First “freeze” with a Z8

[O]

I had a lockup problem with my Z8. Had to do a full reset. Unfortunately had not saved my settings so buggerd about for 30 minutes trying to get them back. Sent the camera to Nikon who couldn’t find anything wrong. At the end of the day it is a computer and may need rebooting!

The internet is full of Freezing lock up issues for the Z8 Z9 even the Sony A1..............yet some people say its not happening is beyond me.

Issues are even in DSLRS, but when a camera recovers that's one thing, but when it doesn't for hours or and hours what are you supposed to do.

Even with premium cards the issue exists.............

Only an opinion

 

[Lance B]

Agree and your right, i to never had issues with the DSLRS.

Today there are not as many issues with the Z cameras at the top level as Nikon it seems has finally gotten on top of things pretty much.

I will talk to pro grade by phone soon as i haven't got an email back yet.

If i go on a 4 day hike sleeping out, you cant carry much camera gear with you, so you need to firstly trust what you take with you, secondly compromise and make do with what you take, ergonomically it seems a 4/3rds systems like Fuji fit this situation well.

I would rather take the Z8 and 24-120, if my sample camera will be ok, but gee i love the 50mm 1.8s. it and the 70-200 fl are my two favorite tools.

Only an opinion

As you know, ML are a lot more complicated than the old DSLR's. Personally, I really think it is a card issue that you are having. I have not had my Z9 or Z8 ever freeze up or fail to operate and I use Delkin Black 325GB CF Express Type B, Delkin Power 128GB CF Express, Delkin Black 128 GB CF Express.

 

[Len Shepherd]

Like your Subaru if you get caught and stuck once you become a little cautious where or when you go with it and that shouldn't be.

On this detail I am not cautious as the car always starts with a second press of the starter button.

I am aware battery powered advanced cameras can occasionally lock up from over 45 years of active usage.

An occasional lock up particularly in damp weather - as long as it remains occasional - does not concern me.

The usual effective workarounds of switch on and off or remove and replace the battery take only a few seconds.
In the over 45 years I have never failed to overcome the occasional but rare lock-up in under about 30 seconds.

 

[Cameron T]

The internet is full of Freezing lock up issues for the Z8 Z9 even the Sony A1..............yet some people say its not happening is beyond me.

Issues are even in DSLRS, but when a camera recovers that's one thing, but when it doesn't for hours or and hours what are you supposed to do.

Even with premium cards the issue exists.............

Only an opinion

A lot of us have had 0 issues. Most of the time, the lockup appear to be card related. I'm not sure what else to tell you.

 

[Len Shepherd]

The internet is full of Freezing lock up issues for the Z8 Z9 even the Sony A1..............yet some people say its not happening is beyond me.

The internet and reality are rarely synomous.

Occasional one off - likely - "full of" - is IMO a long, long way from the reality.

I know 9 other owners - none have mentioned a lock-up.

 

[ajrmd]

MILC's are more akin to a computer with optical interfaces than electronic optical devices. It is no surprise that they would freeze occasionally.

 

[O]

As you know, ML are a lot more complicated than the old DSLR's. Personally, I really think it is a card issue that you are having. I have not had my Z9 or Z8 ever freeze up or fail to operate and I use Delkin Black 325GB CF Express Type B, Delkin Power 128GB CF Express, Delkin Black 128 GB CF Express.

Hi Lance the above link with Pro Grade is interesting.

I have refreshed the cards with the Pro Grade tool and formatted them again to the specific camera, here after i will see how it goes before acquiring new cards.
I will give the Delkin Black a go if new cards are needed.

Thanks to everyone and the OP thread starter ajrmd for all the suggestions.

 

[Len Shepherd]

Hi Lance the above link with Pro Grade is interesting.

I have refreshed the cards with the Pro Grade tool and formatted them again to the specific camera, here after i will see how it goes before acquiring new cards.
I will give the Delkin Black a go if new cards are needed.

While there seems no equivalent tool for Delkin, there is mention of some forgeries, some cameras needing faster card, and some cards being released labelled with too slow R/W speeds

Product Help - Delkin Devices

CFexpress™ Card Readers (REMOVABLE vs. FIXED Mode): Delkin’s USB 3.2 CFexpress™ Memory Card Readers (DDREADER-54 / DDREADER-56 / DDREADER-58) may be set in either FIXED or REMOVABLE mode. The below PC Utility Software provides an easy way for customers to switch the mode on the reader depending...

www.delkindevices.com

 

[O]

I have forward the card serial numbers to Pro Grade support and await feedback.

