Basic Questions About z50 image Transfer

Hi, basic question, here, from someone who hasn't had a new camera in 15 years:

So far I have read the z50 manual, and yet am unable to figure out how to get pictures from camera to my computer. My old d70s would just go into PC-mode and the icon would be on my desktop. However, I don't get an icon on my desktop, and the camera remains in picture taking mode, even though it's tethered and on.

For what it's worth, I cannot get the snapbridge app to function with the camera. It's on my phone, and the camera connects to the phone, but there's no data communication between them, ie. no images pop up asking to be transfered.

Would anyone care to give me some advice on how to get images onto my computer, besides "get a card reader". I have one, but I want to be able to transfer pics by plugging camera into laptop. Thanks, in advance!

Sigh. PS. How do i update the firmware? I have the firmware downloaded and the formatted memory card instaled in a card reader, but i cannot copy the update to the card. I have read the instructions on nikonusa site, and have re-read it. And re-read it. It doesn't want to work for me. Obviously I need some help.

After half an hour reading through the process, downloading several times, and double-checking my steps, I am unable to load the .bin file onto the card. I get the circle-slash icon when I try to drop it into the card. I have tried copying and pasting, as well, but I don't get the option to paste. I'm at a loss, here, as to how to proceed. Yes I have read the manual and watched videos, and searched online. Could the camera be defective?

Might have better luck on the Nikon Z forum.

Use the card reader. You are insisting to use the worst way of transferring photos. Why?

If you insist using that way just read the manual: http://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/g89m400lDX7204GGECq27Xgeps06/Z50RM_(En)02.pdf

Start at page 387.

baloo_buc said:

Use the card reader. You are insisting to use the worst way of transferring photos. Why?

If you insist using that way just read the manual: http://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/g89m400lDX7204GGECq27Xgeps06/Z50RM_(En)02.pdf

Start at page 387.

Click to expand...

Thanks Victor!

I'm just using the method I always used with my old camera. Never had a reason to do otherwise. I'm not insisting on the old method, I'm just stuck in my ways. I did re-visit that section, in the Reference Manual, starting on page 387.

Is the Nikon software View NXi now more-or-less mandatory for transferring images? I did end up using the card reader, and it worked as expected. I also figured out to use native software on my mac (image capture and preview) to transfer images, but it didn't bring in the NEFs, and I'm dubious that this method isn't altering the files, too.

EDIT: I had downloaded the Nikon Capture NX-D a few weeks ago, and until this moment hadn't realized I had actually loaded in three separate Nikon apps in the process, including one called Transfer2. Gee, I wonder what that one does?

Mark B. said:

Might have better luck on the Nikon Z forum.

Click to expand...

LOL, yeah, I thought about that but after I'd posted this one. My second "wahhh" post asking how to load the firmware update did, however, make it into the proper Z Forums, to the accompaniment of eye-rolling I'm sure!

Thismanisaboy said:

Mark B. said:

Might have better luck on the Nikon Z forum.

Click to expand...

LOL, yeah, I thought about that but after I'd posted this one. My second "wahhh" post asking how to load the firmware update did, however, make it into the proper Z Forums, to the accompaniment of eye-rolling I'm sure!

Click to expand...

I've always used a card reader (mostly built-in on my laptops), and wouldn't consider doing it any other way, as various direct-from-the-camera apps usually don't let you control the image destination. Card readers are usually faster as well.

Piece of advice: Don't update the firmware until you know what you are doing, as you risk "bricking" your new camera.

Thismanisaboy said:

baloo_buc said:

Use the card reader. You are insisting to use the worst way of transferring photos. Why?

If you insist using that way just read the manual: http://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/g89m400lDX7204GGECq27Xgeps06/Z50RM_(En)02.pdf

Start at page 387.

Click to expand...

Thanks Victor!

I'm just using the method I always used with my old camera. Never had a reason to do otherwise. I'm not insisting on the old method, I'm just stuck in my ways. I did re-visit that section, in the Reference Manual, starting on page 387.

Is the Nikon software View NXi now more-or-less mandatory for transferring images? I did end up using the card reader, and it worked as expected. I also figured out to use native software on my mac (image capture and preview) to transfer images, but it didn't bring in the NEFs, and I'm dubious that this method isn't altering the files, too.

EDIT: I had downloaded the Nikon Capture NX-D a few weeks ago, and until this moment hadn't realized I had actually loaded in three separate Nikon apps in the process, including one called Transfer2. Gee, I wonder what that one does?

Click to expand...

View NX isn't required. But, if you install it you get Nikon Transfer installed as a part of it.

But, you can just put your SD card on the computer or reader and copy the files to your computer wherever you like. Nikon tranfer can create a new subdirectory for each batch you download. It also has a number of other functions that you might find useful.

I actually prefer Transfer because it leaves the files as files on my computer. The "helpful" programs that create their own way of organizing files annoy me.

While it is quite awkward and rather slow it is dangerous as you have your camera linked to your computer and it can happen you can get a destroyed camera if you accidentally drop the camera. I have friends that just had those accidents. In the last 10 years 12 of them.

Ouch!!! :-(

baloo_buc said:

While it is quite awkward and rather slow it is dangerous as you have your camera linked to your computer and it can happen you can get a destroyed camera if you accidentally drop the camera. I have friends that just had those accidents. In the last 10 years 12 of them.

Click to expand...

Yes, it can happen. I don't leave my camera attached after the transfer, which I'm clunkily doing through Transfer 2 application, now. I'm more concerned about my laptop's propensity for drinking beer and forcing a trip to the apple store.