Sekonic L-858, unable to update firmware.

[Dan W]

I preordered the radio module for the godox. The meter needs the firmware updated to use it. I updated the DTS to the latest version. When I connect.the meter, it shows my DTS is up to date and newer firmware available. I click on the update button, it goes Grey but nothing happens.

i uninstalled the DTS software and reinstalled. I rebooted computer. Same results.
I’m using an iMac with the latest OS.



any suggestions on what I’m doing wrong? Thanks.

 

[tugwilson]

I preordered the radio module for the godox. The meter needs the firmware updated to use it. I updated the DTS to the latest version. When I connect.the meter, it shows my DTS is up to date and newer firmware available. I click on the update button, it goes Grey but nothing happens.
i uninstalled the DTS software and reinstalled. I rebooted computer. Same results.
I’m using an iMac with the latest OS.

any suggestions on what I’m doing wrong? Thanks.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Sekonic have inadequate server capacity. It's likely a problem thier end. I'd leave it downloading overnight and see what happens.

 

[Dan W]

Thanks... I tried it again for an hour but it just sat there. What I decided to try is go into the folder that the DTS software was located and there were 2 other programs, one called FWDownloadUtility.app

I open that and it automatically started the update. Took a few minutes and now I have the latest V17 in my meter. I find it odd that nowhere does it say that I have to open an external app from outside the DTS software. Why have an update button inside the DTS software when it doesn't work?

Anyhow, I got it figured out... I hate the fact that Sekonic doesn't respond to emails or answer their support number. Spent too much time figuring out this sloppy process on my own.

 

[tugwilson]

Well done!

 

[Christopherw_ph]

Thanks for this. I was going through the exact same problems and Sekonic has not contact us on their site ; )

 

[Gautam Biswas]

Thanks... I tried it again for an hour but it just sat there. What I decided to try is go into the folder that the DTS software was located and there were 2 other programs, one called FWDownloadUtility.app

I open that and it automatically started the update. Took a few minutes and now I have the latest V17 in my meter. I find it odd that nowhere does it say that I have to open an external app from outside the DTS software. Why have an update button inside the DTS software when it doesn't work?

Anyhow, I got it figured out... I hate the fact that Sekonic doesn't respond to emails or answer their support number. Spent too much time figuring out this sloppy process on my own.

Thanks Dan W for your message and proposed solution. I have been frustrated finding a way to update the firmware from the current version 14 to the newest one to be able to use the Godox compatible transmitter unit.

Unfortunately, when I followed your steps, I receive a message that wrong Sekonic unit selected. I am using the Sekonic L-858 any help on this would be highly appreciated.

 

[Dan W]

Thanks... I tried it again for an hour but it just sat there. What I decided to try is go into the folder that the DTS software was located and there were 2 other programs, one called FWDownloadUtility.app

I open that and it automatically started the update. Took a few minutes and now I have the latest V17 in my meter. I find it odd that nowhere does it say that I have to open an external app from outside the DTS software. Why have an update button inside the DTS software when it doesn't work?

Anyhow, I got it figured out... I hate the fact that Sekonic doesn't respond to emails or answer their support number. Spent too much time figuring out this sloppy process on my own.

Thanks Dan W for your message and proposed solution. I have been frustrated finding a way to update the firmware from the current version 14 to the newest one to be able to use the Godox compatible transmitter unit.

Unfortunately, when I followed your steps, I receive a message that wrong Sekonic unit selected. I am using the Sekonic L-858 any help on this would be highly appreciated.

My original post is a year old but if I remember I also had to delete and reinstall the latest DTS software. The older software I had was made before the L-858. I'm a Mac user, not sure if that matters with my original solution. Have you tried that?

 

[Jazzy4]

Thanks... I tried it again for an hour but it just sat there. What I decided to try is go into the folder that the DTS software was located and there were 2 other programs, one called FWDownloadUtility.app

I open that and it automatically started the update. Took a few minutes and now I have the latest V17 in my meter. I find it odd that nowhere does it say that I have to open an external app from outside the DTS software. Why have an update button inside the DTS software when it doesn't work?

Anyhow, I got it figured out... I hate the fact that Sekonic doesn't respond to emails or answer their support number. Spent too much time figuring out this sloppy process on my own.

Thanks Dan W - you tip helped me enormously and saved me hours of frustration. I attempted the update using the DTS software and nothing. Found your post , used the "FWDownloadUtility.app" and "boom" it worked. Note that I attempted the update on January 1, 2022. Thanks again.

