Firmware Friday catchup: Loads of updates from Cactus, Fuji and Nikon
posted Friday, March 24, 2017 at 11:54 PM EDT
With a heavy workload surrounding the CP+ tradeshow in Japan, it's been a little while since we had a moment to put together our regular Firmware Friday roundup. Today, though, we make up for it with a roundup of all the firmware news we're aware of going back to around the start of the month! In all, we have a total of 14 updates to cover, predominantly from Nikon. (Although Fuji does have news of two upcoming updates, while there are also two Cactus flash trigger updates.)
Without any further ado, let's get right down to it!
Nikon D500, D750, D810, D810A, D3400, D5600, D7200, SB-5000, W100 and WT-7
We'll get the ball rolling with Nikon this week, since the company turned in by far the most updates for our current roundup. In all, Nikon released firmware for seven interchangeable-lens cameras, one fixed-lens model, the Speedlight SB-5000 flash and the WT-7 wireless transmitter.
The Nikon D500, D3400 and D5600 all share one single change in their new updates: An issue with unreliable wireless connectivity when using the Nikon Snapbridge app on iOS 10.2 devices has been resolved. You can get Nikon D500 firmware version 1.12 here, Nikon D3400 firmware version 1.11 here and Nikon D5600 firmware version 1.01 here.
Moving along to the other DSLRs, the Nikon D750, D810, D810A and D7200 all score newly-added support for the WT-7 wireless transmitter accessory when that device is also updated to current firmware. (More on that in a moment.) All four cameras also received a fix for an intermittent problem with images failing to be recorded, and another issue with auto distortion control not working properly with raw + medium fine JPEG filetypes. The D750 and D810 -- but interestingly, not the D810A -- also needed patches for incorrect RGB histogram display in playback mode. The D750 also gains a fix for its custom setting f5 (customize command dials) failing to be saved when saving settings in the setup menu.
That's all for the D750, but for the D810 and D810A, in addition to the fixes noted for these cameras already, a problem with multiple exposures failing to be recorded has been resolved, as has a problem with incorrect exposure level after changing lenses, an issue with the protect icon not being displayed correctly, and one last issue sometimes allowing shutter speeds faster than 1/2,000 second with electronic front-curtain shutter. Finally, the D7200 receives one additional fix beyond those already noted, resolving an issue with incorrect exposure levels if using lenses with an electromagnetically-controlled aperture in live view mode. You can download Nikon D750 firmware version 1.11 here, Nikon D810 firmware version 1.12 here, Nikon D810A firmware version 1.02 here and Nikon D7200 firmware version 1.02 here.
And finally for the new camera firmware from Nikon, we have firmware version 1.2 for the Nikon Coolpix W100, which you can download here. This resolves an issue with increased battery drain and failure to power up when the camera was placed in airplane mode, and the Bluetooth connectivity was also disabled.
All of which leaves only the flash and wireless transmitter firmware left to cover. Firmware version 14.002 for the Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 (available here) resolves an issue with incorrect zoom operation at low temperatures, and failure to provide autofocus assist illumination after powering the camera on or waking it from standby with flash operation disabled. Firmware version 1.1 for the Nikon WT-7 wireless transmitter available here, meanwhile, adds Turkish-language support for HTTP server mode, adds support for the D750, D810, D810A and D7200 camera bodies, and corrects an issue preventing connection to FTP servers using PASV mode connections.