I spoke with two club members who own the Z8 Z9, they have the same 325 G Cobalt cards also bought at the same time i did when the Z9 first came out,
they say they have had no issues what so ever with either camera locking up freezing or occasional image review failure, they were not aware of the Pro Grade refresh tool.

For myself refreshing the cards back to factory specs and getting the Re Fresh health check clearance, reformatting the camera and starting clean is on the drawing board.

No doubt it may be a simple case of the cards having been corrupted in some way................... i am starting from here first.

Then observe.

 

[LCphoto]

I hear you

I hear what you’re saying and it makes sense in many ways.

However I do feel the newer mirror less cameras seem a little more vulnerable, not necessarily just from the elements but more so that the software and computerized synergistic nature of them these days may make them a little more vulnerable, i bit like some computers.

My D3x D4s D5 D6 DF D7100 D700 D300 never ever missed a beat even in extreme conditions or changing conditions.

But that's only my experience to date which doesn't mean everyone has these experiences, Nor am i saying DSLR are better.

I got the first Z9 and over time it progressively got moody and finally in the later stages it spat the dummy after several trips to Nikon, it ruined an expensive international trip, Nikon needed to attend to it again.

I sold the Z9 once out of warranty and got a new Z8 for a few other reasons as well.

Now the Z8 is only 2 months old and has some moodiness about it not dissimilar to the way the Z9 started.

My main concern is as it was with my Z9, a lack of trust with it, that same feeling is slowly emerging with the Z8.

Is it the cards, is it the battery, is it the environmental conditions, is it the software,..............what the most common element is with both cameras is a lack of trust.

I know i am not the only one but why do i have to even deal with these things in the first place especially at this price point.

Only an opinion

After having the freeze issue with my Z9, I got a Z8. (It's not even out of the shipping box yet.) I'm seriously thinking about returning it and selling the Z9 and all of my lenses to change brands. It's sad. I've been a Nikon shooter for 50+ years and no longer have the income I used to, so these purchases are not easily made for me at all. I won't be able to fill my bag again. It's so sad!

 

[Cameron T]

I'm still at 0 freezes with my z9, and can't seem to replicate it. I don't think this issue is actually all that common, and if you're having issues constantly, I'd suggest there's a problem with the card, card interface, or body hardware.

Or you can sell your nikon gear. no skin off my back.

 

[LCphoto]

I'm still at 0 freezes with my z9, and can't seem to replicate it. I don't think this issue is actually all that common, and if you're having issues constantly, I'd suggest there's a problem with the card, card interface, or body hardware.

Or you can sell your nikon gear. no skin off my back.

I'm using Delkin Black memory cards. Sadly, many professionals are reporting the freezing issue in multiple forums. I photograph dog sports and losing "the shot" due to freezing during a burst is heartbreaking.

 

[Cameron T]

I've seen other reports, and still can't make mine fail. As I said, try using different cards, but I believe it is also likely a hardware fault if it's a constant problem which nikon should be able to rectify. I don't think this is actually as common as a lot of people claim it is.

 

[Patty]

I'm using Delkin Black memory cards. Sadly, many professionals are reporting the freezing issue in multiple forums. I photograph dog sports and losing "the shot" due to freezing during a burst is heartbreaking.

It is heart breaking losing the shots. I do pet photography and yes I did a wedding with the Z7II and it froze on me. The new body they sent me still works fine and so does my newer Z8. I am inclined to believe what Nikon said to me before they sent the new body. They believe one of my batteries was corrupted. I understand what someone said in reply to my comment about how there shouldn't be anything powered up if the battery was corrupted but wouldn't it be possible if it had enough power to just keep certain things on but not enough for the camera to be fully functional? I've read a little bit on batteries and yes a bad battery can cause a camera to malfunction. Batteries don't last forever. Even with proper storage and recharging batteries don't last forever. They do have a shelf life. That depends a lot on usage as well. Batteries aren't perfect. And yes memory cards have a shelf life too.

 

[O]

Since using the Pro Grade available for free health check, reformat and repair software, then reformatting the cards in the specific camera things have been better, the other thing is don't delete images in camera, i have been led to believe it’s a no no ?

