Nikon warns: Firmware update for Z8 and Z50 II only without third-party lens

If you update a Nikon Z8 or Z50 II with new firmware while a lens from a manufacturer besides Nikon is attached to the camera, there may be problems. While Nikon only gives a general warning on the download pages for the updates, users report what can happen: The camera permanently no longer recognizes the lens.

Corresponding reports can be found in the DPreview user forum and on Reddit, among others. Nikon has so far only confirmed general issues with updates when a third-party lens is mounted. Specifically, according to the company, this applies to the current firmware version 3.00 for the Z8 and version 1.02 for the Z50 II. The links lead to the download pages for the current versions, where Nikon advises “caution”. The corresponding pages for the other Z models do not contain this information at the time of writing.

Update only with Nikon lens or FTZ adapter

As Nikon is increasingly placing its cameras on a standardized hardware and software platform based around the Expeed 7 processor, issues with other models cannot be ruled out at present. Nikon Germany was not immediately able to answer an inquiry from heise online. It is therefore also unclear exactly what the error is. In the case of the Z8, some users report that a downgrade to firmware version 2.10 has solved the problem.

For the Z8 and Z50 II, Nikon recommends updating only with an original Z lens from Nikon, or with an adapter from its own FTZ series. These allow older lenses with an F bayonet from the (D)SLR era to be used on mirrorless cameras with a Z bayonet. Until the situation is clarified, this advice should probably also be heeded with other Nikon Z cameras.

Tamron and Viltrox confirm problems

According to a statement from Viltrox, Nikon has already informed the third-party manufacturers of Z lenses about the problem. Tamron has also provided similar information. The companies do not go into more detail about the technical background in either case. Tamron at least hints that the errors can possibly be solved with a firmware update for the lenses.

The case shows that the cooperation between the hardware and software of cameras and lenses is apparently becoming an increasing issue. Both devices contain several subsystems with their processors and software. The camera manufacturers keep their protocols protected, and only some – such as Tamron – receive licenses to be able to use functions such as autofocus. Others rely on their own reverse engineering, which usually results in lenses that can only be used manually.

Even if the current situation is annoying, camera manufacturers can hardly be expected to retest the countless combinations of camera and lens with every firmware version. Nevertheless, it would be desirable if Nikon could not only remedy the situation quickly, but also explain how the problem came about.

(nie)