mudduck

I attempted to update my sony A7RII, followed instructions and as it went through the process stopped at one point and wouldnt proceed, ended up with a locked up camera with only a little red light at the right bottom of the camera. No menu no nothing, got with Sony on the tech chat and worked with the technician. No dice, told me to send it to Precision Camera and got the online estimate of $458, didnt even ask for a summery of the problem but I guess thats the way it is. Went and pulled the USB charging cable off my Sony battery charger and tried again, low and behold went through the process , completed the update and works like a champ, the original cable showed firmware installed and new firmware version but stopped halfway through, I think from now on I'm going to stick with whatever is in the camera.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

If I remember correctly, part of the instructions is to use the original Sony cable. How it knows you are not using a Sony cable is beyond my ability to comprehend! On the other hand, I never charge a battery while it is in the camera. It makes sense to me that you do not want that type of current waltzing through the camera. Separate battery chargers from Watson, etc. are cheap and efficient.

gwilliams6

Yes some USB cables wont transfer the firmware data. If you dont still have the OEM Sony cable, you can use these Rampow brand. I have used them for years and they transfer all data including all firmware update data for all my Sony cameras. They easily transfer images and USB power as well as data.

You can get them at Amazon. They come in all lengths and all type connectors. Just order the cable with the right connectors for your use.

They just work, every time. I have a few and never have to worry about finding the original Sony cable . And they are tough, and nicely braided. I never had one wear out or refuse to work, ever.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C262MJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

FYI I have owned Sony A6500, A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9, and currently own A7RIV, A1, A7SIII.

Cheers and best to you.

Canisdirus

Exactly right...

There was never any data transfer with the first cable...it was recognized...but only as a charging cable.

The cable that comes with the camera...is both a charging AND data cable.

Then it all flows downhill nicely.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Kudos for not giving up, and for going back to the original Sony cable!

The biggest challenge with firmware updates is following the manufacturer's instructions TO THE LETTER. If they tell you to, "Hold your nose and hop three times," or "Use the supplied cable, #pnzx343," you have to do it, or you might "brick" the device. Unfortunately, the instructions are often poorly written and poorly translated, so you have to take time to make sense of them first. It's easy to overlook something as simple as using the exact cable supplied by the manufacturer. Plenty of folks toss those, along with the camera manual, strap, and warranty card, when they buy the camera! That's as mistaken as failing to back up a computer and save software licenses and installation codes.

I have updated firmware in dozens of cameras over the years. Every manufacturer seems to have a slightly different process. I always print out the instructions and use them as a checklist.

I've seen two users ruin their cameras by interrupting the process before it completed. One got impatient and turned the camera off in the middle of the updates. The other used a four-year-old battery that could not hold a charge — it died during the update. Canon said their cameras were not repairable. To make matters worse, the owners didn't even need that update! It added compatibility with a lens they would never own.

Slightly off-topic rant:

As a former corporate trainer and training content writer, I've always told folks not to do things they don't feel comfortable doing, and especially not to do something with technology if they think they don't need to read the instructions. Instructions = comfort and confidence, in my mind.

The first purpose of writing a manual is to prove to the engineers or developers that their device or system actually works! If it doesn't, the manual writer cannot write the manual. The process of writing a manual involves DOING everything that is supposed to be possible with the device. Then it includes having another user read the manual and use the device or system successfully in all instances and with all features. When everything works, the thing ships!

When you buy something from a tech company these days, there might be a quick-start manual in the box, but more likely, the full documentation is only available online. The convention in 2023 is to download that reference manual to your smartphone or laptop, and read the screen. The advantage is that it is fully searchable and fully indexed, and the index is often automated. If you keep it on your phone (or in Apple Books if you're in the Apple world), it is always with you.

gwilliams6

Yes with Sony camera updates you should have a fully charged battery in your camera, remove all memory cards, and NEVER turn off the camera during the update. If the data transfer is interrupted, you can brick your camera. However Sony service can reset it.

Once I start the updating process, following all directions (which Sony does list on their update website page), I dont even touch the camera until it is done and I get the finished alert.