 

[Dan W]

Thanks... I tried it again for an hour but it just sat there. What I decided to try is go into the folder that the DTS software was located and there were 2 other programs, one called FWDownloadUtility.app

I open that and it automatically started the update. Took a few minutes and now I have the latest V17 in my meter. I find it odd that nowhere does it say that I have to open an external app from outside the DTS software. Why have an update button inside the DTS software when it doesn't work?

Anyhow, I got it figured out... I hate the fact that Sekonic doesn't respond to emails or answer their support number. Spent too much time figuring out this sloppy process on my own.

Thanks Dan W - you tip helped me enormously and saved me hours of frustration. I attempted the update using the DTS software and nothing. Found your post , used the "FWDownloadUtility.app" and "boom" it worked. Note that I attempted the update on January 1, 2022. Thanks again.

Glad things worked out for you... This place can be an ocean of info that people share. Maybe you can pay it forward in the future with an experience you will have or have had...

 

[Seyley]

So I still had difficulties updating even after reading the previous advice, So I wrote to Sekeonic UK and was shocked to get a response back the same day, 16th September 22.

This was the response:-

"Please plug your cable directly to the back of your computer. Do not use a hub or extension cable. Also try not to have anything running on the computer other than the update.

You mentioned trying different USB cables, sometimes they are charging cables as opposed to a data cable. I have heard of people trying 6 cables then finally it worked."

-------------------------------------------

I have floor standing computer and tend to use the hub located at the front of the computer rather than trying to feel for a socket at the back.

Also I did try 3 or 4 USB cables before I found a 'data-cable' rather than a charging hybrid'.

So I pluged in my USB data cable into the back, I didn't have any programmes running except for some music off Youtube.... anyways.

IT WORKED .

(via the DTS 6.10 software)

I hope this is of some help....

 

[Dan W]

So I still had difficulties updating even after reading the previous advice, So I wrote to Sekeonic UK and was shocked to get a response back the same day, 16th September 22.

This was the response:-

"Please plug your cable directly to the back of your computer. Do not use a hub or extension cable. Also try not to have anything running on the computer other than the update.

You mentioned trying different USB cables, sometimes they are charging cables as opposed to a data cable. I have heard of people trying 6 cables then finally it worked."

Glad you got it solved. I would bet its the cables you were using. the front USB on most computers are a direct pipeline to the motherboard serial bus. I think what Sekonic was calling a hub was like what I use, I sit my iMac on a stand that had a hub built in that has USB A ands C ports and a SD reader built in. I use that hub for everything and never have issues.

 

[Charles Sternaimolo]

Thanks for posting this. I had the same problem and was lucky enough to come across your comment about also opening the FWdownload utility app. Strange that Sekonic failed to mention this in their manual.

 

[pekkapuusaha]

I am having Sekonic L-858D. Having the Godox lights, and when attached the Sekonic module to Sekonic RT-GX Sender for L-858D, this meter is telling "Radio transmitter insalled cannot be used in this meter".

Assumed that because the device firmware is too old. Tried to upgrade the firmware, but cannot. Tried update the firmware, installed the Data Transfer Software from Sekonic.

DataTransferSoftware is telling:

"Communication Error. Please verify USB connection."

Tried 3 different USB cables. Got the same answer in each of these cables.

FWDownloadUtility is telling:

"Selection of light meter is incorrect".

It is seeming Sekonic holding their monopoly, and don't want to support their customers at all. Before encountering this non-supportive function, I was wondering about buying Sekonic SPECTROMETER C-800, but now stopped my dreams because their existing machines are not liveable after their lawfully warranty time.

Is there any alternative vendor for producing light meter equiptment?

 

[David Voss]

Hi all

Pulling up this old thread after near disaster with my L-858.

I recently tried to update the firmware on my Sekonic L-858 lightmeter but the whole thing got trashed - DTS stopped and the meter wouldn't get past the SEKONIC splash screen. Restart. DTS wouldn't recognize the meter at all. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. Email off to Sekonic service center. Cursing the brave new world where everything is a computer. (Where's my L-398....?).

However, after randomly mashing buttons, I discovered that if you hold all three buttons - Memory, Measure, and Menu - while pushing the power button to power up (a bit of yoga required with fingers and hands), the 858 goes into "emergency mode". This is apparently the hidden "if all else fails" secret repair state.

I was able to connect again via USB, run DTS, and upgrade the firmware from its completely corrupted state. Unit now has the upgraded firmware and works fine. Lazarus has risen.

Of course, Sekonic don't explain this anywhere because then they couldn't charge you hundreds to do the same thing at their service center, or replace the motherboard or whatever improves the profit margin.

Note: the disaster occurred when running DTS on my Mac Studio, with all its security warnings about approving the install and other nonsense. The successful firmware reload was done with a Windows 11 machine running DTS which installed without problem.

-- David