Un-related 3.0 FW question:
For those of you who've tried the new focus stacking Pixel Shift, is the software doing anything differently in how it processes these files? It looks like NX studio and tether are still the versions that were released in April. Do users still need to use third party software to stack the images? I assume that NX studio is just going to output a series of pixel shift images, but leave the stacking for 3rd party.
My hope is that Nikon both
1) makes their pixel shift processing much more efficient. It takes eons, no matter the computer, compared to competitors all of whom process the PS file almost instantly.
2) provides focus stacking in NX studio that factors in focus breathing compensation for Nikon lenses and means that I no longer have to pay for helicon focus software. Photoshop's focus stacking remains terrible.
Lee Saxon wrote: Post #4 in this thread pkmx says they were aware of the warning about upgrading with the lens attached (presumably meaning they heeded it) and their lens still has problems.
bbialik wrote:
Not sure if someone has already posted it already. I found this posted on an asian site in regards to the Megadap ETZ21 Pro. It works for me in preliminary testing with the Sony 300mm F2.8 GM. It also works with the 2x TC.
I'm a Software Tester by trade, if I was heading up the Test function of Nikon I would have made the case that Tamron lenses be tested as part of each firmware release to prevent this exact type of situation from happening. Tamron having entered a licensing agreement with Nikon hopefully is being treated as being part of the Z mount eco-system. Make no mistake this a HUGE error that has been allowed to reach end users and its unacceptable. I have suspicions as to whom is responsible but with no proof of anything that's all they are.
SNJOps wrote:
I have suspicions as to whom is responsible
For all we know, Nikon provided the full spec to Tamron, and Tamron mis-applied the spec. Or the spec document, like most, was incomplete or contained ambiguous elements. Or people did not read the update instructions and updated firmware with a Tamron lens attached.
I have read of at least one failure with Tamron 35-150mm that was fixed by updating the lens' firmware. Firmware that has been available since mid 2024. I am sure that there is more to this, otherwise Tamron would have just pointed everyone to the firmware, at least for this lens.
Responsible or not, I do like Nikon being held to a higher standard here. One day, they may just learn to communicate better, particularly when there are issues.
nhmorgan wrote:
2) provides focus stacking in NX studio that factors in focus breathing compensation for Nikon lenses and means that I no longer have to pay for helicon focus software. Photoshop's focus stacking remains terrible.
What are the odds that Nikon implements better than Adobe such a complex software feature in a free software?
Nikon should not test Tamron lenses. Instead, Tamron should test its own lenses and collaborate with Nikon to resolve any issues that may arise. Tamron is well-versed in the software and hardware differences across its lens lineup and would be the best party to diagnose problems, not Nikon. It’s inefficient for Nikon to do the testing.
Some Tamron lenses are functioning perfectly fine after the update, while others work well after disabling Focus Limit, some lenses work fine after updating their software that predates FW 3.0. I can’t believe anyone is expecting Nikon to maintain a comprehensive library of Tamron lenses for testing purposes while ensuring that these lenses are up to date, as it would essentially serve as a test standard that represents the current state of the market.
We have known about this FW update for a month? Tamron likely longer. Tamron has a quality department as well. There’s no way they didn’t have access to it and ample time to fix whatever issues were present.
One positive is that this shouldn’t happen again in the future if they figure out and correct whatever the root cause is.
SiMuMe wrote:
I have read of at least one failure with Tamron 35-150mm that was fixed by updating the lens' firmware. Firmware that has been available since mid 2024. I am sure that there is more to this, otherwise Tamron would have just pointed everyone to the firmware, at least for this lens.
Responsible or not, I do like Nikon being held to a higher standard here. One day, they may just learn to communicate better, particularly when there are issues.
Suppose you drop it and break the Nikon Z8 because your hands are different from others and you are not familiar with using it. Is it necessary for Nikon to change the grip for you?
Dear Nikon, in the future would you please make all Z camera firmware upgrades compatible with any and all 3rd party Z lenses, adapters, memory cards, battery grips, etc. ever produced. It would also help to send Nikon software engineers to assist the 3rd party companies writing their upgrade code to make sure complete compatibility is achieved. You should also extensively test all these 3rd party products under any and all conditions prior to firmware release. I know it might add a few years to complete each release and cost Nikon a Zillion Dollars, but it would eliminate a lot of complaints on the various forums.
Thank you for your attention in this matter!
bernardl wrote:
What are the odds that Nikon implements better than Adobe such a complex software feature in a free software?
Cheers,
Bernard
If it’s the same as the odds that small companies like Helicon or Zerene can make better focus stacking software than adobe then it’s 100%.
If adobe wanted to prioritize better focus stacking they certainly could, but there have been no improvements to it in a long time and it is definitely one of the weaker options for stacking images. I think your framing misses that point.
Nikon doesn’t seem to put much energy into their software either, because as I mentioned above, for whatever reason, their pixel shift processing takes forever, even on a high end computer. Maybe it’s just no Mac optimized and that’s the issue, but either way, it’s the sole reason I don’t like to use my Nikon when I need to use pixel shift in studio (which is a lot).
story_teller wrote:
Dear Nikon, in the future would you please make all Z camera firmware upgrades compatible with any and all 3rd party Z lenses, adapters, memory cards, battery grips, etc. ever produced. It would also help to send Nikon software engineers to assist the 3rd party companies writing their upgrade code to make sure complete compatibility is achieved. You should also extensively test all these 3rd party products under any and all conditions prior to firmware release. I know it might add a few years to complete each release and cost Nikon a Zillion Dollars, but it would eliminate a lot of complaints on the various forums.
