Does a Z9 firmware update imply same thing for the z8 in the near future?
Z8 FW update?
- Thread starter marvf
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Cameron T
Well-known member
No idea. We'll all find out, since the Z9 is still waiting on pixel shift to come. Software seems to be not well planned out.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
it follows if the z9 update is for lens enablement, then we'll see that support get picked up in other cameras
that said, nikon sometimes sneaks stuff in previous fw updates and just doesn't mention it at the time
that said, nikon sometimes sneaks stuff in previous fw updates and just doesn't mention it at the time
abc123brian
Well-known member
The Z8 has often receives similar features but sometimes it is a month or two wait. It is likely more updates are coming because these cameras don’t have image cloud enabled as of now.
I think they’ll have an update for Z8 but are probably waiting for something.
If the 28-135 PZ lens is released soon (and I expect it may be), then a Z8 and Z6III update soon makes sense. If, however, Nikon is emphasizing that the Z9 is a serious video-centric camera (and therefore differentiated from other Z cameras), video-focused updates for the Z8 and Z6III might be a much longer wait.
We’ll see.
What I know of Nikon’s leadership doesn’t lead me to believe they aren’t meticulous planners. Unfortunately what’s shared publicly is quite opaque. We are therefore left to speculate.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
i can't imagine they won't want to push all three of those cameras to use that lens. and the fact we have this update now suggests it probably isn't far off.
that said, you have a point in that the z9 is the camera of all of these with the real thermal handling chops, so maybe they may highlight it here first, but the others can't be far off.
I am a Stills photographer and have absolutely no interest in the video capabilities of my Z8. Also I am not sure (other than RAW Pre Release Capture capabilities) that there is anything I need via a firmware upgrade to enhance the Stills capturing capacity of my Z8. I am of course commenting on my personal preferences and am not in any way trying to denigrate those with preferences different to mine.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
stills still could use a lot of benefit from subject detection improvements
stills can benefit from c2pa support
there's a lot of other things, but as you point out, if it solves all your needs, it's totally fine as is
stills can benefit from c2pa support
there's a lot of other things, but as you point out, if it solves all your needs, it's totally fine as is
John I hadn’t heard of the C2PA concept prior to your mention of it. After a Google search and a read of its intent I agree fully with your comment.
I am reasonably happy with the subject detection capabilities currently available in my Z8 however I would accept any improvements in the area that’s for sure.
My thought process in my original comment (which I didn’t make very clear) was more to do with ‘additional’ capabilities rather than tweaks to existing capabilities. But then who knows what Nikon may come up with in any FW upgrade.
What is c2pa? Is it this?
Nikon Will Add C2PA Content Credentials to the Z6 III by Next Year
Nikon announced that it is preparing a firmware update that will bring CAI C2PA content credentials to the Z6 III.
petapixel.com
John Navitsky
Well-known member
Content Credentials/Authenticity ( CAI / C2PA )
Because I think it's a very important capability for photographers (and for society) and we are on the cusp of being able to actually use it, I thought I'd start a thread on Content Credentials. I think it behooves us as content creators as well as on behalf of society in general to normalize...
bcgforums.com
John Navitsky
Well-known member
this much varies with subject matter. i shoot subject matter that pushes all the cameras, so i look forward to improvements, yet i am not saying the current capabilities are inadequate, just they can use improvement
For sure… keep everyone guessing, build suspense, feed the rumor mills, add smoke & mirrors….and…”wutz up doc?”
fcotterill
Well-known member
Feedback in 2020 from Keiji Oishi,
He is now the inaugural CEO of Nikon RED
<Quote> The firmware update was promised a long time ago - why did it take so long to become available?
To be honest, it was just a question of resources. But after I took over product planning, we are planning to schedule firmware updates more frequently. We don’t want that kind of delay [again] between the announcement of firmware and its availability. We want to do regular scheduled firmware updates to keep the products up to date for a long time. <Unquote>
www.dpreview.com
He is explicit in this 2023 interview:
"....Our concept is to ensure that we continuously enhance the product over time with updates. Post-launch, we've already done large-scale firmware updates twice, adding updates with autofocus, pre-capture, 8K60p RAW features, etc. If you compare what we launched in the market and after two firmware updates, it's almost two different things. Our aim is to continue to provide excitement and surprise to those who are fans of our products."
www.dpreview.com
He is now the inaugural CEO of Nikon RED
<Quote> The firmware update was promised a long time ago - why did it take so long to become available?
To be honest, it was just a question of resources. But after I took over product planning, we are planning to schedule firmware updates more frequently. We don’t want that kind of delay [again] between the announcement of firmware and its availability. We want to do regular scheduled firmware updates to keep the products up to date for a long time. <Unquote>
Nikon interview: "We’re at a transitional stage"
In a wide-ranging conversation, Keiji Oishi gave us an insight into Nikon's strategy at all levels of its business, and shared some details of the new D6.
www.dpreview.com
He is explicit in this 2023 interview:
"....Our concept is to ensure that we continuously enhance the product over time with updates. Post-launch, we've already done large-scale firmware updates twice, adding updates with autofocus, pre-capture, 8K60p RAW features, etc. If you compare what we launched in the market and after two firmware updates, it's almost two different things. Our aim is to continue to provide excitement and surprise to those who are fans of our products."
