Godox/Z30 Firmware Issue?

Fining an issue where my Good V860II-N flashes are not working in TTL with my Z30. I am thinking it might be necessary to upgrade the firmware on the 860s as they were purchased in 2019. However, this is the latest firmware update I can see for the V860II-N:

-------

V860IIN Firmware V1.9

Release Date

2020/06/09

Remark

Before updating this firmware version, please make sure that your gear has download the G1 firmware launcher installer.Updated Contents

1.To solve the compatible problem of new camera D780.

-------

This pre-dates the Z30 by two years. I only see a firmware update for the V860III-N that comes after the Z30 announcement (only a month later but that is for the "III" version not the "II" version.

Anyone here dealt with this?

I only use my 860's with a Godox radio trigger ($40 US.) Pay attention to the clicks when you install it, I had trouble with the contacts lining up. Backing off the flash in the shoe a hair helped, but it would move around while shooting.

I haven't purchased the newer (much smaller) radio trigger yet. I kind of prefer the retro LCD screens.

I use a warm LED flash on the camera to save weight and help (significantly) with AF, and use strobes on mini or monopod stands around a room. Onboard I might I use a V360N for catch light/bouncing, but I generally prefer the SB500 or SB400 (with a DIY card.)

You can check Adorama for newer Flashpoint firmware, but you could brick your flash.

Carl Maiorino said:

Fining an issue where my Good V860II-N flashes are not working in TTL with my Z30. I am thinking it might be necessary to upgrade the firmware on the 860s as they were purchased in 2019. However, this is the latest firmware update I can see for the V860II-N:

Click to expand...

A lot of those flashes are older and were designed for the DSLRs. Nikon changed some of the flash protocols in the Z cameras so some features unfortunately may not work or be as reliable. So my suggest is to maybe contact Godox or if you can, maybe roll back your firmware if it's developed an issue after the latest update. Beyond that, your only option may be to buy another strobe/flash that is newer from them, such as the G1 maybe or the Godox 860 III.

I think after a period of time, they stop updating them, and since the Z30 came out after 2020, they likely never bothered to update compatibility, even though that flash presumably also works with other Z cameras, and the flash protocols have not changed (that I'm aware of) since 2018 when Nikon redid them for the Z system.

As Skyrunr suggested, maybe use a trigger and off-camera flash. If you need an on-camera flash, you could look at the brand new IM30 (which is smaller and less powerful, and is a manual flash) but it would be a cheaper workaround to buying another flash like the Version 3 of the 860. Personally I'm always skeptical of the budget manufacturer's TTL flashes and typically only shoot those in manual mode for consistency (as i have seen some where your results may not be consistent even if the scene/lighting doesn't change).

--
PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.

This is pretty much what I suspected…the flash doesn’t work in TTL either on shoe or with the controller. I know Pocket Wizard said a while back that their old Flex TT5s can’t be firmware upgraded past the original Z6/Z7/Z50…starting with the Z5 something changed in Nikon’s flash protocol that made the TT5s incompatible according to them. This is likely the same with the Godox V860II. I have two Profoto A1s with the controllers which work well and I like them but I did like the V860II for its longer battery life and the foot that seems more solid than the A1. Thank you for answering…!!!

It won’t work in TTL either on-camera or with a trigger with the Z30…the Z50 is fine with them. They’re not that expensive, I might just get the V860III with a new trigger. Thanks for answering…!!!

--
http://www.beautyworldmonthly.com

There are two versions of firmware V1.9 for that flash. Download the version from the Adorama Flashpoint page.

I had issues with my ZoomLion speedlight (V860II) until i contacted Adorama flashpoint tech support.

a gentleman named Shua sent me the new firmware (also number v1.9) and flashpoint V860II ( 3 of them) now work fine.

What camera were you using?

Reason I ask is I only see one v1.9 upgrade for that flash on the Adorama website and it’s dated 6/9/2020.

I have a copy of the modified 1.9 firmware. It is dated from 2020 but it is a different version of the same firmware. Madecov sent it to me a year or 2 back when i was having the same issue. I'll email it to whoever wants it.

I was able to download it this evening…I’ll try it on one of the V860IIs…I may need to get an update for the transmitter unit too though…

Haven’t tried the update yet…I’ll let you know how it goes.

860ii-firmware 1.9

with pdf

Carl Maiorino said:

This is pretty much what I suspected…the flash doesn’t work in TTL either on shoe or with the controller. I know Pocket Wizard said a while back that their old Flex TT5s can’t be firmware upgraded past the original Z6/Z7/Z50…starting with the Z5 something changed in Nikon’s flash protocol that made the TT5s incompatible according to them. This is likely the same with the Godox V860II. I have two Profoto A1s with the controllers which work well and I like them but I did like the V860II for its longer battery life and the foot that seems more solid than the A1. Thank you for answering…!!!

Click to expand...

I have also heard from some people that even Nikon's own flashes (likely the older ones) also exhibit some banding. But regardless, it is sad that Godox doesn't seem to want to make things right. Luckily I guess for me, I sort of got out of doing portraits/model photography on a regular basis and don't do much anymore other than the occasional shoot, so I can get away with it as long as I stay away from TTL and HSS. If I was going to continue to do portrait/model photography, I might consider getting another system with fewer issues (like the Profoto, although I did have atl east one person claim that their Profoto system also had the issue, but I don't know what lights/triggers they were using).