Samsung takes proactive approach on firmware update.

There where a lot of talks about Nikon and firmware updates in past year. And the advocates of proactive firmware udpate were always overwhelmed by the traditional Nikon fans. The arguments of are mostly claiming the D90 are bugs free, firmware is for fixing bug, new features cannot be added due to hardware limition. I can understand why Nikon never take a proactive approach on firmware udpates, because its loyal customers do not want it. Now to the traditional Nikon fans here, take a deep breath and think again. Will you be more happier if Nikon give you a firmware update that allow you to have more manual controls during video mode? How about focus fine tuning feature added to fight off the focus issues on some particular lens? Yes it can be done and it is the trend. Pentax, Canon, Panasonic and Samsung are already taking this approach.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022305samsungmirrorless.asp

Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.

'Over 30% of customers are registering their NX10 - they really want to communicate with us. They're checking for firmware updates every day so we're learning to be more pro-active, trying to improve our service,' he said.

And Toyota is taking the proactive approach also.....

Nikon will change its corporate philosophy when it becomes advantageous to do so or when it must provide more services to its consumer base. On the surface, it appears to be another expense to be avoided and not that many consumers are demanding better.
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Why Not Help Someone to Feel A Little Better Every Day?

AndyHWC said:

There where a lot of talks about Nikon and firmware updates in past year. And the advocates of proactive firmware udpate were always overwhelmed by the traditional Nikon fans. The arguments of are mostly claiming the D90 are bugs free, firmware is for fixing bug, new features cannot be added due to hardware limition. I can understand why Nikon never take a proactive approach on firmware udpates, because its loyal customers do not want it. Now to the traditional Nikon fans here, take a deep breath and think again.

Click to expand...

I apologize if you simply have limited english, but you have a very condecending tone to your posts. It would probably be most accurate here to say that most of the "traditional Nikon loyalists" simply dont expect to be given something which they did not purchase.

AndyHWC said:

Will you be more happier if Nikon give you a firmware update that allow you to have more manual controls during video mode? How about focus fine tuning feature added to fight off the focus issues on some particular lens? Yes it can be done and it is the trend. Pentax, Canon, Panasonic and Samsung are already taking this approach.

Click to expand...

No one is arguing that it would not be nice to have small upgrades here an there to their cameras. If someone gave me a million dollars that would make me happy too. However, the argument here is that you have already purchased a camera with a set of features and that to EXPECT to be GIVEN more features for free is unrealistic.

AndyHWC said:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022305samsungmirrorless.asp

Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.

'Over 30% of customers are registering their NX10 - they really want to communicate with us. They're checking for firmware updates every day so we're learning to be more pro-active, trying to improve our service,' he said.

Click to expand...

And that is wonderful for Samsung. If it turns out that a giveaway is how they can get more customers, and they can make this unpaid RnD profitable, then they may just shift the market in such a way that Nikon will be forced to appease the greed of the consumer as well. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

AndyHWC said:

...The arguments of are mostly claiming the D90 are bugs free, firmware is for fixing bug, new features cannot be added due to hardware limition.

Click to expand...

Sorry Dude - you are totally wrong here. I shoot with over 65 different digital cameras (yeah, I'm sick...I know), and companies like Panasonic, Olympus, and Sigma have all introduced firmware updates in the past that have added much heralded features such as additional focus points, and a whole range of areas. So firmware updates are "not" only to fix problems - but if possible within the realm of the software, they are also used to add features. I know, I've downloaded them and installed them on a half-dozen different cams.

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You mean they actually added things that could have been included in the camera when you first purchased it. That must give you a real warm and fuzzy.

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Richard R. Price

Ben Herrmann said:

AndyHWC said:

...The arguments of are mostly claiming the D90 are bugs free, firmware is for fixing bug, new features cannot be added due to hardware limition.

Click to expand...

Sorry Dude - you are totally wrong here. I shoot with over 65 different digital cameras (yeah, I'm sick...I know), and companies like Panasonic, Olympus, and Sigma have all introduced firmware updates in the past that have added much heralded features such as additional focus points, and a whole range of areas. So firmware updates are "not" only to fix problems - but if possible within the realm of the software, they are also used to add features. I know, I've downloaded them and installed them on a half-dozen different cams.

Click to expand...

I put my cat's medicine in his food so he'll take it. How many of those feature updates came at the same time as bug fixes?

Besides that, your "argument" with the OP is rather odd since he is on your side and saying the same thing as you.

Lifer said:

You mean they actually added things that could have been included in the camera when you first purchased it. That must give you a real warm and fuzzy.