Fuji X-T2 and X-Pro2
Fujifilm's new firmware for the X-T2 and X-Pro2 isn't available yet, but it looks set to reinvent both cameras with a raft of new features. Although there are only two cameras involved, we're actually talking about a total of four firmware updates released. The reason? Each camera will get two staggered updates, with the first adding 27 features (most, but not all, for both cameras) and landing in late March, while the second following in late May will add a further six new features for the X-T2, of which two will also come to the X-Pro2. Courtesy of Fuji, the full list of changes can be found below:
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X-T2 version 2.00 & X-Pro2 version 3.00 - due late March 2017
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Shooting RAW in Bracketing and Advanced Filters
The update enables you to use the RAW format when shooting not only in AE Bracketing but also in other Bracketing modes (ISO, Dynamic Range, White Balance, Film Simulations) and also in Advanced Filter modes. -
Extended ISO 125 and 160 selectable
The update adds ISO125 and ISO160 to extended ISO levels available. -
Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes
Long exposure in the T mode currently goes only up to 30 seconds. The update will allow users to extend it up to 15 minutes. -
ON/OFF for 1/3-step shutter speed adjustment (X-T2 only - already in X-Pro2)
The update allows you to turn off the Command Dial's function to adjust shutter speed by 1/3 steps in order to prevent unintended adjustments. -
Full-range ISO adjustments with the Command Dial (X-T2 only)
With the update, set the ISO "A" position to "Command" to adjust ISO sensitivity across the full range, including extended ISOs, with the Front Command Dial. -
"AUTO" setting added for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting
The update adds an AUTO option for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting, that allows the camera to automatically define the minimum shutter speed according to the focal length of the lens attached. -
Faster "Face Detection AF"
The update enables the use of Phase Detection AF for faster performance in Face Detection AF. -
Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode
The update reduces focus hunting in the AF-C mode, making it easier to track a subject. -
Addition of a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF
The update adds a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF, bringing the total number of available sizes to six. The new smallest size facilitates pin-point focusing. -
Addition of "AF Point Display" (X-Pro2 only - already on X-T2)
With the update, you can choose to have AF Points constantly displayed in Zone AF and Wide / Tracking AF, making it easier to track a subject. -
Addition of "AF-C Custom Setting" (X-Pro2 only - already on X-T2)
The update adds "AF-C Custom Setting" for specifying focus-tracking characteristics. Choose from five presets according to your subject's type of movements. -
Addition of "Portrait / Landscape AF Mode Switching" (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to specify separate AF mode and AF point settings for portrait orientation and landscape orientation. -
Change of focus frame position while enlarging it
The update allows you to move the position of focus frame while enlarging it in Single Point in the AF-S mode or in the Manual Focus -
Activation of the Eye Sensor in video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to use the Eye Sensor during video recording to automatically switch between EVF and LCD. -
Change of ISO sensitivity during video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to change ISO setting during video recording. -
Re-autofocusing in video recording
With the update, half-press the Shutter Release button or press the button assigned to "AF-ON" function during video recording to re-do autofocusing. -
Display live histogram during video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to display a live histogram during video recording. -
Optimization of external microphone's input level (X-T2 only)
The update optimizes external microphone's input level (lower limit revised from -12dB to 20dB) to reduce white noise when an external microphone with preamp is connected. -
Addition of "Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display" in the View Mode
The update gives the "Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display" option in the View Mode that allows you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just as you would with an SLR. -
Shorter EVF display time-lag (X-Pro2 only - already in X-T2)
The update shortens EVF's display time-lag in the AF-C mode so that you will not miss a photo opportunity. -
Constant "Dual" mode display (X-T2 only)
With the update, the small window in the Dual mode stays on even when you half-press the shutter release button. -
Automatic vertical GUI for LCD (X-T2 only)
With the update, when you hold the camera in the portrait orientation, the camera will automatically display the GUI on the LCD in the same orientation. -
Name Custom Settings
The update allows you to assign a specific name to Custom Settings 1 - 7. -
Copyright information in EXIF data
The update allows you to register the photographer's name and the copyright holder's name in advance so that the camera automatically adds the information to EXIF data for each image. -
Voice Memo function
The update enable you to record 30-second "Voice Memo" clips in the Playback mode. -
Extended AE Bracketing
The update extends AE Bracketing from the current 3 frames +/-2EV to up to 9 frames +/-3EV. -
Addition of "Shoot Without Card" mode
With the update, you can have the "Shoot Without Card" mode turned OFF so that the camera can not shoot when there is no SD card inserted.
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X-T2 version 2.10 & X-Pro2 version 3.10 - late May 2017
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Support for computer tethering via Wi-Fi (X-T2 only)
The update adds support for computer tethering via Wi-Fi. -
Addition of "All" AF mode (X-T2 only)
With the update, select "All" in the AF mode so that you can select the AF mode and Focus Area size by only using the Command Dial. -
Function extension for "Shutter AF" and "Shutter AE" (X-T2 only)
With the update, you can specify different settings for AF-S and AF-C in "Shutter AF" and for AF-S / MF and AF-C in "Shutter AE." -
Addition of "-6" and "-7" to EVF's brightness setting
Additional options of "-6" and "-7" to the "EVF Brightness" setting so that, even in an extremely low-light condition, the brightness of the EVF does not distract you from shooting. -
Switchover of the main and sub displays in the Dual Display mode (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to switch between the main and sub displays in the Dual Display mode. -
Function assignment to the Rear Command Dial
With the update, you can assign a specific function to be activated when the Rear Command Dial is pressed.
Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs
Finally for this week, we come to the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs flash triggers. As well as their existing cross-brand high-speed sync, remote power and zoom control for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sigma flash strobes, the new firmware will add on and off-camera cross-brand TTL automatic exposure control. Support for Sigma, Sony and Fujifilm strobes will come first, with support for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax following one by one. The updates will be free, and installed through the company's Cactus Firmware Updater software package. Timing for the updates has not yet been disclosed.
(Camera parts image courtesy of Kelly Hofer / Flickr; used under a Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0 license. Image has been modified from the original.)