgz file could be. Are you sure you haven't unzipped a different file entirely?
If you're using a PC right click on the .zip file and select 'Extract All...' and you should see the .bin file.
No idea about it on a Mac or ZX81 !

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 12:41

JAK
Each camera has its own firmware name, e.g. fwdc220b.bin for the K-3 and fwdc228b.bin for the K-1. So if you inadvertently put the wrong firmware on the SD card it won't update with the wrong camera version, you'll just wonder why nothing happened!
Make sure the battery is fully charged before updating, The K-3 update took around a minute and the K-1 around 20 seconds, but will partly depend on the memory card read speed. Also, let it finish to 'Complete' before turning off the camera, turning off before it completes will likely brick the camera.
Oh, and in the case of the K-3 and K-1, the firmware has to be in the root directory of the card in slot 1. Lastly, unzip the download to extract the relevant '.bin' file. Putting the zip file on the SD card won't achieve anything!

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 11:24

JAK
royd63uk wrote:
Hi
i purchased a used k3 with firmware version 1 can I just go straight to version 4 ?
Yes it's a complete new firmware, not an incremental update.

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 11:01

JAK
Promised K-1 update to v1.40 :
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k1.html

Red-Lighted LCD Monitor Display Function
The PENTAX K-1 provides a red-lighted LCD monitor display function which prevents the pupils of the photographer’s eyes from constricting after they have become accustomed to a dark environment during astrophotography.

Bulb Timer Function
Bulb exposure time increased to 20 minutes. (The bulb timer function comes in handy when photographing celestial bodies or fireworks.)

White dot noise in reduction during slow shutter speeds bug fix (affected jpegs)
Overall Improved stability for general performance.

Comment by JAK posted on K-3 firmware update at 24/11/2016 - 10:17

JAK
The Jessops tubes are marked PKA/AF, but having just tried them they aren't AF at all. Wonder what they were thinking. They do though pass the aperture info through OK so fine for lenses not equipped with an aperture setting. AF for macro work is pretty pointless anyhow.

Comment by JAK posted on Manual Extension Tubes at 22/11/2016 - 16:15

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