Pro Grade software refresh repair update tool defiantly works.

There definitely seems to be some other issues in some camera samples with, a) hardware b) software

These issues are not just Nikon, sadly as we know Nikon has had a bad run with the rushed Z9 and some issues with some Z8 units.

To those that fall victim it’s a concerning issue.

Equally there has been issues with cards by several manufactures. Because one brand doesn't have issues now doesn't mean they won’t going forward.

Like buying hard drives, issues, depends on the batch and location where it’s made.

Cards seem to have been an issue from some suppliers not others.

Deleting images in camera is not recommended ?

In Pro Grades case with the online repair update software tool means they are aware of certain potential issues related to use practice.
I asked them if I needed to buy new cards after using them in my Z9 now in the Z8, they said defiantly not.
Just refresh the card in the software tool and follow the use protocol.

PS Nikon did some work on my Z8 when i dropped it in, what exactly i don't know.

Only an opinion

 

[Len Shepherd]

The internet is full of Freezing lock up issues for the Z8 Z9 even the Sony A1..............yet some people say its not happening is beyond me.

Issues are even in DSLRS, but when a camera recovers that's one thing, but when it doesn't for hours or and hours what are you supposed to do.

Even with premium cards the issue exists.............

I expect many are saying that it does not happen to them, as distinct from saying it does not happen to anybody.
I am part of a Nikon owners UK NE group and work alongside other Nikon uses as well. – about 25 in total.
None of us have the problem you describe.
In the declining era of the DSLR Nikon used to caution that static electrician electricity perhaps from nylon type clothing or nylon type camera bags could occasionally cause camera lock up.

 

[O]

I expect many are saying that it does not happen to them, as distinct from saying it does not happen to anybody.
I am part of a Nikon owners UK NE group and work alongside other Nikon uses as well. – about 25 in total.
None of us have the problem you describe.
In the declining era of the DSLR Nikon used to caution that static electrician electricity perhaps from nylon type clothing or nylon type camera bags could occasionally cause camera lock up.

I hear you, static electricity could well be an issue if you think about it.

 

[CF.Photo]

I did have a similar issue for the first time a few months ago during an intense use of the camera (long bursts).
All screens went dark and I couldnt reset it with the power switch. Being in a rush of an opportunity I immediatly took of the battery and the camera started again to work like nothing happened. I did not investigate more. Overheating wasn't an issue imho (cold weather and no warning, also I took even longer bursts right after).
Happened an other time since then, same easy fix. I suspected some firmware issue during intensive use (some wrong bits or rare bug not well treated by the software), or something electronical issue that would worry me a bit more (maybe some tension spike / static electricity building up trigerring a security or sthg like that).

 

[O]

I did have a similar issue for the first time a few months ago during an intense use of the camera (long bursts).
All screens went dark and I couldnt reset it with the power switch. Being in a rush of an opportunity I immediatly took of the battery and the camera started again to work like nothing happened. I did not investigate more. Overheating wasn't an issue imho (cold weather and no warning, also I took even longer bursts right after).
Happened an other time since then, same easy fix. I suspected some firmware issue during intensive use (some wrong bits or rare bug not well treated by the software), or something electronical issue that would worry me a bit more (maybe some tension spike / static electricity building up trigerring a security or sthg like that).

As to the cause whatever it may be is one thing, the consequences is the real issue.
If your using a good quality card, your batteries are ok, then its a job for Nikon.

 

[EricBowles]

As to the cause whatever it may be is one thing, the consequences is the real issue.
If your using a good quality card, your batteries are ok, then its a job for Nikon.

The D500 had a problem that caused an ERR message. It seemed to be related to using playback while images were being written to the card. It was mainly with UHS-II cards from one manufacturer - but occasional problems from others. The manufacturer of the card did not admit any problem or issue any firmware updates. Nikon resolved the issue with a firmware update that caused the camera to slow temporarily to UHS-I speed rather than giving an ERR message when the problem was detected. After images finished writing and the camera went to Standby mode or was turned off, speed would resume at UHS-II speeds.

These card problems are hard to diagnose and resolve. The card specs don't cover every component so they are free do vary speed, thermal cutoffs, etc. I don't know why the camera locks up - but I have experienced the issue 3-4 times over 40,000 images - usually involving burst shooting of some sort.