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Nikon’s Super Telephoto Z lenses get a firmware update for linear focus ring rotation

Jan 18, 2023 by John Aldred Add Comment

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Nikon’s Nikkor Z super telephoto lenses are fantastic pieces of kit, there’s no question. For what they cost, you’d expect them to be pretty spectacular, too. Like most modern autofocus mirrorless lenses, though, they use a focus-by-wire system when manually focusing. Focus by wire lets you make big adjustments by turning the ring quickly or fine adjustments by turning it slowly. A fantastic innovation for photographers, not so much for filmmakers.

So, Nikon has released new firmware for their 400mm f/4.5 VR, 400mm f/2.8 TC VR, 600mm f/4 TC VR and 800mm f/6.3 VR lenses to bring linear focus to the focus rings of those lenses. This lets them be used in video rigs with follow-focus units with the certainty that they’ll nail the target every time.

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Firmware Version 1.10:

  • The lens now supports options for [Focus ring rotation range] * in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in addition to [Non-linear]. When a linear option is selected, rotating the focus ring the selected amount in manual focus mode will take the lens from the minimum focus distance to infinity, regardless of the speed with which the ring is rotated.
  • Added support for the [Switch focus/control ring roles] * feature in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
    • * As of January 2023, the cameras that support these options are (from “C” firmware version 2.00) the Z 9 and (from “C” firmware version 1.40) the Z 7II and Z 6II.

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S Firmware Version 1.10:

  • The lens now supports options for [Focus ring rotation range] * in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in addition to [Non-linear]. When a linear option is selected, rotating the focus ring the selected amount in manual focus mode will take the lens from the minimum focus distance to infinity, regardless of the speed with which the ring is rotated.
  • Added support for the [Switch focus/control ring roles] * feature in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
    • * As of January 2023, the cameras that support these options are (from “C” firmware version 2.00) the Z 9 and (from “C” firmware version 1.40) the Z 7II and Z 6II.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Firmware Version 1.10:

  • The lens now supports options for [Focus ring rotation range] * in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in addition to [Non-linear]. When a linear option is selected, rotating the focus ring the selected amount in manual focus mode will take the lens from the minimum focus distance to infinity, regardless of the speed with which the ring is rotated.
  • Added support for the [Switch focus/control ring roles] * feature in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
    • * As of January 2023, the cameras that support these options are (from “C” firmware version 2.00) the Z 9 and (from “C” firmware version 1.40) the Z 7II and Z 6II.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Firmware Version 1.10:

  • The lens now supports options for [Focus ring rotation range] * in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in addition to [Non-linear]. When a linear option is selected, rotating the focus ring the selected amount in manual focus mode will take the lens from the minimum focus distance to infinity, regardless of the speed with which the ring is rotated.
  • Added support for the [Switch focus/control ring roles] * feature in the camera [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
    • * As of January 2023, the cameras that support these options are (from “C” firmware version 2.00) the Z 9 and (from “C” firmware version 1.40) the Z 7II and Z 6II.

Firmware updates for all four lenses are available to download now from the Nikon website using the links above.

[via Nikon Rumors]

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Related posts:

Nikon adds Linear Focus ring capability to some Z lenses with new firmware updates Seamless Follow Focus Ring From Cinegear Provides Uninhibited 360-Degree Rotation Canon releases major firmware update for EOS R6 to improve overheating (minor R5 update) Nikons D4s Set for Release in March

Filed Under: news Tagged With: 400mm f/2.8, 400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/4, 800mm f/6.3, firmware, Nikon

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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