Nikon’s newest Z6 & Z7 3.20 firmware adds Blackmagic RAW support & ProRes RAW metadata

Nikon recently announced that the Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II will get the ability to record both Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW to the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G models and Atomos Ninja V respectively. Well, now, the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 have also received Blackmagic RAW support with the release of a new v3.20 firmware update.

The new update also includes video metadata for ProRes RAW video files shot with the Atomos Ninja V, allowing you to adjust white balance and ISO in post if you’re using Final Cut Pro (v10.4.9 or higher). But hold your horses, it’s not all great news.

The new v3.20 firmware update does not bypass the need to purchase Nikon’s paid RAW output upgrade. You’ll already need to have had your camera upgraded to support RAW to access the RAW features in the update. That means that if you haven’t done so already, you’re still going to need to fork over $199.

• Support for RAW video output is available via a fee-for-service upgrade, * and firmware version 3.20 adds support under this service for Blackmagic Design external video recorders (currently the Video Assist 5″ 12G HDR and Video Assist 7″ 12G HDR). If you have already purchased the RAW video output upgrade for your camera, updating to firmware version 3.20 will add support for Blackmagic Design external video recorders automatically.
• Users of Apple’s Final Cut Pro X (version 10.4.9 or later) can now adjust ISO sensitivity—and display and adjust color temperature—for ProRes RAW footage output to ATOMOS NINJA V external recorders using the fee-for-service RAW video output upgrade. *

< Choosing a RAW Output Type >
Before filming RAW video, choose an option for HDMI > Advanced > RAW output options > RAW output type in the SETUP MENU based on the type of recorder connected: select Type A for NINJA V recorders and Type B for Video Assist recorders.

But if you have done the paid upgrade (or you intend to), then you’ll be able to shoot Blackmagic RAW to the Video Assist 5″ 12G and Video Assist 7″ 12G models or ProRes RAW to the Atomos Ninja V with FCPX metadata.

If you’re not interested in RAW video, the firmware update does bring a few other new features and fixes, too.

• Added support for NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lenses.
  • Fixed the following issues:
  • Rotating the focus or (if Focus (M/A) is assigned to the control ring) control ring would sometimes fail to activate manual focus during burst photography when a NIKKOR Z lens was attached.
  • The exposure indicator would not be displayed in mode M when a non-CPU lens was attached via an FTZ mount adapter.
  • Certain aperture values would not be selected when control rings for the following lenses were rotated to stop aperture down in movie mode:
    • NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
    • NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
    • NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
    • NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
• Unexpected aperture values would sometimes be displayed during bracketing in mode M if a bracketing option that made changes to aperture was selected with a NIKKOR Z lens attached.
• Power aperture controls would sometimes stop responding after the standby timer had been on for an extended period in movie mode.

* The RAW video output upgrade is available on a fee-for-service basis. For more information, contact a Nikon-authorized service representative.

As well as new firmware updates for the Nikon Z6 & Z7, there’s also a new version 1.0.1 Nikon Webcam Utility available for the Mac, which adds support for both macOS Big Sur version 11 and Apple’s new M1 Arm-based machines.

• Added support for macOS Big Sur version 11.
• Added support for Apple Silicon. Note that the Webcam Utility functions as a universal plugin and on Apple Silicon machines runs as an Apple Silicon native app in the universal version of Chrome.

You can download each of the updates here.

• Nikon Z6 firmware update version 3.20
• Nikon Z7 firmware update version 3.20
• Nikon Webcam Utility (Mac) Version 1.0.1

[via Newsshooter]