Thank you for your attention in this matter!...Show more →
😂 😂 😂
RoamingScott wrote:
This thread really took the collective IQ out of the fridge and left it on the counter overnight 🤣
Ah yes, the classic mock the thread, contribute nothing routine.
I really hope all the Chinese adapter manufacturers can get together and standardize their firmware update connection/platform. Something like a universal lens cap with a universal connection to all adapter and available for sale separately. I bought a few of those adapter: Techart TMZ-02, Neewer F to E, TTartisan 6 bit adapter. I don't know where I put their boxes or connection, so even if they update their firmware, there are no ways for me to update the file. My TTartisan 6-bit adapter won't work for a ZF because Ibought it before the camera was released. My Neewer adapter became useless after the firmware 3.0. Luckily, the function I need that adapter to achieve is now available to my Z8 already.
Buckeye2604 wrote:
Ah yes, the classic mock the thread, contribute nothing routine.
The sarcasm is there because I used to be a product manager (electronics, not cameras) and got hit with requests like this all the time. Nikon is not obligated to be compatible with its competitors nor should they be responsible to fix other companies products. If a 3rd party wants to sell Nikon-compatible/competitive products, it’s their responsibility to maintain compatibility.
Making sure things like Nikon firmware are compatible with Nikon’s competitors is both time consuming and costly. Ultimately, adopting those efforts would lead likely to higher prices and delayed releases for Nikon products and make Nikon less competitive. Engineering time is not free!
story_teller wrote:
The sarcasm is there because I used to be a product manager (electronics, not cameras) and got hit with requests like this all the time. Nikon is not obligated to be compatible with its competitors nor should they be responsible to fix other companies products. If a 3rd party wants to sell Nikon-compatible/competitive products, it’s their responsibility to maintain compatibility.
Making sure things like Nikon firmware are compatible with Nikon’s competitors is both time consuming and costly. Ultimately, adopting those efforts would lead likely to higher prices and delayed releases for Nikon products and make Nikon less competitive. Engineering time is not free! ...Show more →
100% agree and understood the sarcasm and the point you were making. I work as the Lead Quality Engineer/Investigator for a company that makes similar licensing agreements. I’ve dealt with countless cross-functional cases involving change management, compatibility, and risk assessment. There absolutely has to be a line drawn when it comes to responsibility for downstream compatibility, especially with third-party components.
In a robust quality system, any firmware or hardware release goes through structured change control, complete with impact assessments and risk mitigations. If Nikon or any OEM had to validate every third-party under the sun, not only would timelines and budgets explode, but it would completely blur accountability.
Third-party vendors who choose to play in a proprietary ecosystem must own the burden of validation. Compatibility is their business model not Nikon’s engineering liability.
mikegao wrote:
I really hope all the Chinese adapter manufacturers can get together and standardize their firmware update connection/platform. Something like a universal lens cap with a universal connection to all adapter and available for sale separately. I bought a few of those adapter: Techart TMZ-02, Neewer F to E, TTartisan 6 bit adapter. I don't know where I put their boxes or connection, so even if they update their firmware, there are no ways for me to update the file. My TTartisan 6-bit adapter won't work for a ZF because Ibought it before the camera was released. My Neewer adapter became useless after the firmware 3.0. Luckily, the function I need that adapter to achieve is now available to my Z8 already. ...Show more →
The charging interface standards for iPhone and Android phones have not been unified for many years
story_teller wrote:
Dear Nikon, in the future would you please make all Z camera firmware upgrades compatible with any and all 3rd party Z lenses, adapters, memory cards, battery grips, etc. ever produced. It would also help to send Nikon software engineers to assist the 3rd party companies writing their upgrade code to make sure complete compatibility is achieved. You should also extensively test all these 3rd party products under any and all conditions prior to firmware release. I know it might add a few years to complete each release and cost Nikon a Zillion Dollars, but it would eliminate a lot of complaints on the various forums.
Thank you for your attention in this matter!...Show more →
Windows blue screen failures have not been avoided for many years. Why Nikon must solve the third-party firmware upgrade problem
Credit where credit is due, I really enjoy having subject detection on my Z8 for manual focus lenses, even though there is no focus confirmation. Since I now exclusively shoot with legacy manual focus lenses, I have been waiting for this feature to be implemented for my Z8 for a long time, almost to the point where I was considering repurchasing the ZF. I think my Nikon 58mm f1.2 Noct works much better on my Z8 than on a ZF, which I sold to fund other gear. The Z8 body is bigger with larger grip, has a joystick, and better viewfinder optics. All contributes to a better user experience than the ZF.
I think Nikon can improve the manual focus experience further by 1) removing the lens dictionary limit from 20. I have more lenses that I want to keep exif info on. 20 is not enough. 2) change the lens name input layout to a true keyboard layout. 3) If adding a dummy electronic connection can trigger the focus confirmation, why not just enable it for all lenses? I noticed for my 58mm f1.2, when focus get close enough, the box will flicker and change color. I use it as a signal to fire a shot. It is accurate enough for me. I think this is doable via firmware.
