Recommended Pentax K-1 Settings

Recommended Pentax K-1 Settings

Last updated on February 19, 2024

K-1, the first Pentax full-frame digital SLR, launched on the market in 2016, is one of those cameras bursting of buttons, dials and lights, and it is highly customizable. I thought that as soon as bought or rented the camera, especially for photographers new to the Pentax philosophy, it will be difficult to navigate the many menu options. Seeing as I have been shooting with Pentax since 2017, looking for even better image quality, in this article I provide information on what settings I use and that I recommend as a starting point.

To correctly display the tables on smartphones it is necessary to rotate the screen horizontally. The Working Parts diagram is that shown in the Operating Manual.

Operating Controls

Before going into the camera menus let’s start with the external controls.
● Mode dial lock release lever [9] turned outward (unlock).
● Focus mode switch [13] normally set to AF.
● Diopter adjustment dial rotated by 9 clicks clockwise (there is no zero reference).
● Smart Function: function dial [19] set to Crop, in order to allow switching the angle of view beetween FF, APS-C and 1:1 with setting dial [21] without moving the eye from the viewfinder.
● Screen normally off (press once INFO [17] to go to the control panel, then 2 times to switch off the screen).
● GPS button [18] always on.

Color Temperature: by pressing the Change AF Point button [26] and then the WB button of the Four-way controller [27] the White Balance setting screen appears, I suggest specifying three values in the last box: K₁ 3200K — K₂ 3800K — K₃ 4600K, , which correspond to the ¼ CTO, ½ CTO and Full CTO conversion gels to be used on the flash unit.

Firmware Update: from the Set-up Menus 🔧4 check that Firmware Info/Options shows the latest update software released on the Ricoh Japan website.

📷 Still Picture Mode Control Panel:

LV Electronic Shutter
ES OFF
Contrast AF
Select
Grid Display
ON
Electronic Level
ON
Focus Peaking
PEAK OFF
Shake Reduction
ON
Horizon Correction
ON
Composition Adjust.
OFF
Pixel Shift Resolution
OFF
AA Filter Simulator
OFF
ASTROTRACER
OFF
HDR Capture
HDR OFF
Distortion Correction
OFF
AF Assist Light
ON
Wi-Fi
OFF
File Format
RAW+
JPEG Recorded Pixels
L
Memory Card Options
→2
ISO Auto Max
6400
Focal length
**mm

🎥 Movie Mode Control Panel:

Crop
FF
Contrast AF
Select
Grid Display
ON
Electronic Level
ON
Focus Peaking
PEAK OFF
Shake Reduction
ON
Highlight Correction
Auto
Shadow Correction
Auto
Digital Filter
OFF
Night Vision LCD Display
RED OFF
AE Metering
Multi-segment
Recordng Sound Level
Auto
Wind Noise Reduction
OFF
AF Assist Light
ON
Headphone Volume
🎧10
Recorded Pixels
FullHD
Framerate
25p
Memory Card Options
→2

Menus:

Rec Mode Menus
📷1
Phase Detection AFAF Mode
AF Active Area
AF.S Setting
1st Frame Action in AF.C
Action in AF.C cont.
Hold AF Status
AF.S
SEL
Focus-priority
Focus-priority
Focus-priority
Low
Contrast Detection AFContrast AF
Focus Peaking
Contrast AF Options
Select
Peak OFF
Focus-priority
AF Assist LightON
AE MeteringSpot
ISO Auto SettingISO Range (Maximum)
ISO Range (Minimum)
AUTO ISO Parameters
6400
100
Intermediate
Flash ModeFlash On / 0.0 EV
Program LineMTF

📷2
LV Electronic ShutterES OFF
Memory Card Options→2
CropFF
Image Capture SettingsFile Format
JPEG Reorded Pixels
JPEG Quality
Formato file RAW
Color Space
RAW+
L
☆☆☆
DNG
AdobeRGB
D-Range SettingsHighlight Correction
Shadow Correction
Auto
Auto
Noise ReductionSlow Shutter Speed NR
High-ISO NR
Auto
Auto

📷3
Clarity0
Skin ToneOFF
Digital FilterOFF
HDR CaptureOFF
Pixel Shift ResolutionOFF
ASTROTRACEROFF

