My previous post was about a new firmware update version 5.00 for the Nikon Z9 camera that was just officially released. Here is what’s new:
Note: Users of the following software will need to update to the latest versions.
- Camera Control Pro 2 version 2.37.0 or later, NX Studio version 1.6.1 or later, and SnapBridge version 2.11.0 or later.
Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.
Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.
■ Still Photography
- Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Added [DX (24×16)] to image area options
- Added [Airplanes] to subject detection type options
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
- Added a [C15] high-speed frame capture + release mode option.
- Added frequency setting mode to [High-frequency flicker reduction] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows frequency presets to be configured.
- Added [Rich Tone Portrait] to [Set Picture Control].
- Added [Portrait impression balance] to [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Added [Skin softening] to [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Added [High ISO NR mode] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows to select a noise reduction processing mode.
- New image quality options available for high-speed frame capture + shooting with [Image quality settings] > [Image quality (HSFC)] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Live view display zoom is now up to 400%.
- The Profoto A10’s continuous LED light can now be used as an AF-assist illuminator.
Note: The firmware update is needed for Profoto A10. See Profoto’s corporate website for details.
■ Video Recording
- Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Added [DX] to image area options
- Added [Airplanes] to subject detection type options
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
- Added [Rich Tone Portrait] to Picture Controls.
- Added [Portrait impression balance] to [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- Added [Skin softening] to [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- Added and changed the following functions to [Hi-Res Zoom] in [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- The color of the in-focus AF-area brackets shown on the shooting display when Hi-Res Zoom is enabled has been changed.
- Hi-Res Zoom operations can now be performed using the sub-selector.
- Live view display zoom is now up to 400%.
■ Playback
- Added [Playback speed] in the video playback “i” menu.
- Added [Customize retouch options] to [Retouch] in the playback “i” menu.
- Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu.
- Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu.
- Scrolling through pictures now keeps current orientation even if the camera is rotated.
- The current playback speed is now displayed in the playback display while viewing a video full frame.
- Added [4608×3072; 14.2 M] to [Retouch] > [Resize] in the playback “i” menu when RAW images are displayed.
■ Controls
- Added to the custom controls and roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
- f1 and g1[Customize <i> menu]
- f2[Custom controls (shooting)] and g2[Custom controls]
- f3[Custom controls (playback)]
Choose [Prefer focus point (face priority)] for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance zoom position].
The settings for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance] can now be applied while scrolling through pictures during playback zoom.
Monitor mode selection can now be assigned to Protect/Fn4, and Audio buttons. - Shooting modes now can be selected in photo and video mode individually.
Note: The shooting modes in all shooting banks “A” through “D” are set to P right after the firmware is updated. - Added [Focus point border width] to a11 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
- Added a [Max. aperture Lv during MF] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a14.
- Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] items to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d19 and g17.
- White balance and exposure compensation can now be adjusted while shooting function settings are recalled with button press (hold).
- Changes have been made to how a full format is performed with [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU].
■ Displays
- Changed the position where the memory card high-temperature warning is displayed in video mode.
■ Network
- A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted.
- Added [Wi-Fi connection (STA mode)] which allows you to connect the camera to the smart device via a wireless LAN access point.
- Port numbers can now be specified using [Connect to FTP server] in [NETWORK MENU].
- Added [Upload in HEIF format] to [Connect to FTP server] > [Options] in [NETWORK MENU].
Note: Converted HEIF images are not stored on the memory card. - ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together.
- Automatically obtained IP address will be maintained after automatic IP addressing disabled.
- Automatically obtained gateway/DNS server addresses are now displayed in the TCP/IP edit display.
- File names of the image and audio now match if the file name of the image is renamed during transfer.
■ Other Changes
- When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point.
- The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter.
- The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d12 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
- [SETUP MENU] > [Firmware version] now shows GNSS module firmware “G”.
- GNSS module firmware update is now available.
Note: The second update is not necessary if the GNSS module’s firmware “G” is already 0.17, as with which version, the improvement has already been made.
Note: Refer to “GNSS Module Firmware Update” for updating procedures. - The firmware for the GNSS module has been updated.
- Improved acquisition performance when used in certain areas where the quasi-zenith satellite “QZSS” can be acquired.
- Fixed the following issues:
- Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode].
