Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.01 Fixes Third-Party Lens Issues, But with a Warning

It did not take Nikon long to follow up after it released firmware version 3.00 for the Z8. That is probably best for me as a camera aficionado. While that update added much-welcome new features such as Pixel Shift and focus bracketing to the full-frame mirrorless camera, it also added unwelcome headaches for photographers who shoot third-party lenses.

Surprisingly, less than a week later, Nikon Z8 firmware 3.01 has been released. While the official change log is little more than a sentence, it tries to address a fairly annoying problem.

The 3.00 Update: A Big Step Forward, Then a Setback

July 1 brought Firmware 3.00, a pretty significant update. It introduced Pixel Shift photography, which takes multiple exposures and stitches them together to form extremely high-resolution images. It combines this with focus shift and auto-exposure bracketing. The idea? More detail, better depth of field, and extending dynamic range beyond what is possible in a single frame.

This was a promising development for macro shooters in particular. When it functioned as intended, it provided extremely sharp, multi-layered images. But for those using Tamron, Viltrox, or other third-party lenses, the outcome was not as seamless.

Soon after, photographers reported issues. Foremost among them, autofocus ceased to work on specific lenses. Others saw overall instability. Tamron and Viltrox, as did Nikon, both released advisories, suggesting users refrain from updating if they used third-party equipment. Mount adapters were also targeted, particularly those not produced by Nikon. 

Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.01: A Quiet Fix

Now that version Nikon Z8 firmware 3.01 is out, Nikon merely states that it “fixed an issue that prevented the camera from operating properly with some lenses.” That is all we learn. But initial user reports indicate it restores the functionality on affected third-party glass.

Nevertheless, the warning stands. Nikon has not altered its advice: Do not update your Z8 firmware with attached third-party mount adapters or non-Nikkor lenses. That includes even the ones that have been fine in the past. Nikon advises that disregarding this caution “could result in camera malfunction.” It is blunt, but explicit.

So, even when applying the fix, you may want to remove any lens before beginning, even if it is a Nikon-labeled one. It is a bit of a nuisance, but likely worth it.

Not the First Time and Probably Not the Last

Firmware patches that create compatibility problems are not anything new. Most camera companies have encountered such situations sooner or later. For Nikon, what is impressive is how quickly they released a patch. Version 3.01 was just a few days after the issue was seen, which is as fast a response as anybody could hope for.

However, the event creates questions about how open the Z-mount system is to third-party developers. Although Tamron and Viltrox both now release native Z-mount lenses, the dialogue between body and lens is still sensitive to modification.

Should you be using Nikon’s Z8 and be dependent upon third-party lenses, be sure to update to Nikon Z8 firmware 3.01, but do so carefully.

If you ask me, I have been there. You update your firmware, and everything looks great…until your autofocus stops working. So I totally get why Z8 users were nervous about this one. I have to give Nikon credit, though. They responded quickly, and that counts for a lot. 

Still, it is frustrating that we must be this cautious when using third-party gear. I would love to see Nikon work more closely with third-party lens makers in the future so stuff like this does not become a recurring problem.

[via Petapixel]

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