Photo news: Nikon's firmware bugs and Tamron's short APS-C zoom

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Nikon of all things. No, you didn't click on the news ticker, this column began with this sigh almost two years ago. Back then, there was the second recall of the Z8 because the eyelets for the camera strap could break out of the housing. And one before that because the lens lock could jam. We had written in 2023 that something like this simply shouldn't happen and that today, at best, you have to reckon with software problems.

You could almost think that Nikon had taken this as a recommendation for action, but of course it wasn't meant that way. Because now the Z8, Z6 III and Z50 II have been hit with a software problem: If a lens other than a Nikon lens is mounted on these cameras while a firmware update is being made for the camera, the lens can no longer be recognized by the camera. The description alone reads so awkwardly that even when explaining it verbally to colleagues, the answer was often "Huh?". What does the lens have to do with the camera firmware?

Quite a lot. Modern lenses are their own subsystems, with processor, memory and even software – and it seems that they can no longer communicate with the body once the camera has been updated. Veteran PC mechanics may remember: a Windows update comes along and the sound card is no longer recognized. But these are situations that we have largely overcome with PCs some 20 years ago. Nikon has not yet revealed the exact cause of the problem, the so-called "root cause".

A system error

What is striking, however, is that the Z8, Z6 III and Z50 II are the cameras that most recently received a firmware update. It therefore appears to be a kind of follow-up error that may be in the same software kit for all cameras with the Expeed 7 processor. This was introduced with the flagship Z9, for this and all the other two cameras with it (Zf and Z5 II) there are no warnings yet. This could be due to the fact that there have been no recent updates for these models. Nikon's workaround so far: only update the camera if a Nikon lens or at least an FTZ adapter is attached to the body.

Some people in forums already suspect a vendor lock-in, i.e. the locking out of third-party lenses. This theory is contradicted by the fact that Tamron also warns of this problem. This company also builds lenses that are then sold under the Nikon brand. The two companies are therefore involved in extensive cooperation, which includes exchanging the protocols for the software interfaces between the camera and lens. Otherwise, things like autofocus would not work at all; reverse engineering by Tamron can be ruled out here. So it seems to be simply a stupid mistake, a bug, and not malicious behavior on Nikon's part.

Contradictory information

Once again, however, the problem is communication. According to reports from users, warnings appeared without comment on the download pages for the firmware updates for the three cameras. And nothing else. No technical explanation, no promise if and when there will be corrected firmware, no apology. Anyone who communicates so poorly should not be surprised if others who are in the same boat also rock it. Tamron has indicated in its communication that firmware updates for its lenses – not the camera! – could perhaps solve the problem. The confusion is complete.

And because Nikon has also not said whether the updates will work without a lens, for example if you only use an FTZ adapter with old glass, or given any other indications, confidence is further damaged. No update is also an option for the time being, but then you have to do without other bug fixes and new functions. Of course, we will continue to report on the situation in the newsticker, not just the weekly photo news.

Short standard zoom from Tamron for APS-C

The situation with standard zooms is more pleasing. Last week, Sigma's 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art was an interesting model for APS-C with f/1.8. And now Tamron has completed its G2 series with a short APS-C zoom, the 16-30mm 2.8 Di III VXD G2. The comparison with the Sigma is obvious: why spend almost 1000 euros on the Sigma when the new Tamron is already available at an RRP of 959 euros? Because of the speed, of course. And why is the Tamron as expensive as other short standard zooms despite its f/2.8 aperture? Because, unlike the Sigma, it is weather-sealed.

Attention to detail is also evident in the fact that the filter diameter of the Tamron is 67 millimeters, as with the other two G2 lenses for APS-C. The otherwise well-rounded range has two small drawbacks, which is probably why it is cheaper than the camera manufacturers' lenses: there is no stabilizer in the lens and, according to Sigma, the 16-30mm will not be available until the end of July 2025. So it will be too late for most summer vacations. The zoom will initially be released for Sony's E-mount and at the end of August for Nikon's Z-mount. It is therefore further proof of the cooperation between Tamron and Nikon.

The best travel camera is a matter of taste

What cameras you take with you on vacation or business trips has always been very individual. Some people simply take what they normally use –, i.e. the large system camera –, while others buy smaller and lighter equipment especially for traveling. This is also the case at DPreview, whose employees let us take a look into their photo bags in our recommendation for a long read for the weekend. There's everything from iPhones to setups with an action cam on the hot shoe of an outdoor camera, but a general trend can also be seen there: small system cameras with a retro look. They are now so versatile that they also make good travel companions.

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