Nikon releases new firmware for the Nikon Z8
Search all Robert G Allen Photography articles:
Nikon Z8 with the Nikkor 300mm PF f/4 f mount lens
The new firmware mostly has to do with enhancing video functionality and providing specific support for the new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ video lens.
Here are the details:
Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.
■ Video Recording
Hi-Res Zoom is now available when the image area is set to “DX”.
Added a [Power/Hi-Res Zoom collab]* item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of g10.
Added a [Shutter mode] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of g13.
Added [Zebra pattern color] to g15 [Zebra pattern] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Added options for customizing the brightness information display to g18 [Brightness information display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
* This feature is available with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lenses (as of February 2025).
■ Controls
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 [Save and load power zoom position]* to f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] and g2 [Custom controls] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Added a [Zoom ring control (PZ lens)]* item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of f10.
Custom Settings f11 and g9 in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] is now [Assign power zoom]. In addition, [Power zoom speed] has been divided into two items: [Power zoom speed (zoom buttons)] and [Power zoom speed (zoom switch)]*.
* This feature is available with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lenses (as of February 2025).
■ Other Changes
Added [Power zoom speed (zoom buttons)] to the roles assignable to the “i” menu via [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > f1 and g1 [Customize <i> menu].
Fixed the following issues:
- Buffer capacity sometimes dropped with some CFexpress memory cards.
- The following issues may have occurred after burst photography when [ON] was selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU]:
▸ In rare circumstances, the camera stopped responding.
▸ The viewfinder and monitor shooting displays (live view) were corrupted.
▸ Overexposure of photos occurred during auto bracketing.
- Auto capture would not start in [Auto capture] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] or [VIDEO RECORDING MENU] under the following conditions.
▸ [Capture criteria] was set to [Motion].
▸ [M] was selected for the lens focus-mode switch.
- In rare circumstances, the camera would stop responding during video recording when an ATOMOS AirGlu BT compatible device was connected.
- In rare circumstances, images that could not be edited using [Retouch] were recorded.
To download the update, visit https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html
As a full time Capture One user (no Adobe products for me), I’m eagerly waiting for May 8th, 2025. For that is the date of their new product announcement. I have no idea what features could be announced but if they are saying “Their biggest update ever” I’m assuming it’s going to be truly big.