Nikon Root Directories: After watching YouTube videos (mostly Steve Perry), printing out the Nikon instructions, and a couple of "dry runs" prepping the card I successfully updated my...

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

After watching YouTube videos (mostly Steve Perry), printing out the Nikon instructions, and a couple of "dry runs" prepping the card I successfully updated my D5600 firmware. In spite of all the warnings, it was simple and easy -- but obviously there is a way to mess it up.

I took the opportunity to format the card in the computer and compare it with formatting in the camera to see if there was a difference -- and found two!

First, formatted in the computer produced a blank card.
Second, formatted in the camera, produced two root directories:
DCIM
Nikon

I have always formatted in the camera. While images all go to DCIM, I have never found any files in the Nikon directory.

Does anyone know what this is for?

tcthome Loc: NJ

If I had to guess(& I am) it is where the firmware resides. It has been so long since I have done a firmware update. I'll mess around with it when I get some time. I'm off to work.

Enjoy your day.

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

John Maher wrote:

After watching YouTube videos (mostly Steve Perry)... (show quote)

Never put the bin file in the DCIM folder. It should be a stand alone on your memory card.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

billnikon wrote:

Never put the bin file in the DCIM folder. It should be a stand alone on your memory card.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

I left it just like the camera set it up -- with the bin file outside DCIM and Nikon.

That was one area I had to clear up after watching Steve Perry's otherwise outstanding video. He uses a Mac.

I just don't know what the "Nikon" directory is for.

SonyBug

There may be a hidden file in the Nikon directory.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

John Maher wrote:

After watching YouTube videos (mostly Steve Perry)... (show quote)

Don't format in your computer. Always format with your camera and don't worry about anything but the DCIM. The Nikon just identifies the system.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

And another oddity is that if you create a DCIM folder using Windows with a blank card and put photos in it using Windows, the photos won’t be seen by your iPad if you use an Apple card reader adapter. But if your card has been formatted in your camera and you have some photos on it, they will be viewed and transferred to the iPad.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

I have always formatted in the camera. But, as part of preparing to update firmware, I wanted to see if I could see any visible difference and I did. I only put it in the camera once after formatting it on the computer, and I formatted it immediately in the camera -- just like a new card.

Knowing there is a difference, I wondered what it was for.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

gvarner wrote:

And another oddity is that if you create a DCIM folder using Windows with a blank card and put photos in it using Windows, the photos won’t be seen by your iPad if you use an Apple card reader adapter. But if your card has been formatted in your camera and you have some photos on it, they will be viewed and transferred to the iPad.

Thanks -- That's could be significant!

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

John Maher wrote:

I left it just like the camera set it up -- with the bin file outside DCIM and Nikon.

That was one area I had to clear up after watching Steve Perry's otherwise outstanding video. He uses a Mac.

I just don't know what the "Nikon" directory is for.

the only thing that counts is the bin folder, that is the only folder you need to update firmware