📷4
AA Filter SimulatorOFF
Shake reductionON
Horizon CorrectionON
Composition Adjust.OFF
Lens CorrectionON
Distortion Correction
Peripherial Illum. Corr.
Lat-Chrmomatic-Ab Adj
Diffraction Corrections

OFF
Auto
ON
ON
Input Focal Lenght

📷5
Viewfinder OverlayGrid Display
Electronic Level
AF Frame
Spot Metering Frame
AF Points
ON
ON


Live ViewGrid Display
> Grid Syle
> Grid Color
Electronic Level
Histogram Display
Highligh Alert
Flicker Reduction

Golden Section
Black
ON


50Hz
Instant ReviewOFF
Display Time
Zoom Review
Save RAW Data
Delete
Histogram Display
Highligh Alert

OFF




Other Display SettingsGuide Display
Auto Screen Rotation
Display Color


1
Button CustomizationFx1 Button
Fx2 Button
AF Button
Preview Dial
> Zoom Review
> Save Preview Image
> Histogram Display
> Highilight Alert
E-Dial Programming
> P
> Sv
> Tv
> Av
> TAv
> M
> B
> X
> Rotation Direction
Flash Mode
Outdoor View Settings
Cancel AF
Digital Preview





Tv / Av / →P
± / ISO / –
± / Tv / –
± / Av / –
Tv / Av / AvSHIFT
Tv / Av / TvSHIFT
ISO / Av / 🕙ON
– / Av / –
Rotate Right
MemorySensitivity
EV Compensation
Flash Mode
Flash Exposure Comp.
Drive Mode
White Balance
Custom Image
Clarity
Skin Tone
Digital Filter
HDR Capture
Pixel Shift Resolution
Composition Adjust.
Playback Info Display
Operation Control Lock
Outdoor View Setting
Night Vision LCD Display
















Save USER Mode
Focus LimiterLimit

Movie Menus
🎥1
Contrast AFContrast AF
Focus Peaking
Select
Peak OFF
AF Assist LightON
AE MeteringMulti-segment
Memory Card Options→2
CropFF
Movie Capture SettingsRecorded PixelsFullHD
Framerate25p
Sound Volume SettingRecorded Sound Level
Wind Noise Reduction
Headphone Volume
Auto
ON
🔊10

🎥2
D-Range SettingsHighlight Correction
Shadow Correction
Auto
Auto
Digital FilterOFF
Movie SRON
Live ViewGrid Display
> Grid Syle
> Grid Color
Electronic Level
Histogram Display
Highligh Alert
Flicker Reduction

OFF
Black
ON


50Hz
Button CustomizationAF Button
E-Dial Programming
> P
> Tv
> Av
> TAv
> M
> Rotation Direction
Enable AF2

± / – / –
± / Tv / P Line
± / Av / P Line
Tv / Av / P Line
Tv / Av / P Line
Rotate Right
Focus LimiterLimit

Playback Menus
▶️1
SlideshowSD1/SD2
> Start
> Display duration
> Screen Effect
> Repeat Playback
> Auto Movie Playback


3sec
OFF

Protect All ImagesSD1/SD2Protect
Unprotect
Delete All ImagesSD1/SD2Delete
Cancel
Quick ZoomOFF
Playback Sound Volume🔊20
LCD DisplayAuto Image Rotation
Grid DisplayOFF
Highlight Alert

Set-up Menus
🔧1
Language/言語English
Date AdjustmentDate Format
Date
Time
dd/mm/yyy 24h
00/00/0000
00:00
World TimeTime Setting
✈️Destination
🏠Hometown
🏠
Milan 23:00
London 22:00
Text SizeStd.
Sound EffectsVolume
In-focus
AE-L
Self-timer
Remote Control
Mirror Up
AF Active Area
One Push File Format
Pixel Shift Resolution
Shake Reduction
Horizon Correction
Electronic Level
🔊1










LCD Display SettingsBroghtess Level
Color Saturation Level
Adjust: Blue-Amber
Adjust: Green-Magenta
0
0
0
0
Outdoor View SettingOFF

🔧2
Illumination SettingsLCD Panel
Backside Controls
Lens Mount
Card Slot/Connector
💡2
💡2
💡
💡
Indicator LampsWi-Fi
GPS
Self-timer
Remote Control
💡2
💡2
💡
💡
Wi-FiAction Mode
Communcation Info
> SSID
> Password
Reset Settings
OFF

PENTAX_******
********
Reset
Cancel
GPS/E-CompassGPS Logging
> GPS Logging
> Logging Interval
> Logging Duration
> Memory Card Options
GPS Time Sync
Calibration

LOG OFF
15sec
4h
→2

USB ConnectionMSC
HDMI OutAuto
Auto Power Off10min.

