Nikon Z8 Firmware Update: Most of what I post in Main gets moved to Chit-Chat, so I'm saving Admin the trouble. This is more of a hardware topic than photography, right? Nikon as...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Most of what I post in Main gets moved to Chit-Chat, so I'm saving Admin the trouble. This is more of a hardware topic than photography, right?

Nikon as another firmware update for Z8, with lots of changes.

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

As I said in the other post about this, I just figured out where the "On" button was on this camera, and now I have to learn about 'Pixel Shift Shooting."

I think I'll like the Bird feature too...

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

Most of what I post in Main gets moved to Chit-Chat, so I'm saving Admin the trouble. This is more of a hardware topic than photography, right?

Nikon as another firmware update for Z8, with lots of changes.

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html

Did you install it yet?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

Did you install it yet?

Almost! I've been thinking about it, but I've been working on things here. Tomorrow!

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

Just installed it; no problems EXCEPT I put a half-charged battery in the camera and it would not do the change. The camera read back to me "battery not charged enough" or something like that. So, save yourself the trouble and ensure you place a "fully" charged battery in the camera first. Now, I need to do a deep dive on exactly what goodies the new firmware will give us. This, however, is not a bad thing at all. BTW, I've been expecting the update for a while and here it is. Yipee :).

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

I just installed it. Lots to learn, but the bird feature is worth the most for me. Just for a test, I focused on photos of dragonflies on my monitor, and the focal point box zeroed in on the eyes/head of the dragons. Goes right for the eyes with a 400mm lens from across the room, and loads of small photos on the screen. Looking at bird photos through the z8 it's as good or better. . I can't wait for winter and all the rain to go away. I have a feeling that bugs in flight will now be a whole new game! Not to mention birds. The update did rearrange my i-menu slightly, but no big problem. This is now a whole new camera!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Vladimir200 wrote:

Just installed it; no problems EXCEPT I put a half... (show quote)

I wonder if it will accept third party batteries.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

I wonder if it will accept third party batteries.

Are you using third party batteries?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

Are you using third party batteries?

I have about half and half. They've always worked in various cameras.

There might be battery info here. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nikon+z8+firmware+update

BebuLamar

My luck with third party batteries are not good. I only buy them when Nikon doesn't sell the OEM any more. They don't hold charge well.

Parfumeur Loc: Forest Hills, NY USA

I buy Wasabi. Great. AND great support.

Power2000 are also good, but watch updates cancel the decoding.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I won't use third party batteries in my cameras.

In talking with the Nikon Rep in Los Angeles (at a Z8 preview show) he emphatically stated "After market batteries do not have the Nikon chip in them like our OEM batteries do. The manufacturers haven't figured out the coding of our batteries so there is risk."

This was enough to convince me not to mess up my Z9 with batteries that may cost a little less. Its like owning a new Corvette and putting non speed rated tires on it.

You get what you pay for. Good luck.

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

I won't use third party batteries in my cameras. ... (show quote)

Agreed. Considering the cost of the cameras, a $60.00 EN-EL15C battery is cheaper than a $40.00 knock-off.
Same goes for the EN-EL18C. Not worth it for me.
I dry my car after washing it with a microfiber towel. A beach towel with a chance of a little sand in it would be cheaper. Same principal.

BebuLamar

Muddyvalley wrote:

Agreed. Considering the cost of the cameras, a $60.00 EN-EL15C battery is cheaper than a $40.00 knock-off.
Same goes for the EN-EL18C. Not worth it for me.
I dry my car after washing it with a microfiber towel. A beach towel with a chance of a little sand in it would be cheaper. Same principal.

Yes and even if the third party may be made in the same factory as Nikon battery (possible as Nikon doesn't make batter) I would still use Nikon battery.

Parfumeur Loc: Forest Hills, NY USA

Real Nikon Lover: Have a Z9 and use a pair of Wasabi batteries and their dual charger.

https://www.wasabipower.com/collections/nikon-en-el18d/products/nikon-en-el18d-battery-2-pack-and-dual-charger-by-wasabi-power

36+ months, no problems, lasts as long as the OEM.

When I shoot, I leave the camera turned on all the time, using the sleep function. Starting ~8:00a, lasts to 12-1p then I switch. out if prudence during a break so as not to miss a shot, not waiting for the red warning. Usually swap at ~20% remaining.

Using with Z 70-200 2.8, 20fps, minimal chimping as all culling and review is done in viewfinder not on screen.

I guess I'm lucky. NPS thanks you for supporting Nikon.