CAUTION with new P7700 Firmware Update 1.3

[Ben Herrmann]

Hi folks:

I wanted to issue a word of caution here. I just updated my P7700 to version 1.3 and the camera will no longer respond to 3rd party batteries. It only functions with the Nikon batteries. This sucks to the MAX as I had invested in 5 additional Wasabi batteries (which are superior really, IMO). But now, they no longer function. Once you turn the camera off after the firmware update (like they instruct you), it no longer turns on with the Wasabi's. But when I put in the original EN-L14, it functions just like a charm.

Way to go Nikon - you turds!!!!! You may be losing more money, but this is a horrible way to try to get us to spend more bucks on your batteries only.

 

[skiphunt13]

Sorry to read this Ben. I had a sneaky feeling Nikon would pull something like this. I suspect killing 3rd party battery use was intentional and it wasn't really about the new battery much at all.

Thanks for diving into the deep end for the rest of us though. Much appreciated!

 

[B-rad]

Hi folks:

I wanted to issue a word of caution here. I just updated my P7700 to version 1.3 and the camera will no longer respond to 3rd party batteries. It only functions with the Nikon batteries. This sucks to the MAX as I had invested in 5 additional Wasabi batteries (which are superior really, IMO). But now, they no longer function. Once you turn the camera off after the firmware update (like they instruct you), it no longer turns on with the Wasabi's. But when I put in the original EN-L14, it functions just like a charm.

Way to go Nikon - you turds!!!!! You may be losing more money, but this is a horrible way to try to get us to spend more bucks on your batteries only.

 

[Terrier989]

ben,

can you real install version 1.2

terrier

 

[Terrier989]

Wondering about a matter of law here.

It is not illegal to use compatible batteries ,but I accept if they could prove you had you could get warrantee problems.

Nikon new this would render the compats useless but did not issue a warning, is that illegal and what about anti competition laws in north america.

any legal eagles ?, would the threat make nikon sort a way to revert to v1.2

I beat minolta on upgrades with the threat of eu law but it took a while and letters in japanese to the european vp.

terrier989

 

[bper]

Yeh, I updated my D5100, but only use the Nikon battery. I was going to order a Wasabi for it though. I did some searching and found this link that may shed some light on it.

Loading…

www.the-digital-picture.com

Apparently the new cameras (P7800 and D5300) now use the same battery, but with an "a" at the end (EN-EL14a). It seems it is not compatible with the older camera's or batteries without the "a".

Just a guess. I assume this will hit the fan in the next couple of days. Adorama does show there aftermarket replacement as fitting ok. I think it's called a power2000, but it looks like it needs to be the number with the "a" at the end.

I wonder how many people did the upgrade like me and then figured out maybe they should have held off? - bper

 

[epo001]

Don't be silly. There is no requirement to support 3rd party batteries. If the camera's functioning requires recognising, and calibrating for, known batteries then it is only sensible to include a list of supported batteries and refuse to work with others to protect the equipment.

I suspect Nikon discovered that some of these alleged battery issues were with cheapskates using Chinese knock-offs, this is a perfectly sensible thing to do.

 

[cr4guy]

3rd party battery compatibility was crippled with v1.2 firmware for my Coolpix P7000 months ago.

However, I can work-around this by upgrading the firmware with the compatible battery in situ.

Unfortunately, I then have to re-flash back to older firmware using the approved Nikon battery after recharging the compatible, or whenever the battery is removed from the camera, and go through the firmware upgrade again. But a small price to pay for cheaper batteries.

Whether or not this will work with the P7700, I don't know...

 

[Terrier989]

Don't be silly. There is no requirement to support 3rd party batteries. If the camera's functioning requires recognising, and calibrating for, known batteries then it is only sensible to include a list of supported batteries and refuse to work with others to protect the equipment.

I suspect Nikon discovered that some of these alleged battery issues were with cheapskates using Chinese knock-offs, this is a perfectly sensible thing to do.

there is a difference between not supporting 3rd party batteries in the 1st place when compared to deliberately making them unusable latter without warning owners.

