AndyCE Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Hi all,
Does anyone upgrade the firmware for their camera? I just checked and I have ver 1.0 and 1.02 is available, read the fixes, but don't believe I've experienced any of the things they say are fixed. Seems fairly straight forward, just wondering if it's something I should do, even if everything is working fine.
Thanks,
Andy

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Read the specs on the upgrade and see what is changing. If it is fixing a problem then perform the upgrade - if it something that you do not use, then you don't need the upgrade -

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It's always an "it depends" answer. There is usually a reason why tech companies invest in updating firmware, so it is often a good thing to get to the latest level, although not always. Sometimes updates break things also. It is usually more important with computer technology than devices like cameras, but sometimes various software products require minimum firmware levels.

For example, if you are a Canon user with something like a Rebel T3i, and you want to use Magic Lantern, then v1.02 of the firmware is required.

However, if you are happy as you are and have no problems as was pointed out earlier, then you should be able to stay on v1.0 with no risk.

Good luck

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Does Nikon make you aware of upgrades or do you have to check for up grades as long as you are registered?

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Nikon sends out messages in the Nikon message system attached with View NX2 for firmware upgrades. Depending on your batteries, you may want to be careful about the firmware (personally I do all of them) because there have been rumors that some eliminate the use of 3rd party batteries. I only use Nikon batteries so it doesn't matter.. just wanted to warn you.

You can always go to www.nikonusa.com service and support firmware and check for the current version.

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Many thanks>

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Firmware updates are simply software for the camera. The companies issue firmware updates when it has been determined that something isn't working just quite right. So, if you want your camera to work the way it was intended, the updates are important.

I don't know if updates are all-inclusive, however. By that I mean, if you don't install version 1.02, will version 1.03 include the 1.02 updates? I suspect they will, but don't know it.

They are no big deal. Just install and keep shooting.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I agree. Version 1.02 might not do anything you are interested in but version 1.03 might, and they may require you have 1.02 to go to 1.03. It is normally no big deal so do it and be done with it.

Jim D

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yes, all the time. You should always upload the new firmware into your camera. Some of the new firmwares improve performance of the camera and some of them fix bugs in the older firmware.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I always have my cameras running with the latest firmware, I always up-date. Not only are "bugs" fixed with firmware up-grades, often new capabilities are added to the cameras as well!! Well worth it, especially since it's free!!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

With Nikon, any newer version of the firmware will include all previous fixes.. BE AWARE that if you do a firmware upgrade and don't like it, you CAN NOT GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS version.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

They are usually "all inclusive"(the latest firmware incl. all the previous versions)!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Oops! I have a Nikon D5200 and am new to DSLR photography, and am just now learning what firmware is. My LCD shows: C 1.00 and just below that is L 1.006. I am taking that to mean version 1.00 is on my camera now, but there is a newer version available (1.006). I know I read somewhere how to go about putting the new version on the camera. I just have to find it.
How can I tell ahead of time what is included in the "fixes" in a newer version? There may very well be some "fix" for something I like as is.
Never mind. I just googled it and think I found what I need!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

That camera has 2 firmware loads.. it is normal for a Nikon to have 2 or 3 numbers.. the 3rd is often firmware for the lens or lenses...

Updates included with firmware C: 1.02
•The camera now supports display of error messages when lenses with a retractable lens mechanism ( e.g., AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR II ) are used. An error message is displayed and the shutter cannot be released when the lens barrel is retracted.
•Display of focal lengths in 35mm [135] format recorded in image Exif data has been corrected.
•The following issues have been resolved.
◦The camera would sometimes freeze when adding options to My Menu ( Add items ).
◦Under certain conditions, the camera would sometimes not focus automatically when the AE-L / AF-L button was pressed with AF-ON operation assigned to the button.
◦When shooting with High Dynamic Range (HDR) enabled, noise in the form of a line would sometimes appear at bottom right in images.


..

Updates included with C: 1.01
•Remaining battery charge is now accurately detected for Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14a.
With C firmware Ver. 1.00, the number of images that can be captured (battery life) when an EN-EL14a is used is less than when an EN-EL14 is used. By upgrading C firmware to Ver. 1.01, EN-EL14a performance is maximized so that more images can be captured (battery life) than when an EN-EL14 is used.

Number of shots possible with the EN-EL14a (rated capacity: DC 7.2 V, 1230 mAh; with D5100 A firmware Ver. 1.02/B firmware: Ver. 1.01)
Single-frame release mode: Approximately 700 shots (CIPA standard*)
Continuous release mode: Approximately 2650 shots (Nikon standard*)
*See the D5100 User’s Manual for details on test conditions.


https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18789


Note that if you attempt to update the firmware and you already have that version, the camera will tell you.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you so much for your very understandable explanation. Much clearer than what turned up whe I googled it. I had no idea about firmware for the lenses.
I had actually noticed an issue with the battery indicator. It did not seem at all accurate once it hit about the halfway mark. Reminded me a bit of the gas gauge on my first car. I ran out of gas twice before I found out the gas gauge was totally unreliable.
Thank you again for the great info. I am so very happy I found the UHH. People on here are so helpful and non-judgemental.