Firmware Updates for Nikon Z Super Teles -- now 1.10 -- 400, 400, 600 and 800 lenses

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

A

agrumpyoldsod

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Marketplace
Member's gallery
See the latest download centre updates from Nikon.

Changes from Firmware Version 1.00 to 1.10
  • • The lens now supports options for [Focus ring rotation range] * in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in addition to [Non-linear]. When a linear option is selected, rotating the focus ring the selected amount in manual focus mode will take the lens from the minimum focus distance to infinity, regardless of the speed with which the ring is rotated.
  • • Added support for the [Switch focus/control ring roles] * feature in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
    • * As of January 2023, the cameras that support these options are (from “C” firmware version 2.00) the Z 9 and (from “C” firmware version 1.40) the Z 7II and Z 6II.

Update worked fine for me.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
I am not able to update the firmware on my NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S. The Z 9 is at 3.01 and is not offering an update firmware option for the lens that reads LF 1.00. It does offer a delete firmware files option. I have upgraded camera and lens firmware many times and never encountered this issue. Firmware downloaded from Nikon USA. I extracted the MLZ600F4TCVRS0110.bin file and copied it to the root directory of a fully formatted card using a fully charged battery.

Any idea what might be wrong? Thanks
 
Member's gallery
Weird. I have a couple of guesses/options to try out.

It sounds like the camera is recognizing that the 600mm lens is attached and that it is currently at LF 1.00, correct? If so, then it sees and identifies the lens just fine.

If you go ahead and select the delete firmware option, I believe it lets you choose between camera firmware, or lens firmware. If the lens firmware is an option to delete, then that would be a good verification that it recognizes a lens firmware update is available on your card.

If the above two items check out, I guess you are down to trying to do the firmware update using a different card.
 
Member's gallery
SoCalRick said:
Weird. I have a couple of guesses/options to try out.

It sounds like the camera is recognizing that the 600mm lens is attached and that it is currently at LF 1.00, correct? If so, then it sees and identifies the lens just fine.

If you go ahead and select the delete firmware option, I believe it lets you choose between camera firmware, or lens firmware. If the lens firmware is an option to delete, then that would be a good verification that it recognizes a lens firmware update is available on your card.

If the above two items check out, I guess you are down to trying to do the firmware update using a different card.
Click to expand...

Yes, LF 1.00 is displayed. I believe the delete firmware option will only list .bin files copied to the card. When selecting it gives an option to delete lens firmware which indicated the firmware is on the card. I have tried both of my ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 2.0 Cobalt 1700 x 1 325GB cards. I could try one of my DSLR Sony XQD G 128GB cards. Thanks.

Edit: I seemed to have missed the bright red warning. I've done enough updates I felt I didn't need to read as carefully as I should have though I don't remember seeing that when I did carefully read the pdf and the drop down update instructions after having problems, it seems to only be noted at the top of the page. All good now. :)

Important
Before updating the lens firmware, confirm that the focal length for the built-in teleconverter is set to 1×. The firmware cannot be updated when the focal length is set to 1.4× using the teleconverter switch. Do not operate the teleconverter switch during the update.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
Midway said:
Important
Before updating the lens firmware, confirm that the focal length for the built-in teleconverter is set to 1×. The firmware cannot be updated when the focal length is set to 1.4× using the teleconverter switch. Do not operate the teleconverter switch during the update.
Click to expand...

Good to know - thanks.
 
Member's gallery
Midway said:
I am not able to update the firmware on my NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S. The Z 9 is at 3.01 and is not offering an update firmware option for the lens that reads LF 1.00. It does offer a delete firmware files option. I have upgraded camera and lens firmware many times and never encountered this issue. Firmware downloaded from Nikon USA. I extracted the MLZ600F4TCVRS0110.bin file and copied it to the root directory of a fully formatted card using a fully charged battery.

Any idea what might be wrong? Thanks
Click to expand...
Solved the problem. Read on: Experienced a very similar issue trying to update the lens FW on the 400/4.5. Could not get my Z9 (FW 3.0.1) to see the "bin" file that was in the root of the XQD card in slot 2. Important, there was a card in slot 1. The problem got solved when I removed the card in slot 1. Then the Z9 saw the FW bin file for the lens on the card in slot 2. What seems to be happening is that if there are two cards in the Z9, the camera setup menu > Firmware Version looks at slot 1 and ignores slot 2. So, take out the card in slot 1 and see if the bin file on slot 2 is seen.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
Midway said:
Yes, LF 1.00 is displayed. I believe the delete firmware option will only list .bin files copied to the card. When selecting it gives an option to delete lens firmware which indicated the firmware is on the card. I have tried both of my ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 2.0 Cobalt 1700 x 1 325GB cards. I could try one of my DSLR Sony XQD G 128GB cards. Thanks.