The Rampow cords from Amazon will perform all the functions of the OEM Sony cord, and are tougher with braiding and come in longer lengths. I store away the original Sony cords and keep Rampow ones in my camera cases and in my laptop case. They come in all lengths and with all types of connectors to fit your camera's input ports https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C262MJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheers and best to you.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Thanks , Great info, all those cables look alike so I'm going to order one.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

I couldn't tell you where my original Sony cables are. I've always used, without issue, whatever USB cable I had at hand. I should add that I don't purchase cheap cables, but only cables that are USB certified (if a cable displays the USB trident on the cable ends, it's certified).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yeah, but certified *for what speed?* Not all USB cables can handle USB speeds greater than 5Gbps.

If you buy a Thunderbolt 4/USB4 cable, it can run data at top speeds on all USB-C devices. Whether it WILL depends on the slowest speed of any adapters or other devices that are slower than the cable.

USB-C is a CONNECTOR scheme. USB 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.1, 3.2, and USB4 are all protocols, as are Thunderbolt 1, 2, 3, and 4. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 use Mini-DisplayPort connections. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use USB-C connections. USB 1 through 3.1 use USB-A, -B, and a bunch of other obsolete standard connections.

It's a mess!

gwilliams6

Not all cables, even "certified ones", will transfer data correctly and at sufficient speed. So DO NOT think you can use any USB cable, cheap or not. Use the Sony ones or the ones like Rampow that are proven to do all tasks without issue.

It does make a real difference.

Cheers

gwilliams6

Stick with the Rampow, they work with all Sonys for all transfers, data, images, power. DO NOT just pick any look-alike cable on Amazon, please.

It does make a difference.

Cheers

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

USB 1.* has been obsolete since Moby Dick was a minnow, and micro-USB was not even developed before USB 2.0 replaced the old standard.

Now Sony uses Thunderbolt? And y'all know what kinds of cables I buy? Tsk, tsk. No and no.

Sony cameras prior to a7Rv (and possibly other latest-gen models) can be firmware-updated over micro-USB, which is a USB 2.0-3.0 standard with a nominal data rate from a snail's-pace of 480 Mbps, I believe (2.0) to a respectable 5Gbps (3.0). USB 2.0 is still sufficient for a computer mouse or keyboard -- or even a firmware update on older (and newer?) Sony cameras no matter what brand a cable is, as long as the cable is made to USB standards. I long ago phased out my micro-USB 2.0 cables for the newer and faster 3.0, so any micro-USB cable I own is able to update firmware. And you can bet your ass that any cable I own isn't a cheap knockoff. Thus, I stand by my earlier remarks.

Honestly, I can't say whether I've ever used a Sony cable to update firmware. Probably not, as I don't like the cheap feel of Sony cables and generally buy cloth-braid ones.

I should also clarify and say that good cables exist which are not USB certified. Just last week a charger I purchased came with a non-certified cable that was still able to charge my phone at its rated speed of 45W. But any cable that is certified should meet standards. If not, perhaps some of us should question our choice of eBay or bubble-gum machine vendors.

Canisdirus

Yawn...there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Sony cables.

gwilliams6

I have owned Sony A6500, A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9 and currently own A7RIV, A1, A7SIII and the cable standards have progressed along with the rest of industry advances. My cables I use have kept up with my changing needs. As others have pointed out, there is nothing wrong with the Sony cables supplied with your cameras. Use them if you still have them.

I just like the Rampow ones as they are available in longer lengths and are tough, durable under heavy use and nicely braided. Certainly there are other excellent cable choices . I just love paying less for great quality when I have the opportunity. I have dragged these Rampow cables with me and used them around the world , and have never had a single failure, ever.. They have passed all my real-world tests, and just work.

Cheers and use what works for you. FYI, my original Sony cables are stored safely and are my backups if ever needed. Also if I sell or trade-in a camera, I have the original boxes (which I keep), and all the original accessories and original cables to sell with it. I get a better sale price keeping all this original stuff.

(Download)

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Yeah, I heard you the first time.

My only issue was -- again -- dismissiveness. In your previous posts you claimed, with a bit of arrogance, that Sony and kapow Rampow are the only brands suitable to use for a firmware update.