- Switching to the playback display and attempting to operate the sub-selector did not result as intended while the memory card access lamp was lit after burst shooting when [Series playback] > [Sub-selector displays first shot] in [PLAYBACK MENU] was enabled.
- Optimal exposure could sometimes not be achieved in burst or focus shift shooting.
- Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed.
- Subjects could sometimes not be detected in the correct position when repeatedly shooting airplanes.
Press release:
Nikon releases the upgraded firmware version 5.00 for the Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera
TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 5.00 for its flagship full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 9.
Firmware version 5.00, the fourth major update since the release of the Z 9, increases usability for sports photography by expanding the Auto Capture and High-Speed Frame Capture+ functions. Portrait photography is also enhanced for more effective capture of the images photographers want, with the new Skin Softening and Portrait Impression Balance functions, and new Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control that enables rendering of details of the subject’s complexion with rich tones. Furthermore, the evolution of the Z 9 continues with improved operability achieved in response to feedback from professionals requesting increased speed and efficiency.
Nikon will continuously meet users’ needs through firmware updates that expand the functionality of its cameras.
Primary features of firmware version 5.00 for the Z 9
1. Expanded functions increase flexibility for sports photography
A reserve function that lets users specify the shooting start date/time and duration in advance has been added to Auto Capture. This helps to reduce battery consumption for more efficient shooting, even when the camera must be positioned and configured well before it will actually be used. Auto Capture flexibility has also been increased to allow users to expand their range of expression with support for shooting using the DX (24×16) image area, the addition of an [Airplanes] AF subject-detection mode, and display of a yellow frame when the camera is in standby for shooting.
In addition, a low-speed [C15] item has been added to High-Speed Frame Capture+ options for increased usability with continuous shooting. What’s more, frequency presets for common LED lighting and signboards have been added to the High-Frequency Flicker Reduction function, making it easier to choose the optimal shutter speed and efficiently reduce the effects of high-frequency flicker.
2. Functions enabling portrait rendering that better satisfies user intent
A Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control suitable for creating base images in situations that require retouching, such as wedding and studio photography, has been added. Also, a variety of functions designed to improve portrait photography, including Portrait Impression Balance and Skin Softening have been incorporated. Further, Nikon offers NIKKOR Z lenses including the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S, NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S, and NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, all of which support the capture of portraits that accurately express the user’s intent.
As well as this, overall convenience has been increased with the ability to use the continuous LED light of the Profoto A10 as an AF-assist illuminator*1 and the addition of a [Prefer focus point (face priority)] option for frame advance when reviewing images displayed with playback zoom enabled.
3. Other features added for enhanced operability
A variety of improvements to operability have been achieved to realize increased speed and efficiency that meet the needs of professionals.
- When [Extended menu banks] is enabled, users can now manage the shooting modes for photo mode and video mode, which were previously linked, separately.
- Visibility is improved with an option that allows the user to adjust the weight of the focus point border.
- Manual focusing is now possible with maximum aperture live view in manual focus mode.
- A function that allows the user to cancel zoom when focus mode is set to manual focus and the view through the lens is zoomed in by pressing the shutter-release button halfway has been added.
- High-Res Zoom operability has been improved, and the AF-area brackets display color when the subject is in focus has been changed from red to green.*2
- The number of functions that can be assigned to custom controls has been increased, as has the number of controls that can be customized.
- The addition of a [Customize retouch options] item allows the user to choose the functions displayed in the retouch menu.
- [Loop playback], [Wait before playback], and [Auto series playback speed] options have been added for playback of a series of images captured with a burst of continuous shooting.
- Playback speed for all videos can now be specified in advance from the i menu ([Original speed], [1/2x speed], [1/4x speed]).
- Wi-Fi station mode has been added to enable connection to SnapBridge without occupying the entire Wi-Fi connection on a smartphone.
- When the MC-N10 Remote Grip is attached to the camera, the ATOMOS AirGlu accessory, UltraSync BLUE, can now also be connected via Bluetooth at the same time.
*1It is necessary to update the firmware of the Profoto A10 to the latest version. Please refer to the Profoto website for details.
*2In any focus mode except AF-F.
*Trade names (companies, products, services, etc.) are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Specifications, design, product name and supplied accessories may differ by country or area. Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