CP+ 2023: Nikon interview - 'Everybody can become a content creator'
After the recent CP+ expo in Japan, we traveled to Nikon headquarters in Tokyo to learn more about the design process for its Z9 flagship camera, how its transition to mirrorless is progressing, and why video is vital to Nikon's future.
www.dpreview.com
fcotterill
Well-known member
As promised, Nikon is executing its strategy....
"....The features and performance in the existing models such as the Z 7II, Z 6II, and Z 5 will continue to be evolved and enhanced, with continuous firmware updates within the limits of the hardware For example, on October 19th, we released firmware updates for the Z 7II and Z 6II to add functionality based on user feedback.The Z 9 is an excellent example of best-in-class video features. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen the advanced video functions and capabilities of full-frame mirrorless cameras, aiming to increase full-frame market share."
www.dpreview.com
"....The features and performance in the existing models such as the Z 7II, Z 6II, and Z 5 will continue to be evolved and enhanced, with continuous firmware updates within the limits of the hardware For example, on October 19th, we released firmware updates for the Z 7II and Z 6II to add functionality based on user feedback.The Z 9 is an excellent example of best-in-class video features. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen the advanced video functions and capabilities of full-frame mirrorless cameras, aiming to increase full-frame market share."
Nikon interview: 'Z9 will exceed expectations for every genre of photography and video'
On the eve of the Z9 launch, we spoke to Naoyuki Murakami, Executive Fellow and Sector Manager of the Development Sector in Nikon's Imaging Business Unit, to learn more about the new camera, and what it means for Nikon's future.
www.dpreview.com
fcotterill
Well-known member
This interview is surprisingly candid, about Nikon's firmware update strategy in particular. Mitsuteru Hino, Head of UX Planning, Imaging Business Unit, was previously directing the Firmware update department:
"....At the end of 2021, we launched the Nikon Z 9. Since its launch, we have had three major firmware updates, v2.00, v3.00, and v4.00. The v2.00 firmware update was already planned. But for v3.00 and v4.00, most of the items reflected customer requests or feedback.....
...Of course, we also need to consider the sensor capacity and processor speed. So not all demands can be met, but we try our best to meet customers' demands as much as possible.
Before my current position, I was in charge of developing firmware updates, so I am very passionate about this topic...."
phototrend.fr
"....At the end of 2021, we launched the Nikon Z 9. Since its launch, we have had three major firmware updates, v2.00, v3.00, and v4.00. The v2.00 firmware update was already planned. But for v3.00 and v4.00, most of the items reflected customer requests or feedback.....
...Of course, we also need to consider the sensor capacity and processor speed. So not all demands can be met, but we try our best to meet customers' demands as much as possible.
Before my current position, I was in charge of developing firmware updates, so I am very passionate about this topic...."
Interview Nikon CP+ 2024 : "nous mettons davantage l'accent sur les mises à jour firmware"
À l’occasion du CP+ 2024 au Japon, nous avons pu nous entretenir avec Mitsuteru Hino, responsable de la planification UX, Imaging Business Unit chez Nikon Corp.
phototrend.fr
Ah, I now see!
A good user experience fellow in charge, one that knows firmware…no wonder the users have benefited mightily. Someone up high is actually considering user needs and desires.
Good on Nikon for that!
I’m all for spending on the brand that continuously improves products over time until the hardware limits have been reached.
I think we have the cloud upload firmware coming for all the recent models and who knows after that for expeed 7. They’ll need to move on with expeed 8 at some point.
I’d be very happy with a RAW precapture addition in any form. They’ll be able to expand on that with the Z9ii and expeed 8 by upping the frame rate capability’s.
I think we have the cloud upload firmware coming for all the recent models and who knows after that for expeed 7. They’ll need to move on with expeed 8 at some point.
I’d be very happy with a RAW precapture addition in any form. They’ll be able to expand on that with the Z9ii and expeed 8 by upping the frame rate capability’s.
This video will help those who don't know or understand what C2PA is and why we need it. In one word though: authentication
Overview - C2PA
An open technical standard providing publishers, creators, and consumers the ability to trace the origin of different types of media.
c2pa.org
The promise and hope is that end users of media will be able to identify fake images over real images, a burgeoning issue in todays world, especially with AI and AI tools.
Roy
Well-known member
It usually does ...
TonyF
Active member
The Z8 is pretty good for me (both stills and video clips). I wouldn't say no to the video Z9 vid updates however.
I hope Nikon roll C2PA out soon. For me, its a breakthrough that can differentaiate us from the AI pretenders. Let them do their AI ad nauseam, but wihout the ability to authenticate their stuff llike we could with camera embedded C2PA. It would be stupid to risk an exodus and be complicit in driving people away from photography by not providing it as firmware updates. I cant see that using it to make us buy new models would work. It is a race against time (the rapid advance of AI) and they dont have much time to give us the means to defend and protect authentic work. I'm using a beta version of PS and the AI capability is frighteneng. (I wont post what can be done with wildlife subjects already becasue it will only encourage the wrong types)
I hope Nikon roll C2PA out soon. For me, its a breakthrough that can differentaiate us from the AI pretenders. Let them do their AI ad nauseam, but wihout the ability to authenticate their stuff llike we could with camera embedded C2PA. It would be stupid to risk an exodus and be complicit in driving people away from photography by not providing it as firmware updates. I cant see that using it to make us buy new models would work. It is a race against time (the rapid advance of AI) and they dont have much time to give us the means to defend and protect authentic work. I'm using a beta version of PS and the AI capability is frighteneng. (I wont post what can be done with wildlife subjects already becasue it will only encourage the wrong types)