D850 firmware and CFExpress "upgrade": Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD...

riderz49

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

riderz49 wrote:

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

Eventually, XQD cards will be in short supply. Consider this future proofing.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

riderz49 wrote:

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

There is no reason to upgrade from what you have but if you buy a new card, cfexpress is the best move as it’s where everything new is moving.
You may also need to upgrade your card reader as well for cfexpress.

TerryVS

riderz49 wrote:

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

Personally if I need a new card I'll buy CFe and the reader to go with it. Until then I'll wait to upgrade. I would rather all the bugs are worked out of the firmware if there are any. CFe is going to be the way of the future so I'll not buy anymore XQD cards.

Terry

Bill_de Loc: US

I always keep my firmware up to date. They usually do more than just the 'headline' fix.

In the case of the D500:
"• Fixed an issue that caused both the Entire frame and Background only options for Custom Setting e3 Exposure comp. for flash in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU to produce the same results as Entire frame during flash photography."

If you haven't updated the D850 since version 1.11:

• Added supported for CFexpress cards (Type B). For more information, see the Nikon support website for your country or region.
• Changed the default for Custom Setting b6 Center-weighted area from ⌀8 mm to ⌀12 mm.
• Fixed the following issues:
- When shooting with the lens aperture ring rotated to maximum aperture on a non-CPU lens for which lens data had been supplied via Non-CPU lens data in the SETUP MENU, the camera would sometimes fail to display the correct aperture value in the monitor or record it to the Exif aperture value field for photographs taken with On (Mode 2) selected for Silent live view photography in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU.
- When movie live view was output to an external recorder via HDMI, the R and L volume indicators in the camera monitor would show the reverse of the indicators for the HDMI device.
- A portion of the display would dim during silent photography if all the following conditions were met:
▹ On (Mode 1) selected for Silent live view photography in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
▹ Continuous low speed (CL) selected for release mode
▹ 2 fps selected for Custom Setting d1 CL mode shooting speed in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU.
- When a VR lens was attached, the camera would stop responding if all the following conditions were met:
▹ Photo live view enabled
▹ Shutter speed set to 1.3 s or slower
▹ On selected for Long exposure NR in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
▹ On (series) or On (single photo) selected for HDR (high dynamic range) > HDR mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
▹ ON selected with the lens VR switch"

--

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

riderz49 wrote:

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

I use XQD cards with a write speed of 400 MB/s. And I have the D5 battery in my D850 and get 9 fps. I usually shoot in bursts and have not had a buffer failure yet. So, for now, I see no need for a CFExpress card but will do the upgrade regardless.
The price of these newer cards are not out of the ball park, and they are very fast.

pasiuk57 Loc: Apple Valley, Minnesota

Can you run down the steps to do the firmware upgrade on the D850?

Festus Loc: North Dakota

riderz49 wrote:

Nikon just released a firmware update for the D850 that enables the use of CFExpress cards, which are faster than the identically formatted XQD cards.

Is there any substantial reason to install the update?

Any reason to "upgrade" to CFExpress?

You will not get any speed increase with the use of a CF Express card in your D850. It's a limitation of the camera not the card.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

pasiuk57 wrote:

Can you run down the steps to do the firmware upgrade on the D850?

A clear, concise description of these steps (better than any you will get here) is printed right where you have to go to download the necessary file. In summary:

1. Fully charge the battery in your camera.
2. Make a directory to receive the .bin file.
3. Download the .exe file from the website.
4. Run the .exe file.
5. Find the .bin file in the directory you created.
6. Copy that file to the root directory of your primary memory card.
7. Insert that card into the primary slot.
8. Find the Firmware Update function in your menu.
9. Execute it.
10. Done.

I have never had a firmware update cause a single problem in 15 years and across 6 different cameras. There's no reason not to do it. If you skip this one and do the next one, you are still going to get every change in both.

pahtspix

I'm getting a little "antsy" on the promised firmware upgrade for my D500 to also accept a CF express card in liu of an XQD card..Recently promised by the end of this month , and it is now December 7th!..does anyone out there have any news on this? I see they just did it for the D350! I love my D500, but I don't wish it to become an "orphaned" camera! Eddie ( PAHTSPIX)..

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

pasiuk57 wrote:

Can you run down the steps to do the firmware upgrade on the D850?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEWQ4GCbWuI

Photec

pahtspix wrote:

I'm getting a little "antsy" on the promised firmware upgrade for my D500 to also accept a CF express card in liu of an XQD card..Recently promised by the end of this month , and it is now December 7th!..does anyone out there have any news on this? I see they just did it for the D350! I love my D500, but I don't wish it to become an "orphaned" camera! Eddie ( PAHTSPIX)..

It is not "in liu of", it will still use the XQD and the CFe. No harm, no foul.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Festus wrote:

You will not get any speed increase with the use of a CF Express card in your D850. It's a limitation of the camera not the card.

I think someone needs to do a meaningful investigation and let us know whether there is a speed increase or not. These two cameras are really fast internally, as demonstrated by how fast their buffers operate. The memory card interface may be faster than a lot of folks think. Someone needs to demonstrate for us. I do not have any current plans to purchase any CFExpress cards...too expensive in my market, and I do not need the speed. I do plan to install the updates. They correct some other potential bad behavior by the camera.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Hamltnblue wrote:

There is no reason to upgrade from what you have but if you buy a new card, cfexpress is the best move as it’s where everything new is moving.
You may also need to upgrade your card reader as well for cfexpress.

CF and CFepress readers are not interchangeable.

duffy021049 Loc: Colorado

pahtspix wrote:

I'm getting a little "antsy" on the promised firmware upgrade for my D500 to also accept a CF express card in liu of an XQD card..Recently promised by the end of this month , and it is now December 7th!..does anyone out there have any news on this? I see they just did it for the D350! I love my D500, but I don't wish it to become an "orphaned" camera! Eddie ( PAHTSPIX)..

The upgrade for the D500 got put up same day as D850

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/383.html