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Yes, like Pentax adding a wireless flash commander function to the K10D through a firmware update. Those who bought the camera didn't have that feature originally, and got a "warm and fuzzy" upgrade.
Can you see Nikon doing something like this for the D5000 owners? ;-)

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Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

I read his posting in a hurry and "misread" what he was articulating. That's what happens when you respond in haste. Good point - thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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dradam said:

No one is arguing that it would not be nice to have small upgrades here an there to their cameras. If someone gave me a million dollars that would make me happy too. However, the argument here is that you have already purchased a camera with a set of features and that to EXPECT to be GIVEN more features for free is unrealistic.

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Well, I certainly don't expect features listed in the camera specs one can study when taking his pick.

Although D90 is a fine camera, it is not perfect. It wouldn't be a shame if Nikon listened to some of the complaints that came in tens of threads on DPR alone.

For example, the famous Matrix Meter. It wouldn't be so difficult to add a menu option so one could make it act more to his liking, for example stop blowing those highlights in any harsh light. I don't think they could put this on the feature list of a new camera, but it would make a lot of users happier.

And the OP's manual exposure control in video... I don't care so much for video sincerely, but it was advertised as a groundbreaking feature. When I found out the controls were soccer mom's I felt cheated. I mean, how could they screw it up like this on a camera of this class, not respecting what one sets in the M mode? And why the only way to shoot video at f/22 on a sunny day is to get an obsolete AI lens (if her controls, why not her favourite DOF )?

I think many of the posters to this thread are arguing through personal experience that some of the major manufacturers choose to add or turn on features through firmware updates. We can discuss their motives for some time and, I suspect, these are varied.

As a Nikon owner, I have elected to go with their product line and, therefore, to some extent, with their corporate philosophy. Yes, I can wish all day that my D80 would have received a firmware update that corrected the Matrix Metering problem. If Nikon could have offered this, and they possibly could have, they elected not to, but rather to make changes in the next model, the D90. That is a corporate decision, likely made in order to increase profit and marketing features for the next model.

If every manufacturer of every product, from electric toothbrushes to digital cameras to hybrid automobiles made the very best version, then where is the incentive for customers to buy the next year's model? New color, new car smell, side curtain air bags, HD video in a still camera?

In my case, I'm waiting for Nikon to package a FF small body camera. And, I definitely want the new camera smell that comes with it. I just know it won't be offered as a firmware update.
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Why Not Help Someone to Feel A Little Better Every Day?

Yes, an option to use less agressive metering like the D5000 is a great idea. I found the D90 tends to overexpose outdoor.

I don't know how is Toyota related to the topic. If you are refering the "Brake-override" feature to be retrofit into some existing models and all future models. Yes, that will be a welcomed feature, and should be done in the first place. In fact, if Toyota done it 3 months ago, it could very well turn the crisis into opportunities.

Having said that, after hearing Rhonda Smith's story at the hearing, it is very obvious now that some govt officials are using this opportunity to attack Toyota. I will never believe her Lexus under regular maintenance, would have failure on the brake, the gas pedal, the transmission and the ignition systems at the same time! These are four independent subsystems of the car! Go figure why she is allowed to speak in the hearing.

Another interesting Press Relase from Edmund today:

Edmunds.com Questions NHTSA Inconsistencies, Compares Chevy Cobalt and Toyota Corolla Steering Complaints

[..........."Edmunds.com's analysis of NHTSA data shows no clear pattern in terms of the number of consumer complaints that trigger an agency investigation. As few as five complaints have triggered an investigation; other investigations haven't started until 1,500 complaints had accumulated," noted Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs in her report NHTSA on the Hot Seat: What is Standard Operating Procedure? on AutoObserver.com.

The report points out that between 2005 and 2010, steering problems on Chevrolet Cobalt were the subject of 1,157 complaints while Toyota Corolla steering problems were the subject of 84 complaints. According to Edmunds.com's reading of the steering complaints on both vehicles, the complaints about the Cobalt's steering are far more serious and more dangerous than are the complaints about the Corolla's steering. NHTSA recently opened official investigations of both vehicles.?

Edmunds.com's analysis of NHTSA defects investigation data — from 1990 to the present — shows that once an investigation is launched, it takes an average of 262 days to conclude and result in a recall. However, the range has varied from an investigation that lasted a mere 10 days to another that languished for six years................]
http://www.edmunds.c-o-m/help/about/press/161686/article.html

...for each and every owner to upgrade the firmware, that's when Nikon will offer it. It stinks, but that appears to be Nikon's buisiness model. But where are all these computer hackers who can break into the pentagon? Why aren't they enterprising a movement to build upgrades for existing cameras?

Vandyu said:

As a Nikon owner, I have elected to go with their product line and, therefore, to some extent, with their corporate philosophy. Yes, I can wish all day that my D80 would have received a firmware update that corrected the Matrix Metering problem. If Nikon could have offered this, and they possibly could have, they elected not to, but rather to make changes in the next model, the D90. That is a corporate decision, likely made in order to increase profit and marketing features for the next model.

