Zf FW 3.00 released

Includes:

• The rumored Film Grain feature
• The goodies from Z8 FW 3.00/Z6iii FW 2.00 (Max Aperture Lv, Focus Limiter, USB webcam improvements, auto display switch improvements, etc.)
• New framing grids (but no new cropping options)
• An interesting note about changing aperture behavior in video mode in shutter priority; need to test this

Putting this FW on my Zf right now. Wish me luck...

Seems like everything is working so far.

I personally don't like the film grain feature that much (at least for color; in black and white it looks fine). "Large" grain looks kind of artificial IMO, I'm never going to use it.

I don't see any difference in shutter priority video mode. The reference guide is also unhelpful as to what was changed.

They haven't fixed the HSFC+ Auto ISO bug.

Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.

Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.

■ Still Photography

• Added [Film grain options] to the photo shooting menu. You can use it to take grainy pictures that simulate the look of traditional film photography.

• Added a [C15] high-speed frame capture + release mode option.

■ Video Recording

• Added [Film grain options] to the video recording menu. You can use it to take grainy videos that simulate the look of traditional film photography.

• Selecting [ON] for [Hi-Res Zoom] in the video recording menu now displays a focus point on the detected subject in the shooting display.

■ Playback

• The [Record camera orientation] item in the playback menu now has separate options for [Photos] and [Video]. The camera orientation for video recording and time-lapse video recording can also be saved.

■ Controls

• Added a [Maximum aperture Lv] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a13.

• Added a [Focus limiter setting] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a15.

• Added a [Minimum] option to Custom Setting c2 [Self-timer] > [Interval between shots] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

• Added assignable roles to the custom controls via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

- f2 [Custom controls (shooting)]

- g2 [Custom controls]

• Exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity can now be assigned to the command dials in mode M using g2 [Custom controls] > [Command dials] > [Exposure setting] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

• Added [Automatic monitor display switch] to the [SETUP MENU].

• Contents of [Camera sounds] in the [SETUP MENU] have been changed. Now you can select whether the camera makes an electronic shutter sound during high-speed frame capture + or pixel shift shooting. The electronic shutter sound volume can also be adjusted.

■ Displays

• Added an [Only during zoom] option to a12 [Focus peaking] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

• Added a framing grid option of 4:3 to d16 [Grid type] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

• Added a framing grid option of 9:16 to g14 [Grid type] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

■ Network

• Added [USB streaming (UVC/UAC)] to [USB] in the [NETWORK MENU].

• Changed some messages and the default values related to Nikon Imaging Cloud.

• A new method for adding Picture Controls from Nikon Imaging Cloud is now available.

• Added [Wi-Fi connection (STA mode)] which allows you to connect the camera to the smart device via a wireless LAN access point.

■ Other Changes

• [Pixel shift shooting] options can now be set when the self-timer mode is selected.

• Pre-Release Capture is now available from compatible Bluetooth remote controllers.

• Aperture is no longer restricted when recording videos in mode S (Shutter-priority auto).

• The tonal characteristics have been changed when [ON] is selected for Custom Setting g13 [View assist] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

• The headphone volume level can now be adjusted in the “i” menu during video recording.

• Voice memo recording is now available with external microphones.

• Changed the specifications for uninterrupted video output to HDMI devices such as external monitors when recording ended.

• Fixed the following issues:

- The camera displayed the message “The shutter is closed. To start shooting, press the shutter-release button.” in rare circumstances, when single frame shooting was repeated with the monitor closed.

- The [Maximum aperture] values set for [Lens number] at positions 18 and 19 in the non-CPU lens data feature were not correctly applied when shooting.

f16falcona46 said:

• An interesting note about changing aperture behavior in video mode in shutter priority; need to test this

Click to expand...

The note sounds like it now lets you under/over expose. But most people should be in manual if they're shooting video.

f16falcona46 said:

Seems like everything is working so far.

I personally don't like the film grain feature that much (at least for color; in black and white it looks fine). "Large" grain looks kind of artificial IMO, I'm never going to use it.

I don't see any difference in shutter priority video mode. The reference guide is also unhelpful as to what was changed.

They haven't fixed the HSFC+ Auto ISO bug.

Click to expand...

What bug?

All good.

f16falcona46 said:

The reference guide is also unhelpful as to what was changed.

Click to expand...

I guess you've already seen the "Supplement for Firmware Version 3.00" addendum?

https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive8/TuSaj009pyC107k76KY44kM2hy51/Zf_FU_addendum_(En)03.pdf

SecondTimeAround said:

f16falcona46 said:

I don't see any difference in shutter priority video mode. The reference guide is also unhelpful as to what was changed.

Click to expand...

