latest firmware bricked TZE-01 adapter

[papajohnny]

Today was the first time after updating my Z6 to the latest 3.40 firmware I wanted to use one of my adapted Sony lenses. The TZE adapter didn't work, the camera behaves as if there were no lens attached. I tried my other lenses with the same result.

Perhaps Techart will come up with updated firmware for its adapter but as of now it's totally inoperable. I see the B&H and other sites selling the adapter without any mentioning of this problem.

There is another adapter, I don't remember its name, I suspect it experienced the same fate.

 

[flashpixx]

see this post

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65647788

 

[Currantos]

Wow, maybe that is part of the reason for the update?

I am SURE they are aware of the adapter, it has been having a major impact on the Z line given possibility of using E lenses and the limited number/choices of Z's.

Many manufacturers have done this before, updated something and disabled third party functioning, it benefits them financially, now you have to buy their brand gear.

No way for us to find out whether this was intentional or not, they always have the 'deniable plausibility' excuse, oops, really, TZE disabled, who would have thought the software would do that, my oh my (evil laugh and hand rubbing).

Holding off on updating, I am using all Sony lenses on the Z6, super happy, can't afford to lose this.

Not good.

 

[papajohnny]

I just updated the adapter firmware to v.4.40 using Techart application. The lenses are working now. I tried only Sigma 28-70/2.8 and Samyang 24/1.8 at this time.

 

[sandy b]

Simple update fixed it. Nikon is under zero compunction to make third party lens more easily available. They spend millions developing their own lens line. Why spend a dime helping the competition? These are businesses.

 

[PLShutterbug]

“Bricking” is actually a term with a real definition: something done to it renders it unusable until or unless the manufacturer handles it and fixes it. A bricked device cannot be r3covered by an end user.

The 3.4 firmware prevented your device from working, but had you used it again in a v3.31 or earlier version it would have worked; therefore it was not “bricked” by the new Nikon firmware. Since you didn’t do anything to the adapter, it was not bricked.

It is great that the latest TeeChart firmware updated it to the point that it still works.

 

[papajohnny]

The latest Techart firmware update still has problems. When I turn on the camera the AF doesn't work, aperture works but is incorrect. Turning the camera off and then quickly on the AF and aperture work correctly.

 

[papajohnny]

Simple update fixed it.

No it didn't, see my post below.

Nikon is under zero compunction to make third party lens more easily available. They spend millions developing their own lens line. Why spend a dime helping the competition? These are businesses.

The only reason Sony became so popular is because of Sigma/Tamron/Samyang and a few others. Nikon is very much in the same boat as Sony was 5 years ago, the system can get a good boost from third party manufacturers.

 

[papajohnny]

“Bricking” is actually a term with a real definition: something done to it renders it unusable until or unless the manufacturer handles it and fixes it. A bricked device cannot be r3covered by an end user.

I thought the adapter was dead, when I connected the adapter to computer and started the Techart app, it reported that it couldn't find the adapter. Later I tried again using a different USB port and the update went through.

The 3.4 firmware prevented your device from working, but had you used it again in a v3.31 or earlier version it would have worked; therefore it was not “bricked” by the new Nikon firmware. Since you didn’t do anything to the adapter, it was not bricked.

Usually you can't reverse firmware updates, but I must admit I didn't try and I don't want to experiment, because there is always a risk of bricking the camera.

It is great that the latest TeeChart firmware updated it to the point that it still works.

It still has problems.

 

[Droster]

Actually it’s the opposite. The third parties never really came on board until Sony released the a9 in 2017 and a7iii in early 2018. Before that you can count like two Tamron E-Mount lenses. Maybe one Sigma.

It was only after Sony has spent a good few years doing their own building before the third parties outside of Tamron come in.

Also another thing to note is Sony Corp has a 14% stake in Tamron. They are Tamron’s biggest shareholder. It’s to no surprise they’re not going to supply anything to Canon and Nikon, the biggest threats to their full frame line up.

 

[olyflyer]

Wow, maybe that is part of the reason for the update?

I am SURE they are aware of the adapter, it has been having a major impact on the Z line given possibility of using E lenses and the limited number/choices of Z's.

Many manufacturers have done this before, updated something and disabled third party functioning, it benefits them financially, now you have to buy their brand gear.

No way for us to find out whether this was intentional or not, they always have the 'deniable plausibility' excuse, oops, really, TZE disabled, who would have thought the software would do that, my oh my (evil laugh and hand rubbing).

Holding off on updating, I am using all Sony lenses on the Z6, super happy, can't afford to lose this.

Not good.

