Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Awhile back, while attempting a download of images from my D7100, I discovered that something was amiss due to the fact that my computer did not recognize my camera. No matter what I did I simply could not download to my computer from my camera. The obvious solution was to use a card reader. Pretty much the end of story. However, it just dawned on me that if I wanted to download a firmware update, I may no longer have that capability. Given that I cannot tether the camera directly to the computer, do any of you hogs have any idea how I can download firmware? Is it possible to download to my card and then install a firmware update in-camera from the card? Incidentally, I believe that I may have screwed up the camera receptacle by picking up the camera too many times while it was still attached to the computer. My bad. Thanks in advance for your help...

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes, inputting with a card is the normal way. For Nikon you need to expand the downloaded file first and move the enclosed .bin file to the card.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have never downloaded firmware straight to the camera of obvious reasons (as not to really damage the camera), but instead downloaded the firmware onto a memory card and only then (after everything went well), inserted the card into the camera to transfer it to the camera!

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Great info. Thanks so much...

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

This is also great info and perhaps a warning not to download straight to the camera. Thanks for the feedback...

Tet68survivor Loc: Pomfret Center CT

Good morning Sir, I am just a beginner, I have always downloaded the firmware to my SDHC card, expanded it, made sure the .bin file is in the root directory of the card, and then placed it in the camera to do it's thing! I personally know of no other way!

KLambar Loc: New Jersey

Nikon's website when you are checking to see if there is new firmware for your camera has a section that explains what to do from downloading etc.

Ron 717 Loc: Pennsylvania

I think your last sentence is the issue, if you have a set of reader glasses and a decent small light, look into the USB port on your camera. You might see that one or more of the contacts are bent and not making contact, using a tiny pointed tool or mini screw driver you may be able to straighten it. If not take to your local camera store or send to Nikon for repair.

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Does this help: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473972-2.html#7961331

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

With Nikon firmware updates, I know of no way to download them directly to the camera. You MUST use a card to complete that function and the file MUST be in the root directory of the card. Personally speaking, I see absolutely no advantage to downloading images directly from your camera and many advantages of downloading from the card. Best of luck.

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Helped immensely. I now have the Windows10 instructions saved on my computer for reference...Thanks

Jim Bob

Could it be that digital cameras are simply to complex for the average human?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Try re-installing the software disc that came with your camera. If you recently upgraded your computer's operating system, or you never installed the Nikon software on your current operating system, then it is entirely possible that the OS is not recognizing the camera. Also update this software by downloading the latest versions from Nikon's web site.

On the other hand, those tiny USB connectors on the camera are awful! If there is visible damage, have it repaired.

Where I used to work, we used over 430 mid-range Canons (EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D, etc.) for school portraiture. We always worked TETHERED to a laptop PC. The camera USB connectors were such awful failure points, we installed strain reliefs on our tripods to keep slack in the cable from the strain relief to the camera body. Any lateral stress on the cable could potentially damage the connector on the camera body. We probably had 15 of them go bad in seven years...

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

(I should mention that I don't think the following applies to the OP at all.)

Jim Bob, I don't think so.

But there is most definitely a human *personality type* that has a complete inability (and lack of desire) to master technology of any kind! I encountered quite a few of them over the course of my career. Those folks often do extremely well in non-technical, social, connector roles such as sales and customer service. I learned to keep them away from dealing with technical details! The odd thing is, they keep wanting to take on roles that they cannot perform, because those roles have some special appeal to them.

A case in point was one of our company presidents at the (now defunct) Delmar Studios. He was a tenth grade drop-out who swept floors there as his first job. But he was amazingly conversational, and quite adept at getting other people together to solve problems. He was a good listener, and could *conceptually* understand what people were saying, even if he couldn't (or did not want to) deal with the details. His very best destiny was VP sales, a role he held for well over a decade. Alas, he took the job as president and got way out in the weeds when it came to strategic financial decisions. He lasted about 18 months in that role.

Jim Bob

Thanks for your very interesting and entertaining post ( characteristics I really admire and enjoy in most of your posts). By the way I blew it. Should have said "too" complex.