Z8 FW update?

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Does a Z9 firmware update imply same thing for the z8 in the near future?
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.
 
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.
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.
 
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.
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.
 
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
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?
 
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.
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
 
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.
For sure… keep everyone guessing, build suspense, feed the rumor mills, add smoke & mirrors….and…”wutz up doc?”
 
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>


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."

 
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."

 
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...."

 
Mitsuteru Hino, Head of UX Planning, Imaging Business Unit, was previously directing the Firmware update department
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.
 
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

This video will help those who don't know or understand what C2PA is and why we need it. In one word though: authentication


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.
 
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