 

[Ben Herrmann]

And I did all of the (then) firmware updates. How strange that it didn't work for you.

 

[BHP517]

I read this post 30 min. too late. Already upgraded my P7700/ver. 1.3 and my Wasabi battery is useless. Very sneaky of Nikon. Now have to purchase their batteries at twice the cost, : (

This is very anti-consumer friendly behavior from Nikon. Are Canon's upgrades likewise?

Hope Wasabi can answer back with a modification.

I still enjoy this camera as my casual point 'n shoot, wish it would write RAW files faster though...

 

[tomjar]

Hi folks:

I wanted to issue a word of caution here. I just updated my P7700 to version 1.3 and the camera will no longer respond to 3rd party batteries. It only functions with the Nikon batteries. This sucks to the MAX as I had invested in 5 additional Wasabi batteries (which are superior really, IMO). But now, they no longer function. Once you turn the camera off after the firmware update (like they instruct you), it no longer turns on with the Wasabi's. But when I put in the original EN-L14, it functions just like a charm.

Way to go Nikon - you turds!!!!! You may be losing more money, but this is a horrible way to try to get us to spend more bucks on your batteries only.

 

[richardrap]

Hi folks:

I wanted to issue a word of caution here. I just updated my P7700 to version 1.3 and the camera will no longer respond to 3rd party batteries. It only functions with the Nikon batteries. This sucks to the MAX as I had invested in 5 additional Wasabi batteries (which are superior really, IMO). But now, they no longer function. Once you turn the camera off after the firmware update (like they instruct you), it no longer turns on with the Wasabi's. But when I put in the original EN-L14, it functions just like a charm.

Way to go Nikon - you turds!!!!! You may be losing more money, but this is a horrible way to try to get us to spend more bucks on your batteries only.

--
Have a great one....
Bernd (Ben) W. Herrmann
North Carolina, USA
link

This is bad news indeed. I have just sent my P7700 for some servicing. I hope it does not come back with ver. 1.3 on it. But does reinstalling ver. 1.2 work?

Regards, T.

Yes it works - i went from 1.2 to 1.3 back to 1.2 and then back to 1.3

The camera installs what you put in the memory card.

 

[BHP517]

Where does one locate v. 1.2? Nikon dosen't support it any longer. Cannot find the download. Can someone send me a file?

 

[BHP517]

Not wasting time, I ordered a Nikon EN-EL 14 from Ebay with a Nikon charger!

 

[richardrap]

Where does one locate v. 1.2? Nikon dosen't support it any longer. Cannot find the download. Can someone send me a file?

--
BHP517

https://help.nikon.ca/app/answers/detail/a_id/18449

 

[Tracey41]

Please advise if there is a upside to the firmware update

Thanks

 

[RussellG]

From the P7700 Manual under Read This First:

THE USE OF NON-NIKON ELECTRONIC ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE THE CAMERA AND MAY
VOID YOUR NIKON WARRANTY.
The use of third-party rechargeable Li-ion batteries not bearing the Nikon holographic seal could
interfere with normal operation of the camera or result in the batteries overheating, igniting,
rupturing, or leaking.

I know it's a bummer, but the main update in this firmware relates to battery operation and performance. In order for Nikon to maintain/support what they claim the camera can do, they can only do that with their own parts (battery). It doesn't surprise me that they crippled OEM batteries as a result. We've seen this before.

--
Kind Regards,
Rusty
http://www.rgbvisual.com/img-toronto-skyline.jpg

 

[tomjar]

nt

 

[Ian Arcus]

I would just like to add my "two cents" worth(Australian currency), I have just had the same issue, having just received my P7700 back from Nikon Australia Service Centre. The same problem occurred , after they had updated firmware from V 1.2 to V 1.3. Having found the post on DP Review about retrofitting V 1.2, I under took the retrofit with TOTAL SUCCESS..... A big thank you to DP Review and the other forum posters?... Ian