I guess you've already seen the "Supplement for Firmware Version 3.00" addendum?

https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive8/TuSaj009pyC107k76KY44kM2hy51/Zf_FU_addendum_(En)03.pdf

Click to expand...

Yeah, but it doesn't mention anything about the change Nikon allegedly made to shutter priority in video mode.

how are you already able to install it? its not on the firmware website or Nikon Imaging Cloud

JoeWoof said:

how are you already able to install it? its not on the firmware website or Nikon Imaging Cloud

Click to expand...

Try this link: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/577.html

JustSomeone said:

f16falcona46 said:

They haven't fixed the HSFC+ Auto ISO bug.

Click to expand...

What bug?

Click to expand...

If you're in shutter priority and have Auto ISO on, and shooting a bright enough scene in HSFC+ (C15, C30), the camera will close the aperture several stops more than needed and raise ISO rather than stay at base ISO and stop down as needed (which is the normal behavior in Single, CL, CH, and CH+).

For example, if I'm in S at 1/60 and the correct exposure is f/2.8, ISO 100, then in Single, CL, CH, and CH+ it will pick that exposure. But if I switch to C15 or C30 and make no other changes, the camera will inexplicably pick f/13 and ISO 2500.

All installed. Tried film garin it works but I will never use it. Seems faux to me. If I want to shoot with grain I’ll put a 3200ASA film in my old Nikon FMs.

Otherwise I’m not very interested in making digital look like fast film.

Bit like buying a car with great brakes with an override to mimic drum brakes of an old car… Probably a crap metaphor but hey.

grain + the new monitor switch mode are insanely good. only thing that's missing now is a compact SE style 35mm f2.8

Geesh! All those FW updates make me appreciate a Nikon F with Tri-X even more. Ha ha!

f16falcona46 said:

JustSomeone said:

f16falcona46 said:

They haven't fixed the HSFC+ Auto ISO bug.

Click to expand...

What bug?

Click to expand...

If you're in shutter priority and have Auto ISO on, and shooting a bright enough scene in HSFC+ (C15, C30), the camera will close the aperture several stops more than needed and raise ISO rather than stay at base ISO and stop down as needed (which is the normal behavior in Single, CL, CH, and CH+).

For example, if I'm in S at 1/60 and the correct exposure is f/2.8, ISO 100, then in Single, CL, CH, and CH+ it will pick that exposure. But if I switch to C15 or C30 and make no other changes, the camera will inexplicably pick f/13 and ISO 2500.

Click to expand...

Not a bug. Is been explained by Nikon to someone who reported it. Sorry I can remember where I saw that.
basically in hsfc+, the frame rate is so fast that the movement of the aperture blades will be seen and cause flicker.
By stopping down the exposure the camera can adjust the exposure using only the ISO avoiding exposure flicker

Don’t want to criticise your way of shooting of course but if you’re in S mode, just don’t use auto-ISO, haha. Cameras are so good nowadays, just pick a value in the middle of the road and go with it, like 800 or 1600 (depending of light and the scene of course)

The thing i like most about the Nikon updates is, if I had a Sony I would need to purchase three new bodies to get less new features.

JustSomeone said:

Not a bug. Is been explained by Nikon to someone who reported it. Sorry I can remember where I saw that.

Click to expand...

No, it's a bug. A Nikon rep literally told me "that's not how it's supposed to work" when I showed him this behavior.

JustSomeone said:

basically in hsfc+, the frame rate is so fast that the movement of the aperture blades will be seen and cause flicker.
By stopping down the exposure the camera can adjust the exposure using only the ISO avoiding exposure flicker

Click to expand...

The aperture blades don't move between shots in HSFC+ anyway (nor in CH on the Z8/Z9, so it's not unique to HSFC+) so this is not a reason for the incorrect metering decision. Otherwise CH in the Z8/Z9 should meter the same way, and it doesn't. One or the other is surely a bug, and the CH behavior makes much more sense than the HSFC+ behavior.

JustSomeone said:

Don’t want to criticise your way of shooting of course but if you’re in S mode, just don’t use auto-ISO, haha. Cameras are so good nowadays, just pick a value in the middle of the road and go with it, like 800 or 1600 (depending of light and the scene of course)

Click to expand...

Auto ISO is way more important for HSFC+ where you're shooting JPEG and need the exposure to be correct.

Useful update! I wish they make "Max Aperture Lv" to work with FTZ adapters and MF lenses...

Has anyone tried this with third party lenses, in particular Viltrox 16mm or 20mm? After the last firmware update I had some autofocus problems with both, until the lens firmware was also updated. I’m going on an overseas trip in a few weeks and don’t want to risk an update and the possibility of non working lenses.

Thanks.