Click to expand...

Made changes in the next model, YES.
Corrected the Matrix Metering problem, NO (got one ).

The problem is not correctable like this because with harsh light some users prefer well-exposed midtones (that result in blown highlights), others prefer preserved highlights and don't mind taking care of underexposed midtones themselves. There is also no universal user consensus whether the brightness of the object(s) under the active AF point(s) should have more influence on exposure than the rest of the image or not.

I agree with dradam 100%.

Yes, the tone of the OP is condescending and uses a straw man argument. I am not a "traditional Nikon loyalist", I just do not expect a firmware upgrade to add features on anything I own. I am not a Blackberry loyalist, a samsung phone loyalist, nor am I an Itouch loyalist, but I do not demand free features to any of those that I own. I have not upgraded the firmware on my computers, television, or stereo either. If one of the electronic devices develops a bug or the company releases something real cool that I want, then I will upgrade. But I do not demand it.

dradam said:

I apologize if you simply have limited english, but you have a very condecending tone to your posts. It would probably be most accurate here to say that most of the "traditional Nikon loyalists" simply dont expect to be given something which they did not purchase.

No one is arguing that it would not be nice to have small upgrades here an there to their cameras. If someone gave me a million dollars that would make me happy too. However, the argument here is that you have already purchased a camera with a set of features and that to EXPECT to be GIVEN more features for free is unrealistic.

And that is wonderful for Samsung. If it turns out that a giveaway is how they can get more customers, and they can make this unpaid RnD profitable, then they may just shift the market in such a way that Nikon will be forced to appease the greed of the consumer as well. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Click to expand...

Sounds like they delivered the hardware before the software was ready and are playing catchup. Most of those things (like lens fine tuning) are already available in one camera or another and would probably be included in any newly released camera.
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Nikon used to spend plenty to promote the longevity of their products. I started buying Nikon back in the early 80's. I have bought several film based cameras in the past few months on the used market which were originally introduced in the 1970's. These are still taking superb photos that are every bit as good as most any digital camera out there. Most of these cameras were produced for 10 years or more in between model changes, and were not made obsolete with each new model.

Seems to me Nikon HAS changed their corporate philosophy, and now are doing everything they can to LIMIT the longevity of their camera models. This is a definite shift in strategy.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm all for updates if it will add a few years to the life of these very expensive instruments.
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Been an amateur for many years now

LyleB said:

Nikon used to spend plenty to promote the longevity of their products. I started buying Nikon back in the early 80's. I have bought several film based cameras in the past few months on the used market which were originally introduced in the 1970's. These are still taking superb photos that are every bit as good as most any digital camera out there. Most of these cameras were produced for 10 years or more in between model changes, and were not made obsolete with each new model.

Click to expand...

And how many of these old models received firmware updates? How many of them were given new features after the time of production, for free? If you are talking about product cycle, cameras today are basically computers and need to be upgraded more frequently like most other computerized electronics (think your laptop vs your blender).

LyleB said:

Seems to me Nikon HAS changed their corporate philosophy, and now are doing everything they can to LIMIT the longevity of their camera models. This is a definite shift in strategy.

Click to expand...

The most recent event where there was something that DID limit the life of a camera (the D5000) they immediately issued a recall and replaced or repaired all faulty cameras for free.

LyleB said:

In case you couldn't tell, I'm all for updates if it will add a few years to the life of these very expensive instruments.

Click to expand...

I'm confused, in what way do these increase the life of a product (OR how is your current camera life currently limited)? Are you looking for a firmware update that will increase your expected max shutter acuation count? If you dont get your free upgrade to be able to change exposure during movie mode, is your D90 going to stop working?

I agree with the OP and don't find his tone condescending at all - some of the posters are a bit too sensitive.

Even so, I can understand that Nikon doesn't want to incur the expense of fiddling with the firmware if there isn't an overriding need. BUT, most software (which firmware is) isn't perfect on the first release. My WinXP is at SP03, SolidWorks2010 is at SP02, etc.

So, if Nikon ever finds a need to update the firmware of the D90 (as they did with several of my Coolpix cameras) then it would be a fine time to also add some candyware to let us know they care about their customers even after the sale.

One example comes to mind: timed intervals. This is a feature I had with the 8700 and seems easy to add. It wasn't a deal breaker when I decided on the D90 but if it showed up in a firmware upgrade I would be delighted.

I am happy with the D90 and wouldn't trade it for any other current camera, not even D300/700 (too big for me) but I am vexed by the occasional lens error where I have to turn the camera off and jiggle the lens to get it to work. It happens at the most inopportune times. I can't understand why it happens after taking dozens of pictures in a row without problem. So might there be a firmware upgrade in the offing?

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Wilhelm