🔧3
Create New FolderCreate Folder
Cancel
Folder NameData*** _DDMM
File Name📷 sRGB
📷 AdobeRGB
🎥
IMGP ****.JPG
_IMG ****.JPG
IMGP ****.MOV
File No.Sequential Numbering
Reset File Number

Reset File Number
Cancel
Copyright InformationEmbed Copyright Data
Photographer
Copyright Holder

***
***
FormatSD1/SD2
Format
Cancel

🔧4
Pixel MappingPixel Mapping
Cancel
Dust RemovalDust Removal
Startup Action
Shutdown Action


Sensor CleaningMirror Up
Cancel
Select BatteryAuto Select
Certification Marks
Firmware Info/OptionsPENTAX K-1
Ver : 2. 41
ResetReset
Cancel

🔧5
Night Vision LCD DisplayRED OFF
Limited FunctionGrad ND SimulatorGrad ND 🔒

Custom Settings Menus
C1
1 EV Steps1 1/3 EV Steps
2 Sensitivity Steps2 As EV Steps
3 Meter Operating Time4 Continue
4 Auto EV Compensation1 OFF
5 Link AE and AF Point2 ON
6 Bulb (B) Mode Options2 Type2
7 Flash Sync Speed2 1/160

C2
8 AE-L with AF Locked1 OFF
9 Viewfinder Light1 Auto
10 AF with Remote Control1 OFF
11 Bracketing Order1 0 – +
12 One-Push Bracketing2 ON
13 Interval Shooting Options1 Interval
14 AF in Interval Shooting2 Adjust focus for each shot

C3
15 WB Adjustable Range1 Fxed
16 AWB in Tungsten Light2 Subtle Correction
17 WB When Using Flash3 Unchanged
18 Color Temperature Steps1 Kelvin
19 Enable/Disable Control1 Type1
20 Change AF Point Button2 Type2
21 Auto SR Off2 Disable Auto SR Off

C4
22 Save Rotation Info1 ON
23 Save Menu Location1 Reset Menu Location
24 Catch-in focus1 OFF
25 AF Fine Adjustment1 OFF
26 Using Aperture Ring2 Enable
Reset Custom Functions

Shooting settings

Shutter shock: a common problem of the high-resolution cameras is sharpness loss caused by the shutter vibrations. On Pentax K-1 this effect is evident when mounting the zoom D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6, and is insignificant with prime lenses as SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 and SMC FA 77mm f/1.8. Photographing on a tripod benefits from the use of the Electronic Shutter (ES) and remote control. When shooting freehand without flash, I suggest avoiding speeds between 1/25 s and 1/200 s. With static subjects at 1/20 s the Shake Reduction (SR) efficiently balances hand movements. With landscaped and portraits with natural or continuous light you will get significantly better results at 1/250 s by raising the sensitivity, rather than at 1/125 s with lower ISO.

Focusing with large-aperture lenses: if it is true that Phase Detection AF is faster and more sensitive in low light, with very wide apertures it is not as accurate as Contrast AF in Live View. I suggest doing some tests with your lenses to find the right setting. I use Phase Detection AF starting from f/2.8 with SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 and starting from f/3.2 with SMC FA 77mm f/1.8. To learn more, I recommend reading the article How to optimize focusing accuracy with large-aperture lenses by Ricoh.

Flash Sync Speed: when mounting a Pentax flash on the hot shoe, 1/200 s synchronization is ensured, while if a off-camera flash system of other brands is used, shadows may appear at the top and bottom of the frame, therefore with totally artificial lighting I suggest setting up to 1/160 s. No vignetting occurs with the flash in combination with sunlight at 1/200 s.

Limited Functions: with the V2.00 firmware update Ricoh added the Grad ND Shooting function, which can be activated through a release key currently only available in Japan.

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