Regarding copying files from computer to my Nikon Z8

A

abhilash2179

New member
I have recently bought a new Nikon Z8 camera and looking to upgrade by firmware version.
I do not have a cfxpress card reader with me to copy the firmware files to the camera. Is there any alternative way to upgrade my camera.

Any support will be appreciated...Thanks
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
If you don't own a CFexpress card reader, I would highly recommend you purchase one. They are not expensive, and downloading those large image files is extremely slow over USB connection. At least that is the case with my Z7ii.
 
Needa

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
After some digging.

firmware update.png


Interestingly I find no specific reference as to if the camera can be updated from the SD card.
 
DrJ

DrJ

Senior Member
I recently purchased a new Z8 from the Camera Mall in Ann Arbor, MI. My wife insisted I do it, probably to shut up my constant complaining about not having the latest and greatest camera. I also purchased an FTZ II adapter from EBay, saving a few bucks.

I love my new camera, especially its low-light performance. I can only shoot my 7100 up to about ISO 800 before the noise starts to become an issue. With my Z8, ISO 6000 still gives reasonably clean images.

I think the best thing Nikon did with their Z line of cameras was put the sensor closer to the lens mount than any of their major competitors, i.e. Sony and Canon as well as the Nikon F mount. This design decision made it possible to create adapters for a wide variety of lenses, including modern lenses from Canon and Sony, from the Sony E mount to the Canon FD and EF mounts to the Olympus OM mount to the M42 and M39 screw mounts, there are literally hundreds of modern and legacy lenses that will work well on my Z8.

Some of the adapters for modern autofocus lenses cost between $200 and $300 but implement virtually all the functionality of the modern lenses on the Z camera, including autofocus and aperture control. For lenses without electrical contacts, purely mechanical adapters allow you to use manual lenses just as they would work on their old film cameras, only better.

I am having fun using my new and old F mount lenses on my Z8. I still haven't bought a native Z mount lens and have been very happy. The FTZ II adapter works great on my Sigma 150-600mm F mount lens and my Nikon 18-200 mm DX lens also works great. The cameral switches automatically to DX mode when I put it on and the cropped image fills the viewfinder. The FTX II also supports my legacy F mount lenses with one important caveat: focus confirmation (the focus point turning green when focus is achieved) doesn't work with my manual focus lenses. I have to zoom in on the focus point and focus carefully, kind of a pain in the butt.

After a little exploration I came up with a very nice workaround! The Neewer Z to Sony E mount adapter coupled with a very inexpensive mechanical Sony E to F mount adapter ($10 to $20) enables focus confirmation! When I achieve focus, the focus point turns green! No more zooming in and out! I believe this would work with any Sony E to anything mechanical adapter. Here is a link to the Neewer site: https://neewer.com/products/neewer-nw-etz-pro-fe-e-mount-lens-to-z-mount-camera-adapter-66604462
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
@DrJ are you taking the time to store the manual lenses focal lengths under the Non-CPU lens data? I can save up to 20 on my Z5. Once done and you select the lens when installed, the focus peaking works perfectly. If the speed of the lens is also saved you will be able to control aperture from the front command wheel. As well as use auto-exposure.

Edit: I pulled out a very old Nikkor 50mm f/2 to test, aperture is only controlled by the ring on the lens with this lens. But the focus peaking works as I thought. Set the AF point and the part that is in focus is highlighted yellow. Highlight shifts with the focus ring being turned.
 
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DrJ

DrJ

Senior Member
BF Hammer said:
@DrJ are you taking the time to store the manual lenses focal lengths under the Non-CPU lens data? I can save up to 20 on my Z5. Once done and you select the lens when installed, the focus peaking works perfectly. If the speed of the lens is also saved you will be able to control aperture from the front command wheel. As well as use auto-exposure.

Edit: I pulled out a very old Nikkor 50mm f/2 to test, aperture is only controlled by the ring on the lens with this lens. But the focus peaking works as I thought. Set the AF point and the part that is in focus is highlighted yellow. Highlight shifts with the focus ring being turned.
Click to expand...
Of course I add all my old lenses to the Non-CPU lens list in the camera. By doing this, the in-body stabilization works when using a listed lens. Because I use my old lenses a lot, I assign the Fn3 button on the left-back side of the camera to the function that allows me to change the non-cpu lens I am using. As far as focus-peaking is concerned, I have tried it and adjusted the sensitivity up and down, but I find that it is not very accurate, compared to the focus confirmation (or zooming in). I do wish that Nikon had made it possible to use subject recognition while in manual focus mode. I have read that curiously the ZF does enable subject detection while in manual focus mode. I don't have one so I can't check this, but it make little sense that Nikon would turn off a great feature on the Z8 while enabling it on their less expensive ZF. The aperture on all these old lenses, regardless of manufacturer, is only controlled by the aperture ring and the camera has no way to electronically communicate with the lens. Exposure and focus confirmation are the only things the camera body can control.
 
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