Firmware updates: What is the best source providing guidance? The Nikon information is confusing. The video at Nikon support says use a formatted card to start taking photos after...

Lovemirrorlesd

What is the best source providing guidance?
The Nikon information is confusing.
The video at Nikon support says use a formatted card to start taking photos after updating the firmware.
How about using a card with photos already stored on it?

IDguy Loc: Idaho

No issues.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Lovemirrorlesd wrote:

What is the best source providing guidance?
The Nikon information is confusing.
The video at Nikon support says use a formatted card to start taking photos after updating the firmware.
How about using a card with photos already stored on it?

It might work ok but why risk this? The easiest thing is use a card with nothing on it but the update, and reformat it afterwards.

You only have one card?

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Lovemirrorlesd wrote:

What is the best source providing guidance?
The Nikon information is confusing.
The video at Nikon support says use a formatted card to start taking photos after updating the firmware.
How about using a card with photos already stored on it?

It is NOT a good habit to store photos on a card and start shooting again. Back your photos up to a couple of source drives. Before every shoot I electronically clean my sensor and use freshly formatted cards. Why risk losing ALL of your photos on a card if they are not backed up? I have some cards that are 20 years old but do not use them. They still work and probably won't fail, but why tempt fate?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

It is NOT a good habit to store photos on a card and start shooting again.

Wow I missed that memo. I have been doing that for almost 20 years.

After downloading a set I put the card back in the camera and I shoot a black frame to mark the last download and continue using the card.

If the card is near full I will reformat it after the photos are backed up.

Lovemirrorlesd

I left that part of the discussion out.
I always use a new card to update.
Was just asking if I can use the previous card to store more photos after updating the firmware?
Nikon's video implies that is not possible.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

It is NOT a good habit to store photos on a card and start shooting again. Back your photos up to a couple of source drives. Before every shoot I electronically clean my sensor and use freshly formatted cards. Why risk losing ALL of your photos on a card if they are not backed up? I have some cards that are 20 years old but do not use them. They still work and probably won't fail, but why tempt fate?

"It is NOT a good habit to store photos on a card and start shooting again." That may have been, and probably was, good advice when digital cameras were a new thing. Todays' cards and cameras are vastly improved. You can use the same card until it is full. You can even swap it between cameras and brands of camera.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Lovemirrorlesd wrote:

I left that part of the discussion out.
I always use a new card to update.
Was just asking if I can use the previous card to store more photos after updating the firmware?
Nikon's video implies that is not possible.

"Was just asking if I can use the previous card to store more photos after updating the firmware?
Nikon's video implies that is not possible."

It could be possible that a firmware update changes the file structure or format in a way that increases risk. I don't own any Nikons now, but would follow their "implication".

Lovemirrorlesd

Thank you.
I will follow your directions.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

JD750 wrote:

It might work ok but why risk this? The easiest thing is use a card with nothing on it but the update, and reformat it afterwards.

You only have one card?

No risks. Have done many updates over years.

Easiest is to use card you are using.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

IDguy wrote:

No risks. Have done many updates over years.

Easiest is to use card you are using.

Good to know. I suspected that would work but I did not want to say that without having tried it first.

I have multiple flash cards so I use a different card for updating firmware.

Bill_de Loc: US

JD750 wrote:

It might work ok but why risk this? The easiest thing is use a card with nothing on it but the update, and reformat it afterwards.

You only have one card?

I agree. I updated firmware on three Nikon "Z" bodies last night. In each case I formatted the card in the camera I was updating. That might be over cautious, but I have never had an issue with firmware updates.

I found following Nikon's step by step written instructions the safest/easiest way to do it. After a few updates it starts to make sense.

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/index.html

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Lovemirrorlesd wrote:

What is the best source providing guidance?
The Nikon information is confusing.
The video at Nikon support says use a formatted card to start taking photos after updating the firmware.
How about using a card with photos already stored on it?

I agree with you that Nikon can be tricky. But when I watched the following video by Steve Perry, it really is not that hard, but make sure you do it exactly like Steve does. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEWQ4GCbWuI

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

bsprague wrote:

"Was just asking if I can use the previous card to store more photos after updating the firmware?
Nikon's video implies that is not possible."

It could be possible that a firmware update changes the file structure or format in a way that increases risk. I don't own any Nikons now, but would follow their "implication".

to bsprague for addressing the question that OP asked.

OP: What bsprague said.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

bsprague wrote:

"Was just asking if I can use the previous card to store more photos after updating the firmware?

.

I have done so several times on several models of their cameras - D810, D850, D6 & Z7II. No worries.
The only situation I can think of where that might be a problem would be with a full card (insufficient space for the firmware update file).