Edit: I seemed to have missed the bright red warning. I've done enough updates I felt I didn't need to read as carefully as I should have though I don't remember seeing that when I did carefully read the pdf and the drop down update instructions after having problems, it seems to only be noted at the top of the page. All good now. :)

Important
Before updating the lens firmware, confirm that the focal length for the built-in teleconverter is set to 1×. The firmware cannot be updated when the focal length is set to 1.4× using the teleconverter switch. Do not operate the teleconverter switch during the update.
Click to expand...
In addition, the option to 'Update' will not appear if a teleconverter is still connected to the lens. Remove the 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverter before attempting to update.
 
Member's gallery
RichF said:
Just a quick tip. I keep all my firmware updates on a small XQD/CFE card (I think 32 GB). I don't delete them - that way I can check to see which updates have been applied and reapply if needed
Click to expand...
I just keep copies of them all on my computer. Less prone to get misplaced than a card. If the need arises to roll back I've got them all.
 
Member's gallery
RichF said:
Just a quick tip. I keep all my firmware updates on a small XQD/CFE card (I think 32 GB). I don't delete them - that way I can check to see which updates have been applied and reapply if needed
Click to expand...
Surely there’s no need to do that. The latest firmware update contains all the previous versions, so you’ll only ever need to update the latest…doesn’t matter if you missed one.

I can see it makes sense if one deliberately kept the version a step behind, as I know some do.
 
Member's gallery
Patrick M said:
Surely there’s no need to do that. The latest firmware update contains all the previous versions, so you’ll only ever need to update the latest…doesn’t matter if you missed one.

I can see it makes sense if one deliberately kept the version a step behind, as I know some do.
Click to expand...
Goal is not to keep all the version, but to keep the lastest versions handy.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
Patrick M said:
Surely there’s no need to do that. The latest firmware update contains all the previous versions, so you’ll only ever need to update the latest…doesn’t matter if you missed one.

I can see it makes sense if one deliberately kept the version a step behind, as I know some do.
Click to expand...
typically folks keep old versions so they can revert if they see a need as some folks did with the body fw when they didn't like 3.0 they fell back to 2.1. since they take the old versions off the web site, you probably want to keep a copy of the old ones if you think you'll ever do this type of thing.
 
Member's gallery
I saw this post today and had not gotten a notification from Nikon so appreciated seeing this post. I did the update for my Z800 on my Z9 and did the Z400 f/4.5 with it on my wifes Z50 and all went smoothly.

As someone else noted I do firmware updates with only one card in the Z9 I use slot 1 out of habit. That is no issue with wifes Z50 it only has a single SD card slot :)

The update features are not a big deal for me or my wife. I did change the non linear to 90 and then 180 and will play around with it on little birds in the bush as soon as I can get out.

By the way she continues to get some amazing images with the Z400 f/4.5 on her Z50 or given the way it looks her Z50 on the Z400 f/4.5 :)
 
Member's gallery
fcotterill said:
Brad Hill's summary of the relevance enabled by this new FW to reverse lens ring functions

22 Jan 2023: About the 1.00 to 1.10 Z Super-telephoto Lens Firmware Update
Click to expand...
I have a lenscoat on my 800PF and the way that I handhold the lens accidentally touching the MF ring has been a problem. The lenscoat doesn't cover the control ring. So by switching the ring functions the focus ring is now better positioned for my personal style plus I now have tactile indication when I touch it.

It has always driven me bonkers that Nikon isn't consistent with where they place the focus ring. So IMO being able to switch ring functions is one of the better things they've come up with on the Z models.
 
Member's gallery
NorthernFocus said:
I have a lenscoat on my 800PF and the way that I handhold the lens accidentally touching the MF ring has been a problem. The lenscoat doesn't cover the control ring. So by switching the ring functions the focus ring is now better positioned for my personal style plus I now have tactile indication when I touch it.
Click to expand...
It also suits me to swop the rings around on the 800 PF. Less so on the 400 f4.5S. Nonetheless, the all too few options permitted for this Lens Function Ring are useless IME.
NorthernFocus said:
It has always driven me bonkers that Nikon isn't consistent with where they place the focus ring. So IMO being able to switch ring functions is one of the better things they've come up with on the Z models.
Click to expand...
IMHO, the position of the Fn buttons is about ideal on the 100-400 S, although this lens lacks a Memory-Set button on the right-rear. On the 800 PF and 400 f4.5S, the back Ls-Fn buttons would be usable when shooting if they were positioned much closer to the front (forward of the tripod mount at least).
 
Member's gallery
fcotterill said:
It also suits me to swop the rings around on the 800 PF. Less so on the 400 f4.5S. Nonetheless, the all too few options permitted for this Lens Function Ring are useless IME.

IMHO, the position of the Fn buttons is about ideal on the 100-400 S, although this lens lacks a Memory-Set button on the right-rear. On the 800 PF and 400 f4.5S, the back Ls-Fn buttons would be usable when shooting if they were positioned much closer to the front (forward of the tripod mount at least).
Click to expand...
Agree with all of the above. Only one of the buttons is usable while eye is to the VF. And it is ridiculous how few options can be programmed to the rings. Classic Nikon. Great idea that's crippled by their old school way of thinking. Well at least there's little chance they'll implement haptic feedback in the shutter button like Canon appear to be headed toward.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top