Nikon is not obliged to support any third party manufacturer of anything. Those are actually infringing on Nikon IPRs so why would Nikon care at all...? I am also sure that it is not intentional, but is a result of those third party manufacturers using undocumented features when they hack Nikon products. It's all about business and industrial secrets, Nikon (and other camera makers) is not a charity organisation, this is what business is about.

 

[inasir1971]

The latest Techart firmware update still has problems. When I turn on the camera the AF doesn't work, aperture works but is incorrect. Turning the camera off and then quickly on the AF and aperture work correctly.

After seeing your post I tried out my TZE-01 with my Z6 and Tamron 70-180 lens. Didn't notice any issues. AF with my Sigma lenses (100-400 DG DN and 85/1.4 DG DN) has never worked reliably with the Techart adapter so I didn't try.

FWIW, the Techart app will allow you to revert to any previous version of firmware.

My Z6 also allowed me to revert to version 3.31 (from 3.40). Don't know about other previous firmware versions.

 

[phgordon]

I tried multiple times to update TZE-01 to version 4.4. There is no way for me to know if successful as the script is in Chinese. At any rate my Z6 behaves as if no lens attached. Still fingers crossed that there will be a version 4.5. I sent Techart a note, but so far no reply. I was about to sell my Sony bodies.

 

[inasir1971]

I tried multiple times to update TZE-01 to version 4.4. There is no way for me to know if successful as the script is in Chinese. At any rate my Z6 behaves as if no lens attached. Still fingers crossed that there will be a version 4.5. I sent Techart a note, but so far no reply. I was about to sell my Sony bodies.

Unfortunately, you're going to have to use Google Translate in a browser and copy/paste the status messages from the Techart App.




You can copy the status messages and paste into Google translate


Successful completion



There doesn't seem to be any way of checking which firmware you have other than reinstalling the firmware. Not an issue though as update is pretty quick.

 

[papajohnny]

The latest Techart firmware update still has problems. When I turn on the camera the AF doesn't work, aperture works but is incorrect. Turning the camera off and then quickly on the AF and aperture work correctly.

After seeing your post I tried out my TZE-01 with my Z6 and Tamron 70-180 lens. Didn't notice any issues. AF with my Sigma lenses (100-400 DG DN and 85/1.4 DG DN) has never worked reliably with the Techart adapter so I didn't try.

FWIW, the Techart app will allow you to revert to any previous version of firmware.

My Z6 also allowed me to revert to version 3.31 (from 3.40). Don't know about other previous firmware versions.

My quick testing showed that all Samyang lenses now have this issue, all of them worked perfectly before. The Sigma and Tamron lenses work fine.

 

[Kirnbichler]

This is a point where "Fringer" excels. Their adapter (the EFNZ) doesn't need an "update app", the adapter itself is an USB drive, on which a text file with the firmware version number can be found. New firmware is installed by copying the firmware file onto the USB drive, update success can be verified by checking the file with the version number in it.

The advantage of this procedure is that it works with every operating system.

i wonder why manufacturers still use more awkward and inconvenient procedures.

 

[phgordon]

Thank you for the translate tip!! Now at least I know that "device not connected" and "software downloaded". I do not get a success notification. This is on a two Macs with various cables. I guess I will try to find a windows machine. Much appreciated.

 

[PankajDubey]

Today was the first time after updating my Z6 to the latest 3.40 firmware I wanted to use one of my adapted Sony lenses. The TZE adapter didn't work, the camera behaves as if there were no lens attached. I tried my other lenses with the same result.

Perhaps Techart will come up with updated firmware for its adapter but as of now it's totally inoperable. I see the B&H and other sites selling the adapter without any mentioning of this problem.

There is another adapter, I don't remember its name, I suspect it experienced the same fate.

I tried the TZE-01 update and there was a transient message in Chinese .

Then I tried the TZE-02 update and there was a longer message.

>>Downloading firmware..... Firmware downloaded successfully Device connected Current adapter version: VER 1.2.0 The firmware is being written... The firmware update is complete Please close the program and remove the adapter<<

I then looked at the box and it was TZE-02( no different , just different chip manufacturer).

My 200-600 mm works fine with AF and image stabilisation.Aperture recorded appropriately.

Their recent adapters are marked TZE-02 for firmware update purposes.No functionality change.

BTW- it was on Z5.

 

[phgordon]

Thanks for your help. In the end the issue was with the mini hdmi port. I've asked for a replacement, but good luck with that. Anyone willing to do an update for me when v4.5 arrives? please PM me at [email protected].

 

[Kirnbichler]

It is unlikely that the adapter uses a mini hdmi port.

Probably it is an micro USB port, and here you'll have to take care to use the correct cable, as there are "power only" cables around, that are sufficient to power devices with, but miss the two additional wires for communications.

This is not visible on the cable, you'll just have to try another cable.